meet J!!!!

hey guys!!!
Let me introduce you to one of my best friends, J (he actually has a much longer name, but no one calls him that! :) , a blanket Appaloosa. I've been spending time with J since 2007. J is awesome.

J is blind. What does that mean for those of us who work with him? Only that we need to get to know him, and know how to work with him as a--not disabled--but just as who he is. Because he can't see you coming at him, you have to speak to him as you walk up to him.
I think J was one of the things that helped me in 2007 when I witnessed the death of a special young horse named Lady. Just as I could be there for J, J could be there for me.

J and I are friends now, but working with him used to seem a lot more unsure...when we didn't know each other as well, and of course J had to get used to this idea of being "messed with" twice a week...and I think now, most of the time, he appreciates and likes it...and usually seems glad to hear me coming. :)