"I was head over heels in love."-Tera Barker

My horse story began about 10 years ago, when i was maybe 8 or 9. Our neighbor's pasture runs in our backyard, so when the horses were out there I would cut up an apple and get some carrots and run outside to see them. I knew all of them by name and knew all of their personalities. They were/still are so special to me and they are to blame for my passion for horses. Of course, like everything else, horses don't last forever so I have had to say goodbye to a few in the last 10 years. And those horses were the ones that taught me everything I know today; how to ride, how to fall off, how to clean a stall, how to groom, as well as patience and responsibility. Then it seemed like so many horse-doors opened for me. I made a ton of friends in the horse world. I had more horse opportunities than ever! About three years ago, a lady at my church found out I loved horses and she invited me out to her place. Little did I know that her and her husband owned the Highland Saddle Club and that I would fall in love with a pony there. I started out just cleaning stalls, brushing horses, and watering the arena. I didn't get paid, just did it because I loved it. And that leads me to Popcorn. No, not the food. He is a 14 year old pony (not sure exactly what breed he is). The first time I saw him I was head over heels in love. He is such a good boy but can be a pain at times, typical pony. Popcorn quickly became "my" pony. I started longing him and working him whenever I had the chance. When I heard about the shows that they have there I really wanted to be in it. So I began working with Popcorn in showmanship. He was pretty good at it too. We got first place the first time I showed him. I was so proud and happy! I have been showing him for 3 years now and I'm enjoying every minute of it. The last show we got third out of ten but I was still super happy because so of those other horses were kinda intimidating and looked better than my little pony. When I walked out of the arena, back to the barn to put Popcorn in his stall, so many people stopped me and said that they loved my pony and they thought he was so cute. I said thank you and took the credit, but deep down I was sad because he really isn't mine. They might as well give him to me after all of the free work I've done over the last 3 years. But you never know. I'm still hopeful. :)

Thank you so much for sending in the story, Tera! You can find her here on Pinterest 

He has turned from the horse nobody wanted, to the horse everyone can't stop talking about.-Bailey G

 I am *in love* with this boy! Thanks for sending in your story, Bailey! :) I enjoyed it a lot!

This is my pretty boy Big D's Got it Good (Diego). He is a 9yr old Friesian sport horse. I meet him 3 years ago in need of a new jumping horse. The first ride, he barely knew how to turn. I don't know what I was thinking, but I agreed to lease him, training him, helping him. He had an eventful life of walking in circles once a week. And I later learned he had been abused before, tried to be trained by "cowboys" with harsh methods. And they sold her to a young girl saying he was finished. Well she used a curb, that being his first bit he did something, I don't know what,  to make her parents think he was dangerous enough to drop him off at a barn, saying he was "killer". I see nothing of that old horse he used to be. He turned out to be one heck of a jumper, clearing 3'5" with ease in the first few months of jumper training. We compete in dressage and show jumping, and next year 3-day eventing. Over the past 3 years we have both taught each other SO much, and has turned from the horse nobody wanted, to the horse everyone can't stop talking about.

Thank you!
     -Bailey G.

 

Remember, if you want YOUR story featured, shoot me an email at Superspecialninja@gmail.com! :)

Congratulaaaations!!

This weekend has just been awful. We took in a foster child for the weekend, a respit, which was fine, great even, then we had to take temporary custody of one of my nieces, who is extremely fussy. Her parents are going through extremely tough stuff and we had to help her out. We're trying to figure out how to juggle everything right now. Luckily, we have a break for tonight and possibly longer, not sure. Praying that our break is long term!!! Now we just have "Petey" my soon to be adopted brother and everyone is out right now other than me..I wanted quietness and blog time.

I'm mainly posting this to give an online friend, Grace, a big congrats on getting her first horse, named Glory. :) Congratulations, Grace!!!! (You can find her here on Pinterest until she makes a blog of her own) Glory is beautiful and I know you'll have a wonderful future ahead with her. :)

 Glory is a 14.3 Rocky Mountain mare, who was a show horse but is now used for trails. She is western broke and has a 4 beat gait, in the words of Grace.

 If any of you all have advice for a first time horse owner, leave it below in a comment!! I know that Grace would love to read all of them.

Muddy River becomes a Splash-By Kim Spinnan

Muddy River becomes a Splash.

By Kim Spinnan

 

The first time I saw my horse, he wasn't mine. 

 

In the large paddock, my neighbors', was that horse, the neighbors' under-ridden beauty, a buckskin mountain of energetic horseflesh.  Every day since I had first seen the horse they called Muddy River, I tried to convince my dad to buy me my own horse.

Although my dad is an amazing guy, he couldn't create money out of thin air, and the answer was unconvinced maybe.   I began saving money from  my birthdays, Christmas' and  from selling home sewn shirts.   By the end of the year, I had made $442.76....not nearly enough for a horse.   Feeling discouraged, I took a walk down to see Muddy River.

At their front gate, I stopped dead and thought I was seeing things.

