That special horse...your heart horse...

[GettingBack]

I'm a rerider that was riding rather well until the last few years. These last few years riding I took some spills, one right upon mounting that gave me a phobia of the mounting block (and almost, quite literally, broke my neck), another that broke my tailbone, a nasty one riding outdoors that caused me a trip to the ER and frayed nerves. Most of these were odd, freak accidents, not due to risky behavior. I've had some untrustworthy horses and greenies, and then long periods of time between riding.

So it came time for me to find a new horse, as my current mount and I just couldn't get over the last fall that I'd had. It wasn't his fault, but I would get so tense on him that I'd totally affect him. And he didn't need that, as a young one.

I found my new horse, a perfect match. My first ride on him was a trail ride, where we confronted just about every one of my top 10 fears. During my second ride, we were threatened by a cow who had just given birth, and a train went through the field we were riding in. He didn't spook at all, and ignored my tenseness.

I brought him home, and in an unfamiliar place, the night after he had been in, he was a perfect angel in the indoor. Every ride has only gotten better. Nothing phases this horse, and he's super willing. Sure, he doesn't know a whole lot (he raced until he was almost 10, spent some time off, then spent a season hunting) about arena work, but he's game and he's solid. He patiently waits for me as I freak out about mounting. He walks in a 20 meter circle contentedly until I can get my wits about me and do some work. I've only had him a week, but already I'm dreaming about my next ride - each day I am motivated to go out to the barn and ride. Not because I have to, because I *want* to.

Do you have a heart horse? If not, I so wish for you that you find your heart horse. Mine is so special to me, I don't want the honeymoon to end. I'm sure at some point I'll get frustrated, or we'll have challenges, but really, this horse is one of a kind in my heart.

[GoForAGallop]

I do. Things have never gone the smoothest for us but he has always stepped up to the plate when it really counts, and has earned himself many a fan.

In fact, I was just telling a friend today that I would literally part with body parts (kidneys, slices of my liver, eggs :lol: ) if that was what I had to do to keep him.

He'll be with me 'til his last day on earth, which is hopefully far off.

[slpeders]

Congratulations! I lost my heart horse almost a year ago, but I *may* have been lucky enough that she sent in her replacement. we're still getting to know one another -- our bond is growing, but not as quickly as yours did.
Eagerness to get to the barn to ride is so much nice than feeling like you must, isn't it? may you have many many lovely years together!

[ASBJumper]

I bred my heart horse - she is a phenomenal little mare. She is leased out now, but I will never sell her.
I backed her and trained her myself - and I can honestly say, there was not one instant with her where I felt nervous or unsafe. This mare has always "had my back". I trust her with my life. And yes, it's an amazing feeling. ;)

[Louise]

I lost my heart horse on Saturday. Miss Promise was 26. I had known her for 22 years. She ws permanently unsound from age five, but the most valuable horse I ever had. That is because she was the one that I could hug and talk to when things were bad. She would stand there with her tongue hanging out and listen for as long as needed. She had an "underwater whinny" and a bright and interested attitude. She always came when she was called, walking towards me with her head hanging low, looking up at me through the longest eyelashes I ever saw in my life.

Value every minute you have with your heart horse, because they don't come along every day.

[War Admiral]

Louise, I'm so sorry. :( I'm right there with ya, as you know. :sadsmile: Godspeed Miss Promise.

[amdfarm]

Congrats on finding your heart horse.

I have mine and he's been w/ me for 17 years now. He's 23. He has never let me down once and is my faithful and trusty steed. He's lasted longer than two husbands and a couple b/f's. :yes::winkgrin: He always makes me smile and will be w/ me until the end of his days. I would give body parts for him to live forever or to clone him. A girl can dream.

Here's my favorite pic of my boy.
http://www.geocities.com/rljoutdoors/images/twister2.jpg

[scrtwh]

I am very lucky to have my heart horse. Once in a lifetime they come along ... if you are lucky.

[Whoanellie]

I lost my heart horse on Saturday. Miss Promise was 26. .........
Value every minute you have with your heart horse, because they don't come along every day.

Louise, I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my Second
heart horse on Sunday. I had only known Weezer for 6 years. We had lost Jake (http://www.tierrescue.org/Jake.htm) on Saturday. I went out to feed Sunday morning and found my lovely Weezer dead. He had been fine Saturday morning. He was only 20 yrs. old and was the most expressive horse I've known. He would always do a low nicker when I dismounted as if to say thanks for the ride! It was so funny. He would come when I asked him to, back away from his feed bin while I tossed in hay, make faces when I rubbed between his nostrils.

Yup, value every minute you have with your heart horse. When they leave you, they take a piece of your heart.

