Our Story: Casey Dean and Little Man

34 Comments

  1. RaChelle on September 26, 2016 at 9:20 pm

    How Little man was injured is a tragedy. The fact that his loving humans spent so much love and ENERGY, as well as I can only imagine the money, is no negative person’s right to question or judge.. Little Man is doing what he loves. Retiring him would be boring for him. Let him have a full life! What an uplifting story, thank you for sharing it.

  2. Kim on June 24, 2014 at 2:29 pm

    I’ve been searching the internet for an update on Little Man and Casey but haven’t been able to find anything. I hope they are both healthy and happy!

  3. Christina Jackson on May 24, 2014 at 6:08 pm

    Absolutely love this story!!!! I have been privileged to own a couple horses with a will to live like Lil Man. Animals know what they can do!!! THEY tell you when it is enough IF you listen. Well wishes to the Dean family and Lil Man. You go with that heart of gold!!!!

  4. meg on April 16, 2014 at 10:08 pm

    Love hearing this story, and for those who keep saying she should have retired this horse, must not be able to see the will and passion in this horse. If he didn’t love his job he wouldn’t be back out doing what he loves. This is probably a 1100lb horse if he didn’t want to do this he wouldn’t. Its like telling a human with a back injury that the doctor has cleared them to walk again but they probably should just always use a wheel chair. Where there’s a will there’s a way. I think his family did a wonderful job not only giving him his life back but letting him return to something he loves!!!!

  5. Kristy Campbell on February 28, 2014 at 11:25 pm

    I lost my 18 year old son in 2013. “We” rode horses from the time he could fit in a backpack, on my gaited horse, he loved it but would go to sleep, then, his own Shetland pony, then Patches, a 52″ gaited mare, so we never did anything but the fun shows, 4H, and COUNTY Fair. This video I watch often to remember and share, to carry on his love of Tess, Patches and the Independence County (Arkansas) Fair.

  6. Lorraine on October 22, 2013 at 6:47 pm

    An amazing touching and heartfelt story with an absolutely beautiful ending. Both have hearts of gold and perseverance. Not everyone understands the love and trust between a person and a 1,000 lb animal with a big heart, both of which will do anything for the other. Here’s to many years together on the circuit doing what you both so passionately love.

  7. Lee Lynch on October 22, 2013 at 12:26 am

    A truly inspiring story of overcoming great odds and the love that made it happen. What courage it took to bring back Little Man to do what he loves doing and letting him know that he wasn’t given up on and set out to pasture! An analogy well worth considering for some of humans that suffer tragedy or our elderly!

  8. Cyndi on October 13, 2013 at 5:39 pm

    One hour ago!!!
    Casey and Little Man won youth with a 15.000 at Yankeetown Arena. Yaaaaaaay! Open still to run.

  9. Resa Russell on October 9, 2013 at 10:02 am

    Not just an inspiring story ~ although that alone is well worth sharing! What a testimony this brings to us all. First of all we can’t just give up on something we love if there is a chance of success. I believe there is always hope. Also, if you love something ~ do it! Don’t risk having regrets for not doing something you love because it isn’t the “in” thing or what the rest of your friends/family are doing or will approve of. Be yourself ~ just as the song shares. Yes, there are boundaries ~ sometimes they are meant to be stretched! Hope lots of young people find their inspiration in the strength & love of this family.

  10. Rachel Countryman on October 5, 2013 at 2:55 pm

    Amazing story…this is what having a horse own you is all about. The love, the tears and the dedication and teamwork. I am so happy that this has turned into a happy ending.

  11. patti j armstrong on October 4, 2013 at 10:15 pm

    Casey – both you and Little Man are THE BEST!! I stand up and applaud you and your family for the hard work, determination, and most of all the love and trust you have in one another. I had a quarter-horse in my early teens and ran the barrels, jumps, etc. I still greave my “Blacky Girl” – after loosing her 52 years ago. Thank you for sharing your story.

  12. Lisa Halbert on October 2, 2013 at 11:36 am

    Lovely Stacy, thanks for sharing! Some horses people or dogs do not want to retire/slow down. So I’m sure she let Little Man tell her what he wanted to do. I’ve found older horses (and dogs) seem sad when they are left behind at home even if we humans think it’s for their own good. What I’ve done as my fur-kids get older or develop issues, is to always still do something with my older loyal partner first or pony them out instead of riding. Of course the story reminds me of you and Vaquero and also my TB mare Ninny I lost to EPM. Sometimes there are treatment options/ miracles. Other times we do need to hold onto the memories of what was. hugs!

  13. Kris Siekierski on October 1, 2013 at 2:24 pm

    Watching, remembering my youth barrel racing my 14 hand Morgan Sky Rocket and wishing they had high school riding in No. Grosvenordale, CT in 1982, amazed at this horses speed. Then balling my eyes out seeing him trying to walk, his eye, and laying down. So glad he has recovered. Was also wondering how he sustained the head injury?

  14. Linda Harpst on October 1, 2013 at 11:23 am

    To anyone who has ever loved that special horse, this a story of great courage and hope.
    Just unbelievable! Thank you for sharing this.

