Why is your horse so special to you?

Harbridge was a gift horse, that I wanted to give away within days of having him - such a horrible animal to ride, and an absolute pain in the field whenever we had a mare. But by chance and because we had a pony racer at the time called Rupert, we turned him into a point-to-pointer. We were complete amateurs in this world, but we did our best, and over the course of 3 - 4 seasons Harbridge won 5 races for us.............He certainly showed nothing at home, but on the racecourse he became a totally different animal. I will never forget a race at Stafford Cross (close to the sea) where we could not see anything due to a dense sea fog coming down - and standing at the last fence - we saw our colours and those of another bursting out of the mist at the last fence - and our horse, ridden by our son landing the spoils - and beating the favourite, from a very fashionable yard - amazing! He had also run earlier that season when he had won at 33-1!!!
He is now retired, and we still all hate hacking him out - but he is lovely for fun rides / hunting. And is a huge character, the boss of the farm really. I will never have another gift horse - or indeed be able to buy another horse like him. Look up his form on the Racing Post website - I think he ran almost 20 times for us - amazing!
When he departs this mortal coil I will be able to finally buy a mare - but as I expect him to outlive us all - then that will be never!
 
... because in the year ive owned him we have been to hell and back ... the pony i bought was laid back placid (and unbeknown to me drugged) the pony that arrived was hell on earth - hed been mistreated badly as he couldnt stand to be touched anywhere apart from his neck - during the last 12 months Ive lost count of broken bones/bruises botes etc Ive had from him but there is absolutely no way we would be parted our bond is very very strong - he comes to me in the field gives me a kiss even when its feeding time if I ask for one and is just such a character. We go out and have lovely rides together and he always mutters back to me when I tell him my troubles or whats on my mind. In short hes there whatever - way better than any man!!sometimes i think I love him more than my daughter (dont let her know that though!!!)
 
Because I've never known a horse who will come galloping flat out when called, silly-highpitched-whinnying the entire length of the field :D

In all seriousness, he's such a trusting lad who will do anything you ask of him. He has the best temperament, we have a fab bond, he'll stand in the field, lay his head on my shoulder and go to sleep rather than go back to the herd after turning him out. It's all about the connection :)
 
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