6/07/2010

Finding Jack

I didn't set out to get a horse like Jack. In fact on the day I first saw Jack I was on my way to look at another horse to buy, Sand Man. Sand Man was a been there, done that, 19 year old Peppy San bred gelding. Sand was nothing special, just a good solid horse who would take the place of Scooby and allow me to ride again.
I had a friend with me, she was going to help me look Sand Man over. We arrived to the ranch to get a look at what I was sure was going to be my next horse, but the man who was going to show me the horse was still working. So we went for a short drive, returned only to find out that he wouldn't be home in time to show me the horse. As we drove back home my friend said "Tim has Jack up for sale, let's stop and take a look at him." Now I love looking at horses, even if it wasn't a horse I was interested in buying, it is always fun to look. After all Jack was green, had been sitting in a pasture for three years, and was not the dead broke bomb-proof been there/done that horse I was looking for. Nope he was not even in the running for being my next horse...I was just going to look. We got to where Jack was and there stood one of the prettiest horses I had seen in a long time. Well it is always nice to get to look at a lovely horse. I went out to the pasture to get a closer look at Jack, the person who was boarding him told me that I wouldn't be able to get close to him because he was hard to catch. No big deal, I just wanted to look at him. I entered the pasture and stood to take a look at one fancy boy. Jack lifted his head, let out a bit of a woofle and walked right over to me. When he got close to me he placed his nose right on my outstretched hands, this has become a greeting we have shared almost daily since we have been together. I was sunk...this horse picked me and there was nothing that would change it. Jack stood there while I scritched him all over and he even let me pick up his feet. He followed me around, often bumping my shoulder with his nose so that I would reach out and touch him. He likes walking with no halter but with my hand resting on his neck to this day. My friend contacted Tim to find out how much he wanted for Jack, his price was out of my range...I felt gutted. Here was a horse that made it clear that we were going to be partners and I didn't have enough money. Thanks to my friend vouching for me Tim was willing to take payments. Jack came home the very next day.
I don't know how to explain meeting a horse that feels like it has been there waiting just for you, like it has some how been a part of your life all along. But that is what it was like when I met Jack. Sometimes I think he can read my mind, sometimes it seems as if I can hear him speaking to me.
I do know that my life has been better, happier, and healthier since Jack has entered it. I also know that this journey of ours will be taken together no matter what the future holds.
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...it's about learning how to dance in the rain.

7 comments:

Cheryl Ann said...

Isn't it interesting how horses pick us? What a lovely story!

Cactus Jack Splash said...

Yes it is interesting how that happens....look at you and Quad.

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Having a few tears over your story! I so hope Jack does well at rehab

Grey Horse Matters said...

What a sweet story. I get a happy feeling when I hear of a horse picking his human partner.

I had a similar experience with Erik. Same story, I went to look at another horse and this big grey guy just came to me and nuzzled and wouldn't let me leave. The seller was all about "oh you don't want that horse, he's not for you", but he was and we had 15 wonderful years together.

wilsonc said...

I know you feel you are a lucky woman for having found Jack...but if you ask me I'd say Jack's a lucky guy.

Powell River Books said...

When I went to college my horse went to live at my grandparents place so she could be in a pasture. On vacations I got to get out of the city to stay with her and ride in the country rather than the dirt track along the cemented Los Angeles River. One thing I loved to do was walk out into the pasture and have Misty follow me around. I would hop on her back and just sit (or lie down) as she grazed. It was a special relationship we never had in a city stable. - Margy

Unknown said...

I remember being told Cibolo was sort of stand offish - then he dropped his head in my hands.

Finally I have that feeling back.

We are sending healing thoughts over to rehab...

 

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