It's one thing to own a horse, a "normal" horse, one that you compete with, teach with, and are able to preform whatever you ask of them. It's an entirely different thing to own a "broken" horse, one that had a career ending injury, one that can no longer do what we ask of them, one that requires a lot of special care. Owners of these horses are a special kind of crazy but despite the drain on our wallets, there is nothing we wouldn't do for them.

1. People wonder why you keep them

Yes I know he's broken and you're probably comparing your prize winning gelding but you don't understand the bond we have. You don't understand what we've been through. You don't understand what he's done for me and how much I owe him.

2. You are fiercely protective of them

We know they're broken, so that means it's our job to protect them. We are their owners and we're not stupid. We know that we're a lot crazy for holding to them but we don't care. You don't know us.

3. They are your ESA

My man is my rock. He's the one I go to in order to find my center. A good grooming session and I'm good to go. He may not appreciate my constant goofing around but he tolerates it. He's my reason for breathing and when my life becomes too much, he's the one who brings me back to earth.

4. They're the most spoiled animals

From salt licks, to treat bags, to Likits, to new halters and lead ropes we'll do whatever we can to keep those ears forward. We know their lives are boring from stall to pasture (if their able to go out) it's a pretty boring life. We'll do our best to make life a little better.

5. They're the best cuddlers

Nothing is better then when they rest their heads on our shoulders. We are their support, they know their in pain, our horses aren't stupid. They know we're doing our best to help them through this and nothing is better than them recognizing what we do for them.

6. Nothing makes you smile harder

Our horses can easily be miserable in their stalls but they aren't. They put on a smile through the pain, their ears go forward as they see us, and they'll even whinny for some time together.

7. You're used to flashbacks of greatness

We look at our animals and see their days of glory. We see them as they once were. We see the, as they jumped 4 foot courses, we see them as they won ribbons, we see them as they ran around those barrels, as they pranced around the ring, we see them in their glory and it's heartbreaking to see them where they are now.

8. You're great at research

We're used to staring at google and running through books. Anything we can do to fix or help their pain. We will do whatever we can to help our best friend, be it X-Rays, Ultrasounds, MRIs, or even surgeries. We will do what ever we can to help our animals.

9. You're good with your finances

We know what we can afford. How many hock treatments, vet visits, consultations, chiropractors, or even acupuncturists we can afford to make life easier. We know our accounts well enough to know where we need to draw the line and what we can try next.

10. You know the reality

We're moms and dads or broken horses. They will never jump again, they will never go back to their glory days. Their working days are long gone and we know that they are the equivalent of a "pasture ornament" it hurts, but it's true. We know their days are numbered, we know that one day we will have to make the decision to let them go. We may be doing everything we can to make them comfortable but we are well aware of their fate but we will still fight it like hell.

11. You would do anything for them

We are their protectors and we will do whatever we can for them. Broken or not. So judge us, talk behind our backs, make comments about our "useless" horse, but you will never find a more amazing animal then the ones we are lucky to call our own. We would take a bullet for them.