Meet "Joey"

This is Journey's End, or Joey as is his pet name. Joey is the name of the horse in the book and play "War Horse". I feel like I've been on a similar journey that the boy in the story was on to find his beloved horse. I've been through an emotional and physical battle of sorts and I finally found my horse.

He's a gelding just shy of 16.2 hands tall. He's somewhere around 6-7 years old. He's an interesting looking bay paint, and part of the fun of looking at him is trying to figure out what breeds he's made from. There's some Quarter Horse in there, maybe some Thoroughbred or Warmblood or even some kind of Draft. I don't really care, as I am fond of grade horses. Many of them have the best personalities.

What matters most is so far he's consistent. Every ride so far has been comparable to those before it. He's kind and patient, even though he is still green. If he gets confused or you lose focus when you ride he just slows down and tries to come back to the walk. He always seems to give me a chance to regroup and then ask again and then he moves on without hesitation. He will lower his head as you halter or bridle him and has lovely ground manners. Whoever started this horse did right by him.

And riding is getting better with him. I'm still encumbered with the knee brace and will be as long as I put off surgery but there is no pain, even when taking a 2-point position in the saddle at the canter. So I'll ride with the stiffness and adapt. The best thing is the tension is gone and that's good since I didn't want him to think my nerves had anything to do with his behavior.

So, though his name is Journey's End, I know it's also a beginning. And this time it feels like it is the right path.