My Love of Horses

Ever since I was a little girl, horses have been my passion.  

I acted like a horse.

I neighed like a horse.

I drank in their smell.

I rode all over the countryside on my pony.

While my friends were out shopping, chasing boys and staying out past their curfew, I was at the barn.

I spent hours with my horses. 

Grooming, training, preparing for the next show. 

I drove countless miles hauling to shows and rodeos. 

I have always had a horse. 

There was Shiloh, Bart and Fancy.

Mike, Scotty, Winky, and Yellow.

Spook, Aggie, Cimmaron and Handy. 

Now there is Pebbles.....

After spending months searching for a new show horse, I flew to Oregon to look at some prospects.  I rode several that day.  They were all nice horses but not what I was looking for.    It was getting late in the afternoon and I had a flight to catch. 

Then the trainer I was with walked me to Pebbles stall.  He said she had the bloodlines I wanted but not the experience. But there was something about her that made me want to ride her. 

With 20 minutes to spare before heading back to the airport, we saddled her up and headed to the arena.  

Within a minute, I knew she was the one.  

Quite simply:  I was in love.  

Needless to say, I missed my flight.

Of all the horses that have been in my life, none has had such a presence in my heart and soul as Pebbles.  It is like we knew each other, inside and out, from the very beginning.   She is not a very social horse with other people except me.  Many have said I am the only human she has ever liked.

About two years after Pebbles came into my life, a friend had a "Spirits Party" with fortune tellers & palm and tarot card readers.  We knew none of these people in real life so when the tarot card reader started talking about Pebbles, I was quite startled. 

She knew so much about us.  Not just generalities but details.  

The most interesting thing she told me was that Pebbles and I have been together in all of our past lives.   (Past lives??)  She said that it's the reason why we are so connected.  This life, she came to me as a horse because she felt my passion was waning.  That I needed to be recharged and to focus on what is important.   That I needed to feed my soul.  

And how right she was.  Addison was two years old before I started riding again.   My old horse was turned out in his retirement home enjoying life.  I started looking for a new prospect and found one.  But it was a struggle.  My new mare and I did not get along.  Then my old horse died suddenly of a heart attack just minutes after I left the barn on a crisp autumn day.   

I was devastated.  

We had so many good times together and he had given me so much.  It was then that I decided trying to push the relationship with my new horse was not what was best for either of us.  

I advertised her for sale and a few people came to look at her.  One was a young college girl.  There was an instant connection between the two.  It was inspiring.  My little mare never looked so happy, relaxed and proud.   Needless to say, she went home with that young girl.

I knew after that I needed to keep looking for a horse that brought the same connection as my little mare and this young girl had.    And I am so glad I did because it led me to Pebbles.  

Since being pregnant and having Rhett, Pebbles has enjoyed being turned out to pasture for the first time in her life.  The entire time she had been boarded with my trainer almost an hour away.   With home schooling, work and life in general, making the trek out to see her has been few and far between.

Then last weekend, we moved her to a friends house.  They asked to lease her as a broodmare for the coming year.  Knowing that riding consistently is not in the cards right now, I agreed.  We all believe she will be an excellent mamma.

The bonus:  She is only 20 minute away. 

So last weekend, I got to see my girl for the first time in four months.  Yes, four months.  

As we drove to the barn, I was excited and nervous.  I have never gone that long in between seeing any of my horses.  Would she be cranky?  Would she ignore me?  Would she think I deserted her?  (Because I am sure horses think exactly like us....right?)

When we arrived at the barn, my husband quietly left with the kiddos to give her and I some time.  When I walked into her stall, she came right over to me.  She sniffed me from head to toe then slung her head in my arms.  We just stood there together for many minutes.  There were many tears.  

When I finally picked up her halter, she shoved her head into it and as always -  ready to do anything together.  Addison came into the barn and for the next hour we groomed her from head to toe and gave her the granola treats she had missed all these months.  

I know I will ride again soon.  Right now though, Rhett & Addison need me more.  I look forward to the end of next year when we plan to move from this house onto some acreage.  That means we will have room for horses right out our back door.  

What a sweet day that will be!