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This is BRA Brokenmoon Athena. Sired by the Thoroughbred, Gold to the Max. Her dam is the Arabian, Brokenmoon Latifa. She is a registered Anglo-Arabian, IAHA #9986. The blood of Mr. Prospector, Native Dancer and Bold Ruler runs through her veins. On her Arabian side, she is a great granddaughter of the famous sire, Aladdinn.
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Athena was born at 11:15 p.m., May 13, 2001, just barely a Mother's Day baby! However, she got off to a rocky start. Not wanting to nurse, her IGG levels were dangerously low, even after having colostrum tubed down her. She ended up spending her first few days of life at Red Oak Animal Hospital where she received a transfusion of antibodies and was watched carefully. Once she had her strength and figured out where the faucet was, she improved rapidly. Here she is, a day old. The bandage covers the catheter in her neck.
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Athena's birth, a joyous occasion, was overshadowed by the untimely death of her older, full brother, BRA T-Max Azeem. Max broke his leg in an accident as he was to be loaded in a shipping van and sent to his new home in Texas. In my grief for Max, I kept Athena at an emotional arm's length. Athena didn't get the attention she deserved. This picture shows Max in Feb. 2001 in his winter fuzz. He was a handsome black bay, 15H at 23 months of age, with a zest for life. He was the pasture clown, athletic, agile and smart, his potential sadly unfulfilled.
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However, little by little, the filly wormed her way into my heart. First she licked my hands the way Max used to. Then she entertained me with antics -- galloping full speed, spinning, whirling, and twirling in ways only foals can do. Once they can manage their long legs, they do canter pirouttes, levades and caprioles for fun! Every day is a new page for them to fill with the wonders of the world.
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Then one evening in June, when my grandson, John, was visiting the farm, Athena filled my heart with love and wonder. She was lying in the soft grass in our backyard. She let me and John come up to her and lie down with her. We spent nearly an hour petting her, touching her and lying with our heads on her. We exchanged breaths with her and she taught us that the human heart has great capacity to love. Losing one special creature doesn't close the heart. There is room to receive the gift of love again.
My heart was not the only one touched by this wondrous filly. Melissa Robberts of Texas, who had purchased Max and never got to touch his silky black-bay coat or play tag with him, also fell in love with Athena and saw her potential. She is Athena's new human "mom." In May 2002, Athena and Melissa made the long journey to Texas where both arrived, tired, but safe and unharmed.
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I wish Kansas and Texas were closer so we could share in the joy of watching Athena make new discoveries and learn new things. We were lucky to have Athena live with us for the first year of her life, where she learned to ride in a trailer, lead, and accept baths with the garden hose monster! Her favorite friend was our Arab filly, Ali. They were inseparable.
In many ways, Athena brought light and joy into our lives and has shown us in her horsy way that life is such a precious gift. She does not replace her brother, but she brings to this world her own unique personality and her own promises to fulfill. She has taught us that "Sorrow looks behind, worry looks around, but hope looks forward."
Melissa keeps us updated with photos and stories. Athena is growing big and strong and is a quiet and good companion. She has new horsy friends now, Naja, an Arabian mare, and Mickey, an Arabian gelding.
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