The sun's rays reach inside the stall, its southern exposure capturing the streaks of light and warmth in the late afternoon. I smell fresh hay and can hear him eating, softly pulling away one mouthful, then another... chewing .... breathing.
He nickers quietly when he realizes I have arrived, turning to see what I might have brought for him. I reach out to pat his great neck and shoulder and he nuzzles at my chest, his warm breath tickling my face. It feels so good to touch him, and his fur is warm and silky, strong muscles beneath velvet. He is beginning to lose his winter fuzz, and the black and dark liver chestnut hair coat beneath shines with good health.
I am restored just by being here with him.
This is my Johnnie. He is very beautiful, and very dear. I brushed him for the next hour while he munched his supper. We weren't in a hurry, and he loves the attention.
I wanted pictures of him today. He was less excited about holding still for the camera, and wiggled a bit while I tried to get a sharp photo. Oh well. He is a kind horse, endlessly patient and gentle, despite improper handling before he came to be with me. He's come so far in the last 12 months.
John is almost 8 years old now, and has only been under saddle about a year or so - that we know of. Most of that with me. John is a registered Tennessee Walker, and was bred to be a show horse. Many TWH trainers are cruel, sacrificing the mind and body of the horse for unnatural, but extememly flashy, gaits desired for the national show ring.
John has scars on his pasterns. Sometimes he's afraid.
I bought him on a whim last year and blogged about him in a post here. He is doing fantastic under saddle and should be in show condition by the end of summer, all bulging muscles and spunk. He's incredibly well-behaved and always tries his best.
If you go see the first post about Johnnie, scroll down a bit in the post to this picture. Tell me what you think of the transformation, and while I expect you will see that the body change is profound, what is not so visible is the change to his heart.
Mine too. I can breathe now. I have a horse again.
Eileen
Eileen, You deserve all the sweet nuzzlings he gives you for all you've done for this beautiful amazing animal!!
Diane
Posted by: Diane Knott | Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 04:07 AM
Johnnie is gorgeous. Bless your heart for rescuing him. It truly makes my heart happy to hear such stories.
Posted by: Lorraine lewis | Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 05:05 PM
Eileen~ Hope you are having a wonderful week! I wanted to let you know that I am having a giveaway on my second blog, A Girl's Gotta Nest!!
Hugs~T
Posted by: Tami | Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 02:44 PM
WOW what a difference you have made in this babies life! I have always loved horses & my mother loves to say in a very nasty tone, "the only thing you never got from your Daddy that you wanted was a horse". Well, after we married, my "Honey" bought me a horse. She was a Quarter Horse & was green broke. She was green & I was green. Not a pretty combination I can assure you. Her name was Lady. She was not one!!!!! I sold her 2 years later. I had hired a 17 year old kid to help me break her & he was an excellent horseman. Said she was the fastest horse he had ever ridden... but she wanted to scrape me off at every fence or tree she could. Guess I need to ride older more broken horses. Or at this stage... maybe none at all. Thanks for sharing your story & photos of Johnnie. He is a beauty.
Posted by: Charlene | Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 06:17 AM
He's gorgeous... there is nothing like riding a Tennessee Walker! Long years ago, I lived on a farm in Pennesylvania and we raised and showed Tennessee Walkers from the Merry Go Boy line. They are the ultimate in easy riding.
Posted by: Marty52 | Monday, April 20, 2009 at 08:23 AM
He is gorgeous!! I have always wanted to have horses, when I was young I would always beg my dad to get one. Maybe one day I will have one or two!
Have a wonderful week!
Hugs~T
Posted by: Tami | Monday, April 20, 2009 at 06:46 AM
Ohhh now I see I had to scroll down !!
What a change your Johnnie made, he looks so fragile then and now he looks so good and he is so so beautiful. Thanks for sharing him with us !!
Posted by: Ellen Prinsen | Monday, April 20, 2009 at 05:18 AM
Although I'm from horse country, I have never really ridden. There must be a special relationship between a woman (or girl) and a horse. I think almost as many women have loved horses as men! John is a beauty! Thanks for sharing! Love your new picture :)
Posted by: susan | Monday, April 20, 2009 at 04:06 AM
Eileen - what a change an owner can make. I too have animals and I truely believe that
animals reflect their owners. Your horse is
such a beauty ! I have a horse too, aren't
they great ! Hugs ~ Kammy
Posted by: Kammy | Monday, April 20, 2009 at 03:12 AM
Oh, he is so beautiful. How can someone have been cruel with him?
I have only little experience with horses but they seem to be such loving souls. And from your previous post, he clearly did his best to have you adopt him :-)
Posted by: vero | Monday, April 20, 2009 at 02:48 AM
He's beautiful Eileen and what a transformation. I know it takes tremendous care...but, I've always believed that loving an animal will make the most difference in them. Thank you for sharing your wonderful John.
Blessings, Susie
Posted by: Susie Mitchell | Monday, April 20, 2009 at 12:25 AM
Eileen I love to see how Johnnie was when you brought him to your home but the link does'nt seem to work :-((
Posted by: Ellen Prinsen | Monday, April 20, 2009 at 12:17 AM