Horse poor by definition is when you have to many horses, but yet you keep on getting more horses, and you can justify them (being cute is a reason to buy!). In my case, I am at least getting smaller horses that eat less, so that justifies it. My dad constantly tells me to have and prepare and have a 5 year plan. I somehow doubt he ment buy more horses, but hey if I want more lessons I have to have the horses for it!Sometimes things seem to stick with you and I will never forget a friend telling me that when she was a young girl she always prayed for a horse, now she has 50. Sometimes people tell me I should sell some, just work one or two more, but I believe it is the same as in jobs. When you work more and more and more hours you start to hate your job, especially if you are being underpaid. One thing I pride myself in, is that my horses are very happy, they come up to me anytime I am outside, whenever I call them, even with other people. Not many people can say that. On bad days, your horse is there to wipe away your tears, sorrows, or take away your anger, and on your good days; well sometimes they are there to make you angry, and then get a smile out of you with the innocent "it wasn't me mom" look. I may be horse poor buy my heart is full. 

You know, when you drift from where your heart lies I believe you'll always come back. We all tend to put on fronts. Honestly think about it, possibly it's something as simple as telling people you're fine and putting on a smile, or some people go to extremes and hide their true selves. Horses aren't like that. Horses don't do things out of vengeance, grudges, or act a certain way if they are having a bad day, it's just a bad day! If people were more like horses we wouldn't have the things happening now that we so. Look at a wild horse herd or even a group of horses in the pasture. Study how they are acting, and even a low totem pole horse will be defended in a time of emergency. They stick together and it doesn't matter about color, breeds etc

Well, not exactly greatness, but sometimes everything just falls into place for things you don't expect.  My mini horse was one of those things, daddy commented I should get a mini, and I told him it was a thought, but it was going to wait til spring. He told me that was a bad idea, a quick look on CL and bam, Fancy is in our barn life.  Same thing with Chance before that, I just didn't absolutely love him, he wasn't the prettiest horse, but he was good.. I told the lady I had to think about it, she calls me the next day and tells me she'll make me a deal, and bam....  This last one though (or two technically, three if we really want to go there, with the surprise Fancy has for us!)  was completely unseen, we were done one and half horses past our goal (since Fancy is pregnant, does she count as a full horse now?), of course though, we had to go check these two out, because its better to waste time going to look at something you knew was bad, then not going at all, and possibly miss the greatest thing since sliced bread. We weren't sold on them, but they were alright, we definitely didn't have the room, or the feed. Yet, they are standing in my barn. When someone is loosing their place in under a week, what are you supposed to say though? (stay tuned for the new book "Just Say NO!"  ok, I'm kidding about that one), but seriously, what do you say? The one mare, we rehomed, and shes in a great place, where she is absolutely loved and adored. The other mare, well she was the one mom really didn't want, and no one else did it seemed. I begged, bartered, and begged some more for people to take her. She was a mare, which means separate pastures, shes a big horse, which means more food, and she needed riding (because I have time for that!). But I rode her, then I rode her again, I watched her trail ride, I got in touch with one of her previous owners, then I started doing a few lessons on her. Each ride has seen this mare go from decent, to better, to even better, and now with only a few weeks of ride time, I see something great to be coming of her. Alot of times, things you don't want, or do no fit your schedule, life, style, or whatever the case may be, can be the biggest blessings of all time. Soon I'm positive you will be hearing alot more about her, and if you come by, maybe you will even get to ride her. 

Ok so we may not be having tornados that has picked the house up, but 30+ mph winds is on up there. Poor little Fancy has about blew away. Between having crazy weather, her holding out on having that little baby, lessons, and all the stuff in between to get done, things are so hectic you hardly have time to get half the stuff done. Especially adding on a new horse. That takes me to this post. You know how that say one mans junk is another mans treasure? The same can be applied to horses. Some people cast away a horse claiming they are "crazy", "no account", or many other things. Horses feed off of us, if we are freaked out, stressed out, fearful or whatever the case may be, the horse will be to. Sometimes you have to take a chance and change your approach. Do I mean baby a horse that maybe has an aggression problem? No! You're the herd leader and you need to stand up to the, not by beating but simply by doing what a lead horse or stallion would do. Make their feet move! When you control the horses feet you've got control of his brain and then his respect. But sometimes a horse doesn't have problems. I got two mares, one I've kept. I went and rode her after she was locked in a 12x12 stall for around 6 months and while she was a bit nervous, she never gave a problem. I went to tell the owner I'd ridden both of them and needed to talk it over before we brought them home, and she said they hadn't been able to get on the horse, she wouldn't stand still and bucked... I've ridden her, trail rode her, did beginner lessons, and even found one of her old owners that told me the long lists of things this mare had done. She's really worth a chunk of money, except I couldn't replace her. She has the best personality, loves people, and when you have your hands on her or are riding her she's not moody toward other horses (she doesn't care for Chance when no one is near them though!). Basically someone cast away a good horse, because of circumstances, but she was unable to shine where she was. More importantly she has always been used to having a job and gets bored very easily. I've had a lot of people call me that have several horses but are looking for somethig more specific, when they may have the perfect horse standing in their pasture, but are waiting with excuses like they don't get along etc. Now sometimes that is the case and you will never click with a certain horse, sometimes though you need to take a look in the mirror and change your attitude about that particular horse to find that perfect equine partner that may already be under your nose

