Kisses

Horse kisses, that is.

American Wild Horses

I urge you to take notice of the plight of the wild horses of America. The BLM (Bureau of Land Management) is continually rounding up and removing wild horses from our lands.

Please visit http://www.wildhorsepreservation.org/index.html and get involved. Thank you.

Photo credit to Wild Horse Preservation.org.

Horses

I love horses. No, I adore horses. No, it's more than that. It's an affinity? It's an amazement? This has been going on my entire life. When I was 2 years old, we moved into a wonderful old house. Where the backyard ended, a stable began. Our neighbor had many horses (well, it seemed like a lot at the time), and a few ponies. I used to stand at the back fence and watch them. If I ever went missing, my mother knew where to find me.

I started taking riding lessons at 5. When I was 10, we moved away, and the lessons stopped, much to my dismay. I would ride once in a while, if the opportunity arose.

In my later 20's, I had friends who loved to ride too. We found an awesome stable, and we used to rent horses to ride every weekend.

Finally, my 30th birthday present to myself - a horse. A horse named Blue. Blue was an Appaloosa, and the smartest horse ever. I adored him. He was an older horse when I got him, and I had him for 13 wonderful years. I had to put him down on my 43rd birthday.

Fast forward to our move to the wild southwest. We now have two horses.

Dozer:

Dozer is a big quarter horse. He came from a working ranch, and has the brand to prove it. Steady and strong, he'll do anything you ask him to. I spent a few years riding him in the nearby wild country, until he threw me one day and I broke my back. Not his fault, he was just being a horse. Horses are prey in the wild, and he was scared. My fault, for not sticking on his back while he was spinning to get away from the predator.

Meet Belle:

Belle is a mustang (wild horse). She is a line-back dun and has zebra stripes on her legs. She is brilliant, sweet and loves loves loves kids. I rescued her from a not-so-great situation, almost 4 years ago.

Due to my injury, I don't ride very often anymore. But I still adore these glorious animals, and give lessons to kids.

In my Woolies shop, I love to make horses. Here's my latest one; his name is Winter. I'm planning a seasonal series. Stay tuned for Spring, Summer and Fall.

Winter in Tucson Arizona

Dozer and Belle

I have two horses, Dozer and Belle. Dozer is a quarter horse, he came from a ranch and has the brand to prove it. Belle is a mustang, I have heard that she is probably a Mexican mustang (vs American mustang). Belle thinks she is a dog. Both are wonderful horses. I've recently started giving riding lessons, which I love to do.
Two years ago, Dozer and I were riding in Catalina State Park with friends, and something spooked the horses, big-time. Dozer spun, and I was catapulted. Broke my back! I'm pretty much fine, but don't ride like I used to...