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Cash's legacy: A therapy horse's impact

Lake Country mourns the loss of one very special horse this week.
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Horse trainer Lorraine Andres stands with Rocky


Lake Country is mourning the loss of one very popular horse this week.

Lorraine Pelletier Andres was forced to say good-bye to a friend and companion.

Cash, her 30-year-old Paint horse, helped the horse rider and trainer through difficult times. The horse died on Monday, Jan. 20 after suffering a severe stroke.

“He was different than all the other horses. He was kinder, gentler and patient. He made all the students feel comfortable,” said Andres.

Andres owns Tranquille Equestrian Centre, a place for rehabilitation for horses, and sometimes people. On her property in Lake Country, Andres teaches riding lessons and bonding lessons for riders and horses.

She once had a 16-year-old boy who wanted to ride a horse that would go fast enough so he could feel the breeze through his hair, but Cash would only trot.

“Cash could sense that the boy wasn’t ready,” said Andres.

Members of the community remember Cash.

Janet Redgwell has known Andres for 30 years and knew Cash well.

“He was an amazing horse. You could put a two-year-old on him. (Andres) was in parades with him,” she said.

Redgwell, a Vernon local, said she met Andres through her “join-up” sessions, meaning bonding sessions between horse and partner.

Andres has been handling the loss well, said Redgwell.

“You have to expect it one day,” she said.

Cash’s journey began in Saskatchewan, but he was sent to Vancouver after an accident with barbed wire. He wasn’t able to be carry for rider for the first five years of his life.

After that he was traded and sold through a few owners before ending up with Andres at 17 years old.

“I just saw him once and ended up buying him,” she said.

The duo shared a bond. Cash was responsive to Andres, able to sense her movements and stop on cue.

Whether it was the elderly or young children, Cash was a fan favourite, she said. At community events, children would choose Cash over the other horses.

“He was my rock. So many people knew Cash. It didn’t matter what time of day it was, or night, he was there when he was needed.”

To learn more about horse training and Tranquille Farms visit tranquillefarms.ca.