[county]

Mine is standing out in one of our barns, hes my 27 year old stallion still sound as can be but reality makes me know his time is probably short. When he goes he'll be buried in the farms cemetery with the other great animals we've had over the years.

[didgery]

I got my heart horse when I was ten. He saw me through elementary school, middle school, high school, half of college. My oldest child knew him until her toddler years, when he was euthanized due to complications from pneumonia after being shipped cross country by Bob Hubbard. He boarded the truck fat, happy, and healthy at 22 (never sick a day in his life!) and came off two hundred pounds lighter and with a raging respiratory infection.

Panda was the best thing that ever happened in my life. He was fearless, brave, sweet, kind, honest, enthusiastic, beautiful, trustworthy, and brilliant.

I've held every horse I've met since to his standards and I haven't yet met his equal. Holding out hope that one day I'll get a second chance!

Louise, that's terrible news. I'm getting teary just thinking about my loss, seven years ago. Yours is so fresh. Condolences!

[arabhorse2]

I had mine. Lost him a year and a half ago. Not a day goes by that I don't miss him.

I was lucky; I was graced with his presence for 21 years. Some people don't have as much time with theirs, and I know I was greatly blessed.

There will never be another like him, and I'm always comparing other horses to his gold standard. Haven't met one yet that could even come close to filling the void.

[Mtn trails]

My heart horse is outside right now munching his hay. I've had Woodrow for 14 years now, he's 24, and love him more than I've loved almost anything else. Sure, he can be a butt at times but this horse has carried me hundreds of miles in the back country and always willing to go the extra mile. He and I are a team and know each other better than some husbands and wives. He's the one I go to when I'm not having a good day and lets me hang on his neck as long as I want. I told DH that he will never be sold (I've had offers) and when it is his time to go he will be buried here.

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

So sorry for all those that have lost theirs.

I'm going out now to see mine. It's cold, he's shedding, I was sick for 2 days and didn't see him...and I miss him.

[Tuesday's Child]

I have my heart horse (well I don't technically own her yet, but she is "mine" in every other sense). I am lucky in that she is only coming 6 right now - I've known her since she was 3, and done all her under saddle training myself. I'm looking forward to many long years with her. My sympathies to all of you who have lost your heart horses :sadsmile:

[sid]

I love this term...not heard it alot, but it says "IT" so well.

Yes, my heart horse died 3 years ago next month at the age of 31. I owned her for 21 years. Among the 28 horses that I've owned (for life, not a buyer or seller), this one single horse taught me everything about how to train, how to communicate, about breeding issues...about the species, very specifically.

She made my work hard, though kindly, and awarded me my PhD -- though I still work on everything she taught me with every horse that passes my way.

[barrelchick00]

I had my heart horse when I was 12 up until 18, I sold her to a close friends sister for 4-H. Molly was an awesome horse that didn't had a pedigree but she sure could turn a pole!! That horse taught me so much and I cried the day I had to let her leave with her new rider. Now the people won't even speak to me so I have no idea what happened to her. I would give up so much to have her back just so I could watch her eat grass in the pasture.
I have had two horses since her and even though they both mean the world to me, she was definitely my heart horse. I love ya Moon Dancer's Molly!!

[vineyridge]

Louise, I am so sorry to hear about Promise. She was a fixture on CoTH boards early on, and it was perfectly clear how much you loved her. My condolences.

My heart horse is 25. I've only had him eight years, and he's been retired for two. But it's funny--I just don't much want to ride anything else. I'm dreading the day when his grumpy self will not be here to ungraciously accept my caresses. He doesn't do summers well, and every year I think about whether it's fair to him to keep him going. He has to have all his feed soaked, and he can no longer boss the no longer babies that he raised. But he is my heart, and as long as he is still able to be grumpy, he's here.

I had another heart horse for a very brief time, but she died. :( She brought me back into horse owning and riding, and for that she will always live in my memories and heart.

[FlashGordon]

Louise... my condolences as well. I know you loved your Promise girl. :sadsmile:

My heart horse came into my life and went very quickly. There is not an hour that passes, that I do not think of him, and wish that he was here. I was lucky to have had him, if even for a brief time.

I hope everyone finds their "heart horse" at some point in their lifetime.

[Linny]

Louise, I am sorry to hear about your mare. Godspeed Miss Promise.

My all time horse-love of my life is the equine "Linny." We didn't hit it off at first but my smart trainer made me try harder. He's been gone for 15+ years but I can still remember and feel the rhythm of his perfect -if gigantic - canter.
He was probably not the best horse I ever rode. His own sire was amazing and I rode him alot. Jumphigh's mare Big was awesome and I jumped her once. Linny was the best horse for me and even though I've ridden alot of very good horses since, none were like Linny. He's the standard for me.

