I Got a Horse!
It’s not that uncommon to get a horse, but as the saying goes: “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.” This refers to the fact that gifted horses are often old, injured, or otherwise unwanted – usually more of an expense than a blessing. However, it’s quite rare to receive a healthy, young horse with a pedigree. Here’s the story of how I was gifted a magnificent Arabian horse – completely free of charge!
I was working as a saddler in Mörrum, staying busy sewing and repairing to make ends meet. It wasn’t just for me, but also for my horses, dog, and cat. That’s why I always appreciated it when someone recommended new customers to me.
One of my friends, Ove, was someone I had met during leatherwork courses I taught for AOF. He also rented stables from me for his trotting horses. One day, he suggested that I contact a man named Tom, who owned Arabian horses. Ove thought Tom might have some work for me.
I called Tom, and it turned out he was extremely busy but indeed had plenty of jobs for me. He asked if I could pick up the items that needed repair, as he didn’t have time to drop them off himself. I didn’t mind, so I went to Tom’s place and collected blankets and halters. Eventually, I also started getting orders for custom halters for his Arabians since the standard ones didn’t fit. Arabians have much smaller noses, and the foals couldn’t wear regular foal halters as they were way too big. Later, I even got to make show bridles, which I absolutely loved – crafting such fine items instead of patching up old harnesses with baling twine and wire!
Ove, who had a great sense of humor, was happy that I was getting so much work. But he joked that, since I was doing such an excellent job, I should ask Tom to give me a horse as part of our deals.
We laughed at the idea since Tom’s horses were incredibly fine and expensive.
One day, I was returning a batch of blankets to Tom. I was running a bit late, and we crossed paths on the road as he was heading out. We both stopped on either side of the road, and I got out to talk to him. I remember it was raining quite heavily. Tom instructed me on where to leave the blankets and complimented my quick repairs. After discussing the blankets, I jokingly said:
“Well, Ove thinks I should get a horse as part of the deal since I’ve been doing such great work!”
I laughed, but Tom looked serious.
“Oh, does he now? Then we’d better find you a horse. But I need to run now,” he said before driving off.
I stood there in the rain, jaw practically hitting the ground. Had I heard him correctly, or was he joking?
The next time we spoke, I had to ask him.
“Did you really mean it?”
“Of course,” he replied. “Come by on Saturday, and we’ll find you one!”
I was still skeptical but decided to go. I thought it would probably be a foal with some defect or a lame horse.
When I arrived, Tom pointed out a young colt that looked like it had grown too quickly and was a bit scruffy. But before I could say anything, he shook his head and pointed to another horse.
“No, it’s this one!”
There stood an absolutely stunning horse.
“That’s Argentina’s foal,” he said.
I didn’t know much about Arabians, but I did know that Argentina was a mare he had bought from Poland a few years earlier for a six-figure sum.
And that’s how I became the owner of an Arabian horse. I named him Mandoza, after Mendoza, the capital of Argentina.
In the picture, you can see Mandoza wearing one of the halters I made back then.
