One cold, wet, day, Willow was standing in the mud with another one of her horse companions. Her feet really hurt, and it was hard to move around. She didn't have a blanket, either, so her long winter coat was soaked through.
Two humans showed up. One she recognized; it was a friend of her owners. The other human was a stranger, but she had a nice look about her. Willow had seen other people with nice looks, though, and looks could be deceiving.
While she watched, the friend pointed to her, and the other human nodded. Uh oh. Into the pasture came the stranger, with a halter and lead rope. Willow, ever stoic, decided that it would hurt too much to run away, so she just waited for whatever was going to come next.
The stranger walked slowly up to her and spoke softly. She stroked Willow's neck and then gently put the halter on. When she asked Willow to walk, Willow did the best she could, but it was very difficult. The stranger stopped, stroked Willow some more, and then asked her to move a little more. In this way they very slowly made their way out of the pasture.
The stranger and the friend talked for quite a while. The stranger seemed upset; the friend tried to be reassuring. Eventually the stranger led Willow to a trailer and asked her to get in. Willow had no idea where they were going, but she was at the point where she really didn't care anymore. Anything would be better than standing in that pasture in the mud, getting rained on. She hobbled into the trailer.
After a short ride, the trailer came to a stop. Out the trailer window Willow could see a barn and a big area that had a cover on it. Inside the big area were some other horses. They looked okay! Willow's spirits rose just a little, and she began to hope. The stranger took the other horses and put them in the barn. Then she opened the trailer door and asked Willow out. Willow shuffled out and was led to the covered area. Inside the big area, the floor was covered in thick shavings. It felt pretty good on her feet. The stranger brought her water, some grass hay, and even had a blanket for Willow.
Over the next couple of weeks the stranger made sure Willow had plenty to eat and drink, and brushed her and took her for short walks and watched Willow's feet carefully. Willow made a little bit of progress. The stranger talked with Willow a lot, too, telling her how pretty she was, and hoping that she was enjoying her stay, and that she was going to see how Willow's feet did before she tried riding her, and meanwhile Willow should just relax. The stranger could tell that Willow was keeping her feelings to herself. She told Willow she understood, and it was okay.
One day the stranger came to Willow. "Willow," the stranger said, "I hope it's okay with you. I made a deal with your people to buy you. I was only going to borrow you for a couple of weeks, but I can't send you back. You are too sweet and nice, and I hope you won't mind staying with me for the rest of your life. I promise I will never sell you or give you away, unless that is what YOU want. You have a forever home with me, and you don't have to work if you don't want to, and we'll do what we can to get your feet feeling better so you can run with the rest of the herd."
Willow could not believe her ears. This person didn't care if she worked or not?? This person thought she was sweet and nice without doing a job?? Wowwwwwwwww.......
That all happened three years ago. Willow was skeptical for a while, but gradually she realized that the stranger was no longer a stranger, but her friend, who found people to work on her feet and help Willow feel better, who kept her protected and warm and loved, and who didn't really care if Willow ever did a lick of work again. She loves Willow for who she is, not for what she can do.
For a long time Willow didn't want to do anything at all, but lately she has thought it might be fun to go on trail rides with me and other horses. Her feet are not 100% when she walks around barefoot, but she gets boots on her front hooves and when they're on she can walk and trot like normal. She gets regular trims and special food and lots of love, and all of that has given Willow a new lease on life. She is the oldest horse on the farm, being 23 very wise years. Her calm nature is good for the younger Friesians. She helps me keep them in line. Willow is my friend, and I'm happy to share my partner with her.
This is a picture of Willow with her winter coat and blanket. Our partner is a little slow getting pictures taken. Soon we'll have some new spring shots to share!
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