Horses

I love horses. No, I adore horses. No, it's more than that. It's an affinity? It's an amazement? This has been going on my entire life. When I was 2 years old, we moved into a wonderful old house. Where the backyard ended, a stable began. Our neighbor had many horses (well, it seemed like a lot at the time), and a few ponies. I used to stand at the back fence and watch them. If I ever went missing, my mother knew where to find me.

I started taking riding lessons at 5. When I was 10, we moved away, and the lessons stopped, much to my dismay. I would ride once in a while, if the opportunity arose.

In my later 20's, I had friends who loved to ride too. We found an awesome stable, and we used to rent horses to ride every weekend.

Finally, my 30th birthday present to myself - a horse. A horse named Blue. Blue was an Appaloosa, and the smartest horse ever. I adored him. He was an older horse when I got him, and I had him for 13 wonderful years. I had to put him down on my 43rd birthday.

Fast forward to our move to the wild southwest. We now have two horses.

Dozer:

Dozer is a big quarter horse. He came from a working ranch, and has the brand to prove it. Steady and strong, he'll do anything you ask him to. I spent a few years riding him in the nearby wild country, until he threw me one day and I broke my back. Not his fault, he was just being a horse. Horses are prey in the wild, and he was scared. My fault, for not sticking on his back while he was spinning to get away from the predator.

Meet Belle:

Belle is a mustang (wild horse). She is a line-back dun and has zebra stripes on her legs. She is brilliant, sweet and loves loves loves kids. I rescued her from a not-so-great situation, almost 4 years ago.

Due to my injury, I don't ride very often anymore. But I still adore these glorious animals, and give lessons to kids.

In my Woolies shop, I love to make horses. Here's my latest one; his name is Winter. I'm planning a seasonal series. Stay tuned for Spring, Summer and Fall.

Another Horse?

So....did you read my post about Cowboy? Great guy, bad arthritis. And the owner was somewhat hesitant, did she decide she didn't like me? What?? After riding him a bit, and walking him around a lot, I told her that I was definitely interested. She said, great, she wanted to come see where he'd be living. I said, fine, anytime, I work from home, I'm around a lot. She said, yep, I've got your numbers.

No word from her. What??

In the meantime, I re-posted my craigstlist ad (looking for an older, beginner's horse, blah blah blah) and got another response. This time I think the horse is not crippled.

Here she is:

Her name is Fancy - she is an Appaloosa mare - older. The owner offered to take me trail riding on her. We're going Sunday morning. The price isn't free, but is WAY reasonable.

I'll let you know!

Cowboy!

Oh Boy! I'm trying to not be too excited, but I might be getting a new horse. His name is Cowboy.
He's a bit older - 18 years old. He's a Paint. He's been ridden in the Tucson Rodeo. He's totally non-spooky. He'd be a great beginner's horse, which would work out wonderfully with my students - I teach beginner riding, to help pay for the expensive hay. And to give my horses a job to do. And to keep me involved with my horses, cause I do not ride like I used to - due to breaking my back after getting thrown 3 years ago.
He's not perfect, he does have arthritis. I won't know until I see him and ride him myself, if it's really bad, or manageable.
I'll let you know, wish me luck! I'm going on Thursday.
:0)