For me a life without a horse is incomplete. There had been an emptiness in me since the day we had to part from our Shire Horse gelding Clyde.

And then early August 2008 this was going to change. Our house was almost finished and we started looking for a new horse. We had eight months time to think about which race we wanted this time.

We decided to start riding western style. So we began searching for a horse that looked like a western horse but was a little bit larger and stronger. It shouldn't be too young or too old and it should also have a good character. Oh yeah and did I mention that it also should not be too expensive?

Not the easiest requirements. But we were in no hurry at all. We decided to visit a near by horse dealer the following Sunday. I had been looking at his website for a long time. He did have nice horses. There was this colorful gelding that had been on his homepage for quite a while but I was pretty sure that he had already been sold.

There were a couple of very nice horses in the dealer's stable but nothing that fit us. Then I asked him about the gelding. So the dealer took us to his outdoor stable...

Well, what should I say? We saw him, he fit, we loved him and three days later I rode him and everything seemed to be perfect. Spirit is a five year old Appaloosa/warmblood-mix and stands 163 cm tall. He has a strong body - actually he was exactly the horse we had been looking for!

Yet there were minor problems to be conquered until Spirit arrived at our stable. He had fever and a cough. Nothing serious but we had to wait. We visited him and as soon as he was recovering we took him for a walk.

Our excitement grew and grew. He showed us that he had a very good character. He was brave and had a good "spirit" and he was totally clear-headed. Dealing with was very easy and relaxed.

The next time we visited him he participated in a carriage event.

The veterinary examination was on August 19, 2008. Spirit did a great job and was in good shape. Hours later Spirit moved to his new stable the Pferdehof Koch. Every day has been very fascinating since then. Spirit amazes Udo and me day by day by being so uncomplicated and eager to learn. He has already found his way deep into our hearts. So, this is where a new story begins...

Spirit got his new saddle - fits him perfectly don't you think? That's when his career as a western horse finally began...