The other day, I got an email that touched my heart. It was from a man named Rusty, who told me the story of his draft horse Duke.
The love that he carries for his horse was so evident. His story made me think of my own love story with my horse Gemini. And from there I got thinking about all of our stories.
How is that we find our first horse love?
What kind of place do they settle into in our heart?
How do we connect with them? What makes us fall for them so hard?
How do we make decisions about them and stay by their side in the long run?
Do you have a story like this? I bet you do. I think every horse person has a story of the first horse that really touched them to their core. You never lose that story.
Today, I’m going to share Rusty’s story. Next time, I’m going to share the story of my first real horse love, Gemini — because I realize that I’ve never really shared that story with you.
This is the brief introduction to Rusty’s story. I got this story in an email a few weeks ago, and it just made me smile (okay, I was on the verge of tears).
When looking over horses at an Amish farm, I did not pick Big Duke — he picked me. He was about 18 months old and greeted me like a Great Dane puppy who did not have full control of his large puppy feet yet.
I returned a week later to look at him again and get a lesson from the Amish on how to teach him to drive. He was tied short in the stall to teach him patience, and to stand still. This seemed odd to me at the time, but he was patient for me, and would stand still for as long as it took to harness him.
I guess as my 1st horse I did have a bad case of “puppy love”. I purchased him, but kept him at there farm for a month, and returned daily to work with him in wide open spaces where we could both get to know each other and be safe doing it. He is 8 now, and is as much a part of me as I am of him.
I think it is a bit like your 1st dog as a child. Whatever breed your parents brought home, that ends up being your favorite for life. Big Duke is my only horse and could not imagine owning another.
When I asked Rusty if I could share his story, he agreed and sent me back more details. Here’s the long version of his story, which is just as touching.
After a month of training at the Amish farm, I showed up to bring Big Duke home. Without hesitation, he loaded right up in the trailer. This did not seem strange at the time, but would later.
It was 2008, and the housing market was in a free fall and the economy was tanking. Good paying jobs were not available. I lost my home, and was living at a motel.
My hope was to start a horse & carriage business and weather the financial storm.
I had never owned a horse, and I did not own a horse trailer, so I borrowed one to bring Duke home. The farm I kept him at was 5 miles from the downtown area we were going to operate in.
Each afternoon I would saddle him and ride him to the downtown area where the carriage was stored. Then I would hitch him up and give historical tours of downtown until around midnight. Then I would saddle him up and ride the 5 miles back to the farm. This all started in December during the local Christmas parade, in very cold conditions.
This routine continued 4 days a week for about a 2 years. At the time I did not know how many miles I could cover each day with such a young horse, even though he was already 16.5 hands at this age. Could he handle 10 miles a day under saddle and another 10 miles hooked to a carriage?
As a new horseman, I loved and cared for my horse more than I can explain in words. I relied on Big Duke to tell me if we needed to stop and rest. We learned so much about each other in that year. Both trust and respect that just can’t be quantified in words. So many nights in the snow and very cold conditions.
I would ride him back to the farm through the woods along the power lines on snowmobile trails. He memorized every turn and hill, up and down. Many times I would close my eyes to try and nap as we rode home after a 12 hour day outside, knowing he would get us there even without my help.
Money was tight, and feeding him took priority over me. As time went on we had so many incredibly fun times at weddings and other events we were hired for. Eventually we moved to other towns to continue our business.
The extreme downturn in the economy did not appear to have any end in sight, and was going to require some rethinking of our future. Facing another year in a motel and getting by on the dollar menu at McDonald’s just seemed unbearable. Doing anything else was admitting defeat, a hard pill to swallow! I had been very successful before 2008, and had plenty of experience, energy, and faith that I could be successful again.
But what was I going to do now?
Although becoming a truck driver was going to a new low for me, it was the only option in late 2010 that seemed viable to get steady money coming in. I moved Big Duke to Ohio and went to work driving a big rig. The 1st 18 months was tough financially, but allowed me to board Duke and eat at the same time:)
While we may not need to ever pull a carriage again, the time we spent doing it taught me more about myself and Duke than I can explain.
In the meantime, I want you to think about your first horse love story, and tell me about it in the comments below.
If you have any kind words for Rusty, please share them below in the comments too. I know his love for Duke may have touched your heart like it touched mine, and I think he should hear our words.
I was a horse girl growing up in rural California, so I started my daughters riding at about 7 years old. Both became good riders, but it became a lifelong joy for my middle child. She still rides (dressage now) and is 30 years old. When she was 8 I bought her a cute pony named Goldie. He could jump about 2 feet then. However, at first he was really grouchy from living for months in a stall. My daughter and Goldie didn’t connect, so Goldie and I had a “talk” one afternoon when I brought him what became his favorite snack, a banana. He shaped up nicely after that day and grew to love me and my daughter, and most especially his daily banana. His favorite friend at turn-out was an ex-racehorse probably 3-4 times Goldie’s size. When my daughter outgrew him by age 10 she couldn’t stand the thought of selling, so we loaned him to a local trainer and Goldie taught many kids how to ride and became the star of local hunter/jumper shows in our area. Every day late afternoon he would stir up the horses in turn-out and get all of them running wildly along the fence. Then one day he was down and didn’t get up so we had to drive him to Colorado State Veterinary School because he had a very bad colic. He had to be put down. I’ll never forget how many people, kids and parents, who called to say how much Goldie did for them. Recently I came across the box of ribbons (all blues and reds) my daughter won at the shows in our area and got a tear in my eye just thinking about that pony and what he did for my kid and for others. He was very special and 20 years later we still miss him.
