Saying Goodbye to Gabby

On Sunday, November 2, 2025, Gabby, one of Eddy Farm’s beloved lesson ponies, passed away, but, as horses have a tendency to do, not before saying goodbye to a few of those who loved her.

Gabby came to Eddy Farm by way of Maggie Holmes in the late spring of 2022. Maggie had owned her since 2009, keeping her in Bridport and Cornwall, and developed a keen awareness of Gabby’s unmistakable way of communicating: simply twisting around and asking, ‘What now, coach?’ or ‘What ARE you doing?’

The lessons horses teach often outlive the horses themselves. Gabby was bold, unapologetic, and a committed teacher in humility. She had a natural distrust of anyone under four feet tall and wasn’t shy about letting them know.

Gabby loved foxhunting (she was the one sporting the necessary red ribbon in her tail), bareback rides and scratches at the base of her mane. She had a way of making her riders work for everything, as if to remind them that the best things come with a bit of effort. She shared her days with many riders who will remember her for her strong will, her steady stride, and that telltale flick of her ears just before she decided she had her own ideas.

Gabby was one of a kind, a little stubborn, and a lot loved.