After many days of searching online for the perfect horse for my youngest daughter, Kalley, one photo immediately caught our attention. Standing 15.3 hands tall, the Draft Paint Cross who would eventually become Finnighan looked absolutely majestic. There was something about him that made us feel we had to meet him in person.
When we arrived at the farm, we were greeted by a beautiful horse facility with pastures full of horses. As we met with the owner and listened to his story, our hearts broke for him. Finn was one of about fifteen horses rescued from another farm. Before arriving here, he’s had very little handling and hadn’t been given much of a chance. The owner spent the past month patiently earning his trust and helping him gain confidence.
One story stayed with me ever since. She told us she’d spent nearly five hours patiently brushing burrs out of Finn’s tail. Most people probably would have cut it, but she refused because she knew how beautiful it could be. Looking back now, that small act says so much about the patience and care she gave him before we ever met.
The minute we met Finn, we fell deeply in love. There was a gentleness about him that was impossible to ignore. Despite everything he’s been through, he still wanted to connect with people. We looked at each other, and without saying much, we both knew the decision had already been made. We had come hoping to find the perfect horse for Kalley, but we left realizing we had found so much more. He needed us, and we needed him.
Because it was winter, Finn stayed at the farm for a few months where he could continue learning and building confidence before coming home with us. We visited and worked with him as often as we could. Those months gave us something to look forward to, and we couldn’t wait for spring to arrive.
When spring finally arrived, it was time for Finn to move to his new boarding barn. Although the trailer ride was only about fifteen to twenty minutes, it was a big adventure for a horse who had already experienced so much change. By the time we arrived, he was drenched in sweat. Everything was unfamiliar – the trailer ride, the new surroundings, the new smells, and the new horses. It was another big step in a journey that was only just beginning.
At the time we had no idea what the months ahead would bring. We were simply excited to welcome Finn into this new chapter of our lives. Before long, Apollo would enter the picture, and together those two boys would shape our family’s horse journey in ways we never expected.
Beautiful!
Thank you so much! 🤎