  15. Julie Hankins on September 30, 2013 at 9:04 pm

    Awesome story thanks for sharing!

  16. Russ Hosier on September 30, 2013 at 5:35 pm

    Terrific story of determination and hope. Please tell us how the accident happened. It may help someone else.
    Thanks, Stacey

    • Stacy on October 1, 2013 at 8:53 pm

      From Beth Dean’s FB page, “I have had a lot of messages asking how Little Man was injured.
      On May 29 2012 the horses were in the pasture, we had a morning storm move through very quickly and fierce. I saw the lightning and heard it hit close but didn’t see anything abnormal. A few hours later Little Man made it to the gate and we knew then it was bad. With no wounds at all not even muddy we had no idea. Quickly we called the Vet out and they started him on major doses of DMSO in the vein which helped the inflammation they were thinking Colic then the facial paralysis began. Baffled still it came to all of us almost at the same time. THAT DAMN STORM! We then took him to Equine Services for X-rays and there it was a base skull fracture. This injury is usually caused from 1 of 2 things an end over end tumble or getting a head caught in a fence we have high tensil fence so it obviously wasn’t the cause. Little Man was literally knocked off of his feet or in flight he stumbled only GOD really knows which.”

  17. Julie Spaan Brown on September 30, 2013 at 11:16 am

    Loved your story, this is what I mean to be a horse owner till the end, They were there for us, and we should be there all the way for them !
    Thank you

  18. Nikki Bieber on September 30, 2013 at 5:03 am

    Eye watering Story! Thanks Casey for sticking around your friend!

  19. Tami Tillman on September 30, 2013 at 12:59 am

    as I sit with tears rolling down my face, I have to ask, how did the injury happen? Quite the miracle no matter what.

    • Stacy on October 1, 2013 at 8:54 pm

      From Beth Dean’s FB page, “I have had a lot of messages asking how Little Man was injured.
      On May 29 2012 the horses were in the pasture, we had a morning storm move through very quickly and fierce. I saw the lightning and heard it hit close but didn’t see anything abnormal. A few hours later Little Man made it to the gate and we knew then it was bad. With no wounds at all not even muddy we had no idea. Quickly we called the Vet out and they started him on major doses of DMSO in the vein which helped the inflammation they were thinking Colic then the facial paralysis began. Baffled still it came to all of us almost at the same time. THAT DAMN STORM! We then took him to Equine Services for X-rays and there it was a base skull fracture. This injury is usually caused from 1 of 2 things an end over end tumble or getting a head caught in a fence we have high tensil fence so it obviously wasn’t the cause. Little Man was literally knocked off of his feet or in flight he stumbled only GOD really knows which.”

  20. Loretta on September 29, 2013 at 10:53 pm

    A beautiful story of true
    love

  21. Susan Walker on September 29, 2013 at 9:37 pm

    I love this I watch it over over this girls bond is amazing with her lil man ! I cried it made my hair stand up!

  22. Kathy Theriot on September 29, 2013 at 8:49 pm

    14 hands and a heart as big as all outdoors. What a wonderful team.

  23. Kate Syssoloff on September 29, 2013 at 7:36 pm

    I would have retired him. He deserved it.

  24. Marsha on September 29, 2013 at 7:25 pm

    wonderfully inspiring story of a determined horse and the girl who obviously loves him. I was wondering how he got the skull fracture though. Can you share that?

  25. irisvillagegirl on September 29, 2013 at 6:52 pm

    Very inspiring and heartwarming! Made me cry! Hope he is doing okay! That is one special horse! Thanks for sharing Stacy!

  26. Casey Dean on September 29, 2013 at 6:36 pm

    Thank you Stacy for putting our story on your blog. It amazes me that it has touched so many peoples hearts. Little Man and I are very thankful to have everyone cheering us on!

    • Stacy on October 1, 2013 at 8:57 pm

      Are you kidding me!!!! This story can stand on its own all day long and it was a privilege to be able to share it:)

  27. Stacy Church on September 29, 2013 at 6:28 pm

    Choked me up! What a beautiful relationship and story. He gave his all!

  28. Marvelitsky on September 29, 2013 at 6:06 pm

    Why not just retire the poor little horse after that ordeal?? he probably got injured trying to please a human in the first place.

  29. deltamyhome on September 29, 2013 at 6:00 pm

    This is a very inspiring story. Thanks for sharing

  30. mariah massaro on September 29, 2013 at 5:57 pm

    how did he get the fracture & why on earth would you not just pleasure ride him after that surely he deserved better

    • Sharon Avery on October 2, 2013 at 4:22 am

      It’s clear that this horse was VERY special to the Dean family and once he was given a go by the Vets that worked their asses off to save him, let him do what he clearly loves to do. His injury was caused by an indirect lightning strike while out the pasture during a spring storm. Hats off to Casey, Little Man, her family for putting out the money to get him well and the vets. Go Casey!! You have a GREAT horse under you……..go for the gold.

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