My horse, Scottie (aka Scotch Bar Lochinvar) is not your typical Quarter Horse. At just under 16 hands, he looks more like a warmblood cross and is definitely better suited to the english riding world than to life as a cowpony.
He came into my life at a very dark time when I was struggling to find a reason to live. In desperation, I had decided to face one of my demons to see if I could overcome my longtime fear of riding. At age 13, you see, I’d had a bad riding accident on my first horse, and being a timid person, pretty much gave up riding until I was in my forties.
This time Luck was on my side, and I found a wonderfully understanding instructor and a wonderful, handsome lesson horse named Scottie. He was only four years old at the time but was so quiet and sensible that he was being used for lessons, and as luck would have it, he was for sale! Six weeks later I bought Scottie, and we’ve been together ever since.
The early years were not easy, however, as Scottie tested me constantly. But, I learned to assert myself and not let the fear take over, and he would soon give in without any resentment. He was never really bad or dangerous; he’d just ignore my aids until I insisted that he listen. Gradually, my confidence in this handsome sorrel gelding grew and he quit testing me and became a willing and loving partner. When I took up dressage, he embraced it with enthusiasm, enjoying his workouts and working hard to please.
People tell me all the time how special he is and that I’m lucky to own him. But I know that already. From the moment I purchased him my spirits lifted, and I credit him with saving my life. He has been my dearest companion for over 18 years now, and when I'm with him, all the cares of my world fall away.
This painting represents the dreams of so many horse crazy little girls and my own dream of owning a loving, beautiful horse who would carry me away from all the bad things that happened in my childhood and into sunny green pastures full of flowers, horses and hope.
In My Dreams by Karen Thumm 9 x 12 inches pastel NFS Prints available - Inquire
