JJ Luck
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This story tells the life of a very special and knowing horse named JJ luck. JJ Luck was bred to be a racing horse. His father was Geneo JJ from the famous Go Man Go bloodline. His mother, Windy’s Luck, was also of racing decent and her lineage included Man of War and Sea Biscuit. With his pedigree, it was no wonder that this young colt would grow up to be a special horse. However, he would not grow up to be a famous racing horse as so many of his relatives had been. Thankfully for many people in this world JJ chose a different path. In Horse of Fire, JJ tells us about his life and his life with Fire Horse-- his human counterpart. He shares his life as a race horse, a 3-day event horse and his experiences in natural horsemanship. It is in the world of natural horsemanship that he and Fire Horse begin to blossom. They are invited to give national demonstrations on horsemanship with an internationally renowned horseman and this leads to numerous adventures. In the course of their journey Fire Horse and JJ find themselves in the realm of equine guided education. It is here that they tap into something that they already had—an intuitive and knowing relationship. With this base, they study with another master horsewoman and learn how to use the intuition and nature of the horse to help people. JJ is a natural as a horse guide and he shares his experiences in learning to help people with various challenges in their lives.This is a special story. It will touch your heart. It will appeal to horse-lovers and animal lovers alike.
Lisa Pruitt received her Ph.D. from Brown University in 1993 and since that time she has been a professor of Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering at UC Berkeley. She works in the area of orthopedic devices and structural tissues. She has nearly 200 publications in her research field. Dr. Pruitt received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.
Lisa has loved horses all of her life. Over the past several years she has immersed herself into the study of natural horsemanship and the use of horses in equine-guided education. Most recently she has been working with her own horses to help facilitate her mentoring practice.
Lisa lives in Sonoma County with her husband and daughter, and her two horses. Horse of Fire was inspired by her experiences with her exceptional and knowing horse named JJ Luck.
Many years ago on a beautiful spring day, April 20th to be exact, a special colt was born into this world. He was bold and charismatic, and exceedingly smart. This creature seemed to glow with his fiery chestnut coat and flowing mane. He had been bred to run. His father was a racing horse named Geneo JJ, with the famous Go Man Go bloodline. His mother, Windy’s Luck, was also of racing descent and her lineage included Man of War and Sea Biscuit. It was no wonder that this young colt would grow up to be a special horse. However, he would not grow up to be a famous racing horse as so many of his ancestors had been. Thankfully for many people in this world, JJ chose a different path.
According to horse astrology, horses born between March 21st and April 20th, are Arian horses born under the sign of the Ram. Astrologists say that these horses are seldom appropriate for the novice rider. Often these horses are fiery in both color and temperament- a horse of fire. The Arian horse is courageous with irrepressible energy. They are often ideal as eventers, hunters, or racehorses. These horses like to win, lead and celebrate in themselves. These horses are not happy being backyard horses and they won’t be happy pulling a clumsy cart as they know that they are far too special for such a task. If he is not utilized to his potential, the Arian horse may become known for his naughty behavior. There will be many times in his life when people will curse this horse. However, it is said that if you can ‘manage’ this horse then he will be the best ride of your life.
JJ Luck certainly had all the attributes of an Arian horse. This probably contributed to his short career in racing. He was not fond of the starting gates, and he did not particularly care to have his rear end paddled on racing days. JJ would run when he pleased. Other times, if he did not want to run he would rear, buck, or refuse to move. JJ actually won a few races—when he felt like it—but he soon learned that he didn’t care for the sport. JJ was retired at the age of three. A horse that manages to have himself retired at the age of three without injury is a pretty smart fellow.
JJ was sold to a new owner who placed him in a large pasture so that he could recover from his racing career before starting his new career as a jumping horse. He was placed in pasture with a herd of horses. It wasn’t the most luxurious life—and certainly nothing like his life as a racehorse. When JJ was racing he had lived in a manicured stall that was bedded with deep soft straw. He had been fed high quality grain, and was groomed and exercised daily. At night when it was cold he had been blanketed for warmth. He had enjoyed the travel and his fans on the racing circuit. In fact he had lived like royalty while he was a racehorse. JJ thought back to his racing days and realized that his racing life had been pretty good—well, except for the racing part. JJ had imagined a different life as a retired horse. He had thought that in his retirement he would keep all the luxuries of the racing life-- but that was not how his retirement worked.
In his post-racing home, he lived outdoors with a herd of horses in a large rocky pasture. JJ found himself low in the herd pecking order and he rarely had first choice of food. Often he grazed on the remaining hay that was left after the other horses were done eating. In this environment, JJ lost his glossy shine and became gaunt with his ribs protruding under his dull coat. This wasn’t the life he was supposed to have. As the year progressed he found himself quite depressed by the circumstances in his life.
Over the course of the year JJ was put up for sale. Many people came to look at him. His advertisement described him as a beautiful bright chestnut with great athleticism. The problem was that when people arrived to see him they saw a young gangly horse who did not yet have much training or balance. One day a young woman came to see him. Like the others, she noted his gangly experience and imbalance but she also saw a spark in his eyes and a grace in his movement. She left that day without him and JJ was heartbroken. Wouldn’t anyone take him home and let him blossom into the horse he was meant to be? He was discouraged—he had thought there was a connection with that woman. She too was a fiery chestnut and born in the sign of Aries—didn’t she know that they were destined to be together? He was sure of it. Weeks went by and he remained in his pasture with no one to love him. One day his owner placed JJ in the horse trailer. He wondered—where am I going now? When he arrived at the new farm he was disoriented. Where was he? Then JJ saw her--the woman who had ridden him just a few weeks ago. JJ decided to call her Fire Horse. JJ was certain that he and Fire Horse would be together through all of time. She was his destiny and he would blossom in her care—he knew it. He had come home finally. Fire Horse turned him out into a large pasture and JJ celebrated—he galloped and bucked in his exuberance—he was spectacular to watch. What follows is the story of this very special horse.
