Sometimes in life you get just what you wish for. Sometime you have to take a gamble to get it.
I was without horses for quite a few years, but as I mentioned in the vision of our ranch, they never left my heart. When I was just a teenager I had an amazing paint horse I named Apache. He taught me so much and was so talented - the kind of horse that can do anything you ask him too. He was such a babysitter, and when I look back, I cringe at how little I know and how many chances I took. I feel sorry for the old boy, as I didn't know how to handle him very well. He took everything in stride though and was still a best friend and loyal partner.
Unfortunately, our horses can't be with us forever, and Apache passed away. For a long time, I had to put my dreams on the back burner because life had its own plans for me.
And then came Duke.
I actually bought him to go through the equine program at college. He was just a yearling when I bought him. It was winter, and in the uppermidwest, that means its cold. Here was this fuzzy gangly young gelding. It was hard to see him underneath all that fuzz, and he hadn't really came into his color yet either, so he was a bit mottled and funky looking. His eye though - his soul - that was what hooked me at first sight. This was my horse. He had that eye that contained only a open, curious kindness. I'll never forget him walking over to the truck and sticking his head in the window to say "Hi, I'm Duke" to my mother-in-law who came with me that day.
I can never really explain to someone what an amazing horse this is. He has never changed - he's still kind, curious and terribly mischievious. He is the kind of horse that will run across the entire pasture just to say hi and steal the hat off your head to gallop through the pasture again in sheer gleee. He's also the same horse that will work out the knots on the gate and let all the horses out - of course he goes back into the pasture to look innocent of the deed while all the other horses get in trouble.
Duke is a babysitter. He is the teacher of all the youngsters. He is always kind to the babies and takes so much abuse from them that sometimes I wonder if he's going to get angry and give some back. He never does though - I've seen him take the bites, the kicks, the rearing up and trying to climb on his back -- He always has this long suffering look about him like this is his cross to bare when the babies do this to him.
He's also our ambassador. Any new horse that comes here is instantly greeted by a curious Duke that, I'm sure, instantly begins to fill them in on all the information about their new home, as well as the gossip of the herd. This has recently been joined by Ziva, who is so much like him its scary. Duke is always the first to meet and greet - whether its human, animal or other that comes into his pasture. He's also the 'big man' in the pasture, as he's the only boy that's over a yearling. So all the 'women' are his, and he loves every one of them.
This horse is my heart. I could never have another that would take his place. If he had three legs that day, I would have paid the same amount to bring him home - perhaps foolish - but if you visit the ranch, you'll understand.
This is the first horse everyone wants to buy when they come visit. I have to laugh at how many times someone has almost demanded me to name a price for him. My answer is always the same -- 'You can't afford him.'
Come to Fall Meadows and meet our ambassador of curiosity and mischief. He'll make you laugh and likely, you'll want to ask that price question --- my answer will still be the same.
Looking back, this gelding who has no place in my breeding program and basically just sucks up a great deal of food for no financial return -- is the best money I've ever spent. I'm just glad that I could afford him.
