Nattie
- Registered Name: EZ Rocker National Freedom
- Barn Name: Nattie
- Breed: Clydesdale
- Registered: Yes
- Foaled: 7/02/2023
- Color: Bay
- Sire: Still Brooks Cherokee
- Dam: Valentines Norma Jean
- Lineage: We don’t know a ton about the horses in Nattie’s lineage, however her grandpa and great grandpa are well known sires in the Clydesdale world, Jonesway Lochlyn and Big & Rich Of Irish Thunder.
In April 2024, we traveled to the National Clydesdale Sale in Springfield, Illinois—one of the largest and most prestigious Clydesdale auctions in the country. With over 115 registered, well-bred Clydesdales consigned, it was the ideal setting to find a suitable companion for our beloved Oliver.
We had already visited several draft horse auctions in search of the perfect match but had yet to find the right fit. This time, we made it our mission to thoroughly evaluate every horse, taking the time to carefully consider each candidate. Several mares caught our attention, but then we met her—and everything changed.
Her registered name was EZ Rocker National Freedom — but to us, she’s simply Nattie.
Nattie was smaller than most, just 10 months old — thin and clearly underweight. But the moment we looked into her soft brown eyes and felt her gentle muzzle rest on our shoulders, we were completely captivated. There was something unexplainable about her — a quiet, sweet presence that stole our hearts instantly.
Given her condition, we hoped Nattie might fall within our price range, holding onto the hope that we could bring her home to join Oliver and our growing herd. But to our surprise, she sold for more than we could afford. In that moment, a familiar ache settled in our hearts—just like when we first left with Oliver, trailer empty and spirits heavy.
It felt as though we were leaving behind not just a horse, but a kindred spirit who deserved a chance at healing and a better life. In the moment, the weight of that loss was difficult to bear, but our compassion for her only grew stronger. We knew deep down that her story wasn’t over, and neither was ours.
Though that day ended in disappointment, our resolve to care for horses like Nattie only grew stronger. We held onto faith that the right path would unfold, trusting that one day she would find her way home to us.
The sale ran from Thursday through Saturday, and we returned home Saturday night, our thoughts still with her. Then, on Sunday, everything changed.
On Sunday, Jr received an unexpected phone call from the sale barn. The winning bidder had backed out—Nattie was still available. Without hesitation, Jr answered, “We’ll take her.” Just like that, she was ours—at a price far lower than we ever imagined possible.
But Jr had a plan. He chose to keep it to himself, knowing that the moment we found out, we would all want to bring her home immediately. So, with quiet determination, he hooked up the truck under the pretense that the neighbors had broken down with their horse trailer—a small white lie—and quietly set out on the road.
Meanwhile, back at home, none of us had any idea what Jr was truly up to. It was a moment filled with love, hope, and a touch of surprise—one that would soon bring Nattie home, into our family.
A few hours later, as we went about our day, we looked up and saw Jr walking over the hill—an image that instantly lifted our spirits. But it wasn’t just Jr; right beside him was Nattie, her gentle presence unmistakable. At that moment, time seemed to stand still.
She was home.
The weight of the journey, the uncertainty, and the waiting all melted away. Our hearts swelled with joy, gratitude, and a profound sense of peace. Seeing her safe and sound, standing beside Jr, reminded us why we do what we do—to give these incredible animals a second chance at life, love, and belonging.
It was a moment of pure, overwhelming happiness—a homecoming we had all longed for and prayed would happen.
Today, Nattie is thriving at Homestead Horsemanship—living a life filled with love, attentive care, and the companionship of her new teammate, Oliver. She is truly one of the sweetest souls we’ve ever known, and we are profoundly grateful that fate—and Jr’s quiet determination—brought her safely home.
From the very moment we met her, Nattie captured our hearts. Now, she has a home to match.
