A lot of people have asked me why I am retiring a healthy, sound and happy horse, but that’s exactly why – I want him to be healthy and happy and sound for many more years to come!!  I would rather have him with me for another 20 years, than shorten his life by possibly having a fall or something and then being forced to put him into retirement, sore and unwell.

On the plus side, he will continue to teach remedial children and young children for about 2 or 3 hours a week, doing nothing faster than a walk, but installing in them the passion and magic that certainly drives me each and every day and allows me to smile from within first.  We will still also potter around bareback every now and then, but have lots of fun on the ground, walking out in-hand and long-reining him too. 

Oh, and a little brag, Vikes can currently be seen gracing the pages of Cosmo, Fair Lady and Marie Claire in the latest Truworths Winter launch campaign.  He is on all in-store billboards and marketing collateral, the club magazine and also their website, so look out for the unicorn, with two beautiful models.

Viking the Truworths model

Finally, one of our favourite pastimes of all, is to actually just chill together.  Me, with a good book and a flask of coffee and him, with a field of sweet green to savour…On Sunday, as I sat on the grass, watching him graze and as I took in all the peace around us, I thought too how fortunate I was to have such a wonderful friend in my life.  I certainly have known no better…

PS:  I promise to keep you all updated with his latest adventures and magic and knowing Vikes, I have no doubt that this will be never-ending.  A big thank you to The Herbal Horse and Beryl for making sure of this!

One of his little students has got Downs Syndrome and it really is heart-warming to see how he has grown within himself, since starting to ride Vikes.  What once was a shy, introverted and uninvolved child, is now a friendly, excited and outgoing little boy, who continuously tells me how Viking is his, and he’s the best horse in the world!

It really is a gift to be able to share my horse with children and bestow on them some of his magic and sunshine!  I am so enjoying watching his little students grow and glow! I think Vikes is too….. x

Here is a  pic of us sharing a special moment.

Who says dogs can't ride?

A study in concentration. Careful, careful. Can't let the little one fall.

Viking & I enjoying a much needed trot on Noordhoek beach this past weekend. It really was a perfect day – Whales were out, the sun shone bright and my boy was an angel.

Life is good.

x

Magic comes in different forms… Magic for me, came in the form of a 15.1HH, snow-white unicorn gelding called Viking.

On October 27^th 2003, at the age of 33, I eventually lived my dream of owning my very own horse and sat on one for the very first time!

Viking and I had a bond from the moment I first laid eyes on him.  I can’t explain in words, other than to say that there is something incredibly special about my horse and I adore him! 

Viking prefers people over other horses, and children are just the best thing ever!  My children especially are just the most treasured beings in his World and it melts my heart every time I see his eyes follow their movements until they stop for a moment to say “hello”.  His graceful head then dips to the ground to scoop them up in a magical embrace. 

Viking has taken me to shows, delivering me safely on the other side of a jump, even when my eyes were clamped shut and I was scared beyond words.  He just somehow manages to always give me faith and hope.

Viking has also always been a healthy horse, but in early October 2006 he became inexplicably lame.  I called the vet out, X-rays were taken and on October 10^th 2006 – my 36^th Birthday – I received the news that he had Lower Ringbone, an arthritic condition, and that the prognosis was not good.  He needed to be retired or to be put down!  For me, the sadness I felt was not because I would no longer sit astride his wide, warm back, but because he would apparently have limitations to his comfort and movement, and I in no way, would ever want my friend to suffer. 

I immediately went on-line to a wonderful horse chat site, where I have many good friends.  I opened my heart to them, expressing the sadness that I felt.  A friend called Andrea had her horse diagnosed with Ringbone a few years earlier, but after consultation with a well-known vet and homeopath, a rigorous exercise routine, a supplement (Rejuven Mix) and lots of love, her horse was again ridden and enjoyed! 

I had hope!

I immediately contacted Dr Alex Niven, her vet, and Viking began a progamme of daily exercise and supplements.  He had to have his shoes taken off too, which proved to be the difficult part, as the terrain where he was stabled was rather rocky and unforgiving.  As a result his souls became bruised and he became miserable.  I then had to make the very difficult decision to leave my friends, Viking’s home and my support group to take Viking to a place that offered softer ground, so that we could complete his rehabilitation programme.  The sad day arrived on December 1^st 2006 when I moved Viking to Noordhoek. 

When I off-loaded Viking from that horsebox in Noordhoek, I remember clearly how he walked so proudly and freely down the Kerr’s driveway.  I knew then that it was going to be okay because we had each other, we had faith and we had an incredible support group of friends. 

Viking was away from Imhoff for exactly a year and a half, and in that time we grew to love and understand each other that much more.  I exercised Viking with long calm hacks, spent lots of time with him and we just seemed to have this unspoken understanding with one another that I had never quite felt to that degree.  Every day though, I longed for my friends at Imhoff and I longed to get Viking back to where I know he felt most at home and at peace.  I made the decision to put plastic shoes back on Viking so that he could cope with the rougher terrain and move him back to Imhoff Farm, where we had both always been the happiest. 

Eventually, on July 1^st 2008, Viking arrived back home, after an incredible journey that while empowering us both, it also gave Viking the chance to heal and for us to have the friendship that we have.

Today, Viking enjoys his outrides more than anything!  He is ridden bareback most of the time and it is done so with a lot of compassion and understanding.  He is not lunged ever and does no circular work.  He is warmed up for a good 45 minutes on a long rein before anything is asked of him in the arena.  On hacks, he is always on the buckle and I normally only get on him after walking him in-hand for a good 15 minutes or so.  I also do a lot of long-reining with him and this keeps both of us fit! 

Viking also has Natural Balance Cytek shoes on and his feet have never looked better!  This was obviously the major concern when moving him, but he has risen to the challenge and is thriving in his new shoes.

He is also on supplements that are sponsored by Beryl from Herbal Horse and these have definitely benefited him over the years and have kept him sound and happy.

I have had Viking for almost 6 years now and it seems like a long road that we’ve travelled.  If someone were to have asked me if I would do it again, just to have Viking in my life, my answer would be a resounding “YES”.  He is certainly my best friend and confidant.  I know that I am truly blessed to have him in my life and I never for one minute forget that! 

In return, Viking gives me his magic and I believe that I am a nicer person because of that…