This horse story is about an Appaloosa, named War Pony and his little master Jacob. The story depicts how Jacob’s love and care did miracles for injured War Pony to get recovered.

The Unconditional Love| A Horse Story About an Appaloosa and Little Jacob

by Cindy Woolston

Jacob was eleven years old when he found his horse lying down in the pasture in a puddle of blood. War Pony’s foot had gotten tangled in the barbed wire fence and a big chunk of his back hoof was missing. He was too weak to move. Jacob ran as fast as he could to the house. I immediately called our veterinarian who lived about 30 miles away.

It seemed like an eternity, but when the veterinarian finally arrived he took one look at the injured horse and shook his head. He thought that War Pony had lost too much blood. I whispered to him, “Whatever it takes, just get this horse better for my son.” The veterinarian met Jacob’s pleading eyes and then took out his bag and went to work.

War Pony was Jacob’s first real horse. He wouldn’t win any beauty contest though. This Appaloosa is partially blind in one eye, had no mane, a short tail, and a big head. We joke that we don’t have to worry about anyone trying to steal him. But in Jacob’s eyes, his horse is beautiful. He rode him on trails, horse shows and parades. When friends come over, it is War Pony that they ride because he is so gentle and will take care of them.

It was a long road to recovery. Jacob devoted his entire summer to caring for this injured horse. Unselfishly he fed and watered his beloved friend, cleaned his stall, changed his bandage, administered medicine, and read to him. Our ferrier even welded a special shoe to help distribute the weight more evenly to help compensate for part of his hoof being gone.
The veterinarian was amazed at War Pony’s rapid progress. He commented, “I’ve seen horses not hurt half that bad that didn’t survive.“ It was a boys love for his horse that pulled War Pony through. After months of recovery Jacob got the go ahead to ride again. Later that year the dynamic duo of War Pony and Jacob went on to earn the high point trophy for speed horses at the county 4-H fair and placed in the top ten at the State Fair in both pole bending and barrel racing.

War Pony is now 24 years old. He has a slight scar on his hind leg, but that doesn’t keep him from enjoying leisurely rides through the country. Any ordinary horse would have died from that injury, but War Pony is no ordinary horse and Jacob is no ordinary boy.

Cindy Woolston