The essence of Hay Burr Inn was received in heaven. Java Joe our scrappy miniature horse who was ancient, has passed. We don’t really know how old he was, Joe could have been older but not much younger. The estimate is 40ish due to lack of teeth and other signs. We jokingly said he was 900 years old.
No matter what Joe’s age he was saucy and spicy. Joe was the king boss at Hay Burr Inn, and everyone knew it from the biggest horse to the littlest donkey or dog or cat and especially the volunteers. Joe was a quiet kind mini for the volunteers. The first one people gravitated due to his size which was less intimidating. He appreciated hours of grooming; he had beautiful mane and tail. His coat was abundant, except where Kiya groomed him too much. I called him a tiny yak. Java Joe was a beautiful miniature horse with a coffee-colored coat.
Joe was beautiful inside and out. He was one of the first horses at the farm. Joe was part of our family before the barn was built and before HBI became non-profit. He was one of the reasons we started to rescue. His presence will be sorely missed.
It seems we are not quite Hay Burr Inn without Java Joe and his girlfriends. Joe had quite a few that he protected over the years. Plus, the donkeys he allowed to share the pen. So many Joe stories can be remembered.
Really Java Joe was the embodiment of what Hay Burr Inn stands for: small, but big in attitude, protective, and ageless. As unrealistic as it sounds, Java Joe was supposed to live forever. Joe’s zest for life will continue at Hay Burr Inn. We will continue remembering his energy, using it to help other equines in need. Little Java Joe’s impact was enormous.
Java Joe stole our hearts and took pieces of that heart to heaven with him. We heard thunder in the sky shortly after Joe passed. We knew he made it to heaven and let us know with those tiny thundering hooves.
Join us on Sunday, August 31st at 11 AM to offer your support and share your memories with us.
You may also like the following events from Hay Burr Inn Equine Rescue & Sanctuary:
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