NUGGET
Through The Years
NUGGET

1981 QH x ARAB GELDING

14.3H
Nugget was my first horse. I am now 31
years old but got him when I was age 8,
and he age 4. He was young and green
broke. I don't recommend children
start with green horses but he did teach
me a lot quickly...LOL. We have had
many adventures over the years and I
can't say I've had any other good friend
as long as him.

In OUR younger years we'd ride for
hours often on trails and with friends
etc. When alone I admit I'd simply talk
to him and have my own conversations
with him unleashing all my childhood
and later teenage stresses for him to
hear as we'd mosey through woods and
fields.

Unlike most horses he has two seasonal
coat colors. In spring and summer he is
solid copper penny gold and in the fall
and winter he is light gold with dapples.

Even when young I knew how incredibly
grateful I was to have him. I was a bit
of a loner and hence he was my best
friend. When I was young I promised
him I'd keep him safe with me forever.
I even remember the day I had this
"conversation with him". He'd injured
his pastern as a stick had punctured it
in the pasture. The vet had a tough
regimen of things I had to do to keep it
from forming scar tissue and a limp for
life. In the midst of my walking him
during that, as my vet had said would
need to be done daily, I remember the
hot tears streaming down my face and
my worry that he wouldn't get better
and in the midst of my begging him to
get better and begging God to help him
get better I plead that I'd always take
care of him and keep him safe. I am
happy to say he fully healed from that
ordeal.

Sadly many horses age and their
owners sell them on and their fates are
not good. Even as a child I knew this
and hence the promise. I wanted to
make sure I gave Nugget a long happy
life as he gave me so much in my
younger years and well I certainly owe
it to him.

I almost failed to keep my promise.
Near my high school graduation years
my family made yet another move and
I was told Nugget could not come. Prior
to this we'd moved from Michigan to
Missouri in 1990 taking Nugget with us
and this time we were to go to Ohio. I
suppose they felt I'd outgrown him as I
was in my high school years and my
mind wasn't so much on horseback
riding then as I was "distracted". That
said it never for a second changed how
much I loved him.  This was a very
tough time and in the end it resulted in
him being sent to a relatives home with
the condition that I could have him
back if ever I could afford him on my
own etc.

Well it took years of painful emotions
etc (and that is the nutshell version).
Over those years I'd hear a sad song on
the radio about a lost friend or lost love
and sob and I do mean a deep sob. The
pain of him not being with me never
ceased and I even periodically had
nightmares.  But eventually I was able
to get him back. I moved back to
Michigan on my own for the purpose of
getting a place so I could get my friend
back and ensure I kept my
promise...that he'd remain safe and
happy in his old years.

He is still looking really good and hangs
out with the ladies (mares) here.
Nugget also helped bring up our two
young stallions and taught them some
of their manners. In addition he will
also be our foals babysitter during the
weaning process. He's always been in
essence my right hand partner.

These days we still go on trail rides at
times as he is as sound as ever.
Although his topline and all may not be
what it once was his ears are perked
and he's happy to get out on the trails.
The only real health issue we've had to
deal with in recent years was a bad case
of choke. His entire life he has been a
true pig of a horse when it comes to his
grain. He never ever had an issue until
summer 08 when he had one very bad
episode with labored breathing and
thick drool and well...it was bad. After
repeated attempts to go in through his
nostril the vet was able to get in
directly through the mouth. Poor boy
couldn't have his grain for weeks and
was at the gate every day with pleading
eyes wanting it and it was murder on
my heart. Well I'm happy to say he's
healed now. Probably after an episode
that bad many people wouldn't let their
horse have grain again but I know for
him it's part of his joy in life and
something to look forward too so I can't
deny him it. I am happy to say to date
he's not had another episode so
hopefully it was a fluke thing.

On a neat note Nugget was one of a few
horses in Michigan chosen by the
Equine Artist Karen Brenner to be
painted as part of her Horses Of
Michigan Project. I am very thrilled
that this old man received such a
recognition. He may not be a tall proud
friesian anymore or something these
days that is a supreme catch to the eye,
but he has quite a great history and is
an amazing boy in his own right. He was
born about 20 miles from where we live
now, has traveled to Missouri and been
successful in a show career when
young. He's come full circle and back
home to Michigan so I think he'll be
very fitting for such a project.

This is just a page in tribute to him
over the years though he is still alive
and well.

Kristi

Rhythmic Acres
This picture was taken just after we first
got Nugget home and unloaded him from
the trailer. This would be in 1985 when he
was 5 years old. My dad picked me up and
set me on his back for the pictures..
.
The two below pics were taken May 26,
2008. Today Nugget is 29 years old and
looking great for his age.
Some of Nugget and I as the
years progressed....
The below photo was taken in November 2007.
Nugget is 26 years of age in these and going
strong as you can see. Here you can see his  
fall/winter coat color (the ugly one LOL).

He "thinks" he is a stallion I think and that
this is HIS herd. So cute.

He's SO in love with Tatum and treats Rarity
like she is his own baby.