The day I realised that I truly love horses was when I was about 6 years old, nearly 7 I think.
My Mother, brother and I travelled down to Victoria, Australia to visit my Aunty Kaye. Her two children, Maddy and Riley both had horses. But it wasn’t on their horses that I found my love for them.
Maddy was looking after a horse called Flash for her friend while she was on holiday. I remember Maddy asking if I wanted to try riding him. Of course, I said yes.
Flash was a dark chocolate brown gelding about 15hh. Maddy lifted me up in the saddle, and I instantly felt happy, like that was where I was meant to be. She led me around on him as I was so young, but I didn’t mind. I could feel his power, but he was so calm and docile. It’s silly that I felt I had a special connection with him as I barely knew him, however, I am still attached to him due to the wonderful experience I had with him.
Unfortunately, I will never again see the beautiful horse who started my passion and love for these wonderful animals. He went back to his owner before being sold. Although, I now have my own horse called Comet and I adore him to bits!
I accidentally posted the same comment twice. Please dismiss this next one
The day I realised that I truly love horses was when I was about 6 years old, nearly 7 I think.
My Mother, brother and I travelled down to Victoria, Australia to visit my Aunty Kaye. Her two children, Maddy and Riley both had horses. But it wasn’t on their horses that I found my love for them.
Maddy was looking after a horse called Flash for her friend while she was on holiday. I remember Maddy asking if I wanted to try riding him. Of course, I said yes.
Flash was a dark chocolate brown gelding about 15hh. Maddy lifted me up in the saddle, and I instantly felt happy, like that was where I was meant to be. She led me around on him as I was so young, but I didn’t mind. I could feel his power, but he was so calm and docile.
Unfortunately, I will never again see the beautiful horse who started my passion and love for these wonderful animals. He went back to his owner before being sold. Although, I now have my own horse called Comet and I adore him to bits!
Oh know!!!!! I accidentally posted the same story twice!! Please dismiss this one
I mean stubborn mares I’m sorry I hate autocorrect
This message is to you but I have a separate specific one for your email friend “Rusty” as well. I discovered his story while reading some of yours, while I was searching for a way to get back into horses, my first love. My Mom swears I rode horses before I could even walk. I apparently crawled into a neighbors field of horses and managed somehow to clamber from the steps onto the back of one of the horses there! They tried to ‘rescue’ me as I giggled and clapped aboard this (in my Moms words) “gigantic horse!”; The Morgan mare (who, I remind my Mom, are not a large breed of horses) apparently had other ideas and was peacefully grazing in the pasture oblivious to her tiny passenger until Mom or Dad or, by this time, the neighbor as well, got within 20 feet of her then she’d throw up her head and trot off to a safer (from the pesky people anyway) distance. Each time eliciting another round of claps and laughter from me! I don’t remember the incident but I know that as far back as I can remember I thought of little else but horses and riding! Every wish, prayer, and hope I had was revolved around riding and one day owning my own horse. My mother, in a crazy financial move undoubtedly motivated at least in part by guilt of the divorce that my parents were at that time in the midst of, made that soul dream come true. When I was only 10 years old and we we temporarily living at my grandmothers house (while my parents finalized their friendly divorce) she pulled off a feat that I can’t seem to duplicate now that I’m her age then! Would you like to hear the story of how I got my hearts desire, the happiest day of my life (before or since), my first Arabian mare horse?
There used to be all kinds of horse stables, shows, and “horse-people” around in this area while I was growing up. But nobody around here seems to be into horses anymore! I’m searching for some sort of co-ownership or leasing of I a horse here in Indianapolis but I don’t know where to start! I’ve tried the few local ‘Horse Stables’ with no luck so now what? Any suggestions?
Thank you for all your insightful articles including horses in them. You’ve got a terrific style of writing! Please keep up the great work!
Sincerely,
Meg from Indy
(My online name is “IndyHorseLover” )
This part is too “Rusty”:
Dear Rusty,
What a wonderful story! But I’m dying to know what made you decide to make such a drastic career change specifically in that direction?! I understand about the economy dictating a need for a change, but how did you decide to go with horses of all things? Do you still ride Big Duke? How is he doing with his new non-Career? Do either of you miss your horse carriage business? I know what you mean when you say how cold it was;I live in the midwest too (Indianapolis Indiana) and years ago I used to work for Yellow Rose Carriages driving one of their carriages one winter. It was sooooo cold sitting perched up in that high seat, especially when the wind blew. It seemed to blow all the time that Christmas! LOL! Good luck and God bless to both you and Big Duke!
Yours Truly,
IndyHorseLover
I’m 13 and in grade 7. I got my pony Liky when I was in grade 3. I have owned her for 4 years now . I fell in love with her as soon as I saw her she loved me to she trotted for me and followed me like a dog. I wish it was like that again I kinda grew apart from her after she ran across the road and bucked and reared I was 9 at the time and I got really scared of her. It became the daily toss her hay brush water leave everyday. Now she doesn’t like being ridden or handled much. I hope she forgives me soon. I’ve been doing flat work so I can ease into riding hopefully. I’m saving up to buy a gelding so she won’t be so lonely. She is a little sassy mare and it toke us 6 hours to get her in the trailer to bring her home. She kinda ruined the opportunity for future horses cause my dad now wants a perfect bombproof horse that is cheap. But horses are expensive and if they cost more that means they are a little better trained so I have my eye on a appolossa colt I wanna train. I don’t care as long as it behaves is healthy and likes long trail rides. If you have any tips for training stubborn mates let me know please.
I mean lily.
Hi Hanna
My name is Chloe and I am only 11but I
toatly live and ador horses and ponies.