When I went off to college at 18, I parted ways with my first horse, a 15hh, flea-bitten grey, Quarter Horse gelding. He had been my babysitter and best friend throughout my teenage years. Leaving him behind was not a choice, but a necessity. I understood this, but never accepted it, and to this day I miss that horse.
Now here I am, over a decade later, with a similarly freckled beast. Windsor is a hand taller and significantly more opinionated. He is, however, just as kind and wise as that first silver beast that stole my heart so many years ago.
And in fact, it is hard at times to not mistake him for my childhood horse. Particularly on evenings such as this, when his long grey neck is stretched out in front of me, and the sun is setting on my left. For a moment I am 14 again, not a care in the world, aside from the horse beneath me and the trail ahead.
.........
But, for Windsor and I, life has not always been so carefree or easy. Perhaps that is why I so treasure the quiet rides we share. He has gone through numerous career changes, and as many owners. He's had multiple names, and in the last 4 years, has not spent more than 9 months in any one place. His diet, feet and teeth were neglected. He became sore, stiff, lame, skinny, all the while continuing to do his job, as best he could.
Myself, I am young by most standards, but feel as if I've lived a lifetime in the last several years. I wouldn't change a thing, but at times, I do feel a wee bit jaded by the trials that have befallen me at such a young age.
And so our paths crossed last fall, at a time when we had both hit rock bottom. He was crippled, emaciated and dehydrated. I was not much different. We were both trying to hang on, though I think neither of us was entirely sure why we should.
I did not want a horse, having just lost my "heart" horse, but Windsor wanted a person. So I made some quick arrangements to bring him home, certain there was something drastic and untreatable wrong with him. I figured I'd give him a meal, some TLC, and then help him over the bridge....
Little did I know, the old man had different plans.
