After almost twenty years riding horses, I found my self at a cross road. The horse I had grown up with for fifteen years had passed away earlier in the year. A fall off another horse a few years earlier had made me fearful when getting on any horse other than him. Even horses I knew could be trusted could give me anxiety attacks when they shook their heads from flies. Then, along came Slew.
I had decided to get back into dressage a year earlier and had been riding a few different horses, but never felt safe enough on any of them to really ride outside of lessons. After only riding in an arena for months and still not feeling secure, I asked my instructor if she had a horse we could go on a trail ride with. I knew nothing about the horse I was about to get on, except that he was fairly well behaved and my instructor had only had him less than a year. Yet, the moment I got on his back, I felt safe.
Slew was an eight year old thoroughbred stallion that belonged to my riding instructor. Originally from Tennessee, Slew had raced for a few years and gotten eighteen starts under his belt. Only two wins, one place, and six shows later, Slew stood at stud at a farm in Tennessee, after breaking his leg. When that did not pan out, Slew eventually came into my instructor’s care in sunny Southern California. Slew and I had one of those rare instantaneous connections. For the first time since my childhood horse had passed away I felt I could trust a horse. On the trail, even if Slew spooked at something, I felt that nothing bad was going to happen and simply went along for the ride. A few weeks later when I went back to ride Slew in a regular lesson, I felt that same sense of security on his back. And for the first time in years, the word “canter” didn’t bring on a panic attack. It was exhilarating, and fun.
Ever since those first few rides, I have never doubted Slew. Even if something upsets him, I have always trusted Slew to take care of me. On my darkest of days, Slew is my ray of sunshine. I look forward to any time I can spend with him, and it doesn’t have to be on his back. Sometimes all I need is that nicker telling me he is happy to see me too. I love watching him jump, run and play in the turnout. My day is always better if he has been a part of it in some way.
Life is not always perfect. There are days he can be in a mood, but there are days I can be in a mood, too. I know Slew’s knee will cause limitations down the road and limit us to the lower levels of dressage. But the point is, that he is my best friend. My therapist, my confidante, my nudge to go to work in the morning; through thick or thin we will be there for each other.
Jessica
