On February 20, 2000 my life was changed forever. That was the day I got Lucky. I dont know how to express in words how much this horse changed my life. How much he helped me grow, or how much he taught me.
The day I got him. His first steps on our soil, and he's looking straight at me.
Let me start by saying, I didnt choose Lucky, he chose me. Ive said the same thing about Lexie, and I feel like all my future animals will come to me the same way.
I started riding in grade 8 as a way to get exercise. I had no idea that I would fall in love with it the way I did. After only a few months of riding, my parents decided to lease me a horse. 3 days a week she was mine, and I couldnt think of anything better. Her name was Stara and she was this beautiful little 14.3 hand arab. She was old, but I loved her. Then, the unthinkable happened. The owner of my barn decided to kick us all out and grow bonsai trees. No, Im not kidding. It is still a bonsai farm to this day. Stara was sold at the auction, and I didnt find out until it was too late. I dont know if she went to a nice person, or if she went to the meat man. Had we known she was going up for auction, we would have bought her, and I was absolutely heartbroken.
In an attempt to ease my pain, my parents promised me my own horse. It was to be a Christmas present, but buying a horse is a long process. We looked at quite a few, all exactly what I wanted, but none of them clicked.
My dad wanted to learn to ride as well, so he wanted me to get a big horse. Now, I think its important that I say, my dad doesnt know anything about horses. He knows what he likes and what he doesnt, but thats about it. Somehow, despite his lack of knowledge, he’ll be at a horse show, point out a horse that he likes, and that will be the horse that wins. Everytime. He found this ad for a 3 year old clydesdale/thoroughbred. I saw it and thought he was too big, and ugly and wasnt the slightest bit interested, but my trainer said to humor him, so we went and checked him out.
See? Big and awkward.
I got on Lucky, and I wasnt sold. He was good, there was nothing wrong with him, but I just wasnt sure. He had only been broke for 2 months, and formally trained for about 1 month. I hadnt even been riding for a year yet. Was this really something I could take on?
I had brought a couple friends with me for a second opinion. Both of them had been riding for much longer than I had, so I asked them to try him out. Neither one of them could get him to move. He would walk for them and that was it. They tried and tried but he just wouldnt go. He wouldnt do anything for them, but he would for me. When trainer said “should we get this horse vet checked?” I knew the answer was yes.
He of course passed with flying colors. The vet actually said that if I didnt buy him he was going to.
My first day with Lucky was nothing less than a disaster. He had never been ridden in an indoor riding ring before, and all he did was back up in circles and cry. I kept thinking, ”what did I get myself into? I cant do this!” but Im no quitter. One week to the day after I got him, we were in our first horse show. We entered 3 classes, and came out with 2 two 3rd place ribbons, and one sixth.
At our first show
Training Lucky was no easy task. A green horse and a green (14 year old) rider werent always the best combination. I fell off him often, was dragged across riding rings and fields, and many times thought that maybe I should sell him. Of course, I had fallen completely in love, and couldnt stand the thought of selling him. So I just kept trying.
All my hard work paid off. He turned into this amazing horse that would do anything for me. We entered every show at our barn and took home loads of ribbons. I actually, was in a jumping class against a woman I’d taken lessons from. We came in second, she came in sixth.
Lucky also grew into his giant head (the size of half my body). He grew to be 16.3 hands, and his back from his tail to his withers is the length of me with my arms stretched out over my head, and my toes pointed (Im 5’4″). Yep, he was the big horse that my dad wanted so badly. Of course, my dad never rode him. Once I talked him into sitting on Lucky while I walked him around the ring, but thats as far as he ever got. Funny how that worked out.
Of course, Lucky didnt know he was big. If he were a dog, he would have been a lap dog. All he wanted was love. He was the sweetest, most loving horse anyone had ever met. He would let me do anything. I hung off his neck, stuck my hands in his mouth, played with his droopy lip, and he didnt care.
