Submitted to our Horses We Loved section by Darcie Conlon

A very special horse in my life was an appaloosa gelding named Partner. I met him in Alberta in 1983 at a dude ranch just outside of Spruce Grove, called Slim’s Riding Ranch(across from the now Links golf course) and that gelding not only taught me a lot but also was the ‘bug’ that ‘bit’ me!!! LOL!!

Let me tell you about Partner…he was a black appy who was roaning, he had a roman nose, no mane or tail to speak of and stood a whopping 14 h’s. Partner wasn’t going to get his picture on the front of a calendar, know what I mean? I thought his shiny coat and sweet breath had him sharing a shed row with the Black Stallion! I completely worshiped him!!

Partner was trouble! Trouble to every horse and rider that ever would be so pompous to presume to pass him on a narrow trail without sporting body armor! He was a ‘dude string’ horse gone bad and they were just waiting for the next trailer to town to ship him when I asked that first day if they had any horses for sale?

One thing led to another and I worked there as much as I could that summer to ‘pay him off’ (I think the agreed upon price was $300?) and made many miles on him being a ‘go see’ and watching the greenhorns ride. *imagine being a teenage girl who’s horse mad having a job requiring daily hours and miles of riding!!!!? It was bliss!!!!! =0)

Partner taught me many things that summer, how much fun a gallop to the creek and jumping into the deepest part of it could be for one! We also played bareback tag with the other riders, which was a good way to learn both balance and how to roll when you meet the ground unexpectedly! *wink*

He also taught me why he had been so horrid to ride when I first met him, not only did he have a buttery soft mouth(needed either a soft bit or no bit at all and a soft handed rider) but he needed a couple of baling twines tied onto the sparse hairs at the end of his poor sunburned tail!!  One those things were rectified, (Fly Wipe and sun block were also tools I used getting him back in fine form) Partner was the sweetest gelding you could ever meet!!!

This story doesn’t have the traditional happy ending…. I had decided to run away from a bad situation at home that fall and knew I would not be able to care for Partner any longer. I asked my friend Sandy(I never knew her last name) if she wanted to own Partner and would she love him for me? Sandy lived across the road from Slim’s and she agreed to take him and give him a wonderful home! =0)

I only heard once from Sandy and Partner. Two years later I got a call from her at my Mom’s place where I was visiting for Christmas. Sandy said Partner was doing very well and that he was her best friend!! Partner would be long passed on now but he was a very special fella and gave me many things. Knowledge, insight, balance and most importantly, love. Unconditionally. When I needed it more than anything else in the world.

Here I am, many years later and my love, admiration and respect for horses has grown. I can’t imagine not having horses in my life now. They truly sooth my soul and nurture my heart. When I remember Partner, it is with love unequaled and he will always be in my heart as one of the special ones. Thank you Partner, for so very much! You are always a champion to me!!
=0) Darcie
ps. If Sandy reads this, please Google my name and find me!!!