Man things have been just crazy, between the flu, double ear infection, Christmas, and planning on having a new baby galloping around the pasture, life is nuts. I'm not a mother. I've never been pregnant, I don't have biological children, but I have experienced every fear and joy of pregnancy from the moment of maybe, to the sudden joy when it's confirmed, to the nervousness that sets in.. "What if she gets sick, or foals when I'm asleep, what if something goes wrong, will it be a colt or filly, what will it look like?" Is some of the things running thru your head. 11 months of complete and utter fear and excitement. When I bought my mini there was NO chance of her being pregnant. After she is now getting milk I was told that she was with a stud, so I'm around day 260-280.. She could foal at 300 or it could be after day 360.. The waiting is not cool. Horse momma is fine, human momma... I'm planing the kit, getting the sleeping bag out and watching her like a hawk all of which she must think I'm crazy for. Non horse people don't understand, horses aren't a hobby, they are your whole life and some of us are fortunate enough to have them as our work also. You work with them, then they are your fun time, you cancel anything when one gets sick, and when you are on baby alert you will call anyone at 3 am that they have to get here immediately because it's on the way. We have hopes for our foals just like a mother does for her child. Secretly we even wish for it to be a filly or colt or a certain color, but the minute you first see it and you get to be the first person to ever touch it and imprint on that foal, nothing matters, if it's a little boy you love it just as much as if it had been the girl you wanted and vice versus. All my clients be prepared I'll have y'all on speed dial, know that I'm going to be getting nuttier and nuttier as it starts getting closer, and I will probably even be sleep deprived trying to keep up with mare tricks about foaling, until then have a happy horse life this new year!

Sorry I haven't posted lately but man had life just been crazy! I'm telling you you really have to be a horseman to understand what a horse life really means. When you have horses they seem to consume you. You're either a horseman that is all in and understand it, just a horse person... Just like the other week my perfect lesson horse for little kids and my absolutely favorite trail horse was three legged lame. All the bad things that could possibly be wrong went thru my head. You know Suspensory ligament, navicular.... I was panicky, but pretty sure it was the suspensory ligament and started treating it immediately. He'd get a little better then worse.. I did everything, medicine, wrapping, confined area but still get fresh air, the one day there's a big open spot from an abcess and he's walking just perfect. Shoot he's running and playing again. Talk about a scare! Then I've been thinking of adding a mini horse to my program... But I was waiting til spring so on Sunday my dad and I started talking about options, then Sunday evening I had a mini and her full set up here... Distraction! She's just soooo cute though I have to take times out to love her. So up to today I hear her screaming so I figure that the boys went down to the bottom pasture where she couldn't see, then I hear fritz which was kind of odd but I once again figured he was calling to the mini.. Then when I walk out of the barn I did the head count 3 and a half (mini is a half!). Chance was GONE. Panic hit me then I saw him right over the fence in the woods. Ok so now I knew where he was, but how to get him back in the pasture. I get him (no halter, nothing on me at all except for my cell) and we start walking all the way around the whole pasture thru downed trees, briars, big holes, hunting blinds all the while with him right by my side.. Then I come out behind my neighbors house and are halfway home! But did I mention there is a lush grass field? Yea I lost him on that one. Remember how I have no lead-rope in a grass field.. So recap loose horse, grass field, and yes there is a road very close by, but I did have a long sleeve shirt on. Perfect right? You guess it exactly, I took my shirt off (I did have a tank top on everyone!) and used it to lead Chance the rest of the way home. Plenty of excitement for the day for me! Then it's time to fix the fence which I just fixed two days ago because of deer. After all this it is time to eat lunch and relax just a bit. I deserve that, right? I started writing this post, enjoying the comfy couch and then get up to finish my lunch. I love our kitchen window it's in the perfect location, it looks right over our pasture. Except... Why is Fritz running and screaming? Then there is something in the woods. Cannot possibly be Chance, yet it is. Again. I grab my cell, boots, dog leash and I'm out the door, he's running and I'm running, because I just know he's headed for the road, the only thing that slowed me down was the gate being locked. Once again he's captured, with a dog leash, and this time he went to time out in the arena. No more great Houdini escapes today. Oh and did I mention I have to fix fence again. Told you, horse life! You never know what all will happen. Try to stay calm until then! Maybe go for a good trail ride

We all make jokes about people that are, umm, vertically challenged let's say. They have tempers or this and that, but is it possible in horses? You all have seen Chance is our newest addition, and he is vertically challenged. Very muc so... Then you know that Nehi is our biggest by far. So how is it that Chance bully's Nehi. Severely to the point Nehi was hiding behind Fritz.. Kind of like really tall people are normally pretty relaxed, that sums Nehi up. So back to the question, can horses have little man syndrome, or do they think they are really big kind of like small dogs? Come by sometime and see my little man (just don't call him that!)

