After reading the stories of losing an equine family member, I wanted to mention my story of losing my best friend. I received my first pony from my aunt when I was four years old, and he was three. He was a Connemara, large for the breed at 14.2HH. I was a beginner rider to say the least and he was an angel sent to show me the ropes. I learned everything I know on him, Dressage, jumping, cross country. This was a pony who was never meant to jump at all, but did it because I asked him to. He trotted in a circle about 9,000 times while I learned to post, tolerated my trainer running at him flapping a towel so I could learn to sit the canter. He taught me how to fall off, how to stay on, how to graze in a field at a full gallop, and how to play. He took third place out of 25 full size warmbloods in first level Dressage and amazed everyone when he jumped a 3.6' fence.
He put up with all of my teenage phases, from flourescent polo wraps to "punk rock pony", and learned to tiptoe up behind my trainer so we could blast her with a snow ball (then wheeling around on a dime and taking off with me laughing my head off).
My pony got sick when he was 17 and we were told by the vet that he had a very unusual founder in his rear legs. We did everything we could, as did our wonderful vet, but after a year of watching him suffer and not being able to walk anymore, we had to say goodbye to my very best friend.
I am an adult now and am very active still in Dressage and cross country. I have purchased my first two year old that I am training on my own and every day he does something that reminds me of my sweet wonderful pony - Finnegan. I believe in my heart that Finnie sent my new boy to me to ease some of the pain I still carry of losing him.
I love my new horse Magic, very very much, but it is a true statement that in a lifetime of horses there is always that one that you will never ever forget.
I will listen for your hoofbeats in heaven, Finnegan, i miss you so very much every single day.

That was a beautiful story of you and your beloved horse; thank you for sharing! I am very sorry for your losss.I have been through the deaths of more than one 4 legged friend of mine and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Good luck with your 2yo and can't wait to hear more of him!