“Unicorns Do Exist” is the motto of the International Unicorn Association. It all started back in 2009 when LeAnne Hosmer’s family brought home a very special weanling filly that they named Freya, but they didn’t really realize quite how special she would be. They knew her sire was a Gypsy Vanner, but the breed of her beautiful mother was a mystery. They did notice though that not only was Freya a rare magical Medicine Hat horse, but she also had a marking on her forehead that looked like where a horn would grow. Sure enough, Freya became Freya the Unicorn.
LeAnne had grown up admiring Unicorns, she even saw her first real Unicorn at the Ringling Bros. Circus back in the 1980s. Now that she had her own Unicorn, she wanted to bring this breed back from myth. Unicorns are not just a myth though, they are actually biblical. Unicorns are in the bible multiple times. Psalm 92:10 “But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.”
Another one is Psalm 22:21 “Save me from the lion’s mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.” This psalm is particularly special to LeAnne because she is an Army veteran with PTSD and they all say that Freya is her Therapy Unicorn. Using equine therapy, Freya has helped LeAnne work through her PTSD symptoms. Freya the Unicorn became more of a companion rather than just a riding horse. Freya would follow her around everywhere like a farm dog. They even competed twice together in the Heroes on Horses Veterans class at Quarter Horse Congress.
Children and adults alike loved Freya the Unicorn. She loved to wait at the fence to watch the kids at the school bus stop while they all waved to her as the bus drove away. LeAnne always wondered what the parents said when their children came home telling them that they saw a real Unicorn. Adults would even ask questions about real Unicorns. They believed in her. It’s just a magical feeling that Unicorns bring to people of all ages, young and old.
After doing a lot of research of this special equine breed, LeAnne decided to create an association and a community for others who also have Unicorns. The love of Unicorns is worldwide, so the International Unicorn Association was born. Freya the Unicorn became the ambassador of IUA and is the first ever registered Unicorn. The association started in central Ohio and has grown to over 50 registered Unicorns around the globe and is always growing. It’s fun to have and share about your Unicorn, but it’s awesome to be able to say “I have a registered Unicorn.”
The IUA also created this great community of Unicorn owners. While IUA doesn’t yet have breed shows or point systems like other breed associations, they do attend parades, open shows and other fun things in the community. They also share fun stories like an escaped Unicorn caught by the police, visits to Starbucks, and showing support for Pride month. There is also a registered Unicorn that was born with her horn! IUA encourages their members to get out there and promote their registered Unicorns.
As the association gets bigger, more opportunities may open up. It is a dream to have a Unicorn breed specific show once there are enough members to participate in one. A typical show with different types of classes with one main requirement, they have to be registered Unicorns. Registering your Unicorn is simple. There is a form to fill out on the IUA website and you’ll need a ‘conformation’ photo of your Unicorn and one lifetime registry fee after being contacted.
With Unicorns being a rare and special breed, how would you know if you even have one? Oh you will know. There is no specific color or pattern, no specific cross breed or size. There’s a magic in them that certain people can feel, sense and see. A lot of people call them heart horses because they don’t realize what they actually have. Do you ever think about why they are your heart horse? They aren’t always your best trained horse or your most well-behaved horse (though sometimes they are) but there is something extra in them. Maybe you notice they are the first to the fence when they see you or always in your pocket wanting to be with you instead of the herd. They lift your spirits when you are down or you just know you have a strong communication bond with them even without words or direction. If this sounds like your horse, take a harder look, you may just have a Unicorn in disguise because…
Unicorns Do Exist!
By LeAnne Hosmer
