When I bought my quarter horse (Dandy) from Mike Coffman in the spring of 2005, I realized the childhood dream of being a real horse owner. While I had a couple of work horses at the feedyard, their care was primarily provided by my cowboy and I only rode them sporadically (during busy times at the feedyard when a second cowboy was needed or when my cowboy went on vacation).

To have my own horse in my own backyard fulfilled a very special and personal dream.  Dandy was a coming four-year old when I bought him from Mike, which meant that he was still a pretty young horse. Lucky for me, God made him a big, gentle creature and we have spent the last seven years learning from each other.

Dandy taught me a lot about communication, feel and intent. He taught me to be a strong yet compassionate leader.  He taught me that slow and steady is always true, and to never take anything for granted.

One day, a couple of months after I brought him home from Mike’s ranch, I wanted to load him on my horse trailer and take him down to our grass pasture to ride. I had trouble that day loading him on the trailer. I got frustrated with myself, I got frustrated with him, and it was not a good experience for either one of us.

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