Buddy and Me

     In March of 1997, my life would be forever changed.  A good family friend of ours called and said that he just got word of a bunch of horses that were going to be auctioned off.  He knew we were looking to get a young horse for me to train, so we went to look at them off of Cortaro Road.  It turned out that this group of horses had been confiscated by the State in a drug bust.  They wouldn’t come with papers, but I didn’t need a papered horse to barrel race.  We looked them over and a couple caught our eye, one being a sorrel stallion that stood eating the hay, calm as could be.  My parents went to the auction while I was at school.  I remember thinking of names that day and coming up with “Buddy”.  I was so excited to get home I couldn’t really concentrate on school that day. 

       I literally ran off the bus and my Dad greets my by saying, “We got Busted from the auction for you” to which I immediately replied, “His name is Buddy!”  That argument still goes on today, 17 years later.  I fell in love with him quickly.  We had him gelded and he vet-checked at 3-3 ½ years old.  I was 13.  I started ground training him and after a few weeks, my family gathered to watch as I got on him for the first time in the round pen.  I was ready for a rodeo, but as I got on him, and nudged him with my heels, he just stood there, turning his head around to look at me, like, “What are you doing up there.”  Mom got in the round pen and led him and once he got walking at a good pace would duck out of the round pen.  Buddy would immediately stop.  So much for the rodeo I was expecting.  I had devoured training books and was prepared for the horse that wouldn’t stop, but had never heard of a horse that wouldn’t move.

       I looked through my books again and one trainer said to hold his head to the side and not to let him straighten out his neck unless he moved his feet to get his head straight.  As soon as he moved his feet, release the pressure.  This worked like a charm.  We also started going on trail rides and Mom would pony me on Gold.  Riding Buddy was something I looked forward to every day.  It also gave me a reason to fight back hard when I got sick.  A trained horse didn’t miss much when I was sick and couldn’t ride, but if I missed riding for several days on Buddy, he went backwards in training pretty quick.  Horses are repetitive learning animals so the more you do something, the better they learn. 

       One of my first memories of Buddy and I’s amazing bond is when Aunt Netta came over to tell us that Great Grandma Duncan had been diagnosed with colon cancer and the doctors gave her two weeks to live.  I remember running out to his pen, sobbing, and throwing my arms around his neck.  He literally turned his head to wrap me in a “hug”.  It’s amazing the way God created animals to sense when we are out of sorts and upset, and the kindness He shows us in giving us these incredible gifts from above. 

       Before I was saved, horses were my god.  I said I would never live in the city and I would never not have horses.  They say never say never and that proved true for me.  For the last 10 years I have lived in or near the city and Buddy stayed at my parent’s house.  Thankfully I was always within 45 minutes to an hour from their place and was always able to see him and ride.  Since being saved, God has shown me what a wonderful gift Buddy is, and how I can use our relationship to point to the One who made us. 

       It’s hard to find words to explain the bond between horse and girl.  It’s something so precious and beautiful, words don’t do it justice.  I can get on him in the midst of trials and go for a ride and enjoy being one with my horse out in God’s beautiful creation, and suddenly my circumstances don’t seem so big or bad.  There have been many incredible moments like running at top speed bareback through the desert, wind blowing through my hair, a feeling rivaled by few things in this life.  The many times when I have been sick and just go out to his pen and lay on his back and instantly feel a bit better.  Or the many starlit nights as a kid that I would just lay on his back and look at the stars  or when I would take him to the grassy area with a good book and lay on his back and read while he happily chomped away at the grass.

       Horses are one of God’s greatest gifts to mankind and my life has been much richer for having them in my life. 

Job 39:19-24 says,

 “Have you given the horse strength?

Have you clothed his neck with thunder?

Can you frighten him like a locust?

His majestic snorting strikes terror.

He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength;

He gallops into the clash of arms.

He mocks at fear, and is not frightened;

Nor does he turn back from the sword.

The quiver rattles against him,

The glittering spear and javelin.

He devours the distance with fierceness and rage;

Nor does he come to a halt because the trumpet has sounded.”

       There’s nothing like driving up in my parent’s yard, getting out and yelling, “Hey Buddy boy” and having him nicker and come towards the fence to get some attention.  Or making that special whistling sound and having him start to prance in anticipation of a good run.  Or doing his “fancy trot” with head bowed and ears pricked forward prancing along for all to see just how gorgeous he is.  I truly have been blessed beyond measure with not only a great partner but a loving friend. 

Buddy

I remember when I first laid eyes on you,

That warm spring day,

You were focused so intently,

On eating up all that hay.

The excitement and anticipation, not knowing if I’d get you,

Or one of the other horses,

As I got off the bus that day and ran into the yard,

God gave me the buddy I would need,

Knowing in a much deeper way,

Just how much I would need you,

More than I could ever know at the time.

Teaching you to follow me on the ground,

Your first saddle,

My first ride,

I thought it was going to be fast,

But you just stood there, perplexed,

Wondering why I wasn’t by your side.

It didn’t take us long,

To figure out how to go forward,

And how far you’ve come,

From all those years ago.

You motivated me to keep going,

When the going got tough,

You gave me a challenge,

When our iron wills would clash,

But friendship always won out,

As we learned from each other,

And I am a much better person because of you.

You helped me through some very hard times,

Learning my loved ones were lost to cancer,

I spent countless hours on your back,

Pouring out my heart and soul to you,

My friend that would listen no matter what,

And love me through it all.

Getting married and leaving you behind,

One of the hardest things to do,

But so thankful for my precious husband,

Who saw that bond between me and you,

And encouraged me to spend more time in your presence,

As he saw the passion and joy you brought to me.

Running through the desert,

Wind streaming through my hair,

Cutting in and around the bushes,

With the slightest touch of my leg,

Like you were reading my mind,

And did what I wanted you to do,

Before I even asked.

What a team we make,

Demonstrating this mysterious bond,

Between horse and rider,

Something that cannot be explained,

Other than a priceless gift from above,

Infinitely blessed by the One who created you,

 All those years ago,

Knowing the love we would share,

And how our bond would bring Him glory,

For it’s only because of Him,

My Great God and Savior,

That we are such precious friends.

Here are many pictures, depicting our precious bond.  :) Enjoy!

Sharing my passion with others :)