4/8/14

Finding the perfect horse.

Babysitting again while mom continues work on the property! So far we've gotten a ton of stuff done and every day that passes, I'm more and more excited to bring the horses home! I texted "A" a few times this week since I haven't been able to go out and asked how Red was doing with the richer grass/sweet itch and she said she's been checking him over and he doesn't have any hair-loss at all other than the normal shedding, yay! Normally he is already having issues so woohoo, crossing my fingers for an easy Summer! Ordered a new pair of splint boots and a girth for Redman on Stateline Tack. His old girth was too small for the huge built-up saddle pad that I have to use with my roping saddle, and I was borrowing one from "R". I tried using a girth I had at home but it was about 4 inches too large. He's in a 32" right now and when we got him, we used a 28". Pony has gotten chubby! Bought a pair of hunter green front splints to replace his red since he looks like a Christmas pony with red/green. Also sold a red ear bonnet and a red saddle pad this week, yay! Riding Thursday and I'm going to switch out headstalls later, since that's pretty much my obsession. Red has such a pretty head and I love bridles. ;)

Anyways, the other day I saw a post on Hopeful Jumpers and I loved the idea, so I'm somewhat stealing ahem, borrowing, the idea. Basically, I'm just going to have a bit of a back-story then we'll all drool over wonderful, fancy horses.

When I was unable to have horses-yet still looking-I had several wants on the list. Yes, I made a list. And I was picky. I wanted something flashy, preferably a mostly white Paint overo, big bold face and if it had blue eyes, yes. In my budget (No way was I going to get the horse I thought I wanted for less than $1,000, but I dreamed.) and dead-broke, but still willing to, uh, move.
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I wanted a good Western horse that would be capable of being English as well if the mood ever decided to come to me. Had to be tall, 15+hh, and muscular. No thin, scrawny ponies for me.

But then....this dude came along.



And yes, I absoloutly fell in love with the horse that was the exact opposite of what I wanted, but he was exactly what I needed.

Red was scrawny, no muscle, his mane was disgusting and his tail was even worse, he had no hair (darn Florida weather and bugs!) and I'll be honest, he really wasn't the prettiest horse in the world, but I always thought he was stunning. He was lazy, and if you wanted him to trot, you'd have to crop him a lot. He hated moving, he wasn't flashy, he was just Red. (Well, his name is technically Little Red...) But nothing on my list mattered anymore. The second I saw him in the field, I fell in love. I've never connected with a horse like that before so quickly, and I doubt I'll ever connect to this extent again. You all know our story, so I won't go too in-depth, but really. The last horse I would've ever chosen turned out to be my gorgeous, sweet boy and I wouldn't trade him for any horse in the world, Paint or not, but I did think this post idea was fun, so here are the horse's that I would totally want if I could actually afford it. ;) (Sweet itch medication is expensive, y'all.)

Breeds:


1. Paint.

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Like I said above, I've always loved Paints. Their markings are always so different and gorgeous, but I've met a few, well, rude and pushy Paints, so I'd be picky with personalities, haha! My first horse, the mini mare, was a Paint and I loved her, plus..what kid didn't dream of having a Paint just like Rain from Spirit?



2. Mustang.
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 I've always wanted to own a once wild Mustang, they are such an amazing and smart breed, and their personalities are so quirky and different. I'm in no way prepared to own one because they require a lot, and an owner who is more experienced, but I just adore them. It's amazing how so many can go from wild to such wonderful and willing horses!

3. Curly Horse. 
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 Because, come on..who doesn't want a ride-able Teddy Bear?? I've heard great things about this breed, other than from my mom who owned a Curly cross mare and her foal, she said they were evil, but come on! Look how cute!

(Note: I didn't add Quarter Horse because I figured that was pretty much obvious..Quarter's are my favorite breed, duh!)

 Colors:

 1. Bay.

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Of course, my first pick is a Bay. I love Bays, but I'm super picky!! I personally am not a fan of chrome...I know, whatttt? Everyone loves chrome! I wouldn't say no to a horse with it, but I prefer no white at all other than on the face. I'm not sure if it's the same in every rule-book, but I know a lot of places (Pretty much everywhere in my area) do not consider a Bay with socks or any other white other than on the face a true Bay.  I'd prefer no white, or markings like Red has. There's just something so classy about a solid Bay!

2. Buckskin.
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 I love pretty much all Buckskins, whether they are "sooty" like the one above, a buttermilk or whatever. I still prefer no chrome, but I'm a little less picky with a Buckskin. Love love love dapples!!

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And if it has a long, totally natural mane??? Even better!

3.  Dapple Grey.

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Of course, I had to add a flashy grey. I love flea-bitten greys as well, but dapples are just so stinkin' gorgeous.

And of course, I have other favorites but if I listed them all, this post would be WAY too long! So, I'll end with a question! What is your dream horse? Describe it from breed to color to personality if you want!

9 comments:

  1. A fancy one who will take me places doing Derby's :)

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  2. I want a Thoroughbred with a sweet personality, one that I could have a great bond with. He doesn't need to be bomb proof, but I want a horse confident enough not to spook at everything. Dark bay is my favorite color, though color is negotiable.

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    1. Red will spook at the occasional thing. It's definitely nice knowing that I can-mostly, there's always a chance-trust him to keep me safe!

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  3. Its funny I don't care about color anymore, although I do prefer the darker ones like bays and black and een sorrels way more than any of the yellows or greys. But since my first horse was a super pretty red dun with a highlighted mane and I have a really pretty back and white paint I kinda prefer my red horse with a red mane and tail. And being in the cutting world where everyother horse is roan or has lots of chrome I dont care about that much either see it all the time

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    1. It's definitely not a major concern with me anymore. :) I love being able to say, "Oh my horse is gorgeous!" but looks don't make the horse! My mom once had a hideous Appalooas, black and white snow blanket and an amazing build, but she had no mane or tail and had the mottled skin, but that was her heart horse and she loved her more than anything! :) I've just been raised with my mom who doesn't really like chrome either so I guess that's where I get it from, haha!

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  4. Oh my gosh, that curly horse is so cute! But OMG can you imagine trying to take care of all. the. hair?!

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    1. I know right?? Apparently they are hypo-allergenic. A friend of mine has one and she said the only time that she hates is when he is shedding, but apparently he isn't too hard to take care of!

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