If you read this blog, I think you deserve to be let in on the secret...my youngest daughter is getting a horse for Christmas! But not just any horse. Blaze is a very special horse that she fell in love with. I think I now realize why she loves him so. He loves her. Blaze is a rescue horse.
He first appeared in our neighbor's fields this fall. My kids name all the horses, donkeys and mules that our neighbor keeps with his cattle. The description they gave me of Blaze surprised me. He was in rough shape, had a large gash on his shoulder, etc. This did not sound at all like the horses our neighbor keeps. His horses are always purebred and flashy.
The kids visited Blaze every day, taking him apples and carrots, etc. Since they took such an interest, I went with them one afternoon to see Blaze too. He was not what I expected a rescued horse to be. He was very calm, soaking up all of my children's attentions. They wanted me to pet him too. I imagined he'd not trust me, an adult, and would leave the fence. To my surprise, he enjoyed my attentions just as much as theirs. I was enchanted with him just like my children were.
Most of the horses in the field near us either ignore my kids or come take their treat offerings and then return to munching their grass. Not Blaze. He would stand near the fence as long as they would pet him.
Privately, I told my husband that he should see this horse too. He did. He also was impressed with him and learned that although our neigbor pastured the horse, he belonged to someone else. His owner had saved this young horse from being turned into dogfood. She needed a good home for him, because she already had too many horses at her home. Blaze had now found a home with us. He will be our youngest daughter's dream come true.
The lady who rescued him agreed to also complete his training, and for an extra charge she will train our kids with him after Christmas. Although I grew up with horses, that was a long time ago, and I know this lady is very experienced. She recently started his training. After working with him, she decided since that all went so well, she would try putting a blanket on him. He didn't mind, so she tried a saddle. He didn't mind the saddle either, so she tried riding him. He took her everywhere she wanted to go with only a saddle and a halter. Even she was surprised. She told us, "I think the horse is just so grateful to finally be loved."
Please don't spoil our Christmas surprise; keep the secret, okay? Do you want to see him?
Merry Christmas!
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