For this week’s photo challenge “Free Spirit” allow me to introduce you to Javalin. A twenty-one year old Dutch Warmblood, going on fifteen. Javalin was born in Europe and imported to Florida when he was two and a half years old at the price of $250,000 !
Dear Javalin was brought to a wealthy horsewoman in Wellington, Florida that had plenty of money and horses, but little understanding to the true nature of Javalin. A nervous and insecure little boy, he was challenged to conform and behave to the constraints of modern day dressage. Javalin would have none of it, and thus was put in the back of the barn at the bottom of the totem pole. They kept him a stallion in hopes of perhaps breeding him because of his superb bloodlines.
Years passed and Javalin was handed over to one of his previous grooms who was more of a natural horsewoman. She kept him for eight years and during that time she bred two daughters from Javalin. Not sure what to do with him following, she gelded him and began the process of trying to sell him. When I found him, he was 17 years old and just trying to find his way in man’s world.
I began the long and lengthy process of trying to bring Javalin around to the present. Having to introduce this nervous and spooky horse to the world around him took years. There is a saying about warmbloods, that they are known as “Dumb Bloods.” As a typical teenage boy, he suffers from AD&D and has a hard time learning and listening. The hardest thing that Javalin was getting to understand is that it was okay, and actually desired to utilize his full athleticism and strength. Riders before me were afraid of him and his power and he learned not to “Go.”
There were many days when I wanted to throw in the towel, thinking that Javalin would never “get it.” That he would never “Go” when asked. So a brilliant plan came to mind this summer and I began free-lunging him in the arena. Actually, it’s more like a free-chasing, play time for Javalin and myself. I’d chase him from one end of the arena to the other. Shouting at him to “Get out of the corner” whenever he would stop and look around.
And then it was like a light bulb went on in Javalin’s head. He started to get it ! Oh… you want me to RUN !! Are you sure??? He then started to show off his stuff. Doing all the fancy footwork that high level dressage horses do. He then looks at me and it’s as if he says, “See what I can do?” Show-off.
Javalin loves his play time and I think he actually enjoys stopping in the corners and making me chase after him so that he can rear up and run the other way. Sometimes he kicks out with sheer delight and you can feel his joy and freedom when being able to just let loose.
The beauty of this is that Javalin is finally learning to be himself, to be a free spirit to be able to have an opinion and a partnership with me. The best part? After he’s worn me out from having me chase him from corner to corner, I just stop and tell him he’s done. He stops in his tracks and slowly walks to me on his own free will.
For the photos in this series, I need to thank my dear friend, artist and photographer, Burrell Davidson for taking the time out of her busy schedule to catch us during one of our play sessions. Thanks Burrell! I am forever grateful for these photos.Categories: About
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
So wonderful!! What a GORGEOUS guy! And thank goodness for you, for your love to let him re-discover his spirit. 🙂
(I’ll save the heavy SIGH to those blatantly ignoring horses’ true natures, forcing them into disciplines they don’t belong…)
Well, it’s not that Javalin doesn’t belong in dressage, he’s perfect for it. It’s the forced nature of modern day dressage that is not for him. Classical dressage allowing the horse to be relaxed, and comfortable is a perfect place for him to be. He’s such an athlete and I’m looking forward to a year or two down the road when we’re really partners.
I know EXACTLY what you mean. I’ve trained in both disciplines (well, been exposed to the former) — and am not overly fond of the modern-day techniques, obviously. Quick and easy, at the detriment of the animal.
Grear story: thanks for sharing. And the gorgeous fotos capture the spirit of this spirited horse!
Best regards from southern Texas,
Pit
Thank you so much Pit ! You can tell I really love this horse. I nicknamed him “the Beast” as he’s such a big boy.
Beautiful fellow there! We love the story & photos. 🙂 woof woof
Thank you so much Maggie ! I know you’d love to run along with Javalin.
Great story and perfect for this challenge. Well done.
Thank you so much Susan, I get so much joy from Javalin – let alone lots of exercise !
What a lovely story. You so blessed to have found each other. A wonderful partnership. Blessings to you both. xx
That is so true Lizzie. Don’t know what I would if Javalin wasn’t in my life now. Thank you so very much.
an adventure to free the wind it has been caged too long so much of the freedom of the wind of the spirit never gets set loose to stretch its imagination to run in the clouds
This is so beautiful Will, and it gives me goosebumps when I read it. Thank you so much for writing this for Javalin and I. XXOO
A wonderful story about this great free spirit (at last), Emily. I wish you both luck.
Hi Bente ! Yes..at last ! You are so very kind and Javalin says Neigh.
Hi Bella
What great photographs and what a wonderful story.
Corinne xx
Thank you so much Corinne. I thought of you when writing this. Have a wonderful evening. Bella
yes you may use the poem –more like some rambling thoughts i put down—i rarely think about what i write as i write it – it is more like raw feeling that forms quickly into words – thank you for the compliment and i am pleased you like my work – i am glad you found Javalin and you are both learning to set his spirit loose to become a horse
You are so very kind Will, and I am so thankful. I’ll show you what I managed to put together once I have time to play with it. 🙂
Such a beautiful horse! Perfect for this theme too. So happy to hear he is getting to run!
Yes, and boy does he make me run even more. I think I get more of a workout than he does. He’s also a ladies man..you should hear him when a mare walks by….Heeeyyyyy (in baritone)
🙂
What a terrific post. As a lover of horses, former owner of a couple, and now at a point in life where I wish desperately I could buy one for my granddaughter to love, this was a wonderful story and beautiful pictures of a real handsome lad you have there. I’m going to send her a link so she can read Javalin’s story. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Judy ! Welcome and thank you so much for enjoying my story of Javalin. I sure hope you’ll be able to get a horse situation for you and your granddaughter. You will have so much fun with them. Great meeting you and hope to see you back soon. Bella
Thanks for stopping by my “Free Spirit” entry and liking it. I really love yours! Javalin is so lucky to have someone who cares for him enough to be patient and understanding. How wonderful that he can be free to run and play now. Such a beautiful horse too. 🙂
It is my pleasure Jodi ! You are so very kind with your words and I am humbled to be able to enjoy such a magnificent animal like Javalin. He is having so much fun now. I once heard that horses mirror back to you who you are 100 fold. It is indeed true.
The photos are wonderful 🙂
Wonderful story and photos of free spirit. Thank you for your visit to my blog.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Hi Emily: as my friend will say to me “ride your wind horse”