[GettingBack]

I love all these stories...keep them coming...I'm so sorry to all that have lost their special friends, but so glad to hear about the positive impacts they have all had on our lives...

[Trevelyan96]

Both my daughter and I were blessed to have Trav for the 10 years we had him. He always came through at a show like a pro. I love Rico, and before his back injury he was wonderful to ride, but sometimes I worry that we'll never resolve the current under saddle challenges we now have with him to the point where I'll stop being afraid to put anyone but my trainer or daughter on him. But still, I have a bond with him that I know is strong enough to make him a lifer with me.

Riding our new guy Inky was a wonderful experience, he was a real confidence builder. He doesn't know much, but has such a great personality and is so cooperative that I hope my daughter and I can build the same love and trust we had with Trav. There will never be another Trav, but i'm pretty sure there's room in our hearts for a new kind of love for our new family member.

[FancyFree]

My heart horse was my Hanoverian mare who I had for eleven years until I had to put her down in 2005. She was such a great horse. I could do anything with her, she was so solid. We did hunters, dressage and went on a trail ride every day. She loved my kids and my dogs, always so careful around them. I have her filly who will be five in July. I kind of feel sorry for her because she has so much to live up to. Just today she was being pissy about being wormed. I told her "Your mother would never behave like this!" Poor thing. :lol:

[Foxtrot's]

I've had lots of great horses, but perhaps the horse I had as a kid is the one that takes up the most room in my heart. I was in college when she died. She took me hunting, Pony Club, followed me around like a dog, was the place I went to when bored at boarding school - I could dream all day. She was a desert Arab - when she heard my voice after being away at school whe would call out to me. So cute.

[2Jakes]

I am lucky to have my heart horse in my life every day for going on five years now. Jake and I have had a few rough spots but they are faraway blips on the radar, nothing to dwell on. Jake is the most careful and gentle horse I have ever been around...he isn't the bravest, but if I give him a little time to assess the scary thing we can get by it. He is always huggable and kissable and he loves anything that qualifies as attention (talking, grooming, cleaning around him, sitting with him while he grazes). No matter how bad a day I'm having he makes me feel loved and important. I will keep Jake forever and I hope and pray that forever is a long time away.

((((hugs)))) and condolences to those who have lost their heart horses :cry:

[katarine]

Another Jake owner chiming in.

Bought him as a snotty, strangles infested, ratty looking green three year old. He hopped on a strange trailer with a storm coming, without batting an eye. That was 12 years ago. He's just the best. Made of spare parts, neck set on too low, tiny feet, weak loin. Did I mention he's the best. He'll do anything I ask. He's neurotic, anxious. Must touch another horse if he's standing around, he just needs that. That's ok. He's the best.

Them that's gots has gots to loose.

So sorry for those grieving your recent losses, I'll hug mine for you just as soon as I can.

[JMurray]

I lost my heart horse last October after 29 years at 31. I have been very fortunate to have a second heart horse in my barn now so it can happen more then once. I feel very lucky

[SunshineAcres]

My heart horse is Sunshine, my 7 year old Belgian mare. I bought her from the kill pen at a horse auction in 2006. She wasn't trained for anything. Now she rides and drives. She was so scared going through that sale. The concrete floor was wet and she slipped on it and the meat buyers laughed at her. Sunshine has been a good friend to me, an ear or a hug when I need one. She'll be with me until her last day or mine.

[zippandrich]

I own my heart horse and he isn't going anywhere soon or ever. Zipp and Rich aka George is a soon to be 5 year old A.Q.H.A that i've known since he was in momma's belly. He's a awesome horse who steps up when he knows its his job :) He's a goof ball very big clown he draws people to him, and he knows it! I brought him when he was 1 all he knew how to do was lead i spent from january into nov of that year building a realationship with him, when i climbed onto his back that first time was the day i lost my aunt to a cancer battle. I got up there and just bawled as he just stood there and smelled my feet. The min i sat down i was at home, from walking in front of him with a pepermint wrapper to walk :) Moved him into a new barn almost a year ago i always thought he was a momma's boy but never realized he was a true momma's boy into the barn-owner said he knows what time you come and looks for you. Then when you have him your are the only person in the world to him he looks at you like your his world you don't see that realationship that often anymore. Took him to his 3rd show and won the AQHA western pleasure class out of 20 horses as i sat there and petted him and cried to myself i realized my dream had came true i brought the under dog trained him myself and just won a class on him. We've had several wins in big classes but my realationship with him is what matters the most to me. I love to trail ride him okay the deers get him amped up but its fun, to racing my friends on the trails, them on there 16.3 hunters and me on my 15.2 western pleasure horse, we have fun, to tying the sled to him and playing in the snow to knowing you can jump on him double bare-back and do what ever you want to with him.

