“Honeysuckle”

In rare instances, a horse can quickly capture a heart – even when they are timid and have some trust issues.  It becomes something amazing when that horses’ once timid and cautious personality gives way to confidence, with a willingness to please, and a sweetness that endears her to whomever she meets. That was Honeysuckle.

If you never got the chance to meet Honeysuckle, allow me to introduce her.  Honeysuckle was a dark silver dapple (chocolate with dapples) Rocky Mountain Horse.  Born on April 1, 2008, Honeysuckle’s Sire was Fairwind’s Destiny, and her registered name was Destiny’s Dixie Chick. She stood 16 hands high and had a flaxen mane and tail that looked like she had highlights.  Honey was donated to Runner Branch Stables (RBS), our horse farm, by Kenny Higgins of Cleveland, TN, for use with the horse therapy program, the Shalom Story. 

Honey’s ability to capture hearts was undeniable. She never met a stranger and her absolute love of life radiated from her. She enjoyed being in the presence of people, but the one she most adored was David, co-owner of RBS. As a patient and confident handler and rider, Honey blossomed under David’s care. She was noted as being an exceptional horse, very eager and willing to please, one that would be an enthusiastic participant in healing the hearts of people, and one that would continue to develop into a fabulous riding companion.

Honey never got the chance to participate in a therapy session and David never got the opportunity to continue her development. We lost Honeysuckle to colic on March 20, 2023.  Honeysuckle has now become the embodiment of Runner Branch Stables and all we hope to achieve – through our vacation rental home, our horses, riding lessons, equestrian encounters, and the equine therapy program, the Shalom Story. We will forever honor her memory with the adoption of her facial silhouette for our logo.

We hope you one day have the opportunity to meet a horse like Honeysuckle – we are sure you will never forget the encounter.