Special Horse in a Lifetime.

'You get one special horse in a life time'.. Growing up thats what i was told, however i've been lucky enough to have two. Sundance Georgia obviously, but before her there was my best friend, Strathmore Slate.
There is no easy way to describe Slate, he is so many things. Everyday i had him was a miracle to me. He is one special boy. Slate is a 15.2hh Appaloosa x TB, he is now 19.
The first time i saw Slate as a very short 8 year old, he was the biggest horse i'd ever seen. I was ready for my next horse after outgrowing my very precious Lacey and we'd had a call from someone saying that Slate might suit. The day we went to see him the weather was about to break and pour down, so i only got to have a sit on him. One of the very obvious things to everyone was that my feet didn't reach the bottom of the saddle blanket, i remember feeling tiny sitting up on him.
We arranged that the weekend after i would have a lesson with my instructor on Slate and then we would decide if we would buy him.
The week leading up to that lesson was the longest week of my 8 year old life. All i did was talk about Slate. I dreamt about him. I'd even draw him (That was the week i discovered I wasn't artistic...). Finally Sunday morning came. It was pouring down. Water was everywhere, our bottom paddock became a dam. We had a water fall off our roof. Our chickens didn't even come out for breakfast. My Dad looked at my tragic face, took a chance and rang up and bought Slate.
Looking back on it now, i do not recommend this ! Although we had gone to see Slate, i hadn't ridden him and he could of turned out to be anything. As it happens, Slate turned out to be the best thing in my life from that day on. Slate was everything to me, he was my whole life, my super horse, my best friend.
In the 8 years i had Slate he taught me everything, it was like he would be whatever i wanted him to be. Did i want to ride Western today? Do a bit of neck reining? Fine, jump on Slate, he'd do that. Did i want to learn how to ask a horse for a square halt or leg yeild down the centre line? Fine, jump on Slate, he'd do that. Did my 10 year old self want to try jumping a metre? Ohh yes, Slate would do that (That is my favourite photo, me jumping 1 metre with the biggest smile on my face). Everything i wanted to try, Slate would be there, always trying to interpret what my little legs were trying to tell him.

Slate was there for me through everything, in the Summer when the grass was long we used to let the horses wander free on our 52 acres, and bring them back in at night. This was my favourite time, i used to pretend i was going looking for wild horses. I never took a halter or lead rope, Slate was the leader of our little herd of three and when he started to head back, the others would follow. When i'd find them i'd jump on slate's back and he'd take me home. Always.

I often dream that i still have Slate, that i'm still 10 years old pretending to be a cow girl and me and Slate would round up our 'cows' (the dogs..). Or me, bare back on Slate with no helmet no halter no nothing while he'd wander back down through the bush to his paddock. Or watching him when the farrier came, and giving him the 'warning look' when he'd try to pinch the farriers tools out of the bucket, and then the moment when i'd miss giving him the look and the bucket would fly across our paddock, tools everywhere.

Like i said, there is no easy way to describe Slate, and i hope i've done him justice writing this. He's just simply magic.

I won't tell you the sad ending to this story, because it ruins all the amazing times i've just shared with you. All i'll say is that (due to NO decision of mine) Slate was sold. He is now loved by another little girl, and i'm sure he's sharing his magic with her. However far apart Slate and I are, he will always be in my heart. I love you to pieces Slate, and i know i owe you everything, i will never forget.