What is the difference between a horseman/woman versus a horse owner? To most people there is no difference, but in the horse world a horseman is someone that lives it and connect with a horse on a whole different level. Think about it what is the difference between a woman that gives birth versus a mom? Who is there thru every sickness, school events, etc. Horses are a blessing, they can change your whole world and they can heal, but they are also a responsibility. You are either and owner that just shows up from time to time or you are all in. With horses come dirt, mud, extreme hot or cold, sickness, challenges and much more and normally the worst things come at the worst times. Do you handle it or do you have someone else do it? An experience I've had that I will never forget was being told "we live here practically we invest everything to this" but then you actually saw what was going on and it was hired help doing all the caring. There is nothing wrong with being a horse owner, if I had the funds I'd hire help, but the problem is do you trust a babysitter fully with your child? Could I know that they are being fed correctly? So I'd be here anyways right? I guess it's an overprotective horse mom for you. Hahah we'll cover that another day. Until then take the time to enjoy this horse life. Enjoy the grass, the horse scratchy spots, and any riding time you get in.

Have you ever had days where life just happens? Like you are completely running late for work, you are in a rush so you forget your wallet which you have to turn around for and that causes you to get stuck in traffic. Finally you make it to work and after a long day you find out your keys are locked in the car.... We'll let me just say while horses are magnificent animals that change your whole life and enrich it, they can get hurt in bubble wrap. And it's never at a convient time. The other night my newest horse got to go in the pasture with "the boys". I did everything right by giving him weeks in an adjoining pasture, so the big day comes, everyone is at home to be safe. It did go fine to they all got along great, until that night we were getting them in for bath time and chance lays down. Flat out. Completely ignoring my calls. Yes you guessed it, it was colic. So off to the trailer we go and that works, then it's keeping him walking. Well 9 comes and my dinner goes (which my stomach doesn't let me forget) and once again you guess it, still watching the horse. Gut sounds? Check. Bathroom? Check. So then the panic hits of what is wrong now? Finally I did get to the house, and after three more times of checking on him, we all get to bed. He is fine, but pastured alone now. Everyone that has a horse has that story of bad things. I have many more the good the bad and the funny. It's like a car, kids, a house, bills and 100 other things bundled together when you have a horse. It can be amazing to bad in a heartbeat, but also vice versa. Your worst day can become amazing just by brushing or riding. It's this horse life and it's all ours.

Remember how in my last post I said horses were like a virus to little girls? It catches them early then it seems to intensify from there. The teenage years come where it's sure to pass, and for some it does, but normally the "car" is a truck and a trailer. And birthdays, or any other gift giving holiday for that matter, well you already know that story... So how are horses like chocolate you are wondering? Have you ever been able to eat one piece of chocolate? Kind of like potato chips the first one gets you hooked, but now chocolate hooks you and the better it is supposed to be means a price increase. Same with horses, you have the safe, kid friendly, bombproof which is like Hershey chocolate but add something that is really flashy or pretty and there is dove chocolate or some name you can't pronounce that is supposed to be exotic and guess what? You pay a fortune for something the size of your thumbnail. Today the same thing has happened with me. Once you meet me you will figure out I love to make deals and espicially bundles (because you always win in a bundle right?). So I've been looking for that second amazing beginners lesson horse. I've looked and looked and for good measure I looked a bit more, even tried to bring some home on trial, but finally I went and saw one. Now he is more of a Palmer chocolate to dove. I wasn't sold on him because first of all he was really really ugly. I know, I know, chrome doesn't get you home, there is no wrong color for a good horse, but did I tell you how ugly he was and hair was everywhere but he did ride really really good I couldn't fault him anywhere... Except being ugly. Today though I get a phone call asking if I want to make an offer, so me being a dealer that I am knew they also had a pretty decent trailer... Yes, you guessed it I brought home a 4th horse and a second trailer. That I probably didn't really need (a need- something you can't survive without- food, water, roof...) nope didn't see a horse and trailer in that sentence. Horses are like chocolate, sane people that are on a strict diet see that mouthwatering homemade chocolate brownie with hot fudge drizzled on it and have to have it even though it's more then their meal, or in my case we see a horse which is going to serve a purpose and decide on other stuff to go along with your horse... Welcome to this horse life