Day 8: Help and Heart Ache

Western riding for me is a passion. But when I was younger I rode English with all my heart and soul. English was the only kind of riding I knew. I was constantly being told that I was a natural, I had a gift. Even though I had a few bad instructors along the way, I still rode. I didn't care what horse I was on or if they were big or small I just knew that I was riding and doing what I loved. When I was old enough to do horse shows, it opened a whole new door for me. Although I don’t do them anymore, they were fancy and interesting when I was 10, 11 and 12. When I turned 13 though, the reality hit me that wasting money on English riding lessons was pointless unless I showed. So in September I started riding and working at franks farm.    

Riding at Frank’s gives me a sense of freedom and closeness to the horses. These horses work so hard and when I can ride them and make a difference in their skills it makes me happy. Last night I got a text message saying that my favorite horse Tank might get sold this weekend.  I balled my eyes out for almost an hour. Soon though I came to my senses and thought; you know I’ve made a difference in this horse’s life and that’s what matters. Even though he might not be with me, he will find a good home. You can change a horse for the better and help them find a better life. I have realized this in more ways them one. I may not be able to buy Tank and save him but if someone else can, I know he will have a good life; even if I’m not the one providing it. Finding horses amazing homes and helping them on their way is awesome. Breaking the bonds that you and those horses have made is heart breaking though; and I am experiencing this loss and it totally sucks.

This picture of Tank and I my friend took while I was riding him. He may be a butt sometimes but he’s sweet and has a heart that is more forgiving than most humans, and I love him for that. I hope he stays with me.  

Day 7: A Horse is A Horse no Matter How Small

A horse is a horse no matter how small. This pony is named Dapples, isn't she adorable? She hates me but you know grumpy ponies. Dapples lives with 8 other ponies just about her size. All the ponies like to play with the big horses because they like to think that there special. Especially, Sweet pea she likes to run around and buck in the field just like all the big horses.  They know there small, because all there riders are small but you know size isn’t relevant to the ponies. We have this one pony though who is half blind and is 40years old they say she’s ten years past his expiration date. This ponies name is Buttercup and she’s chestnut with a blonde mane. All the ponies’ thought they were smart, and would sneak out of there pen, Buttercup being the veteran. But after them all getting loose Frank had to lower the gate so that the ponies didn’t run into the park.  It was fun to chase them though.

The ponies are small but just as smart as a horse, sometimes. It all depends on the day and if they’ve been fed or not. We have some ponies that just don’t have a good side like Dapples; she’s cute and cuddly until you touch her in the wrong place. All the ponies have things that set them off, unless there old and don’t care like Buttercup. Buttercups my favorite she’s the one who will actually come and cuddle with you. Ponies are also just small horses, not babies or young horses. Horses are full grown when they reach the age of three. And if you know 40 year old buttercup, she is not a baby she is just a pony. Ponies are cute and adorable, but don’t underestimate them they're smart. I LOVE PONIES!

Day 6: Horses and Greed

(The picture above of money is provided by Google images and the horse above is not Hector his name is Bandit and he is an example of a healthy, happy horse)

I have new thoughts on English riding. It’s fun as heck and I love it, but why not have fun when you ride? English is fun, but when you’re constantly being critiqued on what you’re doing wrong it not fun. After riding Tank in Tyler State Park I had a thought, English riding is overrated.  It looks like fun but when you think about it, the rider is having fun but is the horse? Think about it, they’re the ones carrying your full weight over a jump. It’s like asking your friend to take you on their back and jump over an obstacle. The horse is being pushed and trained to do stuff they have been genetically altered to do. Horses are farm animals and should not be seen as money signs. Some people who don’t pay attention to their animals and let the money get to their heads have issues, and the horse can fall into disrepair, and they’re the ones that go through the pain. It makes me sick!

There’s this horse named Hector that was bought by this messed up family who that thought he could race. But these people didn’t tell the barn manager that Hector was losing weight, and now he’s skin and bones. When people see horses as money signs,  they don’t always pay attention to the details. Now Hector is worthless until he puts on  weight.  It is beyond words how angry this makes. When I saw Hector without his blanket I wanted to go up to the owner and ask, “what the hell is wrong with you!” And rip there head off!  No wonder he looked like he was in pain, he was a walking SKELETON for god sake! Who does that to an amazing horse? Not to mention a horse that has already broken his leg racing before, he’s also only a baby at a staggering 7 years old. Hasn’t this poor animal been through enough pain. He’s just a baby! Money alters people minds when it comes to horses, and it makes me angry. All these animals want to do is love and please, but when they’re put through pain to please the owner, it makes me sad. People have no right to mistreat these gorgeous animals. They don’t deserve it. 


Here is a song that i think explains my feelings quite nicely:     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb32pmywZyU  

Day 5: My Magical Quote

I never thought I could find a quote that applied to my life quite the way this one does. I’ve never been necessarily normal, I’ve always loved horses and how they show affection no matter what. The quote above makes me think about riding and helping horses. With the amount of work and effort I put into riding and being able to pursue my passion, the strand of my life that contains horses is long and strong and will never waver. The wind of my life blows between my horses ears. Every horse I ride I put the same amount of work into each one to make the horse and myself stronger and more improved than when we walked into the ring; this is something I’ve always done. I will also continue to pursue my passion and help my favorite horse Tank.

