A young girl and a horse..A horse that is her saviour |
When you meet someone special you just know deep down even if you have only known them for a short time or have never met them before. You feel an aura, a vibe from this person and you just know that they are something special. Well, I met a horse. Now he wasn't just your average little pony..He was and always will be one very special animal and I knew the moment I laid eyes on him that something connected him and I together. I looked into his deep, dark brown eyes and I felt secure, I felt trust, I felt a strong bond, I felt happy. I walked over to him and gave him a pat, he then nuzzled up against me and started licking my hands. He made me feel as though I was something special. I felt loved even though he was not human. I knew from that moment on he was special. It was 5:00am on a Monday morning and I was starting my 2nd week of work experience at Rod Craig's Racing Stables. I had already completed my 1st week at Clarry Connors Racing Stables and I met one horse there that I enjoyed the company of. He was a chestnut colt called Braveheart. I am unsure of his whereabouts now, but I hope he is doing fine. I had walked into Rod's Stables feeling a bit nervous but as I walked around the corner of one of the stables I noticed a horse in Box 11, who had just popped his head out over the stable door. I decided to investigate this curious fellow, so I strolled on over and I looked into this magnificent creatures eyes and I felt an amazing bond, even though I had never met him before. The way that he looked at me made me feel confident and he seemed to have stopped what he was doing and looked up at me as soon as I had walked around the corner. His eyes sparkled, his coat shimmered in the lasting moments of the moon. Later that morning I found out everything about him. I watched him to find out his personality, his little quirks and habits, and loved him even more than before. I knew that there was a reason for why he had caught my eye, I didn't know the reason that day but I know now and it all makes sense. I went on to complete my work experience and by the end of the week, Herbie mean't the world to me and everyone knew it! On the last day of work experience I took a drive up to the back of the racetrack with Rod and went to the barriers where the horses were jumping out. I watched Herbie literally fly down the track, he won...of course, and Rod said he was really happy with him. I had loved working with the team at Rod Craig and I loved it even more with Herbie being there, and then before I knew it I had a job with Rod Craig. I was over the moon because it mean't that I would see Herbie more, and any chance to spend time with that amazing horse was appreciated and priceless. I filled all the registrations out and was to begin work at Rodlyn Lodge in January of the following year, which was 2004. I worked with all the horses but mainly looked after Herbie when I was there of a weekend and school holidays. I spent all my spare time brushing, patting, cuddling and fussing over him. He loved it, he was a spoilt little fellow...but he deserved it. Our bond became stronger and stronger everytime and he mean't more to me than anything in this entire world and he still does. I will never forget the friendship that was shared between him and I. I will also never forget the day that he become cast whilst in his yard. Jarred, Brett and I bolted out the front when we heard loud banging noises coming from out the front. I was shocked when I came out and found Herbie lying on the ground with his leg caught in his yard gate. I was so scared and worried that I would lose him, and I had tears rolling down my face. The strange thing was, I could feel his pain!! The pain was shooting up my leg and I looked into his eyes and comforted him, trying to stop him from moving. Someone was definately looking over him that day. I am so grateful that he is still alive today. He was an extremely lucky horse, he may have been gone now if he had of broken his leg and things would never be the same if he was not around. For the whole of 2004 I bonded with Herbie. He let me cry into his mane when I was feeling down, he would be so patient and caring. I could tell him all my secrets and I knew that no one would ever know them because herbie was my confidante. I could tell him anything and I knew he would never tell anyone. He was there for me at the best of times and he was there for me at the worst of times. It didn't matter how I was feeling, but he was there for me to lean on. He had a personality that no other horse would ever have, he was one in a million. Herbie was the one who cared and he showed it in the way that he responded to me. I only had to look into his eyes and I could take comfort in knowing that he cared. I continued working into 2005 and Herbie was there for me again and again. I went through an extremely difficult time in my life and Herbie was there for me to talk to and cry to. He never let me down, no matter what the situation was. Around april in 2005, my entire world came crashing down. My best friend had been diagnosed with Depression and attempted to commit suicide. I had another friend who was having a difficult time as well. I had to deal with this and was in year 11 at the time so I had extreme amounts of school work. I was going downhill and was spiralling into depression exceptionally fast. Things became much worse when I heard that they were going to sell Herbie. I was so upset and begged them to give him to me, but unfortunately I didn't get him. I was always so scared that I would turn up to work and he would be gone. On the day that he was floated to his new home, I headed up to the train station to catch a train to my nanna's and I thought I might go and see Herbie. The feeling of wanting to see him was quite strong but didn't end up going. I knew I was going to regret it. The following saturday I was dropped off at work by my mum and looked into Herbie's yard and he was gone!! I was devastated. I was heart broken and I burst into tears. I managed to get through the morning but it was incredibly hard. At the end of the morning I asked Rod if I could have Herbie's Bib. He gave it to me and I have it in my treasures box in a bag so it will never be ruined. It's all I have that reminds me of him apart from some pictures that I have, although I don't need anything to remind me of him because he will be forever in my memory and he will never be forgotten. I haven't seen my special boy for a long time but I know that we will reunite.. I just know it. I found out who was training him in Cairns and also who owns him. I rang them and told them that if they ever want to sell or give him away then I will definately take him on. No hesitations what so ever. I just want him back because I know that he is mean't to be with me. I miss him dearly and he will always have that special spot in my heart. A horse that had a huge impact on my life, a horse that cared, a horse that would walk to the end of the earth for me as I would for him, a horse that only comes along once in a lifetime. I am hoping that he comes back into my life because that is where he is mean't to be. Lionquest, you were one of the most important things in my life and you done so much for me and I appreciate everything. You will never be forgotten and I hope that we reunite. I know that everytime I close my eyes I will be constantly reminded of you. Your presence may be gone physically but your presence is not gone from my heart and I can feel you around me...your aura was one which will never be gone from my life. I can't wait until the day where I see a float coming towards me and YOU are the one who is unloaded from it. I can't wait for the day where I look into your trusting eyes again and put my arms around you and give you the biggest and long over due hug. So I guess there is a such thing as love at first sight! And when I say love, I don't mean your average human to human love, I mean the love between an animal and a human. A bond that is stronger than anything in this world. A young girl and a horse, a horse that means the world to her, a horse that is her saviour. That horse is Lionquest. A brave, stunning, kind and gentle horse that will never give up and never stop trying to prove his ability, strength, courage and most of all love. I will love you forever and eternity...Lionquest...My Guardian Angel XOXOXOXOXOXO I LOVE YOU HERBIE XOXOXOXOXOXO |