Today I received the most spectacular Valentine’s Day gift ever – a Tennessee Walking Horse.  The best part is, it was a complete surprise!  My husband spun such a web of deceit and lies, that when we walked up to the barn to “feed Blaze” and a big black head popped out of the middle stall, I was completely shocked.

I had met this horse before.  We went to look at him together about 2 weeks ago, and I fell in love with him then.  He is pure black, about 16 hands high and has a great temperament.  He is a 5-year-old gelding with 8 champions in his bloodline.  His “real” name is Clever Power, and his stable name was Paycheck.  We weren’t too taken with that, so we call him…Valentine.

I have to admit 2 things here.  One: while my horse is 16 hands high, I am only 5’2”.  I am not so naïve to think this won’t present problems – but I don’t care.

The other thing is:  I really am quite naïve.  I have never owned a horse, and haven’t spent all that much time around them.  But I am willing to learn.  I know that my learning process may be quite painful – but it’s certain to provide a lot of comic relief, too.

Wish me luck.