I don’t often get the opportunity to reunite with a pony that I have sold to a new home.  When I knew an opportunity was coming up, then, I worked hard to enter the situation with no expectations.  After all, it had been more than three years since the pony had seen me, and he’d lived in two different states during that time.  Nonetheless, I was extremely curious to see if my work partner of nineteen years, the Norwegian Fjord Horse gelding Torrin, would show any signs of recognizing me.

The opportunity presented itself thanks to the generosity of my friend Paula, Torrin’s owner, and my young pink cowboy princess friend Jackson.  Jackson is a huge fan of the movie Frozen, and in that animated movie there are Fjord Horses.  Jackson had been expressing interest in having her own pony, and I had the idea that Jackson might enjoy riding Torrin as a placeholder until she’s at a point in her life where a pony of her own might be possible.  Torrin and Paula had recently relocated to the same town where Jackson lives making it possible for Jackson to meet Torrin.

I forgot to bring Jackson’s helmet to the event, but all our other safety precautions, including knowing Torrin well, were enough to provide a great experience for all concerned.

While we kept the pony ride a secret from Jackson, nonetheless the rest of the ‘team’ did lots of preparation.  I made arrangements to meet Jackson and her mom when I was in their town, and Paula reminded me to bring Jackson’s saddle, which ended up fitting Torrin well.  Pink even looks good on a grey dun!  Paula went above and beyond the call by watching the movie in advance of our visit so she could provide helpful context, which was good because it had been a few years since I’d watched it.  Jackson’s mom made sure that Jackson had the suitable clothes to wear after school, including cowboy boots with pink highlights.

The late afternoon of the ride was a comfortable temperature, and my only regret is that I’d forgotten Jackson’s helmet.  Torrin had done kid rides several times during his life with me, so I wasn’t too worried about safety, keeping in mind of course that anything can happen with equines.  We proceeded with introducing Jackson to Torrin and putting her saddle on him.  I lifted Jackson into the saddle and gave her instructions she’d heard from me before when riding my ponies at the ranch:  if you get uncomfortable for any reason, say stop, and we will.  We proceeded making small circles around the paddock, with me walking alongside Jackson.  Torrin was his normal obedient and cooperative self, and Paula and I both verbally praised him.

When we had arrived, I had walked over to the paddock fence and verbally greeted Torrin, and then when we were saddling him, I had let him sniff my hand.  He didn’t indicate any sign of recognizing me.  I accepted that and expressed appreciation for him giving Jackson an opportunity to ride a Frozen horse.  About the third time around the paddock with Jackson aboard, we stopped to make sure all were happy.  I praised Torrin again for being a good boy. At those words, he suddenly turned his head, nickered, and then thoroughly sniffed my proffered hand with focus and intention.  His body language had changed, and it was immediately clear he knew exactly who I was.  It was a magical moment of connection and happiness that brought both Paula and me to tears.

Somehow my hair looks frosted here where I’m talking with my old friend, perhaps in honor of the event!

After a few more circles and some fun with Jackson mounting and dismounting on Paula’s oversized mounting block, we called the event a success and prepared to depart.  I took a few moments to again connect with Mr. T and express appreciation for the time together that day and what we’d shared in the past.  I now have one experience reuniting with an old equine friend, and the magic of it I will remember for a long time.

© Jenifer Morrissey, 2022

There are lots of stories about Torrin and me working together in my book The Partnered Pony, available internationally by clicking here or on the book cover.

Torrin and his friend DQ

Usually once a week I receive a picture of DQ.  He’s become the sidekick of my former Norwegian Fjord horse Torrin at his new home in Oregon.  DQ is a miniature donkey, and his full name is Don Quixote.  He lives next door but can usually be found at the fence when Torrin is also at the fence.  DQ has also captured the heart of Torrin’s owner which is of course why I receive pictures each week!

A more-than-three-decade friendship.

I have never been around a donkey, but when DQ first entered my life (virtually) via Torrin and his owner, I also heard around the same time two other stories of how donkeys had captured the hearts of humans.  The first story came from my brother and sister-in-law.  They traveled to Belgium to visit my sister-in-law’s family, and one cousin works as a caretaker of a park that has a farmstead.  More than three decades ago, a donkey was born there and then orphaned.  The cousin/caretaker bottle-fed the donkey and a relationship he treasures developed and has endured.  Today the donkey in his old age receives frozen orange slices as treats during hot summer weather.  That relationship has lasted longer than many human friendships do!

The second story came when a friend went to a driven horse clinic that spanned several days.  She was surprised when the highlight of her time away from her family was not driving the draft horses.  Instead her early morning moments shared with the resident donkey were what brought her the most joy.  The donkey’s owners observed that my friend’s connection with the donkey far exceeded anyone else’s, despite the short duration of their relationship.

Torrin’s owner who is DQ’s admirer shares this in closing, “So what else would I say about donkeys?  That they are much more than pint sized horses with ridiculous long ears and rough coats.  They too are a strong and ancient link in the lifelong work partnerships that equus has had with humans.  My guess is the size of their loads and the love they bring is far out of proportion to their diminutive stature.”  I look forward to when I might have my first opportunity to befriend a donkey and experience the richness that these people have!

Joy at a driving clinic came from an unexpected place!

© Jenifer Morrissey, 2020

You can find more stories about how equines enrich our lives in my book The Partnered Pony, available internationally by clicking here or on the book cover below.