Tank is the horse I currently ride; I’m the only person to have ever trained him. I’m his only teacher and he’s my only student. I love that the first time I took him into the ring he was instantly there to please I had no idea he hadn’t had training. He was so smooth and strong that I was oblivious, and that was extraordinary. When I cantered him he picked up the right lead like it was natural I believe that he has been sent to me, I will take him gladly and teach him all I know. He is mine for now, and hopefully, forever.

This quote is more than just words; I feel that it really speaks to riders and horse lovers. Not just because it’s about horses, but because heaven can mean different things, and when it comes between a horse and a human it’s magical.

Day 4: Zanzibar the Old Man

I love white horses especially Zanzibar. His face is so cute the gray around his eyes and the way he wiggles his pink nose is more than adorable. The photo I have posted has an amazing story to go with it. The little girl on Zanzibar is named Shelby and the woman leading Zanzibar is named Shanon. She saved Zanzibar from having to be put down.  Zanzibar was part of the riding program at Franks Farm and when they found out that Zanzibar had a hoof issue that affected his riding ability substantially they said he was to old to save and they were going to have him put down. Zanzibar is 28 years old and is definitly a horse worth saving. When Shanon heard this she bought him and he is now retired. Now Zanzibar is just for show he makes everyone smile, I mean who doesn’t like an adorable fluffy white horse who’s and old man? He also has a nickname, Shelby and I call him Zanzy.

Zanzibar is an old man but he also has a wild side he likes to escape at any chance he gets. I left his gate closed but unlocked, and he pushed open his gate and walked out of the barn my friend Emily caught him before he got any farther, but still a runaway is a runaway. The other time Zanzy got loose he went all the way across the street, after that he was put in his stall instead of the field.  He’s still a good horse just getting old. Anyway this picture portrays Zanzibar in the best way possible he’s not trying to run away and he’s letting a little girl ride him, isn’t he adorable? He’s so sweet, the way only old men can be.
Here is a short video:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BDkXUdsU-4&feature=related 

Day 3: Saddles and Being in the Saddle

This is a western saddle and is a lot different from an English saddle.  It’s big and bulky, but thick and beautiful. English riding and western riding are very different, Here's an example; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqUIoI0BPg0&feature=related.  But western saddles are the best things ever invented for horses and humans.  They’re so comfortable and when you’re in the saddle everything is better. Being in the saddle on a horse makes me more aware of my surroundings, but more than anything it just makes me happy.  Riding and being around horses is my stress reliever.   When I’m riding a horse, whether it’s in the ring, or out on a trail I don’t think about anything else besides my horse Tank and I.  Now I don’t own Tank, but he’s the horse I ride, and the only horse I want to ride.  He’s fast but smart.  Being smart and having a plan when you’re in the ring riding is so helpful.  Also learning about the horse and how they work is how I start my ride.  Riding isn’t as easy as it looks; it takes a lot of effort and skill to be a great rider, not to mention time and effort.

When I ride Tank in the ring I know he’s going to be fast and probably try to do something stupid.  That’s when knowing a horses quirks helps.  I jokingly say that horses are big smart animals with medium sized brains; they can be really dumb one day and really smart the next.  But even when they’re acting dumb there fun.  The saddle is only a small piece of the puzzle for horseback riding.  I mean you can ride a horse without one, which is so much fun.  So western riding is simple and fun, and riding a horse brings me joy in every way possible.

Day 2: The Beauty of Eye's and Individuality

I think this picture symbolizes something special; it speaks to me.  The eye is a very powerful part of the body and vital for horses.  This Horse is named Charlie.  I took a picture of his eye particularly because people see life in many different ways, and horses have a different way of seeing life.  Charlie’s life consists of Frank’s farm, saddles, and trail rides.  I love horses’ eyes because they can be so many colors from, brown and gold, blue and black, to violet and black.  We have 3 horses at Frank’s farm that have one blue and black eye and one black and brown eye; they look so cool!  Horses are individual in their own ways.

Horses have been a part of my life since I was two years old.  I can’t imagine my life without them.  Throughout my life I have seen many different horses.  Horses are all different in their own ways, whether it’s their eyes, their color, or their markings; no two are the same.  I love that.  There are so many different types of horses, here are some of them, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkgIFXiPIxI&feature=related. You can tell who each horse is by the way they look.  Horses remind me of children because they are playful and energetic and have their individual quirks and problems.  Take Charlie for example, he is head strong but small and fat.  Also he’s cute and lovable, even if he does something mean or stupid.  Horses can do stuff that is annoying or harmful but at the end of the day they’re still lovable and you can’t stay mad at them.  That’s when they remind me of children; no matter how old or stupid they are you can’t stay mad at them.  Charlie is a perfect example of a child.  But this picture represents him because he’s a trail leader; he sees everything first before any of the other horses.  This picture suits him well.