Espartaco

Photos by Emmy Eriksson - www.emeriphoto.com

Espartaco is really something special... A horse with TONS of attitude and not all of it in the best way. Like today... We were out riding and suddenly he did not want to go forwards. And when he doesn't want to do something you pretty much have to move the universe for him to change his mind... AND when you get him to change his mind he will be so upset and angry that he did not get his way. He is like a stubborn little boy. So today when he did not want to go I asked him gently to go but no, he lay down instead... in the snow. All that fuss instead of just moving one hoof in front of the other. Principles you know.

Mr.Ferrari is a horse that pretty much is impossible to describe. He has so much personality and is too intelligent for his own good. AND on top of that he has been a real warhorse in Spain fighting bulls as a "Rejoneo" horse. So well you can imagine how strong, brave and proud you have to be... And on top of that as well he is a clown. He can take his halter off by himself for example and he is way to proud of himself when that happens.

Espartaco hates to be out in the woods for outdoor riding, he doesn't see the point of it. His life pretty much sucks (according to him) when we move towards the beautiful forests. He is a working machine. He wants to work, train and evolve. I've never met a more "workaholic" in a horse.

He is a horse that you really have to "deserve". He will not give you anything if you don't earn it. He is by far one of the most complex and difficult horses I've ever had the chance to work with but I can't begin to describe the love I feel for this boy and how fun we have together. We both love to work, we both love to be epic and cool and full of ourselves, to be on shows, movies and photos! If you can find a soulmate in a horse Espartaco is mine. Rio was my love - my guardian spirit - my angel but Espartaco is me - my exact mirror and I am so grateful and proud to call this beyond amazing stallion my own! He is not easy and nothing is free but he makes me better in every way.

"Every rider has that one special horse, that one horse who changes everything about them."

Photo by Therese Hübner

A tribute to Rio...

I never though I would have the strength to write this. This is one of the parts I just locked down deep into my heart not to confront again... But I have to... Rio's pictures has become very popular on Instagram and I see him even when I don't want to - people cherish him and saying "he must be the most beautiful horse in the world"... You don't know the half of it..... Some part of me don't want to remember... it hurts so much I can barely breathe. I don't even know how deep down into this I want to go, or "can" go. Just thinking about him breaks me and I cannot stop my tears from falling... I have to remember how to breathe since my body just want to shut down but I have to write this... I have to tell you about him. This special and amazing horse that really brought worlds together on Facebook.

My entire life - I went searching for that missing piece. Looking for something that many considered to be a "holy grail" - a mission impossible for something that did not exist. I knew it existed... I knew it was there and I would not be complete without it. I found him... He came to me to show me I had been right all along.

Rio was so beautiful on the outside, but that was nothing compared to his inside. He was so kind, so noble and gentle. He was like a great old teacher - full of wisdom and pride. Rio was almost holy, almost sent from the Gods. Looking back I don't see him in any other way. It's impossible to describe - but those who knew him - knew us know what I mean. 

I only knew Rio for a few months but he changed my life - changed me... Never had I treasured a horse more - loved a horse more than him- I never think I will.

I bought Rio from Spain. He was a high schooled dressage horse that had been trained for top trainers - living only indoors like most of the horses in Spain. That did change when he came to Sweden!
Rio loved to be outside! He never wanted to be in a stall again! He was outside during blistering cold snow storms without a blanket, just standing here - almost smiling. He was so exceptional - he could never get enough of freedom and his friends! Seeing a stallion living together with his friends is one of the things I treasure most in life. All my stallions has always had a friend in the pasture - but Rio is the one who loved it the most!

Mine and Rios story is a very short one - even if it feels like a lifetime. Time is funny like that... And somehow I think Rio knew - and I knew that we only had a short time together - he was so full of life, he was such a gift. A messenger of peace, serenity and love.

I remember one ride when I was out riding with a friend of mine. We came to a spot where nature was just beyond stunning. I told her that this place really gave me the feeling to listen to a special song... a song I now call "Rio's song".... I took up my phone and pushed played - the tunes of Jon Henriks Fjällgrens - Daniel's jojk began spreading out in the nature. What baffled us now was that Rio was calling to something in the distance with this song! He began neighing towards the glen and did not stop until I paused the song... Like he was talking to something beyond our borders. I don't know whether or not to believe in such stuff but being in that moment gave me a feeling that Rio, was something out of this world! I understand why Heaven wanted him back....

Rios passing was simply an accident... no one knows what happened but one day we found him in the pasture with a very swollen leg. We went to the vet and we tried to save his life but he had suffered a great injury to the transverse pectoral muscle in his right front leg. The muscle was torn off and no longer attached it had moved upward towards his chest causing a massive swelling and bleeding. We tried everything to save him but one day he just lay down and did not want to get up again. I had to call the vet to put him down. The hardest call I've ever done in my entire life... 

To me life will never be the same again without Rio. People can say "just a horse" I know better. Everyone who knew Rio knows better... If I could I would trade the world to have him back but I can't. Rio will always and forever be the one and no one will ever come close...

I stood beside your bed last night, I came to have a peep.

I could see that you were crying; you found it hard to sleep.

I whinnied to you softly as you brushed away a tear,

"It's me, I haven't left you. I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was with you at my grave today; you tend it with such care.

I want to reassure you, that I'm not lying there.

I walked with you toward the house, as you fumbled for your key.

I put my head against you, nickered and said, "It's me."

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.

I tried so hard to let you know that I was standing there.

It's possible for me to be so near you every day. 

To say to you with certainty, "I never went away." 

You sat there very quietly, then smiled; I think you knew. 

In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you. 

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide, 

I'll gallop across to greet you, and we'll stand there side by side. 

I have so many things to show you, there's so much for you to see. 

Be patient, live your journey out...then come home to be with me

https://youtu.be/nVj1Ue_EDMY