It has been six years since I lost my dream horse, an Arabian who lived to the incredible age of 35—a testament not only to the breed, but to the quality of care he received throughout his life. I finally feel ready to find another full-sized partner to enjoy and care for for many years to come. I am searching for a non-gaited horse standing 16.3 hands or taller, and I am open to geldings, mares, or stallions. I’m drawn to a deep-bodied horse with strong, rounded hindquarters and good angles. I’m open to most colors, although spots and lots of chrome definitely catch my eye! More important is temperament. I’m looking for an uncomplicated, easygoing mind with plenty of “go” when asked, but the ability to settle and dial it back down when needed. My primary interest is dressage, though I’m not a serious show rider. Occasional jumping or driving potential would be a bonus, but neither is required. I don’t believe in forcing a horse into a job it clearly doesn’t enjoy. I would also eventually like a horse quiet and trustworthy enough for a person with special needs to sit on while I lead at a walk. I’m 6'3" and a special education teacher working with students with emotional impairments, so being calm, patient, observant, structured, and consistent comes naturally to me. My philosophy with horses is simple: they are partners before anything else. I believe behavior is communication, and I try to understand what is behind a bolt, spook, refusal, or jump rather than simply reacting to it. I take my time and don’t rush a horse to meet an arbitrary timeline. At the same time, kindness does not mean a lack of boundaries. I believe expectations should be clear and consistent, something I learned through years of working with stallions. Discipline is never met with drama or anger. I currently own a very well-behaved Shetland stallion who genuinely loves to work, and I believe that willingness should be encouraged, not soured through unnecessary pressure. He is not kept with full-sized horses. Having owned an Arabian, I’m also comfortable with intelligent, sensitive, higher-energy horses, and excellent grooming and daily care are simply part of horse ownership to me. I now have a new barn and can offer an excellent long-term home. I’m not looking for a temporary project or simply another horse to fill a stall—I’m looking for the right partner. It took six years to feel ready to look again, so I’m in no rush. I’m willing to wait for the right horse. If you have one who sounds like a potential match, or know of one, I would love to hear from you.