In front of the house was a "For Sale" sign!  I thought would feint! If they moved, they would take Muddy River away and I'd possibly never see him again! I ran right up and knocked on the door. 

By the time my neighbor's husband answered, I was calmed down.

"So your moving?" Was the first thing I said.

"Are you taking your horse?" Was the second.

"Well, I don't know," He mused. "He's quite a handful and we have a lot of work to do..."

Without letting him finish, I asked, "Are you looking for a home for him?" I had high hopes now.

"Well, I guess. Why?"

"Can I buy him?"

"No, you can have him." He said with a smile.

I could not wait to tell dad! Soon, They brought Splash over (I renamed him immediately.) and I  him settled in the, long prepared, stall.  

 

Splash has worded wonders in my life. He has taught me to be patient and never loose hope.      Mostly he taught me responsibility.  Especially with money.

 

Thank you for sending in your story, Kim!!

" I am a better horsewoman because of her."-Hannah Diane. (A guest post!)

 I have enjoyed reading these stories that have been sent in SO much! This one came from Hannah Diane, the owner of a drop-dead gorgeous grey!!! Thank you for sending it in, Hannah! I loved reading it! PS: You can find her blog here.

What is his/her registered and barn name? She doesn't have a registered name that I know of...but when I bought her, I named her Ameera, which is Arabic for princess.

How old? She was 2.5 when I got her- 3, almost 4, now.

- What breed? A paint- but she looks like she has a lot of QH and Arabian in her. She has only two spots that are "painted".

Lineage? ?????

Discipline? Training her in English and Western, by Parelli Natural Horsemanship 

What is one thing that your horse hates? Anything she decides she doesn't want to do! :) She doesn't like the western saddle- she doesn't mind my bareback pad, but she hates the big saddle.

What is your favorite thing about your horse? Her beautiful confirmation and her personality. She's a "pocket pony", always wanting to be in my pocket.

How would he/she introduce her/himself to a new herd of horses? Leave everyone alone and expect them to do the same! When other come up to her, she freaks out and runs. If she's the first one there, though, she holds her ground and let's them know who's boss! ;-)

Ameera has taught me a lot of patience and determination! I thought I was a very determined person- until I got her. She's made me step out of my comfort zone and deal with problems before they get big. When I trained her last summer, I never got her fully rideable and then with my senior year this past fall and spring, she went crazy...

Long story short- the Lord worked it out for me to buy my neighbor's pen and move Ameera to my property. In the three weeks I've had her here, we are farther along in our training than we ever got last summer. My poor mother is scared of horses in general, but loves Ameera and my grandma is the wonderful person to foster me since-I-was-born love of horses. One of her best friends, Eunice Rush, wrote the books "Know You, Know Your Horse" (http://www.amazon.com/Know-Your-Horse-Personalities-Relationships/dp/1570765200) and "Led By Horses" (http://www.amazon.com/Led-Horses-Why-Horse-Laughs/dp/1410752569).  Between my grandma and Eunice, I didn't stand a chance...my love of horses wasn't going away. I'm just so blessed to have their support all the way! Even when a "crazy" 17 year old decided her first horse was going to be an untrained 2 year old mare. There were quite a few people who, when they heard what I was doing, told me it wasn't wise to get her- and you know what? They were probably right. But I am so thankful I got her! We've had our ups and downs- but I don't know what I would do without her!! I am a better horsewoman because of her. I am very blessed!

~Hannah Diane

 Don't forget, if you have a special horse you'd like to share about, shoot me an email! (My email is in the previous guest post) You don't have to add pictures, but I'd prefer them just so people can see your gorgeous fuzzy BFF's, but it's no necessary. If you have a blog, I'll link back to your blog as long as I feel comfortable sharing it with my audience. Thank y'all so much for sending this in, this has been fun so far!! Only doing this through July 1st, so send them in soon. ;) ;) I'll probably do it again, but not for awhile unless one of you guys send me an extremely amazing story and I just have to post it. Which isn't that hard, I'm amazed easily.

"She is always there for me."-Taylor Ewing

 I was very happy to be able to post about Flicka, Taylor's horse that is often blogged about here and featured on Pinterest occasionally. I "met" Taylor on Pinterest and I have enjoyed reading her blog and talking horses with her. Hahaha! So, without further adieu, here is the most recent guest post. If you have a story-or more than one!!-please comment and I'll get in touch with you and I will feature you as well! 

Currently I have 6 horses. Flicka, Pistol, Blaze, Dom, Jessie, and Willie. Flicka is my horse, and I post more frequently about her, but you'll hear about the others too. :) 

I've had Flicka for about a year now. I showed her last year at fair. This year, we're gonna go back and kick butt. :) 

 

Name: Flicka, registered name is Bartendin' Lady. 

Age: She's 7 years old. 

Breed: A Quarter Horse. We've got a thing for quarter horses. My dad won't buy anything else, but once we had an Appaloosa. 

