This might seem like a strange title, but there really is a walk that horses do as they approach you that can be classified as the "I Love You" walk. 

One of the horses that is at our ranch is being free leased.  She came from a kids camp that allowed the kids to really haul on her.  She is a dominant horse and this type of treatment does not work on dominant horses.  They tend to sour after a couple of years of such treatment.

Dolly used to try to kick you when you went to catch her.  Not the ideal horse for a kids camp.  I would never have picked her because of her aggression toward humans, but God had another idea.  She is a beautiful horse.  She is a golden dun.  This means most of her body is a lovely golden color, with a black dorsal stripe, black tipped ears and zebra striping on her legs.  Definately a most amazing looking creature.  Standing at 16 hands high, she is also a force to be reckoned with. 

Four days after she arrived, I was due to attend a Parelli clinic.  These clinics teach Natural Horsemanship.  This is similar to the Horse Whispering that many people have heard about.  I decided to take Dolly.  It must have been divine intervention, because it changed the way Dolly viewed humans and especially me. 

She no longer tried to kick or even put her ears back after this clinic.  That was 2 months ago.  We left for a 5 day Christmas break.  When I returned Dolly was so happy to see me.

She did what I call the "I Love You" walk.  If you are ever blessed to have a horse do this for you, it looks like they are swaying back and forth as they walk.  Their ears are forward and their eyes are directed toward you.  This shows no fear or disrespect, only love.  Now some may say that horses are not able to love, but I disagree.  Some horses have defended their owners from danger and many horses take care of their riders.  I think this shows a great deal of emotion and yes, even love.

I am so glad that Dolly has made the leap from an emotionally closed horse to one that is excited when her master approaches.  I am praying that we can buy her and not have her return to the camp in the spring.  I guess God knew what both Dolly and I needed; only He could have made this match. 

I think she would make an amazing Equine Therapy horse because of the difficulties she has been through.  These horses seem to learn from their experiences and can recognize when a child has had a similar experience.  This is why Equine Therapy is so powerful with at risk kids.