Little Man

Little Man I feel the need to write about that one horse that touched me in my heart and soul so deep that he brought about a life changing experience deeper and more lasting than any human ever: other than my wife and family. I have been on an ever-learning and advancing journey as a horseman all my adult life. Countless hours and days reading, schooling, lessons, clinics, competition and constant observation. The horse more than any human, has been my guide and instructor. This writing is about one horse who changed me. He made me a better man in every way. About 12 yrs. ago I was informed by my daughter that there was a horse for sale on the internet that I might be interested in. I was looking for a stallion because the previous year. I had tragically lost an outstanding red-dun QH stallion that I bred, raised, trained and competed on. I rode and trained on Little Man almost daily that spring and summer. He was a natural athlete, and each session was positive and a source of accomplishment and pride. He had a phenomenal work ethic. He was always bright and willing to train in the arena, ride out on trails in field and woods or load up and drive away on an adventure with me. As time went by our bond grew deeper. He seemed to know what I was thinking. His bright eyes and alert ears followed me all over the yard. So many late evenings I would go into his night stall in the stud barn and just groom and talk to him and we would stand together in silence...friends forever. I get an ache and sometimes tears when I remember. He had a good, complete and content life with me and my family and he enriched our lives more than we knew at the time. This great and blessed life together went on for almost 7 years. In the fall of 2016, I was on my tractor in the field. Little Man was in his stud pasture. He loved to run in the sun and wind under the blue sky and that was what he was doing. Running for the sheer joy of it. He knew where I was, and he knew I was watching him. He was going too fast into the turns, and I was standing up on the moving tractor and yelling “Manny...slow down”, knowing he couldn’t hear me a quarter mile away, tractor in high gear. He powered into hard fast turn on uneven dry sunbaked clay ground and came up 3 legged. I had Vet out and x-rayed it. The lower pastern bone was fractured and had spider web cracks throughout. I was advised to put him down as the other front leg would give out long before the break would heal. If he made it through, he would be a cripple. When I realized what had to be done, I had to leave the barn and asked the Vet to give me a minute. When I returned, I spoke to him and stroked his beautiful neck and head as he lay there and took his last breath. I am sure I was in shock and if you have never a seen a hardened, seasoned older man cry...well you would have seen it that day. I broke down when I told my family, I broke down when I called a neighbor to come and dig his grave. I broke down when I saw his shod tracks fading on the road and I cried over the dirt mound that he lay under. I am tearful now...after writing all this. RIP Little Man. I know there are horses in heaven (Revelations) Maybe see you there someday...maybe you helped me get there. Phil S.