I look at him and smile he's my dream horse my heart and soul. My non-person go too object. My shoulder to cry on. MY best friend but more importantly he's my dream came true and he's not going anywhere no matter the money he's stuck with me for his whole life:sadsmile:

[Skeezix]

Waited my whole life for her, thought I would grow old with her, lost her in April at age 7. Ironically, her registered name was Peppy's Page of Heart, and she was called Heart. I truly treasure the short time I had with her :(

[classicsporthorses]

My Heart horse has to be my stallion Miracle.

Miracle was never supposed to be born. His dam fooled everyone that she was in fact in foal (this includes ultrasounds and palps). His dam had 2, yes 2 injections of lute to bring her back into heat but she was unknowingly in foal already so she should have aborted.

At about 4 months along we "found" him on an ultrasound and he was named right there-a tradition we carry on to this day-naming the foals inutero.

His dam died 10 hours after foaling and I slept in his stall feeding him every hour those first few days. When he would fall down to sleep after feeding I would wrap my body around his for warmth-for both of us!

When he was 2.5 years old he suffered 3 chokes in 8 weeks. Prognosis was very poor. For 5 months I rehabbed him by the seat of my pants and now going on 7 he is fine.

He was the easiest horse I have ever broke out. He worries he is always doing what is correct for "mommy". Yup he's a mama's boy. He is as low key as a stallion can get. Just one big baby. In the rare instance when I have had someone else on his back, he gets worried and wants to come to me. I can do anything and ask anything of this young horse and he will do it willingly for me.

I would lay down my life for him as I know he would for me.

[Bravestrom]

I am sitting here with my coffee balling my eyes out.

My horse and I have each other's heart. It is a phenomenal bond. I don't even think I can accurately describe it. He looks for me all the time - doesn't let other horses near me in the field, likes no one else to ride or feed him.

He is very spoiled too though. After our rides he gets a full body massage and stretches - nevery has a halter on or tied up. We talke off his bridle and he just puts his head in the towel and groans as he rubs. Then I say - go take a roll - off he goes into the arena for a roll and then comes back into the barn and his stall.

When we had been together for two years I fell underneath him on a jump - he jumped sideways to avoid me but broke my leg - I was in the hospital for 4 days - he didn't even see me after I fell off. He didn't eat for 4 days -just moped in the field. When he saw me on my crutches he came running over, wouldn't let anyone else near - he looked so happy to see me - he smelled my leg and then he galloped out into the field and started to happily munch away. My husband was really worried about him.

He tries so hard for me. My dressage tests always say how happy he looks and what a great pair we make. We hack, hunt and just have so much fun together.

[horsegirl123]

The boy that stole my heart in a very short time is still with me. He is one of those that does not trust every rider but for some reason he has picked me to trust. Last year he had an injury that may end his jumping career but for right now he is enjoying a carefree life being pampered.

Then I was very fortunate to run across another boy who in the beginning was just another horse to me. In the beginning he was very nervous and unsettled but that has all changed within 6 months. He is like home to me.

I love watching my two boys play in the field together. It is like my first LOVE is telling my other boy "I know you are here for a reason and you better treat my girl right". They each have a place in my heart and I am so fortunate to have both of them.:winkgrin:

[spurgirl]

My Ellie is retired now, she'll stay here and be loved until the end. I had admired her from afar, she is a beautiful blood bay with white socks...my fav color. She came up for sale 7 years ago, I knew her previous 2 owners- and I was giving up on my friendly Appy I'd had since her birth, who, though she had good manners, was always a total spook under saddle-no matter who was riding her. Riding had become an exercise in frustration-not to mention some disc pain from the spooks!! I bought Ellie, and she gave me my VERY eroded confidence back. We got some nice show and hunter pace ribbons, but she gave me so much of herself, I can never repay that debt, I can only give her as good a retirement as possible. She now has a pretty serious age related heart murmur, so I've been told sudden collapse could occur:no:. Until then, she's the queen of the turnout!

[FindersKeepers]

I have mine. I've had Bailey for 10 years now. I had horses before her, and never had an attachment like this. She was the best horse I've ever ridden. ALways so willing, athletic, smart, and careful. She saved my butt on numerous occasions, and was always so conscious of who was on her back. I could fly around a 3'6" jumper course with her and an hour later a 5 year old could take her in walk trot.

