Eleven Years Rich

February 18, 2015

Our first day together

Today is Tank’s 20th birthday! In just a week and a half, I will have owned him for 11 years—longer than anyone before me. He is truly “mine” and I am the richer for it.

We rode together yesterday, all by ourselves, while the wind shook the trees and rolled a blue beach ball around the jump field, while a neighbor helped our barn owner move some large items with a piece of heavy equipment. Any one of those situations would have been a recipe for spooking and running when I first got Tank. Yesterday, he didn’t even bat an eyelash. I guess we’ve both matured in the past 11 years.

This quote sums up for me the miracle of a relationship with a horse:

“Riding is a partnership. The horse lends you his strength, speed and grace, which are greater than yours. For your part, you give him your guidance, intelligence and understanding, which are greater than his. Together, you can achieve a richness that alone neither can.” –Lucy Rees, “The Horse’s Mind.”


A recent photo

Thank you, Tank, for 11 years of simple pleasures and everyday adventures. Your birthday “cake” is on its way!


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11 comments

  1. Laure FerlitaFebruary 18, 2015 at 11:12 AM

    Love that happy grin I see! What a cool relationship the two of you have together. Wishing you many more years of joy!

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  2. Claire MFebruary 18, 2015 at 12:42 PM

    What a Happy milestone. Congratulations on this anniversary and this very special relationship! <3

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  3. Kathy A. JohnsonFebruary 18, 2015 at 3:01 PM

    Thank you, Laure and Claire!

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  4. ClareFebruary 18, 2015 at 3:46 PM

    How wonderful and I love the the BD cake. Congratulation on this very special day for both of you. He just looks like a super sweetie. Love the quote. I think that can apply to many areas.
    That sure is a beautiful smile on your face...

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  5. Kathy A. JohnsonFebruary 18, 2015 at 9:02 PM

    Thanks, Clare! He is a real sweetheart, and I still smile almost non-stop when I'm with him!

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  6. Cheryl GebhartFebruary 19, 2015 at 10:25 AM

    Happy birthday Tank! And congrats to you both for a really special relationship. Cute cake!

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  7. Kathy A. JohnsonFebruary 19, 2015 at 3:42 PM

    Thanks, Cheryl! The horses seem to find the cake pretty tasty!

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  8. Debbie NolanFebruary 21, 2015 at 1:17 PM

    OH KATHY - GORGEOUS HAPPY PHOTO OF YOU AND TANK - CONGRATULATIONS AND GIVE HIM A BIG HUG FOR ME. HIS CAKE LOOKS LIKE A PLEASER AS WELL.

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  9. Kathy A. JohnsonFebruary 21, 2015 at 4:56 PM

    Will do, Debbie. Thanks, and have a great weekend.

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  10. Sketchbook WanderingFebruary 23, 2015 at 7:33 PM

    It's such a happy celebration! Tank is lucky because he is yours and so loved and appreciated by you! Sigh...I love the quote about the riding partnership. And the cake!!

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  11. Kathy A. JohnsonFebruary 24, 2015 at 8:59 AM

    Rita--I feel we are both very lucky to have found each other. We fit so well together. That's one of my favorite horse quotes, too.

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