Since Traveller is no longer around, I have had to adjust the paddock schedule. I’m sure Rocky misses his nice old buddy, especially since bossy Lady now shares his space out there. It used to be Lady out mornings and the boys had the afternoons—and Lady was in her stall while the boys were out. I’m very glad to be able to get Lady out more, but I do feel sorry for Rocky. While Rocky and Traveller could share one pile of hay very politely, I know the same one pile of hay would probably cause Rocky to starve while Lady got fatter. I had this brilliant idea (smile) to scatter very small bits of hay all over the paddock, until it rained and I no longer want to walk out in the mud, to let both horses sort of graze around with plenty of space between them. It worked. Now I can toss three or four piles out over the fence and Lady is being less bossy as time goes by. Sometimes necessity is the best teacher. Thanks, Betsy.

 

Boss Man's Beauty
We found “Ginger” in April of ‘07 and she was the perfect horse for my husband for almost four years, as bombproof as they come! Unfortunately, having to care for four horses was too much for Russ while I was sick for several weeks, so he gave her to a family that wanted her. An older Fox Trotter mare with Zane Grey in her background, she had arthritic hocks that improved greatly with vitamin and joint supplements. Ginger’s story is in the MARE book.

Walker’s Velvet Queen
“Lady” is the Tennessee Walking Horse mare that my husband bought for himself in March of ’04 (because of her loving personality), but soon decided he didn’t want to deal with her boss mare ways. We traded her off, then got her back--for me. I’ve ridden her in a few horse shows, on a 9 mile Hunter Pace and on various trails. I especially enjoy her smooth fast gait on the trails and the way she jumps any creek or ditch! She is even learning to accept the four wheelers and large trucks that share our road by the barn. She was the inspiration for my second book “MARES! (ya gotta love em)” that came out in 2008.)

Whoopie’s Rock a Color
“Rocky” has been with us since May, ’05. Russ rode him on trails for two years, then fed too much alfalfa, and Rocky bucked once. I have been riding him since, and he just gets better every year. He is a double registered Tennessee Walking Horse/Spotted Saddle Horse from the King Ranch in Missouri. He has a great disposition, very willing and smart, a kid at heart who loves to have fun, but is very sensible. He doesn’t spook easily, but does have reservations about noisy, blowing tarps! I have ridden him on the road with traffic, and in a few horse shows and I have hopes of doing “dressage” with this gaited horse. He has a really nice trot on the lunge line, and a nice smooth gait under saddle. I may be working on dressage, on jumping, more variation of his gait, canter—just so many things this boy can do. He is such fun!

Syn-cere
Syn-cere came to me as a 16 year old Arabian brood mare, proud and full of vigor! She had problems with being tied, with being haltered and bridled, and feeling any pressure on her head, after a previous trailer accident. She showed great intelligence as we overcame those ingrained fears! At 19, she placed 5th on her second Competitive Trail Ride. Syn-cere taught me the need to deal with our issues with quiet patience, one small step at a time. Syn-cere's story is included in the mare book.

Traveller
Traveller was my special partner for over 14 years, from August of '97 until I had to say goodbye January 9, 2012. He was a sensible, reliable trail horse, the one that let me relax and enjoy riding without worrying what my horse might do. My grandchildren rode him, as well as a few others. An unregistered Quarter horse, he had an amazing trot and a wonderful caring disposition. After his struggle with EPM in 2004, he had some good days and some not so good. Our last good ride was in September of 2010. I miss his welcoming whinny every morning. I really loved the old guy!

Fanny
Fanny was my true beginning. She was ornery and headstrong, full of spunk and energy, and she reacted to frightful surroundings with intimidating strength. But she was mine and she knew it, for 13 years. Our journey together is shared in my first book, “Sometimes a Woman Needs a Horse,” published in 2004.

Little War Dude
“Dude” was Fanny’s only offspring, born in 1977, a blue roan appy with white blanket. I later taught him to “talk” to me with a flappy lip. We started one Competitive Ride, didn’t finish. He stepped in a hole during a conditioning ride and was never sound again. I “loaned” him to someone I trusted to care for him while I recovered from shoulder surgery, then discovered later that they had given him away! After telling me they wanted to keep him! I often wonder if he is still alive, and I will never loan out a horse again. Dude taught me a greater appreciation of loyalty and responsibility.

And there were others. There was Sandy, a retired Quarter palomino show horse; Nugget, who bucked after he was wormed; Samson, an older Quarter-Saddlebred who didn’t want to go into a trailer; Sammy, the TWH field trial horse that wanted so much to please but was so nervous he worried his rider; Silver, an Arab endurance horse that slid into a fence and injured his leg the day after I realized what a great horse I had; Mandy, an Arab mare that had been badly mistreated and her young filly, Oksana, who had great promise for starting out as the smallest of twins! Every horse has a story to tell and lessons to share.

And here are a few extra snapshots, including one of my very first ride on my Uncle’s pony!

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