Now, I didnt learn this until after I sold him. But Lucky was a rescue. The girl I sold him to (who is wonderful btw) had him out at a show and ran into the woman I bought him from. She recognized him and told her the story. Lucky was literally bought off of the meat truck. No one could ride him – he bucked everyone off and they gave up trying. She bought him simply to save him.
I was the only person he didnt buck off right away. If I ever had any doubt whether or not Lucky picked me, it was pretty clear at that moment.
Taking care of this horse taught me responsibility. I was completely dedicated to him, he was my life. I gave up a lot in order to keep him. I didnt go out as much as other people my age, but that was ok. I had finally found my passion. Riding was the only sport Ive ever been good at. And I was good. Im not trying to sound full of myself, but its a fact. I had a great trainer, and I had an amazing horse, we were unstoppable.
I spent every day at the barn, and there was no place I would have rather been. Lucky got me through some hard times. There were some days, I would just climb up on his back in his stall, lay down, and cry. He would stand there and let me.
The relationship with your horse is hard to explain. I dont even know how to try. A horse will do anything for you, they trust you completely, and love you unconditionally.
Of course, one day, I became a bitchy teenager and my parents decided they werent going to spoil me anymore. They stopped paying for my horse. Obviously I wasnt about to give him up, so I started paying for everything. I managed for a long time. I made all the payments, bought all his food and treats, spoiled him all the same. But as you get older, you have more to pay for. The debt started mounting up, and I was having a really rough time. For Lucky though, I was willing to tough it out.
I had accepted the fact that I would always be poor. If it meant I got to keep my horse I would deal with it. Then one day, this girl came along who wanted him. She was a riding teacher, and she knew I was considering selling him. She brought some of her students to try him out, but she fell in love with him. Like I said, I wasnt going to sell him. I knew this girl wanted him, but I didnt think I could do it. Then one day she leaves me this voicemail saying how she had fallen in love with him, and how I could still see him and we would write it into the contract. She also offered to have the contract state that should she ever sell him, she has to tell me first and I can buy him back for the same price. When I listened to it I just knew. I knew I wouldnt be able to pay for him forever, and I knew eventually I would have to give him up. I also knew, if I was going to sell my horse, it had to be to the perfect person. This girl was the right person. She loved my horse. So, on January 23, 2007 I sold my horse. She came and took him the next morning while I was at work. To be honest, Im glad I wasnt there. I dont think I could have watched him go.
Wearing his flymask as a hat
It was the hardest thing Ive ever done in my life. My heart was absolutely broken. I’d had him for seven years. Id trained him myself. He was family. But I was doing the right thing and I knew that. I still know that.
Ive only gone to see Lucky twice since I sold him. But he still remembers me. He recognizes my voice, and comes over to see me. He’s doing really well, and shes using him as a school horse. Something that is perfect for him. He is happy, and thats what matters.
Me and Lucky the last time I went to visit
To this day I have dreams that he’s still mine. I dream that Ive forgotten to go and feed him for months and that other people have been feeding him for me. I dream that Im stealing hay from other people because Ive forgotten to buy my own. I dream that he stands out in the field waiting for me.
I figure these dreams are a combination of how much I miss him, and guilt.
I fantasize of one day buying him back, but realistically, I dont think his new owner would want to give him up. Not that I blame her, I didnt want to either.
A friend of mine bought a new horse not long before I sold Lucky, and her horse was amazing. I remember her saying to me that shes owned many horses, and all of them were great, but this one was a once in a lifetime, meant for you horse. I believe thats what Lucky was for me.
I may buy another horse one day. Actually, I most likely will, but it wont be the same. It wont be Lucky. He was a once in a lifetime thing. He was amazing, and we were meant for each other.
My life changed ten years ago. It changed for the better. For seven amazing years I was lucky enough to have this horse as a part of my life. The biggest part of my life. I may have trained him, but he changed me. I am capable of so much more now. I am braver and I am stronger (physically and emotionally-all that hauling hay does great things for your arm strength). At the risk of offending my boyfriend, this horse was the best thing thats ever happened to me. I am greatful every day to have been a part of his life.
