I suppose, many of you can relate when I say I’ve been pretty much in love with horses since I was a wee tyke! My first horse was a little spotted mountain pony (just guessing at the breed) who I bought on my own at age 16 without even riding her! Who does that! She turned out to be the best teacher ever and at only 4 years old, steady, trusting and I pretty much learned to ride from her. She was about the same size as my Gimli is now and I did mostly trail riding with some barn buddies. (most of the time bareback and no helmet! Yikes!) Planning to go to university meant I had to sell her and then life got in the way.

After raising a family and many years later, I never lost my love of horses, I became interested in Equine assisted learning and therapy through my friendship with Nancy and feeling the call to become involved in the ministry at Gateway and to also fill the need (or shall I say the obsession) for horses in my life again; I bought my second horse Abby Four Socks; a six year old paint mare in 2012. While she was quite a handful for a returning novice like me; I learned a lot from her. She had multiple health issues over the years, but she was a dream to work with our students. Unfortunately, I lost her in 2017 in November.

How I became interested in the Icelandic breed was sort of random, but I think meant to be! I was looking for another horse that could be used in our learning therapy sessions at Gateway and I was also looking for a gaited horse that was small. I’m 5’ 2” on a good day, and I want to be able to mount from the ground. So, a really good friend of mine said..”Gee have you looked at an Icelandic?” I did some research and found that the breed just had all the characteristics I was looking for: steady, sure-footed, intelligent, strong and versatile. After all, I’ve got grandkids so I needed a horse that I could be confident in using for our Gateway sessions, for riding and who will also be a safe mount for the grandkids when they visit.

So after searching diligently, and taking lessons to find the right partner, I brought “Fakur von Skor” home on September 22nd 2018. He is a purebred Icelandic horse originally bred in Germany and is 16 years old. While small at 13.2 hands, he is strong and steady with quite the personality.

We have affectionately nick-named him “Gimli” in keeping with our “Lord of the Rings” theme at the barn (and because he really is a hairy wee dwarf!) He can be mischievous and strong-willed at times which will be good for our students to learn about how to deal with those traits.

It has been a blast getting to know him better and he is already a barn favourite (at least in my eyes!) So cuddly, steady and…who knew; he is now the king of the castle but in such a polite way. He is curious, cute and just a pleasure to work with. He will be a marvelous lesson horse!

I’m so privileged and blessed to be his owner and together we will have tons of fun with our students.

Sherry Gatten