Heartwarming moment.

BornToRide · 07-22-2008, 01:14 PM

We have a new family out at the barn..husband, wife, and two daughters...they just got a TWH for free from a friend who wanted to downsize..they don't really know anything about horses, or how to ride, and their new horse is untrained, so everyone out at the barn is helping them out and teaching them.

Both daughters are around the age fifteen. And they both are highly autistic.

So I had Gus out and I was brushing on him, and they came up and asked all about him and were just loving on him and such. Of course he was eating it all up

He loves attention.

They were talking about how they would love to learn to ride and neither had ever been on a horse...so I figure, what the heck, I should let em get on Gus.

I ask their parents if its okay, they say yes, and the girls are ecstatic. So we saddle Gus and go out to the roundpen..I hop on my boy for a minute and show them how to turn, stop, ect. Then one of the little girls gets on.
You could immediately see the reaction in Gus's face. He knew these little girls were fragile. I walked by Gus's head and he walked SOOO slowly...not a "I'm lazy" kinda walk, but a delicate, careful, and precise walk..he knew.

The little girl wanted to trot..I knew Gus wouldn't go any faster then asked, so I decided to hang out by the saddle where the girl was sitting instead of up by his head, in case she lost balance.

She didn't have the reins, which wasn't a problem, I could easily grab them and slow him down if needed. I told her to just hang on to the saddle. She started smooching, telling him to go, but as soon as he would, you could see her get uncomfortable, and he immediately stopped moving. When she was okay, he would keep going. He wouldn't trot for her, so we stopped and then I talked to her and told her that he was a good horse and she could just relax and it would all be okay. Just sit and he will take care of you. So she asked again, and didn't get scared that time, and off he went into the littlest, most gentle trot.

The dad was taking pictures and the mother was in tears. They were so happy.
They were so proud of their little girl!!!!

It just made me so happy for the family and so very proud of my gentle giant.. he is such a good boy. How many barrel horses do you know that are that chilled out? I could never ask for a better horse. I love him so much.

cameo05 · 07-22-2008, 01:18 PM

Oh my that is such a sweet sweet thing. Awesome.

pvf · 07-22-2008, 01:19 PM

what a great story.

. now I have to wipe way the tears..

knpaints · 07-22-2008, 01:21 PM

Thats awesome and also very nice of you and of course Gus

kshnooks · 07-22-2008, 01:22 PM

great story. They don't use animals in theraputic programs for nothing! Also shows what a wonderful horse you have.

BornToRide · 07-22-2008, 01:22 PM

Thanks guys

Yeah..It just made me so happy.
I was glad I could help them out..

doxies13isenough · 07-22-2008, 01:25 PM

What an uplifting story!

thumpersgirl · 07-22-2008, 01:37 PM

Aww, this is a heartwarming story!! Good for you for being kind enough to lend a hand, or in this case horse.

Tobiesmom · 07-22-2008, 01:41 PM

Boy, 'heartwarming' is right. Bless you, and Gus, and that wonderful little family!!!

leslie645 · 07-22-2008, 02:13 PM

Full body goosebumps AND welling up.....

Stormy's Human · 07-22-2008, 02:24 PM

Isn't it just one of the greatest moments? Both for what you did for the girl and also the feeling of owning the world's best horse!!!!!!

**seerfarm** · 07-22-2008, 02:39 PM

Heartwarming indeed, and bless you and importantly Gus for taking the time to recognize the need for a special moment!

DriftwoodAcres · 07-22-2008, 03:48 PM

Awww, how sweet

I've always wanted to beable to do that, but ended up with unruly horses

AllUpHill · 07-22-2008, 03:55 PM

I am with the mom and my eyes are brimming with tears just imagining it. I wish I could have been there. It really does a heart good to see the good in both humanity and animals. If only humanity showed it more often.

slamberson · 07-22-2008, 04:07 PM

It's amazing how some animals just have that special sense(sniffles). Thank You so much for sharing your story!!!!

BornToRide · 07-22-2008, 05:13 PM

Thanks guys

Yeah, I was tearing up through the whole thing..it was so heartbreaking that the family had to deal with that..I am really glad they are getting into horses, ya know..to build up the girls' self confidence and such..

Their new horse is beautiful, just doesn't know anything. I worry a bit about the girls playing with her sometimes cause she can be spookish, but the girls have been trustworthy around her and make sure to be quiet, ect.
I've been trying to throw in a lending hand..and so has everyone else at the barn! (I love my barn. Lol.)

And the family is willing and takes constructive cristism and advice so well. They are super helpful around the barn too. Yesterday I came in and they had jumped in and cleaned my horse's stall for me

Gotta Love Duns · 07-22-2008, 05:34 PM

That was a wonderful thing for you to do, I know you have made that familys day. It is also truely suprising what a horse will do for someone.

sandy42345 · 07-22-2008, 07:05 PM

That was a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing that.

dreamer1 · 07-22-2008, 08:19 PM

What a great story!

Wolfie · 07-23-2008, 12:35 AM

That is wonderful. Good for you an good for your horse.

