Sebastian loved the company of others. This past week, we said goodbye to our beloved Sebastian who called the farm home for the past 14 years. “Sebby” as he was affectionately called was the last of our original four horses to join Sunny and the other horse ancestors.
Sebastian and Sunny came to Canada from Tennessee on the same shipment of horses – arranged by a woman who claimed Tennessee Walkers were ‘beginner horses’ (they are not). Both horses went to different homes and a few years later ended up for sale on Kijiji. That’s where I found them – first Sunny and then Sebastian. They were fast friends when they reunited here.
Sebastian has helped countless clients both individually and in groups overcome fear, embrace confidence and believe in what’s possible. He enjoyed the work. He loved his herd. Sebastian did not like to be separated from the rest of the herd. He used his voice to let us know when he was happy or not.
Sebby was particularly close to Viviane Burmester, a summer student from Germany, who came to stay with us for an extended period of time. They were inseparable and there were many tears when the time to say goodbye arrived. Viviane is now working as a psychotherapist and has practiced equine-assisted psychotherapy in Germany where she lives.
Sebastian had a lasting impact on many people and he will be missed by herd and humans alike.
