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Where would I be without the real horses in my life for inspiration? Currently my family and I currently have four horses: Belle, Samantha, Buddy, and Sugar.
Belle’s small body hides a heart as big as Texas… Belle is an 8 year old grade gaited mare, supposedly of TWH and Spotted Saddle Horse breeding. Belle was given to me 2 years ago by a woman who had purchased her as a child’s horse with the best intentions, but simply could not deal with Belle’s abuse issues that surfaced shortly after purchase. Belle was not catchable, head shy, very jumpy, and she was extremely shy of humans, especially men. She wanted to please under saddle but really was much greener than advertised. It took a year and a half of my ownership and more patience than I was sure I had, but Belle finally figured things out last year. Whereas I couldn’t catch her in 1 or 2 acres, and certainly not without her halter on, she now comes flying in from 20 acres and can be haltered outside. Belle now does not seem to be scared of anyone, even men, and stands nicely for the farrier or vet. She can be ridden in nothing but a halter and lead rope and will even hop over small jumps that way. She’s has done a complete 180 in terms of attitude and will now constantly frisk you for cookies! Belle enjoys eating, being groomed, escaping from her stall, hanging out with our other mares, Samantha and Sugar, flirting with our gelding, Buddy, throwing her traffic cones at the other horses, and will touch the dogs and traffic cones on command for treats :)
Samantha (aka "Broadway Illusion") My name is Samantha but my friends call me Sam. My
registered name is something fancy like "Broadway Illusion" but I am really just
a down home girl so Sam works for me :) I'm a 14 year old Standardbred mare
who’s life has had a few ups and downs. I raced for a time winning over $10k and
after retirement, my owners neglected me to the point of starvation. A wonderful
lady came along who rescued me and nursed me back to health. We spent many happy
years together before illness stuck. My owner developed a nasty disease, and she
worried about who would care for me when she couldn't so she started looking for
someone who would love me just as much as she does.
Buddy (aka "Kentucky Gold Push") Buddy is an 8 year old Tennessee Walking Horse gelding whose registered name is "Kentucky Gold Push." His grandsire is the famous WGC The Pusher C.G. Buddy's life as a show horse was unremarkable at best and he never seemed to have done much in the show ring. What is remarkable about Buddy's show life is that he was a "Performance" horse which means he had about 5 lbs of plastic pads and shoes strapped to his front hooves to create the "Big Lick" movement desired by many fans of the show TWH. Buddy's former owner got out of showing him and so took him off the pads and shoes, but Buddy's feet had been encouraged to grow outside of their natural shapes for so long that it took us some time to get them into a normal hoof semblance. Buddy had five months of therapeutic trims done every three weeks. We also found out that Buddy was sored by at least one previous trainer and he has large scars on the fetlocks to prove it!
Sugar (aka "Amorosa de Agape") Sugar is the newest addition to the farm. She's an 8 year old registered Paso Fino mare who has a story longer than most horses! It includes a year of neglect, trailer injuries, a rescuer, and a sucker for hard luck horses (me!). Sugar has been here only a short time but has already made improvements in body and mind and will soon be starting under saddle work... she knows how, it's just been a couple of years since she's really been ridden from what I know.
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