Thursday, June 11, 2009

Reunited with an Old Friend

At 11:30 a white car pulled into our driveway. Out stepped a lady in breeches in boots, an apple in hand. She came up towards the barn and introduced herself. She was Becky, the lady from the farm where Linus worked as a beginner school horse not too long ago.

I led her into the arena, and when she saw him, her eyes immediately welled up with tears. She walked towards him and in an instant it was clear - he recognized her.

He walked towards her with an eager look on his face, glancing back at me a few times, but never skipped a stride. He dropped his head into her arms in a most comfortable way. She gave him the apple and told him how much she loved and missed him. He seemed to agree with her.


Becky was disgusted by his condition and saddened by the fact that it had happened to such a sweet horse. She apologized to him for allowing him to end up this way, although she and I both know that she couldn't have predicted the future two years ago.

Becky told me about his history with her. At his farm, he was known as "Cutter", but since he was a total baby doll he was frequently referred to as "Cutter Butter".

He taught beginner lessons and was a solid jumper. She said that he was the most bombproof, beginner friendly horse she had ever met. He was frequently seen packing 7-year-olds around a course of crossrails. They trail rode him frequently, and he would willingly and quietly lead or follow.

She also showed me one of his idiosyncrasies - Linus likes to have his butt scratched. Yes, you read that correctly. His butt. A few minutes after they were reunited, he took a few steps away from her, turned, and then began to back into her, stopping just before his tail hit her nose. She put her hands up and began scratching around his tail with her fingers, never missing a beat in our conversation, as though this was normal practice. I stopped and started laughing, and she said that "he just has a weird sweet spot." Apparently.



The more she scratched, the more he leaned. He stuck his upper lip out, and rolled his eyes back. He moved his hips so she hit the good spots, and when she found them, he leaned into her. He enjoys having his tail scratched, too, and would hold it away from his body to remind her that she had missed it. She spent the better part of the hour rubbing his butt while we talked. And he loved every bit of it...

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Tomorrow, Brad will be out to trim Linus's hooves around 4:30pm. I'll do my best to get pictures of the first hoofcare that this poor guy has received in the last 8 months.

Also, I will hopefully have super exciting news about Faith tomorrow evening - I'll keep everyone updated!

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11 comments:

  1. what a reunion! It must have been bittersweet for her. I'm glad he ended up in good hands after two years and she could have that moment again with him!

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  2. Leap Of Faith FarmsJune 12, 2009 at 4:32 AM

    What a sweet story it is nice that you where able to get the 2 of them reunited. Yea my daughters horse is not the only one!! That is exactaly what our yearling paint does backs up to you so that he can get his bootie scratched!

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  3. The story of Linus and how he ended up before you got him is why I have a hard time selling any of my horses, a thought many do not understand. Keep up the good work on both of your rescues!

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  4. So cool and DARN no internet at home have to wait til Monday for the Faith news ;(

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  5. AW! I love that story! Linus and his butt scratching reminds me of our rescued Golden Retriever/Irish Setter mix who loves the same thing. She'll back into you with her but and wiggle it; she'll back into the sofat table and do the same thing. She and Linus would be fast friends.

    I love that he recognized Becky.

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  6. Linus has such a sweet face! That story made me "tear up". I wonder why she sold him if he was their best beginner horse? Did she say?

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  7. Aw, so sweet! What a horse. I was wondering the same thing as Drillrider - if he's such a perfect lesson horse, what led to him being sold? If it's private, that's okay, I'm just nosy. :-)

    I'm sure Linus will be very happy that you now know about his butt-scratching preferences. I'm anxious to hear the news about Faith! (er, she's not pregnant, is she?)

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  8. Oh my goodness! For a moment there I thought I was looking at photos of MY horse! Maybe our dark bay OTTB geldings were separated at birth, ha ha. I'll definitely follow this blog, what you're doing for Linus is just wonderful!

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  9. How sad that such a valuable horse (and good lesson horses are worth their weight in gold) ended up like he did.
    I've had horses that want their butts rubbed and will do as he does. And I've got one that wants his sheath rubbed; that is what gives him the most pleasure.

    oldmorgans.blogspot.com

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  10. What a great reunion and the butt scratching is hilarious.

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