Pharaoh: Love at first sight.
I remember the first time I saw Pharaoh. It was love at first sight. He was owned by a world class endurance rider who had ridden him in several endurance races. She simply had too many horses at that time and decided to let one go.
She had tears in her eyes as we approached her and Pharaoh, and instantly I knew that she loved him. I knew I loved him too. He's an Arabian and ranges from dark bay to almost black at times. He has big brown eyes that melt your heart and endless amounts of energy.
He's dramatic. Two summers ago I noticed he was limping slightly. After close inspection I saw he had what any practical person would classify as a scratch on his back leg. It was quite small, but seeing as he was favoring it I called the vet. She came over and literally had to search to find any trace of a cut. She was amazed that he was favoring his leg because of such a small cut, but couldn't see anything else that may be causing him to favor that leg. We washed the cut and she left, telling me to keep it clean for a couple of days.
The next day Pharaoh wouldn't even stand on that leg. The cut looked exactly as it had before, no signs of infection. The vet came over again and looked him over carefully. She determined that he was overly dramatic and reacting to what most horses wouldn't even notice. She put him on antibiotics and left. He didn't stand on that leg for another day, but he got his meds and soon was back to normal. I'll never know if it was more than the cut that was bothering him, but I know he's extremely sensitive. I'm sensitive too, I think we share some of the same personality traits.
He reads my thoughts. All I have to do is think "canter" and he knows it. Off we go. He has a soft mouth and requires soft hands. I've yet to see him get tired, and sometimes after a longer ride he almost seems disappointed to turn around and head home. Sometimes I'll go out in the pasture, just to say hello and he'll just stand while I lean on him. He really is one of my best friends, and when I ride him I feel a sense of happiness inside that I just can't describe to anyone else.
Shelly (mom)
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Reader Comments (3)
I love reading the new posts! I love my blog!!! Tell Jeff and yourself thank you for one of my favorite christmas presents ever! Excluding Tigger... remember when you wanted me to name him Shoshone? I remember that! lol!!! well we need to go riding i've been a sissy and only gone out and given the horses treats... Tigger's a little depressed I think. Everytime I go out there with a halter he rushes up, but during the winter its Maverick I catch (to lure the horses into the pasture while Gramps puts the bales in)!!! So we need to ride!!!!