By: Elizabeth Holliday

In 2001, two days after the tragedy of 9/11, I had to have my dearest equine friend and companion, Banner, put down at the age of 29. My one remaining horse, Prince, was left without his pasture mate and buddy of the past 14 years. To help us both adjust to Banner’s absence, I took on loan a tiny Miniature Horse filly, just a yearling, to share our pasture. The filly lost no time in capturing my heart and completely inserting herself into Prince’s world as well. The loan turned into a full-time commitment and “My Treasure” officially joined our little family this past spring.

By: Debara Whitmore

Horse crazy all my life, I started out riding borrowed (and often untrained) horses and ponies. It was often painful for me to ride as I was born with Hereditary Benign Multiple Cartilaginons Exostoses, a hereditary bone disorder that causes the bones to form with various sized nodules on them. Those nodules interfere with muscles, ligaments, and tendons much like speed bumps interfere with cars.

By: Walter

He was born on the 15th October 1986. The dam was Nubeena and the Sire Patron Score. It’s amazing how useful that freeze brand can be. He never raced according to the Harness Racing Board.

By: Sheri Moore

Dolby and Colt are both diagnosed with Asthma, Food Allergies, Speech, Ear Infections. Colt has Tubes in his Eyes and Ears and is waiting on his 3rd Surgery for Adonis and tonsils.
They will not grow out of this as far as we know. We are going to find some specialist to help. Bubba is a real horse he is a 11year old Cutting Horse.

By: Lisa Ramirez

On April 1, 2002, a little Arabian Mare named Waska came to live at our farm. She was nothing but skin and bones, a grade 2 on the starvation scale. I found an ad at the local feed store for other horses that needed our help at the same barn where Waska came from. I called the wonderful ladies at our barn and we pitched in to buy the rest of the heard. They were all very thin, 150-250 pounds under weight but nothing like Waska.

By: Tess

Turning 18 marks the dawn of a new day for all young adults. Graduation caps & gowns are worn, diplomas are given out, college acceptance letters are received, and horses are sold. The life we have led for most of our lives in now being changed. No more lessons after school, or horse shows on the weekends. Now we are sent away to be out on out own.

To find out what life is really about. Our schedules are filled with 3 hour classes, professors who just don’t seem to understand, and a life without horses.

By: Ruth Anderson

It was 1974 and I had watched my Mom and brother show saddle-bred horses for a couple of years while I showed my Welsh ponies. By the end of the year my parents bought my brother a new five-gaited horse, which left me his five-gaited pony. This was no ordinary hand-me-down five-gaited pony. This was the MIGHTY HERCULES! He stood at 14-2 hands, but in his mind, he stood 16 hands or more. He was flashy.

By: RuthAnne Anderson

I was reading the new issue of The National Horseman and realizing that most of the people I rode with are trainers now and the kids are all names I don’t recognize. I was one of those kids, many years ago. I have read many thanks to my mom and dad and thanks to my trainers and I love my horse. The thing is it’s true. I truly believe every word. Because I was one of those kids once.
I entered the arena on a new three gaited horse mom and dad bought me, High Hopes. I was nine years old and ready for the challenge. High Hopes was a dark bay gelding with lots of expression himself.

By: Lindsey Patton

Moody Blue wasn’t my horse. I didn’t own the 24-year-old gelding. I don’t even remember my grandfather buying him in Jordan, Minnesota in 1977. But I remember when he taught me how to ride. I remember when I was with him in the last minutes of his life.

Moody Blue was a solid black Appaloosa, born on April 10th of 1977. He was purchased by my grandfather as a 5-month-old colt whose dam had died when he was only 3-months-old. My mother was the one who taught him all he knew. Moody was the one who taught me all I know.And if horses could truly be movie stars, Moody would have been one. He had a charisma and aura around him that made people automatically fall in love with him.

When you are a busy professional horsewoman it can really take some convincing. Let’s see, you want me to go watch other busy professional horsewomen ride their horses, and pay for the pleasure. Times are a bit tough right now for all or been there done that are a couple of excuses. Well ladies they don’t hold water.