Now she's 22, not 100% sound everyday, has bad heaves, and I spend the majority of our time together treating her ulcerated melanomas...but I still think she is perfect. She gives the best hugs, and still protects me from the dangers of the world. She got me through high school and college. Break ups, deaths, moves. Nothing makes me happier than spending time with her.

[RomeosGirl]

I did not realize until I sold him that my first horse was my heart horse. The first time I saw him he came to the trainers barn as the "crazy" horse. Romeo had been in the trainers barn before but went to live in a field when the owner went to college. Well, he spend that year getting a big head & bucking little kids off. The owner sold him to my trainer & when he came off the truck I said "Wow - he's georgous!!" Watched one of the barn girls ride him & he was an idiot - getting light on this front end, just bad. Trainers Mom said "you won't ever ride this horse." (I was just learning to jump then). Fast forward a year & I did end up buying him. He is the biggest puppy dog around people & just loves attention/hugs. He took me on my first fox hunt, to my first show. So many things we did together. Like others, when I had a bad day I would just go lay my head on his neck in his stall & just stand there with him. He always makes me smile. He might not be the perfect horse for everyone, but he is perfect to me.
There came a time when we starting having confidence issues over fences. Trainer mentioned "he is getting older & if you want to move up you should look at selling." Not knowing how special our bond was, I made the decision to trade him for another younger horse. Trainer assured me I would feel the same eventually about the new horse. New horse & I never really hit it off. I ended up moving to a new barn with the new horse & new trainer mentioned to me, after being there a few months, that she felt I never should have sold Romeo. Said we were a pair & shouldn't have been separated. But at that point I did not know where Romeo was (I did know that the lady I sold him to had sold him to someone else).
8 months later I happened to be surfing on dreamhorse.com & saw an add (no picture) that sounded vaguely like Romeo. The age was wrong & the name was different, but the add said that he was always a perfect gentleman. So, I decided to email the seller & ask if it could be the horse I used to own. All I told her was that his barn name when I sold him was Romeo. She emailed me right back that it was him! I was so excited I called my trainer while she was on vacation in Vegas. She said, "get the number & I'll call her on Monday". When she talked to the owner she told her - how soon can you have him here. I think the owner was shocked & said, but you haven't even seen him. My trainer told her that this horse & I belong together & it didn't matter, I wanted him back no matter what.
So Romeo is back with me now - forever. We were separated for 1 year, 4 months & 9 days. It was the longest period of my life. Now I know that special horses like this do not come along very often & you must appreciate them while you have them. Just being around him lights up my face. I told my trainer "He's never going anywhere again. If he just wants to hang out in your yard with the 2 other pasture puffs then he can!" He's earned his place with me & we will do whatever he wants. Right now we are getting back into the hunters & he seems to be enjoying himself so far... Life is great!

[2DogsFarm]

Yup, I have him
My Heart Horse is nowhere near the sweetheart you describe.
You can see him in my Profile pic - Stage Right.

At 26yo he still has a spook and a buck and a definite Capital-A Attitude.
The only horse-related scars I wear can be traced right back to him.
In his youth he had the quickest snakebite technique I've ever seen on a horse.
But he has also spent the last 20 years proving to me that probably near 500# of his 1100 is Heart.

We began our partnership doing H/J and then dressage (to 3rd Level) and some eventing (competed Novice, schooled Training).
In between we rode trails and even played with some barrels & poles.
Noone told me or Vern he couldn't, so he did.

He's still largely the Cranky Diva I fell for that long ago when I saw him running in a pasture, all by himself, tail flagged.
And he will have a home with me forever.

[2DogsFarm]

I had to add another post for my DH's horse Buddy - they are both in my Profile pic.

Buddy was not the horse we were looking for when we decided it was time for Tom to have his own horse.
We were showing H/J and doing some eventing, so loud-colored TWH was most definitely not on any list.

But the first time I tried him he jumped for me - something the seller had never even ventured with him.
She set up some landscape timbers in her makeshift arena with godawful deep footing and Buddy gave it his best. It felt decent and a friend watching assured me he had showed some semblance of form, so we came back for Tom to test him out.
It was LOVE at first sight for them both.
Tom dismounted and said "I want this horse."

They went on together to ride a respectable dressage test (Buddy trotted) - that's a pic from one in my Profile.
Also evented @ BNH though Tom schooled him to Training level with our then-trainer.
Everyone who saw the pair commented on how bonded they were.
Buddy would run over from a field full of horses to be with Tom. I swear he knew the sound of our car.

Sadly after 8 years together we lost Tom and a short 2 years after that I had to have Buddy put down.
But it sure was wonderful while it lasted.