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07-22-2008, 01:14 PM
BornToRide Long Yearling Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,459	Heartwarming moment. We have a new family out at the barn..husband, wife, and two daughters...they just got a TWH for free from a friend who wanted to downsize..they don't really know anything about horses, or how to ride, and their new horse is untrained, so everyone out at the barn is helping them out and teaching them. Both daughters are around the age fifteen. And they both are highly autistic. So I had Gus out and I was brushing on him, and they came up and asked all about him and were just loving on him and such. Of course he was eating it all up He loves attention. They were talking about how they would love to learn to ride and neither had ever been on a horse...so I figure, what the heck, I should let em get on Gus. I ask their parents if its okay, they say yes, and the girls are ecstatic. So we saddle Gus and go out to the roundpen..I hop on my boy for a minute and show them how to turn, stop, ect. Then one of the little girls gets on. You could immediately see the reaction in Gus's face. He knew these little girls were fragile. I walked by Gus's head and he walked SOOO slowly...not a "I'm lazy" kinda walk, but a delicate, careful, and precise walk..he knew. The little girl wanted to trot..I knew Gus wouldn't go any faster then asked, so I decided to hang out by the saddle where the girl was sitting instead of up by his head, in case she lost balance. She didn't have the reins, which wasn't a problem, I could easily grab them and slow him down if needed. I told her to just hang on to the saddle. She started smooching, telling him to go, but as soon as he would, you could see her get uncomfortable, and he immediately stopped moving. When she was okay, he would keep going. He wouldn't trot for her, so we stopped and then I talked to her and told her that he was a good horse and she could just relax and it would all be okay. Just sit and he will take care of you. So she asked again, and didn't get scared that time, and off he went into the littlest, most gentle trot. The dad was taking pictures and the mother was in tears. They were so happy. They were so proud of their little girl!!!! It just made me so happy for the family and so very proud of my gentle giant.. he is such a good boy. How many barrel horses do you know that are that chilled out? I could never ask for a better horse. I love him so much. __________________ There's something about the outside of a horse that's good for the inside of a man.-Winston Churchill

07-22-2008, 01:18 PM
cameo05 Bombproof Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 8,854	Oh my that is such a sweet sweet thing. Awesome. __________________

07-22-2008, 01:19 PM
pvf Regional Forums Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 6,451	what a great story.. now I have to wipe way the tears.. __________________ www.prairieviewfarms.net Raising Reg. Paints and Quarter horses

07-22-2008, 01:21 PM
knpaints Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 945	Thats awesome and also very nice of you and of course Gus __________________ Kris~

07-22-2008, 01:22 PM
kshnooks Coming two Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Posts: 1,867	great story. They don't use animals in theraputic programs for nothing! Also shows what a wonderful horse you have.

07-22-2008, 01:22 PM
BornToRide Long Yearling Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,459	Thanks guys Yeah..It just made me so happy. I was glad I could help them out.. __________________ There's something about the outside of a horse that's good for the inside of a man.-Winston Churchill

07-22-2008, 01:25 PM
doxies13isenough Yearling Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western KY Posts: 924	What an uplifting story!

07-22-2008, 01:37 PM
thumpersgirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,391	Aww, this is a heartwarming story!! Good for you for being kind enough to lend a hand, or in this case horse. __________________ Some people are like Slinkies; they're good for nothing, but make you smile when you push them down a long flight of stairs.

07-22-2008, 01:41 PM
Tobiesmom Weanling Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 444	Boy, 'heartwarming' is right. Bless you, and Gus, and that wonderful little family!!!

07-22-2008, 02:13 PM
leslie645 Halter broke Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 84	Full body goosebumps AND welling up.....

07-22-2008, 02:24 PM
Stormy's Human Long Yearling Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Seville, Florida Posts: 1,230	Isn't it just one of the greatest moments? Both for what you did for the girl and also the feeling of owning the world's best horse!!!!!!

07-22-2008, 02:39 PM
seerfarm Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Portal, Ga Posts: 7,844	Heartwarming indeed, and bless you and importantly Gus for taking the time to recognize the need for a special moment! __________________ The man who questions opinions is wise. The man who quarrels with facts is a fool.

07-22-2008, 03:48 PM
DriftwoodAcres Weanling Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 457	Awww, how sweet I've always wanted to beable to do that, but ended up with unruly horses __________________ P.eople E.ating T.asty A.nimals

07-22-2008, 03:55 PM
AllUpHill Yearling Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: US Posts: 670	I am with the mom and my eyes are brimming with tears just imagining it. I wish I could have been there. It really does a heart good to see the good in both humanity and animals. If only humanity showed it more often.

07-22-2008, 04:07 PM
slamberson Halter broke Join Date: May 2008 Location: Dahlonega, Ga Posts: 181	It's amazing how some animals just have that special sense(sniffles). Thank You so much for sharing your story!!!! __________________ Stefanie

07-22-2008, 05:13 PM
BornToRide Long Yearling Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,459	Thanks guys Yeah, I was tearing up through the whole thing..it was so heartbreaking that the family had to deal with that..I am really glad they are getting into horses, ya know..to build up the girls' self confidence and such.. Their new horse is beautiful, just doesn't know anything. I worry a bit about the girls playing with her sometimes cause she can be spookish, but the girls have been trustworthy around her and make sure to be quiet, ect. I've been trying to throw in a lending hand..and so has everyone else at the barn! (I love my barn. Lol.) And the family is willing and takes constructive cristism and advice so well. They are super helpful around the barn too. Yesterday I came in and they had jumped in and cleaned my horse's stall for me __________________ There's something about the outside of a horse that's good for the inside of a man.-Winston Churchill

07-22-2008, 05:34 PM
Gotta Love Duns Bombproof Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dixonville, Alberta Posts: 7,966	That was a wonderful thing for you to do, I know you have made that familys day. It is also truely suprising what a horse will do for someone. __________________ A penny saved is a penny you can spend on your next horse.

07-22-2008, 07:05 PM
sandy42345 Weanling Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: tennessee Posts: 452	That was a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing that.

07-22-2008, 08:19 PM
dreamer1 Seasoned Join Date: May 2007 Location: with my horses Posts: 4,347	What a great story! __________________ "A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked."

07-23-2008, 12:35 AM
Wolfie Coming two Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: US Posts: 1,547	That is wonderful. Good for you an good for your horse.