Horse Tails . . . . Zeb
When I was twelve I got my first horse. I’d been pony mad since I was five years old and at twelve, finally, my parents relented and said I could have my very own horse. I had to learn to ride before I could take charge of one though, and quickly got into the saddle for a few much needed riding lessons. My first horse arrived a couple of months later, a huge Standardbred called Oakey who I owned for fourteen years. We had a special relationship, and one I thought I would never have again. Until Zeb.
So, fast forward fifteen years since I had to say goodbye to Oakey. My husband and I had two horses, and my main saddle horse was my mare, Sharnah. But she was aged and small and I wanted a bigger mount. I wasn’t looking seriously and then one day my husband came home and said he’d seen a horse that I would just ‘love’. He’d spotted the big black gelding on the way home, in a paddock about twenty kilometers from where we lived. I laughed, because this was just some random horse he’d spotted – we didn’t know who owned him or if he was for sale. But my husband insisted we take a drive past, and did so that weekend. Of course, I fell in love with the horse immediately. He was huge, close to 18hh (which is BIG) He was fully rugged, hood and all, so I couldn’t get much of a look at him, but he came up to the fence and I had a pat. After that I would visit him every week for a couple of minutes, hoping to catch a glimpse of his owners, but it never happened. I’d take him a bit of hay and he’d always come to greet me. One day, about four months later, my husband came home and told me the horse was gone. Silly, but I was sad for weeks. it seemed I had to forget all about the big black and look elsewhere.
We did get another horse a couple of months later – a Standardbred mare that we adopted from a fate where so many ex racehorses go. But she was not for me – too spirited, too intense. She quickly became my husband’s horse. And the search for my new mount started again. About a year later we answered an advertisment and went to have a look at an ex-racehorse, who happened to be agisted in the same pasture where the big black once was. As we arrived a car pulled up and a woman and teenage girl got out. My husband explained we were there to look at the horse that was for sale – they seemed to know the owner and chatted about the horse for a few minutes. The horse for sale was not for me, I discovered, as it hadn’t been ridden in over two years. When I said I was looking for a big, quiet horse I could trust, the woman look at me, smiled, and said – “Oh, you want something like Zeb.” She pointed to a cluster of trees and I turned around to look. And there he was – my big black. He was back. He’d been away at a riding school, she explained, and was ‘sort of’ for sale. Inside I was jumping up and down, and I couldn’t help thinking how I once again felt like that twelve year old girl who’d wanted a pony so badly.
They didn’t really want to sell him, as the teenage girl had become attached. However, I knew I had to have this horse. We actually had to go to their house for an interview, which was funny, and I talked all about my first horse and how much I now wanted Zeb. That was four years ago. Zeb is now a permanent part of my life. My trusted mate who makes me remember what it is about horses that I love. It was fate, I guess. If I hadn’t gone to that paddock to see the other horse I would never had met Zeb’s then owner. Timing, in so many ways in our lives, can be everything.
What a wonderful story Helen. It gave me goosebumps. Well and truly meant to be. Hope to see it in a story from you one day.
Hi Bec – thanks for dropping by. Zeb really is the horse of my heart. He just ‘gets’ me. And being so big and goofy, he makes me smile. 🙂
What a lovely story! It seems like this match was just made to be!
Hi Nas, you’re so right – Zeb and I make a great team.
What a lovely story. I’ll never forget my first horse, I had to wait until I was 30 before I got her, but she was perfect. She always looked after me, and as soon as my son was old enough (3) he used to ride on her back clutching her rug when we brought her in from the muddy field. But if any other experienced rider tried to boss her around she’d soon sort them out. She’s now living out a happy retirement 🙂
I think what you say is so true, timing can be everything. Things happen when they’re supposed to!
Hi Susie – always great to meet another horsey gal 🙂 I had a fifteen year gap in between owning my first two horses and getting Sharnah and Jack five years ago. Churchill once said that the best thing for the inside of a man or a woman, was the outside of a horse – I so agree. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Helen, lovely post, and i can relate, i’m so besotted with my dog Bingo. We adopted him after his 1st owners abused him (at only 4months old). He could have been a mean dog, but he is awesome, so loving and so very much loved in return. Neil was taking him to school (where he is the caretaker) last weekend, and Bingo started crying with excitement when Neil and he were still 2 roads away from the school! I just adore my dog. It’s really an emotion i can’t explain.
Jane
Hi Jane – so glad you liked the post. And what a lovely story about Bingo – that’s one lucky dog 🙂
What I didn;t say in the blog is that Zeb used to be a racehorse, and when retired became a showjumper . . . but his lazy nature meant he was passed a round a bit by a few owners. Lucky me I say 🙂
Hey Helen, That’s a lovely story about Zeb. Talk about fate! And he’s such a handsome boy, I can’t blame you falling in love at first sight.
Thanks CC. Yeah, I did kinda fall in love when I first saw him. And he’s very sweet. And tall, dark and handsome. The tallness can be a bit of a worry – although there’s no shame in using a ladder. Thanks for dropping in.
For such a big guy, Zebbie is adorable, and it’s funny that he’s a goofy horse. Big and quiet. Just my speed!
He is adorable Louise. Anytime you feel like going for a spin . . . just hollar!