Tell us why your horse deserves to win!

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Through life’s various changes, Sigourney and Poppy handled every challenge that came their way.

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David turned gentle when Krystal needed him most.

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When an automobile accident left Torey permanently weakened on her left side, one special horse named Tigger gave her back her freedom.

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Losing the equine partner of a lifetime can be simply too much to bear — but often it’s a second horse that gets us back on our feet again.

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Here at Horse Nation, we believe that the best therapists are our own horses. Each week we bring you a reader-submitted tribute to a special equine — here is Jessica and Mare’s story.

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Saving a horse can sometimes mean saving yourself.

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He kept her together when everything else fell apart.

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Meet a horse who made the impossible possible.

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Not “just a horse,” Teddy became an inspiration.

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A plain brown wrapper proves to be more than a companion.

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Sometimes your horse is there for you when it seems that the rest of the world has turned its back. Susan Smith shares her story.

Horses will always be an important part of my life. But there is one horse that saved me.

He was a 16-hand OTTB, and I was a 10-year-old girl. Everyone at the barn thought my mom was crazy for buying me this huge horse, but my mom saw in my eyes that it was LOVE. We bonded immediately, and I spent every minute at the barn with him.  We played hide and seek, raced in the pasture, jumped anything we could find, and napped together in his stall.

Fast-forward 5 years: I still have my chestnut bestie, and my parents are divorcing. Dad says the horse HAS TO GO. Thankfully my mom stood up and fought for him. Through all of my parents’ fights, name calling, court battles, police visits and many tears, there was always one steady friend: my horse. When I was old enough to leave home at 18, I packed my things and his, and we left. I kept my best friend until the day he died in my arms when I was 28.

I still have a piece of his mane that I keep in a picture frame collage in my room. I will treasure the memories of him and the lessons I learned from him forever. I pass on his teaching to my current OTTB, and there will be a piece of him in every horse I learn with in the future.

Kate Lassiter shares the story of her horse, Deuce.

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Each week we feature reader-submitted stories about horses that have gotten them “back on track” after a rough patch. Today Mackenzie Towler shares the story of her horse, Tooki.

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Each week we feature reader-submitted stories about horses that have gotten them “back on track” after a rough patch. Today Victoria Henderson shares the story of her horse, Jinx. (more…)

Each week we feature reader-submitted stories about horses that have gotten them “back on track” after a rough patch. Today Jessica Coulson shares the story of her horse, Sorry.

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Alaina Fornal shares the story of how a special horse helped her cope amidst tragedy.

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“I went in for my ultrasound today, at 10 weeks and two days, and my big adorable baby didn’t have a heartbeat anymore.” Wende Stenman shares her story of heartbreaking loss and healing through horses. (more…)

Each week we share reader-submitted essays about the special horses that have made a difference in our lives. Today Lisa Olsen tells the story of her relationship with Butterfly Kisses, a horse that may well be her guardian angel.

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Each week we feature a reader essay about a special horse. Today Jolene Hasseler shares the story of her fiery chestnut mare, Shy: “In the 10-plus years that I’ve owner her she’s tested my patience, taken care of me, and packed little kids around, sometimes all in the same day!”

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Each Tuesday we feature reader-submitted stories about horses that have gotten them “back on track.” Today Sarah Jones shares the story of a racehorse who came through just when she and her fiance needed him the most.

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After the loss of her son, Jenilee Holliday found solace in a special mare. (more…)

Each Tuesday we bring you a reader-submitted essay about a horse that has helped them get “back on track.” This week Carissa Rougeaux shares the story of Harley, who helped her heal from incredible loss.

In May 2010 one of my very best friends, teammate and leasee at the time passed away leaving a brutal trail of grief through out the barn we rode at together.

Shortly after her passing the horse we shared, Rex, became lame with out a cause. We worked tirelessly with vets all over Southern California and Central California trying to get a diagnosis or something. Meanwhile, our barn brought in a few horses for some of the other riders to look at and I was able to help school them.

Harley was one of those horses. I absolutely adored him; however, I was still trying to get answers from vets regarding Rex and wasn’t able to get another horse. Several weeks went by and eventually we discovered the cause of Rex’s lameness was a brain tumor and we made the decision to put him to sleep. I was devastated: Not only did I lose my friend, but then also the horse we both loved so much.

After losing Rex I spent my time schooling the other sale horses and loving on Harley while he waited for his new home. My mom noticed how much Harley helped me through all the devastation and her and my grandma decided to buy him for me. Harley helped me through more than the loss of Rex and my friend. He helped me move up higher and get my confidence back as Rex was a very aggressive horse over fences and caused me to be afraid at some times which stopped me from showing.

I have had Harley for almost five years now, we’ve competed successfully, he’s helped me through even more tough times through out the years and even tolerated the 12 hour move we made to Nevada. I retired him from showing this year and now he enjoys his time being loved on by the little kids around the barn and teaching new riders how to ride, including my stepdaughter. I don’t know what  I would do with out my horse… he is truly my peace among the chaos.

Here at Horse Nation, we believe that the best therapists are our own horses. We love sharing the stories of special equines and the lessons horses have taught us — email yours to [email protected] to be featured in an upcoming edition of Back on Track “Horse Therapy.” Go Back on Track, and Go Riding!