One Decade Later

Published on by Amanda C

Tomorrow is Sadie’s 10th birthday.

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That feels so surreal to type. On one hand, it seems like I’ve had her forever, like she’s always been a part of my life. On the other hand, it seems like just yesterday that she was first introduced to me as a black dot on an ultrasound screen.

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It’s a unique experience, breeding and raising a horse. You know everything about them. The source of every scar, physical or mental. What they’re like in pretty much any situation. In some ways you know them better than you know yourself, something that is especially true when you’ve owned a horse from age 23 to age 33. I’m not the same person I was when she was born, and much of what I’ve learned about myself, horses, and life in general can be attributed to her in some way.

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Although the entrance of Presto into the world officially marked the transferral of Sadie’s ownership from me to Willow Tree Warmbloods, she will always be “mine”. I will probably always be the one that knows her best and I’m not sure that anyone else could possibly love her more than I do.

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Yet I’m not sad about the idea of seeing someone else’s name on her papers, because there’s no one else in the world that I’d rather have as her owner. Willow Tree is where she’s meant to be. They take better care of their horses than any other breeding farm I’ve ever seen and I know they’ll do right by her. She’s a good broodmare, she loves her job, and she gets the best care that anyone could ever want for their horse. She’s happy, she’s healthy, and she’s a productive member of horse society. What more could you want?

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I can’t wait to see what other babies she produces, and I especially can’t wait to see other people enjoying her foals just as much as I have enjoyed her (and, in turn, as much as I already enjoy Presto).

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And although Presto looks more like his sire, I already I see so many qualities in him that remind me of her. His tenacity being #1. I don’t think he would still be alive today if he wasn’t Sadie’s child. That mare has no quit in her, and apparently he doesn’t either. While it can sometimes be one of her more frustrating qualities, I’ll also be eternally grateful to her for it.

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So here’s to a decade of Sadie, and hopefully a couple more still yet to come. It’s been the experience of a lifetime.

19 thoughts on “One Decade Later”

  2. Happy Birthday Sadie and congrats Willow Tree on acquiring such a ‘special’ mare (Still remembering her slamming everything when she was preggers with Presto) HA. Since i was around when she was a baby she still seems a part of my life even though I havent seen her for years!! And I cannot wait to see Presto’s brother or sister!! 🙂

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  5. Happy Birthday Sadie!! The horses that helped form us as equestrians and people leave their hoof-prints on our hearts forever. Cheesy, but the truth.

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  7. Happy Birthday to Sadie! Question – what made you decide to transition her to a broodmare instead of being your main riding horse? Was she injured or did you decide to go in a different direction (i.e. leave the H/J world)?

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  16. Look at the dapples on that big preggo mare belly!! I have never personally felt the urge to breed my own horse, but seeing how much you and Sadie have with one another definitely gives me the feels.

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  18. This was really lovely. One of my dreams is to breed my own horse and grow with it. I know what you mean though, about changing, I have a horse who I have owned for 24 years and I am a completely different person to who I was when I bought him. Happy birthday to Sadie. Happy Riding & Keep Smiling, Mel x

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