Also at the request of: in Nanakorobi yaoki

Even though this is in answer to my AMA entry in my other book, I thought I'd put it here.

Silverstar46 asked, "What is it you love so much about your horse?

Well ... I just recently entered a little blog contest with just that answer! Here's what I emailed the blogger running the contest:

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So my OTTB is Apollo's Double, a 2004 bay gelding. To explain why I love him so much, I have to explain a little about my last horse, a QH-cross mare. I got her as a two-year-old, and she was ... opinionated. She was a bucker, and I broke fingers, toes, collarbone, jaw, and confidence on her. There was a point at which I couldn't face down a tiny cross-rail, I was so scared. To be fair, I was a week out of breaking my jaw at that point, so it makes some sense, but ... yeah. I fell three times in two days during our last show together. I was a complete nervous wreck.

After I sold her, I knew I was looking for a horse with a particular temperament: kind, patient, and sweet, a real teacher sort.

When I saw Apollo's ad, I was a bit skeptical: he was only 8, the picture of him was not great, and he hadn't done much in recent years. But he'd been to Galway Downs at Novice with a friend of mine as a five-year-old, and he was calm enough to pack kids around at a Bible camp, so ... I thought I'd give him a shot.

Deciding to buy Apollo was the single best decision I've ever made in my life. I could tell from the first ride that we spoke the same language, and we do. A year later, because of this horse, I have become SO much more confident, not only in the saddle but in life. I've gotten braver and more sure of myself because he lets me make mistakes. I'm trusting not only him -- which I do, completely -- but myself and my ability to make decisions. Everything from horse care to choosing a line to jump on to stuff at work, he's had an impact on.

He has zero desire to unseat me and every desire to work with me. I think this is partially because he's off the track, but mostly it's just who he is. He loves being groomed, loves having me spend time with him, and generally does everything he can for me. He's the sort of horse that really wants a person of his very own, and I'm unspeakably delighted to be his person. :)

All that said -- I'm attaching a picture of Apollo, my absolutely beloved OTTB! Note the relaxed posture and the nice forward canter! Both of these things were out of my reach before Apollo. I just adore that horse!

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Here's the picture I sent her:

And here's another:

(This second one isn't great of me or my jumping position -- my lower leg needs to be farther forward, and I got a bit ahead of him here -- but Apollo looks great in it, nobody but another jumper would notice these things, and at least I'm aware of my shortcomings, so I'll post it.)

And if that wasn't enough, there's more:

He's funny and adorable -- he's got a sweet, fine head, which a lot of off-track thoroughbreds don't have. People don't guess he's a racehorse at first; they wonder what kind of warmblood he is. He has the softest of soft velvet noses. He loves being groomed and petted. He's a loyal horse, and I love when he comes galloping up to me in the pasture when I call him. When he was hurt, he was a perfect patient, standing calmly for me to take care of his wounds. He is a good horse-friend, with a kind temper. He's fun to ride, and his gaits are amazing. He's talented -- he does excellent dressage, and he's a good showjumper, and he's brave on cross-country.

Overall, it's hard to explain to non-horse-people why horse people fall in love with their horses. It's a strange, deep bond that goes beyond a sport partner and beyond the starry-eyed little girl love of horses ... We horse people don't bond like that with all the horses we ride, either. Just some of them. Apollo I have a bond with. He's not perfect -- he has his moments, like anyone does -- but he is perfect for me. It's almost inexpressible, but I've tried.