At the Rainbow's End: For the Love of a Horse...

I've always wanted many different animals. Ever since I was young; especially horses. I've probably read all the young children's horse books that were available when I was growing up. Watched all the movies I could. I dreamed of having a colorful herd one day. I got to help a friend at a stables one summer and enjoyed myself completely. I also drove a truck for the first time out there in the hay field-that's an experience I won't forget. I had a friend with two Arabians named Habibi and KayKay. She showed in English: hunter, dressage, stadium jumping, etc, and I got to come be a groom for her a couple of times. It was awesome to see so many horses everywhere!

Time went on and though I never got to have lessons or a horse, I did find ways to spend time with some along the way; at a local fair, the Clydesdale's at Bush Garden's, visiting friends that had them, and eventually working at a stable in preparation for my first horse. The stables where I worked raised Paso Fino's. Those little power houses were such a comfortable ride! Although I did find out later that not much balance is required in riding them. Soon after I left the stables, I started riding a Quarter Horse mare for a friend and realized that I didn't have much in the way of a balanced seat. I'm not a natural by any means either, but I almost bit the dust a few times while on her. She was a big, bold, black and white frame overo paint. She was sweet as could be. My friend taught me a number of things while I worked with her. I thank her for that.

I purchased my first horse at 22. He was a gift from my husband, picked out by me. A great beginners horse I found out, but definitely in need of some work. A beautiful buttermilk buckskin; his picture is at the right side of my blog. He seemed to be pretty laid back about most anything, except for the day we met a very large and angry bull on a trail ride. I have never seen a horse change direction and move so fast before! I'll not forget the 3 hour trail ride that we took after my saddle broke. He was never so surefooted, calm, and watchful as he was that day. I'd also never seen a horse sustain a wound to the chest from a T-Post accident quite like his, not once flinch or pull away during 3 solid months of twice daily cold hosing's and scrubbing's of the wound, yet heal with a hairline scar barely noticeable. A few years later I sold him to a young girl who was just getting into horses. He stayed with her for a few years and just recently went on to another young girl.

Before I sold him I had purchased a started 2 year old. He was exactly what I wanted as soon as I saw him; a stout and flashy sorrel. Cash and I had our ups and downs. I didn't get him finished as soon as I would have liked, but by the time he was almost six he was able to understand the different riding abilities between my kids and myself. Due to a mishap at the local vet school during his dental extraction surgery, he had to be put to sleep this past February. I was quite distraught. The school actually offered to help me find another horse and I agreed to let them.

It took me a while before I started looking for another horse to bring to our farm. I had a good friend offer me a young, dark bay yearling and I agreed to come and look at him. Charmer and I got along well and I brought him home. A few weeks later a vet called me (courtesy of the vet school) and offered an older, well-broke, retired polo pony for free to me. I went down to look at him and though I felt that he was a bit wired for sound, I thought that with some time he would begin to understand that he didn't have to 'go' every time he was saddled up. I have been pleased with him so far and he is turning out to be a nice little horse. Pedro is a beautiful bay with a tiny white mark on his forehead.