NC Matheny just happened to fall in love with an orphan foal that would define his life. First named "Trouble", then officially "Hard Way to Go", finally "Casey", this Tennessee Walking Horse was destined to bring joy and happiness. Through dramatic scenarios, funny anecdotes, and seasons of hope, the meager foal would grow to become a beautiful stallion facing extraordinary odds while inspiring everyone who meets him. The author intertwines his missionary work in Honduras with his love for horses. Twenty-two years of nurturing and friendship create an incredible testimony to God’s power and the thrills of horsemanship.
So I went into the details of his nightly routine, or anytime routine after getting a treat or meals. Casey would nurse the handle of his Jolly Ball®. If he could not find it, a frantic search was on for the missing Jolly. Sometimes he would flip hay on top of the ball, or I had washed it and it was in the sink drying. As soon as Jolly was located, a soft sucking sound was soon to follow. Casey would nurse his Jolly till I would come in and tell him, "Ok Bubby, that's about enough of your nursing on Jolly.
Casey liked to be outside in the snow if the temperatures were above 20ﾟ. I would put his blankets on him in the warmest part of the day so he could have much-needed outside time.
In 2019 when I was having trouble getting Casey to drink. I found out he liked the taste of fresh oranges. With some planning, I went to the grocery store. I got several bags of oranges. I made fresh orange juice and even shaved some of the rind in for zest. Put the mixture in small bowls in the freezer so days later Casey could enjoy a refreshing treat added to his water. Yummy, Bubby.
How do you answer the age-old question of “How do you live your dream”? Well, this is my answer. God granted my wish and the fulfillment of my dream. My house is just 130' from Casey's house with camera systems and baby monitors so I could hear and see his every move. I could be there at his side in 30 seconds. But it was not the same as being right there living every heartbeat.
After I moved in with Casey, a good pillow fight was our morning routine. As fun as it was, it generally turned out to be a wrestling match to get the very wet slobbery pillow away from him. I, needless to say, went through several pillows while I lived with Casey. Oh well! For Casey, I would do it all over again. I love you, Bubby, and miss you.
Every day it was Casey's job to open the Dutch door of his barn to go outside. I would unlatch the door, knock on it, and say, "This is your job, the rest is up to you." He would push the top part of the Dutch door open with his nose, then with his chest, push the bottom part of the door open. Once it was open enough to get his nose behind it, he could walk outside. I only showed him a couple of times and then he had it down to a science.
NC MATHENY, Author
PO Box 118, Coolville, Ohio 45723, United States
Copyright © 2022 NCMATHENY - All Rights Reserved.
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