SAN ANTONIO – Not knowing if he'd ever be able to ride again, U.S. Army veteran and double amputee David Carpenter sold his beloved horse after losing both his legs.
While serving in Afghanistan in 2013, Carpenter was severely injured by three IEDs. When he returned to the states, doctors were initially able to save one of his legs.
During that time, he met Sandee Slattery, the owner of Limerick Horse Stables, and bought a horse named Valentino.
Over time, the attempt to save Carpenter's remaining leg failed and it had to be amputated. Carpenter made the decision to sell Valentino to one of Slattery's friends.
"I was in my wheelchair so much and I didn't want him (Valentino) to sit. And I just didn't think I'd be able to ride again and I kind of lost hope in being able to do that," he said.
Apart for a year, the Purple Heart recipient said he missed his horse terribly.
"It was a really dark and depressing time," Carpenter said.
Four weeks ago, Carpenter and Valentino were reunited after purchasing him again.
"When I went to pick him up, he recognized me right away. He knew my voice. He came over to the fence. He knows I'm not like a normal person and he treats me differently than anyone else. He's never going anywhere without me ever again," Carpenter said.