A Tribute to King

Some horses touch us for a day, some for a season,

but he touched me for a life time.

King Of My Heart

1961-1999

Joyce & King 1973

In 1973 I got my 1st horse King a grade paint horse. He was my child hood dream come true. I read all the books as a kid. Only rode a horse a handful of times. But there was something about these creatures that caught my sole.

My parents purchased him for $200 from a horse jockey who got him from an auction. More then likely saved him from the kill buyers. When I brought him to the boarding facility to say he had not been handled much is an understatement. I would saddle him up and he would rear, we would meet at my teeth, he spin around and run be back to the barn. Oh the stories I could tell you .....

In time we worked through many issues. About 2 years later I was taking him to local shows, but understand King was not beauty halter horse. He had a large head, big feet, not refined and stood about 14.2 hands. In the 70's those traits were not desirable. He did well in western pleasure, but the judges would over look him because he was average. We learned barrel racing, pole bending, jumping figure 8's, rescue race and such were his forte'. Us against the clock. I also did a lot of trail riding by myself as well. Oh the hours I would talk his ears off. In four years I never missed a day of going out to the boarding stable to see King.

In 1977 I moved from Minnesota to Ohio and then down to Florida and King came with me. This was the late 70's to early to mid 80's. I used him as a lesson horse there. But Kings biggest achievements was as a volunteer for handicap children and young adults in the we-can-ride program. King was put through a battery of tests to make sure he was worthy of this.

Children in wheel chairs, metal crutches, standing for mounting and dismounting, handlers on all 4 sides. Handling obstacles, and most of all a kind and gentle heart.

I would watch as some of the kids with great physical and mental disability come with carrots and apples and call KING I LOVE YOU!!! He knew these were special kids! He softly take there treat from their hands. He never moved for mounts or dismount, and watched out for them with the gently way he would carry them. For that time once they were aboard King those disability vanished they were flying on a cloud. King was taken to many shows for disabled rider and they won many 1st.

In 1984 I moved back to Minnesota got married and had a beautiful daughter. Guess who taught her to ride? Yep King. He was in his 20's by now. She would go and get him out of the pasture jump up on a stump, bridle him climb on and down the road they would go. When King had enough he quietly take her back home and stand in front of the gate.

At the age of 30 King had his last show with Nikki. That day he did halter, western pleasure, barrels racing, jumping figure 8's and rescue race.

King was most likely bred by some backyard breeder, his parents were no champions, and he had average conformation with some flaws.

But... Kings heart in my eyes and many other who know and loved him he was a champion.

Please never over look a horse because of his outward flaws, but take the time to get to know the heart that truly makes a horse great. Every horse has a place.

King passed away in 1999 at the age of 38. I was the lucky one to have loved him for 26 years.

Joyce Firkus

My daughter Nikki & King - 1991

Never let his fire die out, but kindle it with words. Let him know you that you where honored to be carried along on his strong shoulders and swift feet.

Carl Raswan, Drinkers of the wind

The Heart of a Horse

When your day seems out of balance

And so many things go wrong...

When people fight around you

And the clock drags on so long...

When most folks act like

children,

And fill you with

remorse,

Go out into your

pasture...

Wrap your arms around your horse.

His gentle breath enfolds

you, As he watches with those eyes

He may not have a PhD,

But he is, oh, so wise!

His head rests on your

shoulder...

You embrace him good and tight;

He puts your world in

balance,

And makes it seem all

right.

Your tears will soon stop

flowing,

The tension will be

eased.

The nonsense has been

lifted, You are quiet and at peace.

So when you need some

balance

From the stresses in your day...

The best therapy you can

seek...

Is out there eating

hay!

This web site is owned by K-J Hollow Andalusians and developed by

JF Web Creations