On February 20, 2000 my life was changed forever. That was the day I got Lucky. I dont know how to express in words how much this horse changed my life. How much he helped me grow, or how much he taught me.
The day I got him. His first steps on our soil, and he's looking straight at me.
Let me start by saying, I didnt choose Lucky, he chose me. Ive said the same thing about Lexie, and I feel like all my future animals will come to me the same way.
I started riding in grade 8 as a way to get exercise. I had no idea that I would fall in love with it the way I did. After only a few months of riding, my parents decided to lease me a horse. 3 days a week she was mine, and I couldnt think of anything better. Her name was Stara and she was this beautiful little 14.3 hand arab. She was old, but I loved her. Then, the unthinkable happened. The owner of my barn decided to kick us all out and grow bonsai trees. No, Im not kidding. It is still a bonsai farm to this day. Stara was sold at the auction, and I didnt find out until it was too late. I dont know if she went to a nice person, or if she went to the meat man. Had we known she was going up for auction, we would have bought her, and I was absolutely heartbroken.
In an attempt to ease my pain, my parents promised me my own horse. It was to be a Christmas present, but buying a horse is a long process. We looked at quite a few, all exactly what I wanted, but none of them clicked.
My dad wanted to learn to ride as well, so he wanted me to get a big horse. Now, I think its important that I say, my dad doesnt know anything about horses. He knows what he likes and what he doesnt, but thats about it. Somehow, despite his lack of knowledge, he’ll be at a horse show, point out a horse that he likes, and that will be the horse that wins. Everytime. He found this ad for a 3 year old clydesdale/thoroughbred. I saw it and thought he was too big, and ugly and wasnt the slightest bit interested, but my trainer said to humor him, so we went and checked him out.
See? Big and awkward.
I got on Lucky, and I wasnt sold. He was good, there was nothing wrong with him, but I just wasnt sure. He had only been broke for 2 months, and formally trained for about 1 month. I hadnt even been riding for a year yet. Was this really something I could take on?
I had brought a couple friends with me for a second opinion. Both of them had been riding for much longer than I had, so I asked them to try him out. Neither one of them could get him to move. He would walk for them and that was it. They tried and tried but he just wouldnt go. He wouldnt do anything for them, but he would for me. When trainer said “should we get this horse vet checked?” I knew the answer was yes.
He of course passed with flying colors. The vet actually said that if I didnt buy him he was going to.
My first day with Lucky was nothing less than a disaster. He had never been ridden in an indoor riding ring before, and all he did was back up in circles and cry. I kept thinking, ”what did I get myself into? I cant do this!” but Im no quitter. One week to the day after I got him, we were in our first horse show. We entered 3 classes, and came out with 2 two 3rd place ribbons, and one sixth.
At our first show
Training Lucky was no easy task. A green horse and a green (14 year old) rider werent always the best combination. I fell off him often, was dragged across riding rings and fields, and many times thought that maybe I should sell him. Of course, I had fallen completely in love, and couldnt stand the thought of selling him. So I just kept trying.
All my hard work paid off. He turned into this amazing horse that would do anything for me. We entered every show at our barn and took home loads of ribbons. I actually, was in a jumping class against a woman I’d taken lessons from. We came in second, she came in sixth.
Lucky also grew into his giant head (the size of half my body). He grew to be 16.3 hands, and his back from his tail to his withers is the length of me with my arms stretched out over my head, and my toes pointed (Im 5’4″). Yep, he was the big horse that my dad wanted so badly. Of course, my dad never rode him. Once I talked him into sitting on Lucky while I walked him around the ring, but thats as far as he ever got. Funny how that worked out.
Of course, Lucky didnt know he was big. If he were a dog, he would have been a lap dog. All he wanted was love. He was the sweetest, most loving horse anyone had ever met. He would let me do anything. I hung off his neck, stuck my hands in his mouth, played with his droopy lip, and he didnt care.
