Looking back on my life with horses, I have a soft spot in my heart for “That horse”. I was 16 years old and he was the horse that gave me confidence, not just in the show ring, but also in my own abilities. He was not my horse, but a horse someone let me lease. My well-meaning father had bought a horse that we could afford but didn’t have quite enough training for my inexperience. The leased horse let me feel what was right. He responded and acted as a partner. I never doubted him to carry me around the show ring while I got experience. I owe that horse everything. I was able to take those skills on to my horse, and then, develop more skills. Each horse was a professor in my continuing education, even today. But it all started with “That Horse”.
Many years down the road, as I sit here, a small business owner, a horse trainer and an instructor, I now own a horse who is “That Horse” to countless students. Her story is priceless.
I met KiKi on a lovely day in May. My husband and I were climbing out of the recession, business was growing, but I had put a hitch in our business by switching disciplines and changing to Dressage. Although I had been training professionally for many years, I became a Dressage devotee overnight, stopped showing in the Arabian show ring, and basically alienated all my clients. We were building a new client base, but times were hard. And, as anyone who has ridden a different style knows, Dressage is a huge learning curve, especially stepping into it as a professional.
One day I received a call from a woman who owned a Half Arabian mare that she was having difficulties with. The horse had put her in the emergency room twice. When she searched the internet for Arabian trainers and Dressage in Iowa, my name came up. After we chatted, she decided to bring her naughty horse to me. She asked me how many months it would take me to decide if she should keep her current horse, or to look for a new one. I knew her mare wouldn’t take very long to tell me who she was; it would probably take a couple of weeks; no need to waste a couple of months
As I suspected, her horse told me that she and her owner needed to part ways. So, now I had a client with destroyed confidence, who had been hurt by her previous horse looking for a new horse.
Enter Kiki. Another client sent me a video from a website selling horses. Kiki was a 12-year-old mare who had been trained Dressage by her amateur owner. When I called the seller, I knew we found the right horse.
Kiki had been trained beautifully. Her owner had loved her and kept her well. Kiki was even registered and had all her USDF/USEF numbers. Little did we know how lucky we were to find her.
When we had bought Kiki home, that year we showed in rain. We showed in heat. We showed in mud. Through all of it, at every show, no matter what, Kiki did not care. She trotted into the ring and did her job. Every. Time. She built confidence in her rider, my client, more than any trainer could have.
Through the past 10 years, I have put my nieces, who do not ride at all, on Kiki. I have given lessons to children learning to ride. She is safe. She does her job. Ironically, she has the personality of a snake, which is why I relate to her. She will approach every job in a business-like manner; she will tell you when you are riding her correctly; she will tell you when you are wrong.
I have many adult amateurs. They all have their own horses. At some point in time, almost all of them have ridden Kiki to gain confidence. Many times, their horses weren’t quite trained enough to be an amateur horse; maybe they fell off their own horse, or maybe they needed Kiki to get their confidence at the canter, or they needed to feel lateral work. She has faithfully served every time.
Kiki even boosted my confidence. When I met her, I was new to Dressage, and was pretty sure no one would ever employ me as their trainer. I showed Kiki at an Open show a few months after she came to my barn. The judge’s comment in the collective remarks encouraged me to keep working. She wrote, “Horse is correctly trained and beautifully ridden.” My first year at Arabian Sport Horse Nationals, Kiki and I were Top Ten First Level Open. I love this horse.
Although I could have sold this horse many times for well over her purchase price, Kiki will have a home with me forever. Kiki isn’t the fanciest mover; she isn’t the flashiest horse at the show, but she is priceless.
great story!
Horses are amazing
so so amazing
Horses are asmazing their beauty us asmazing
Horses are a creature to be cared for and loved
This gave me all the feels! A good horse is a gift and something to treasure!
how sweet
What a sweet story! I am so glad Kiki came into your life. I am sure she feels the same.
Awesome story.
Beautiful!
Before internet and video games! I lived on a acreage and was lucky enough that we had horses to ride. Best memory of my childhood.
Fantastic story! Isn’t it amazing how they can touch your life?
I do believe horses have to match their owner. She sounds so sweet, and just wants to please. What a great find.
Awe…what a beautiful story. I love ❤️ horses
All animals are amazing and help people to not be.so depressed and all. This story About the horse amazing. Thank you for sharing
Beautiful story. Thanks for sharing.
Love it
good one
Love it
Beautiful
Nice story
Yes, they are all special, but some are more special than others!
That is a great story. Horse are amazing.
I’m so glad you found Kiki 🙂 Thank you for sharing your story!
Animals definitely have a special connection with our spirits that make life better. Thanks for sharing your story with us!
Great story. I also had a horse growing up & it taught me to respect all creatures.
Great story, I’m glad you found”your house”. I can certainly see how finding a horse you truly click with in a relationship can be valuable for riding
Amazing story
What a wonderful story
Truly a remarkable story which allows people to learn something about horses they probably did not know.
Horses are great companions to improve mental and physical health. I am happy to know that you will be giving Kiki a forever home.
Horses always to touch my soul. They are magnificent.
What a great story and just shows what majestic and wonderful animals horses are and what they can add to people’s lives!
Loved the story- I had to read it twice !
Lovely story, thanks for sharing.
Awh, how sweet. You were lucky to find Kiki!
I love horses
Such a sweet story
Aww sweet– I was so lucky to be raised around horses
What an incredible story!
Such an incredible story. I love horses!
Great story
horses are so precious. humans don’t deserve them!
aw kiki! wish i had a kiki in my life!
I love this animals are really family and loved unconditional
Very cool!
Horses are amazing! Awesome.story
That reminded me of when my friend took me to see her horse.
So true that a horse can change your life!
treat them well and they will love you
Great story!!!
awe
Horses are such majestic creatures that truly share their souls with the people with whom they bond. They take a piece of the people they trust and the people keep a piece of the horse. And it’s something even more than just an owner and “pet”. The horse trusts you with its life, just as you trust the horse with your life. Anyone who has ever bonded with a horse understands that.
They will be a great friend for years.
Horses have made huge changes for the better in my life and the lives of some of my best friends too.
Horses are amazing in what they can do for the soul and spirit of so many.
i so agree its amazing the bond my son has with every horse he meets ,it s like they sense his autism and such gentle loving creatures,
i use to ride when i was kid. i loved it so much
I used to ride them when I was a kid and love horses.
I love this story. I felt this way about my cat Baby. My neighbor has horses and I can tell his love for this one particular horse that is his “kiki”. These horses are so beautiful to watch. Thank you for sharing this lovely story.
Amazing! Horses are wonderful animals, you’re indeed so lucky to have KiKi. thanks for sharing.
Nice story
It’s great to know about the bond you have formed with Kiki. I understand that one should not care to have the best, but instead to have the best bond.
Such a great story.
This story is amazing and touched me!! I love horses!!
Aww what a wonderful story :3
Great article
Really can change lives – mental and physical health are greatly enhanced
Unconditional love
One very lucky horse for sure.
Some animals are just special 💕
i enjoy read this
Nice my girls had horses when they were home, miss having a horse
Heartwarming story. 🙂
Heartwarming story. 🙂