The Broken Road . . . Straight To You

I'm pretty much famous. I have TWO loyal followers who probably read my random few and far between posts . . . hopefully :) Anyways I have this horse named Guess:

(named for her face marking) (Photo Credit to Miss Raquel) and I LOVE this horse . . . She is a 2 year old AQH and she's convinced I am mom and holder of all yummy things. I was counting a couple days ago and I have had 17 horses in the past 8 years. Some I kept and loved for several years and some I rescued and found good homes in short period of time . . . Some were young prospects that I re-sold after starting them. My point is it's taken me 17 horses to find this one and I thank God every day for the privilege of calling her mine. Each of those horses had something special to teach me and I'd like to recognize them here:

 So we may as well start from the beginning . . . My first horse was a half mustang half appaloosa named Smokey. He taught me how to ride, and also that it didn't matter how many english equitation lessons you take on a thick necked stubborn 24 yr old horse, he is still going to do what he wants.

Next came Mikey, a bay arab gelding with a  questionable past. The opposite of Smokey in every way. He was curious, energetic, and VERY bouncy. He taught me how to sit on just about anything, and was always up for anything I wanted to do.

After selling Mikey I began a search for the 'right horse' in earnest. A local trainer helped me to find a young off the track thoroughbred named Armani, and told me he would be a PERFECT rodeo horse . . . He taught me patience and humility.

Next came my game changer. A 4yr old cutting horse named Twister. Twister taught me to be a Jack of all trades. He carried me safely through 4-H, Equestrian Team, and Rodeo Court and I will always have a special place for him in my heart. Years Later I would move on from him for a more competitive horse to further my career on.

Meanwhile came Trixie. A pony rescue . . . her previous owners had used her as target practice for their air-soft pistols. I broke her to saddle and sold her as a lead-line pony. She taught me it isn't the size of the horse that matters it's their heart.

And then another rescue named Kinoah. His pasture-mate had recently died of colic and I'm afraid he was heading in the same direction. He taught me how to teach a horse to load in a trailer, and that long backs make for smooth rides but poor conformation isn't good for much except trail riding.

*sigh* and then Rianna. My first young horse! She was by the same stud as Twister and I had big goals for her. I made the mistake of thinking a cowboy could do a better job training her then I could . . and by the time I got her back I just wanted to find her a good home.

Another rescue! My Nappy Appy taught me that appaloosas are some of the most rugged and tough horses out there! And his Tennessee Walker side gave him the SWEETEST disposition. Sadly he was over 17hh! and I didn't want to have to lift my saddle so high every time I wanted to go for a ride.

And then came Sue. A Quarter Horse mare who was a been there done that but had a bad reputation . . I found out horse's aren't always what people make them out to be. She carried me to state level competitions and helped me to win horsemanship the year I tried out for Rodeo Queen. 

I was preparing for my summer as a Rodeo Queen and I had always dreamed of owning a big and beautiful black horse.. .(I'm partial to black horses) Jack taught me color isn't everything.

This list wouldn't be complete without Shawnee . . . I gave this horse my heart, he was impeccably bred, beautiful, and a joy to be around. He came up lame in both front feet and the vet bills were more then I could afford to maintain . . He now lives at a home that can afford his maintenance. He taught me not to throw your heart at something you haven't had vet-checked.

Meet Shooter. This is her pictured with her current owner who absolutely adores her. I learned that I don't mind losing money in order to find a horse the perfect home . . .

I needed a pony to teach the young ones around the place. I found Missy the best gaming and kids horse you could ever hope for. I learned that just because a pony is a great kids horse doesn't mean they like big people . . .

This is Tuff. He was an impeccably bred prospect that I just HAD TO HAVE. He taught me how to properly feed and condition a horse.

Grace, another extremely well bred mare that I 'rescued'. Meaning I paid a bunch of money for an underweight horse who hadn't seen a vet or farrier in a year. She taught me that with proper care and training a horse can make a complete turn-around.

WOW we are finally to a member of the current herd. With Royal I learned horses aren't always what they appear. I bought this horse as a 'rope' horse without looking much into his history. Turns out he was a successful college rodeo and up and comer pro-rodeo horse. His past owners didn't know he was a bit sore and needed regular maintenance for some of his joints. He ended up getting passed through a bunch of hands in a short period of time and ended up here where he is going to re-start his career as the top notch horse he is.

That's all folks. Stay tuned ;)