I know many of you will relate to my extreme love of horses that began as a little girl. I would ask/beg/plead for a horse on any holiday or birthday where gifts were given. I was always given horse things: books and glass, stuffed or plastic horses. I treasured those and through reading acquired enough knowledge that a horse-owning friend once asked how I knew so much.

During my high school years, I rode someone’s horse almost daily. The owner fox hunted on weekends and wanted someone to keep his horse, Dolly, fit. Those of you who know me today will know that he chose the right person.

In the late ‘70’s, I moved onto a magnificent estate in Newtown Square where they boarded horses. I didn’t waste any time and posted a note “Experienced rider will care for your horse in exchange for riding”.

Enter Smokey, an Appaloosa gelding. He was quite a handful to ride since his owner “cowboyed” him. After Smokey got to know me, he calmed down and would actually run away when his owner came to ride him. A couple of years after I had ridden and cared for Smokey his owner asked me if I wanted him. At this point, Smokey followed me around like a dog. Of course, I said yes and Frank said “Merry Christmas, he’s yours!”

Finally, a little girl, now an adult got her Christmas horse! Smokey and I shared 10 wonderful years together before he went to the big pasture in the sky.

I thought that I had lived my dream and that was it for me with horses. A part of me also knows that I was grieving a loss so deep that I couldn’t even think of another horse. But 10 years later, Divine Providence stepped into my life with another very special horse.

My husband, Allen, and I were selling our home in Havertown and at our yard sale a woman and I started talking about horses because a blanket that I was selling had horses on it. She asked me if I wanted to ride her horse after we moved.

So after we had moved to Chesterbrook, I met Gretchen and her horse, Daisy. It was like déjà vu. Daisy was an older Leopard Appaloosa with the same breathing problem that Smokey had so I worked with her to alleviate her heaves. She was amazing, keeping up with horses many years younger than herself. And we had a special bond.

In the spring of 2001 with the excessive pollen and heat, she was making a choice between breathing and eating. She chose to breathe and lost a lot of weight. After much angst, it was decided to put her down. Making this decision is difficult no matter how compelling the circumstances. It is always heartbreaking to say goodbye to a beloved friend.

This time, though, I knew that horses would always be a part of my life. When Daisy couldn’t be ridden anymore, I began my search. I wanted another Appaloosa since I had had such good luck with them. After trying several horses, I found The One, although not an Appaloosa.

The horse dealer told me that he had a “real solid citizen” for me and true enough, after 10 minutes of riding this 9- year old Registered Quarter Horse w/ a dash of Thoroughbred, I thought “This horse is going to take care of me.” Welcome “Judy’s Dozen”, renamed by me as “Gatsby” as in The Great Gatsby.

He was originally from Texas where he raced as a 2 yr. Old. Gatsby then ponyed horses on the track and then became a pickup horse in the rodeos. As the story goes, the cowboy wanted to return to Texas so he sold Gatsby.

Gatsby is now 14-years old and we have spent 5 wonderful years together. We were volunteers with Valley Forge National Historical Park until the park watch was discontinued. Last year I purchased a truck and trailer so we are now able to ride in various locations with friends and at paces & chases.

I had been interested for awhile in finding some sort of career working with horses so when I read an article in a local paper about someone who was an equine masseuse, I knew that was it. I attended Advantassage in Oxford, Pa. to become certified as an Equine Massage Therapist. My education has continued as a Joint Release and Stretching Techncian and with other equine-related topics.

The dream that I once had as a little girl of one day owning my own horse has come true, not once but twice and that dream has expanded beyond what I had ever hoped.

I am truly blessed!

Me on Smokey with Louie	Showtime with Smokey	Daisy
Geri & Gatsby in VF Park	The Great Gatsby	Pickering Pace
Radnor Pace	In Valley Forge Park

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