Now, I didnt learn this until after I sold him. But Lucky was a rescue. The girl I sold him to (who is wonderful btw) had him out at a show and ran into the woman I bought him from. She recognized him and told her the story. Lucky was literally bought off of the meat truck. No one could ride him – he bucked everyone off and they gave up trying. She bought him simply to save him.
I was the only person he didnt buck off right away. If I ever had any doubt whether or not Lucky picked me, it was pretty clear at that moment.
Taking care of this horse taught me responsibility. I was completely dedicated to him, he was my life. I gave up a lot in order to keep him. I didnt go out as much as other people my age, but that was ok. I had finally found my passion. Riding was the only sport Ive ever been good at. And I was good. Im not trying to sound full of myself, but its a fact. I had a great trainer, and I had an amazing horse, we were unstoppable.
I spent every day at the barn, and there was no place I would have rather been. Lucky got me through some hard times. There were some days, I would just climb up on his back in his stall, lay down, and cry. He would stand there and let me.
The relationship with your horse is hard to explain. I dont even know how to try. A horse will do anything for you, they trust you completely, and love you unconditionally.
Of course, one day, I became a bitchy teenager and my parents decided they werent going to spoil me anymore. They stopped paying for my horse. Obviously I wasnt about to give him up, so I started paying for everything. I managed for a long time. I made all the payments, bought all his food and treats, spoiled him all the same. But as you get older, you have more to pay for. The debt started mounting up, and I was having a really rough time. For Lucky though, I was willing to tough it out.
I had accepted the fact that I would always be poor. If it meant I got to keep my horse I would deal with it. Then one day, this girl came along who wanted him. She was a riding teacher, and she knew I was considering selling him. She brought some of her students to try him out, but she fell in love with him. Like I said, I wasnt going to sell him. I knew this girl wanted him, but I didnt think I could do it. Then one day she leaves me this voicemail saying how she had fallen in love with him, and how I could still see him and we would write it into the contract. She also offered to have the contract state that should she ever sell him, she has to tell me first and I can buy him back for the same price. When I listened to it I just knew. I knew I wouldnt be able to pay for him forever, and I knew eventually I would have to give him up. I also knew, if I was going to sell my horse, it had to be to the perfect person. This girl was the right person. She loved my horse. So, on January 23, 2007 I sold my horse. She came and took him the next morning while I was at work. To be honest, Im glad I wasnt there. I dont think I could have watched him go.
Wearing his flymask as a hat
It was the hardest thing Ive ever done in my life. My heart was absolutely broken. I’d had him for seven years. Id trained him myself. He was family. But I was doing the right thing and I knew that. I still know that.
Ive only gone to see Lucky twice since I sold him. But he still remembers me. He recognizes my voice, and comes over to see me. He’s doing really well, and shes using him as a school horse. Something that is perfect for him. He is happy, and thats what matters.
Me and Lucky the last time I went to visit
To this day I have dreams that he’s still mine. I dream that Ive forgotten to go and feed him for months and that other people have been feeding him for me. I dream that Im stealing hay from other people because Ive forgotten to buy my own. I dream that he stands out in the field waiting for me.
I figure these dreams are a combination of how much I miss him, and guilt.
I fantasize of one day buying him back, but realistically, I dont think his new owner would want to give him up. Not that I blame her, I didnt want to either.
A friend of mine bought a new horse not long before I sold Lucky, and her horse was amazing. I remember her saying to me that shes owned many horses, and all of them were great, but this one was a once in a lifetime, meant for you horse. I believe thats what Lucky was for me.
I may buy another horse one day. Actually, I most likely will, but it wont be the same. It wont be Lucky. He was a once in a lifetime thing. He was amazing, and we were meant for each other.
My life changed ten years ago. It changed for the better. For seven amazing years I was lucky enough to have this horse as a part of my life. The biggest part of my life. I may have trained him, but he changed me. I am capable of so much more now. I am braver and I am stronger (physically and emotionally-all that hauling hay does great things for your arm strength). At the risk of offending my boyfriend, this horse was the best thing thats ever happened to me. I am greatful every day to have been a part of his life.