Several weeks ago, I happened upon a conversation with two fellow Boarders at the Barn. The topic of this conversation was “how do you know when you have found the right horse and/or equine companion?” As one peep joined in by saying that she knows as soon as she sits on a prospect, the other peep looked at me and said “how do you know…how did you manage to find your sweet girls?”
Although I have never been prompted to give this question any thought before now, I replied to her inquiry before I could even process the question thoroughly. The old adage “Beauty is in the EYE of the beholder.” I never analyzed my logic or reasoning before now…BUT…my answer, without a doubt, is ” I know when I look into their eyes”. They say eyes are the mirror to the soul.
Lets go back several decades when I grew up riding at CPHS. I certainly had my fair share of equine projects thru the years, whether I leased, owned or simply put my life on the line working green babies. Thru all of the tears that were shed when it was time for project to move on, there was…and always will be…one horse that has forever remained close to my heart. Her name was Johnny Sue. It is my opinion that she was the greatest mare to ever come into my hands. I don’t remember the exact story that came with her but I want to say it had something to do with a hay supplier. She was a small dark bay mare that was pretty nondescript with the exception of a brand and THE MOST GORGEOUS BEDROOM EYES I HAVE EVER SEEN. However, those same eyes would tell me her own story. She was a green, tense and extremely forward little mare.
With some time and lots of work, Johnny Sue transformed into a soft, relaxed star waiting to be born. I had grown so attached to this little mare…but like so many others before her…Linda felt it was time to place her on the Market. Coincidentally, it would be about this same time, I would leave for Ocala Florida to work with a riding trainer that we had been showing with. Once I settled into my new adventures, I brought Ben (my Training Level Eventing companion of ten years) with me to try and sell. In no time, Don had sold him to the Windex/Draino founder. Linda then asked me if I would like to take Johnny Sue since she had not sold her, yet, because she needed the room for upcoming babies. Without one moment’s hesitation, I agreed to take JS until she sold. Once on board, Don immediately saw the same beauty and talent in her, as I had/did. He said “her show name will be Brand New” due to her being new on property and the brand that bestowed her. A side note here: there is a story behind every name that Don allocates to his sale projects…most good and some not so good. I would eventually learn to read into their show names to have a better understanding of the horses and their temperament, conduct, personalities, habits and vices.
I had a few weeks to ride JS at home before she was slotted to attend a show in Newberry. Don nominated a fellow rider to show her since he was more petite in stature and therefore, more suitable to ride my favorite little mare. JS took stage and shined like the celebrity she was always meant to be. It was time for me to navigate my separation anxieties once again, as JS sold before we even left the show grounds that weekend.
For my remaining tenure in Ocala, I chose not to look for another horse since the work load left no time to tend to a personal horse. We were on the road more than we were home and it would not have been fair to any future equine companion…or myself. As we were encroaching on the season where I would return home, we were attending a show in Kentucky. During lunch break, I encountered a small group of kids giggling as they were eating the concession delicacies they had just obtained moments earlier. Standing next to them was a horse and rider waiting their turn to show. Unbeknownst to the rider, her horse was eating a hot dog right out of the hands of one of the kids. I marveled at this sight and thought to myself what a personality that horse had…and to accomplish this task without so much as drawing any attention to his endeavor. I scooted back to the barn to get my next contender ready to show.
Later that day, I ran into the same horse and rider that I had seen earlier. There was no mistake as to the identity, as I recognized the horse’s eyes right away. As it turned out, the horse belonged to the rider’s mother who had cancer. She was only showing to try and sell him, so she would have more time to focus on showing her own prospects. It became evident that she had no interest in keeping HOOVER, as she had a much more lucrative interest in her own promotions. Long story short, the 16.0 hand chestnut Hanoverian gelding with gorgeous puppy dog eyes and a HUGE personality would become my next equine companion…the only show veteran I would ever own.
I am not a big fan of paints or appaloosas simply because it is rare to find one where the white does not “cross the eye(s)” (known as white sclera)…or one without blue eyes. Call me superstitious but those eyes are difficult to “read”. Some myths even suggest horses with these characteristics tend to be “spookier than most”.
One exception would be another favorite project from my CPHS days – Inca. Although an appaloosa, she had the most loyal looking eyes with very little (if any visible) white sclera…and loyal she was and how I loved her! She would be the last horse I would lease before my parents bought me my first horse, Ben.
When I went to the barn the next day, Inca ran up and down the fence line while I was riding Ben, until someone had to go out and bring her in. Since I still had several days left of my lease with Inca, I spent extra time with my courageous and faithful companion of the last nine months – the longest term spent with any one horse at CPHS. Not long after getting Ben, Linda sold Inca and that would be the last time I would see my confidant and best friend.
Although Princess was a Percheron/Paint, she was also the rare exception of not having the noticeable white sclera. Her look immediately read “trust me and I will trust you”. Princess was always my “go to” for anything new and/or challenging (distances, grid work, gymnastics, etc… ). Princess would end up being the horse every trainer wanted in their program.
Yet, Rose’s eyes told me a completely different story. Her look told me she had trust issues but yet, they yearned for a “stand by me” grant. I would soon learn that she became anxious with strangers…especially men. Although she would always prove to be comfortable with me, it took a long time for others to gain her confidence. This obvious sensitivity trickled into other areas, as well. For an example, this would not be the horse for an unbalanced beginner or anyone who could not learn to withhold a sneeze or cough while on her back.
Godiva’s eyes read “Kindred Spirit”…and that she is! As Ann Parrish once said ” To discover a kindred spirit is to find your heart in the heart of a friend.” Godiva is like a huge, giant teddy bear, establishing a reputation as the resident mascot everywhere she goes. To this day, I still meet strangers who come to the barn, looking for Godiva…lol! While too fat and lazy to do any harm, most people are not prepared for how gentle this sweet giant is.
Cali’s eyes are mischievous but in a sweet way. While extremely sweet (you know…the kind that money can’t buy), she is like a toddler that likes to explore her boundaries. Cali would be the prospect I would encourage my brother, Trace, to purchase for my niece. He has remarked on several occasions, “it’s like you know what she is thinking before she even acts on it”.
Penny’s eyes were the most beautiful eyes I have seen since Johnny Sue. Yes, I know…did I really want the all too common chestnut mare that has received less than positive media attention over recent years? I will admit that I am the first to look right over the all too common equine sterotypes…unless they happen to possess an extraordinary eye that talks to me. While Penny’s eyes clearly spoke a language, they seemed to lack the spark they perhaps had once upon a time…the undeniably beautiful but hopeful, lack-luster eyes. Although most horses are content with the routine visits to feed them, Penny’s eyes looked as though she was starving for acceptance and attention. Once she saw that I would provide her with both, I would witness the gradual and guarded return of the once faded gleam in her eyes.
What is it that draws you to a particular horse? Color? Chrome? Gender? Level of training? Prize Record? Height? Price? Location? Temperament? Breed? All of the above? None of the above? Other?
Homestead Memoirs 