 

Lineage: Her sire is Jacks My Bartender, her dam is Ima Smooth Design. They trace back to Two ID Bartender, Lucky Miss Jacki, Watch Joe Baca, Ima Smooth Lady, Two Eyed Jack, Prissy JoAnn, To Sir With Luck, Miss Jackie Byrd, Watch Joe Jack, Ann Baca, Smooth Sensation and Lady Joe Boy.

Discipline: Western. :) I do want to try English though. But I don't know if my knees could handle it. I've got bad knees anyway from riding. 

One thing that she hates: is me paying attention to other horses. She HATES it. 

My favorite thing about her is that she is always there for me. She won't just leave and never talk to me again, like a few of my friends have. She always makes my day better, even when I've had the worst day. 

The way she'd introduce herself to a new herd of horses would probably have to be, she would probably check everyone out, and then be at the bottom of the pecking order. But she's okay with it. 

Taylor and Flicka.

 

 

Taylor and Flicka

"I had high hopes."-Karley

 Guest post by Karley-

Henry and I came together a little over a year and a half ago. I had just had a baby and he wasn't fast enough for the track. After a string of horses that didn't work out, I had high hopes that Henry was the one. He was bright eyed and I was getting my feel back after a c-section, ups and downs came but we are doing better then ever now. You can follow our journey at http://dondeestahenry.blogspot.com/

What is his/her registered and barn name?- House of Fortuny but we call him Henry

How old?- Just turned 7 :)

What breed?- OTTB

Lineage?- His dad is Atticus and mom is Mitzi. His great great grandpa is Secretariat

Discipline?- Hunters.. maybe some Eq when I can get my stuff together :)

What is one thing that your horse hates?- Natural Latices panels and plastic chairs on occasion lol

What is your favorite thing about your horse?- His heart, he's willing to try and give me all he has. And he had become SO affectionate and it cracks me up! I can't wait for our partnership to keep growing.

How would he/she introduce her/himself to a new herd of horses?- Henry likes to greet and play with everyone, "squealing means that you love me right?!"… I don't think he wouldn’t fair well out in a big herd cause he would get beat up!

Henry and Karley :)
 
 
 
 

 Thanks for sending in the story, Karley!!! Gotta love those cute OTTB's! :)

If you would like to send in your story, comment below and I'll get in touch with you through email or your blog. :)

"I would give anything to have him back." A guest post by Lydia Jones.

This is the story about my horse "Highlander".-Lydia Jones.
The day we got Highlander he was a skinny and scared 2 year old stud horse. He was dirty and you could tell no one had really ever fooled with him at all or gave him the love he deserved. He wasn't broke or anything in fact he was so scared of people you could barely get around him without him spooking. I was a very timid rider even though I've been riding most of my life, but we bought Highlander as an unbroken 2 year old stud. We began to work with him and he began to friendly up to people and in about 2 months anybody could ride him. I, even as a timid rider, rode him within about 4 or 5 months of us having him. All he needed was lots of love! Highlander became my horse. I took care of him,  I rode him and I loved him.  I started showing him as a 3 year old in our local shows and although he wasn't very good I still loved showing him. We rarely placed in our classes but when we did it was such a blessing it just made my day :)  He began to fill out and by the time he was a year old he was a true beauty. I had several offers from people who wanted to buy him but of course I refused. He was the perfect horse for me. He was a goober I'll tell ya ,, He would steal your candy bars or knock brushes off the rack just to be silly. He loved people and he was a favorite among the little kids. I had Highlander from the time he was two until this past summer..he had just turned 6 years old. We had him at a friends house temporarily before the ride we were going to go on that coming weekend..But one night..(may 18th 2012) we got a call. It was my brother and his friend. They were on the way to his friends house..because they heard there had been an accident.The accident was that someone had ran through the fence where my horse was at and eventually he got his back leg ran over. It was a horrific thing. Highlanders back leg was completely unfixable. But even in his last few moments of life he was still the same sweet calm boy he had been ever since I fell in love with him. It was a year on May 18th(2013)since he had been killed. I would give anything to have him back but I can't have him back but I wanted to share this story of my boy and how much I love him still and always will.
Thankyou.


What is his/her registered and barn name?-The Highlander. aka Highlander. ( he isn't registered)

How old?-6

What breed?-Tennessee Walking Horse

Lineage?-He isn't registered and his mom was a walking horse but we aren't sure what his dad was. I think. sorry!

Discipline?-Trails,pulls our wagon,great with little kids,horse shows

What is one thing that your horse hates?-Getting his bridle path trimmed

What is your favorite thing about your horse?-His personality,..he loved everything and everyone.

How would he/she introduce her/himself to a new herd of horses?-He was the boss of the herd wherever he went!

Highlander.

Highlander.

 Thank you for sending the pictures and your story, Lydia!!! I enjoyed reading it and I'm happy to post it! Highlander was gorgeous, I'm sorry for your loss.

 If you want to write a guest post as well, I will be posting them through this month, possible into July. Comment below and let me know!