“I’ll never forget the day my mom called me in a panic: ‘Janna, you’ve got to convince your daddy to get rid of that horse, it’s gonna kill him!’”
That’s how Janna Grapperhaus begins her story, one that has touched the hearts of everyone who hears it—a story about a man, a horse, and the extraordinary bond they built together.
Major was not an ordinary horse. When her father bought him, he was young, vicious, and deeply scarred—both physically and emotionally. “He couldn’t be broke,” Janna explained. Major had suffered at the hands of men who used cruel techniques to break horses. They beat him, starved him, and even tied his head tightly between two posts for four long weeks without food or water. The trauma left him fierce, untrusting, and dangerous.
When Major arrived at their home, chaos followed immediately. Within minutes, he barreled through five strands of fence, striking and biting anyone who came near. “My dad never tried to break him,” Janna said. “He didn’t want to force him into submission. He wanted to earn his heart.”
Every single day, for hours on end, Janna’s father worked with Major. Slowly, carefully, with patience and unrelenting love, he gained the horse’s trust. There were setbacks. There were bites, bruises, and moments when it seemed impossible. But he never gave up. And gradually, Major began to respond. He started to let her father touch him, to walk with him, to trust him with his fear and his pain.
After two long years, the impossible happened: Major allowed her father to ride him. The fierce stallion that once struck out at every approach now nuzzled and kissed her father’s head repeatedly, a gesture of affection and loyalty that only those who understand the language of horses can truly comprehend.
Major and her father developed a bond that transcended words—a quiet understanding built on respect, patience, and unconditional love. To watch them together was to witness something almost sacred.
So when her father passed away, it felt right that Major should have his chance to say goodbye. Janna shared the moment with deep reverence: “This is Major’s last kiss.” And with that, the horse, once so broken and afraid, pressed his muzzle gently to the man who had healed him, a final gesture of love, trust, and farewell.
The story of Major and her father is not just about a horse and a man. It’s about the power of patience, compassion, and the transformative nature of love. It’s about proving that even the most damaged beings can be healed when someone is willing to earn their heart. And it’s a reminder that sometimes, the deepest bonds are forged not in ease or comfort, but in dedication, understanding, and unshakable loyalty.
Major’s last kiss wasn’t just a goodbye—it was a celebration of a love that healed a soul, bridged the gap between pain and trust, and left an unforgettable mark on everyone who witnessed it.
