Smitty was born at my brother Mark's farm, on our horsey grandfather's birthday--April 2.
My nephew Matt Smith emailed me this morning to remind me that today, April 2, is Smitty’s birthday. Smitty (aka Dakota Smith) is the Appaloosa I purchased before he was a week old from Matt’s family. They live in North Dakota, on the farm that used to belong to our paternal grandparents. They raise a handful of Appaloosas a year, and Smitty was in the ’09 crop.
Smitty at about a month old.
As his foalhood progressed, Smitty shed his sorrel baby fur to become a dark chestnut, like his dam.
Smitty and I get acquainted.
I didn’t get to meet Smitty in person until after he was weaned. Hubby Ed and I met my brother Mark and wife Gail at a halfway point near Billings, Montana.
Once we had him home with us in Idaho, Smitty proved to be a fast and eager learner.
Some young horses go through a stage of the uglies and the awkwards, usually as yearlings. Smitty skipped that stage. At a year old, he was balanced, athletic, and almost impossibly pretty.
Smitty on his first birthday.
Smitty shows off his stitches.
Smitty spent all of his yearling summer out in our pasture, learning to go up and down hills and working on his growing. But–as will often happen with yearlings–he came in one evening with a booboo. And it was a ghastly-looking one, with one side of his face torn and hanging down like a steak with hair on it. No idea how he did it, but that’s yearlings for you. Even though it was sewn up by our vet right after it happened, the wound didn’t close right at one corner, and had to be cosmetically repaired. Now, you’d never know it happened.
Smitty photographed on birthday #2.
At 2, and on a regular ration of feed (nothing extra in an attempt to push development), Smitty was…well, he was a hunk. In the sense of whoa, baby, look at HIM! When he was down by the roadside edge of the pasture, drivers would honk as they drove by him. He had the wow-factor to catch a judge’s eye, no question. But I didn’t show him, nor did I have Smitty started under saddle at 2. Simple reason: He just didn’t stop growing. The growth plates of his bones were so busy that I didn’t want to take the risk of added any forced exercise.
Napping with his buddy Corky.
Out in a herd of four, Smitty paired up with Corky, a retired mustang who was well over 30 years old. They did everything together. Sadly for the kid in this duo, Corky had to be put down last fall, as his old age finally caught up with him.
Smitty tries to comprehend what happened to Corky.
Smitty stayed beside his lost pal until the backhoe guy came the next morning to bury Corky. He whinnied for him the next couple of days. We learned a lot about equine herd behavior and relationships by watching him go through this.
Smitty at 3.
This is Smitty today, as he turns 3. He’s 16 hands tall. He’s a sound, healthy, well-adjusted gelding who’s just about ready to be started under saddle. I have a good hunch that his next chapters will be as colorful as the first–no pun intended!
Horse & Rider's editor/associate publisher Juli Thorson covers a broad range of subjects of interest to Western riders--everything from trend reports and tips for managing your horse life to what's new in gear, tack and riding.
wow what a beauty!I wish all youngsters had the chance to grow so sound before their babyhood is even half over, too many are pushed. thank you for doing the horse proud and simply enjoy his growth. what a truly good following of the Chief Joseph blog how fitting that your Smitty be such a tribute.
thank you for sharing Smittys first three years with your readers. looking forward to his training stories! mary
We all have to go through these separation situations. Our Appy lost Sugerman and it broke my heart as he looked for him and called him. You almost wish they would last longer than you.
WOW is right! He’s awesome!! Hard to believe he’s 3 already – time sure flies.
Hey, Julie, that sounds a lot like my 3 year old appy gelding. Harley. Turned three, 16 hands, has a buddy named Tarzan (old and scheduled to be put down, QH), have a picture of them sleeping just like you have of yours, and to be started under saddle next month, I hope. Isn’t this world small. Harley, was a dun loud appy; now he is practically all roaned out. I grew up in ND, and I fed three of Harley’s grandfathers when I was growing up. I grew up playing on the Sheldak Ranch in eastern ND. The only difference is the ranch he came off of doesn’t do anything with their young horses. So I got him as a two year old and had to start at square one with a big horse. But Harely is a good horse and is ready for the next step.
Sandra–we didn’t grow up very far apart. My family raised Appaloosas right out side of Fargo, and I can remember Dave and Kim Utke, just starting out, coming to buy mares from my grandfather, in the ’60s. Pillars of the breed, those folks.
Oh My Gosh! I’ve been with you since (before) you got Smitty. My first thought as I read your Post was, “Where did the time go?” Smitty’s looking all grown up and he is absolutely gorgeous.
Just wanted to say thank you for sharing your wonderful story. I wish more people would think like you do…..putting the welfare of their horse over the urge to do “what everyone else is doing” attitude. It obviously works….Smitty looks gorgeous, healthy and happy!
I remember the day I saw him in Horse and Rider, I knew right away where this horse came from. Smith Show Horses definately puts a look on their babies. You would never need to brand one because they are identafiable just by their look. Beautiful.