Love and passion for horses

A few months after we moved to Spain I was adjusting, struggling and just figuring out my life in Spain. My husband joked and said ‘Don’t you need something like a hobby?’. But he was right. He suggested to go horsebackback riding again. I started horse riding when I was 6 and I have done it for many years. But halfway into my twenties I got occupied by other things in life. And now I didn’t see myself horseback riding again. How short sighted of me to think that small.

“I told him that I wanted to adopt/rescue a horse and give him a good home”

But my husband planted the seed in my head and I booked a 30 minute horseback ride with my daughter at a stable 20 minutes from where we live. While I was back on a horse and being in nature, the love and passion for horses came flowing back to me with a force and it felt like it had never left.

When we got home I told my husband about the love and passion for horses that came back to me and that it felt so strong. I told him that I wanted to adopt/rescue a horse and give him a good home. My husband was a bit surprised about this big insight, as I only went away for a 30 minute horseback ride, but nevertheless he supported me.

Normally I would rush into things and get them done immediately. But for this I wanted to take my time. It would be okay if it would take a few months, it’s good to be patient and let things come your way. First I wanted to know what kind of stables there were in the area. I really liked the stable where I went for a ride, but I also wanted to see other stables. So I posted a message on Facebook asking if people knew good stables around the area where I live. I got a response from a very kind guy, who told me they had a stable but they also had a horse for sale and if I would be interested.

Our paths crossed for a reason

“I felt a connection with him. He had such a soft and warm look in his eyes”

5 minutes after we met, immediate love!

I was just in the process of finding a nice stable, but then this horse crossed my path. So I got in contact with the owner about the horse whose name was Jack. She told me that she bought him in a terrible state and that he was recovering. She was looking for someone who could give him all the time and love that he needs. We made an appointment for 2 days later.

It was love at first sight when I saw him for the first time. He was so skinny and had hardly any muscles. But that was not what stood out for me. I felt a connection with him. He had such a soft and warm look in his eyes. His eyes told me that a lot had happened to him, but that despite the trauma and neglect I saw love and goodness in his eyes.

Two days later my husband and daughter came with me to visit Jack. They both fell in love with him too. I didn’t ride him yet, I didn’t have him checked by a veterinarian yet. But I knew that our paths crossed for a reason. I paid the owner to make it final and since that day we have been together almost every day.

So grateful to give him a good life

Troy is a big friendly giant

Halfway my twenties I was riding and taking care of a stallion. I remember my husband and I were talking about if we would ever have our own horse and if he is big and dark colored, we would name him Troy. And we changed Jack’s name to Troy. Troy is a big friendly giant. He looks so magnificent (when he hasn’t had a roll in the mud :))!