HORSELOGS.COM 4th Anniversary Contest Entries... |
| Read Winner`s Story... |
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| Erin Hall | 9/15/2009 7:21:21 AM |
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| Diana Hanson | 9/14/2009 5:39:44 PM |
| It has been years since I owned a horse but in 2006 I took in a very abused thoroughbred. Most of my life I had quarter horses so this breed was new to me. She came to me lifeless this supposedly 17-3 hands horse. All I could do is cry sometimes looking at her and wondering how could someone do this to such an amazing creature. Well as time went on, through proper nutition, she started evolving into this beautuifully built horse. On day I was lunging her and admiring her gait and lost footing. She turned quickly as I started falling backwards and kicked me with both hoofs in my abdomen. She took off out of paddock and headed for the road. As I laid there trying to breath, I knew she would come back on her own. Within minutes I heard her thundering hoofs and into the stall and paddock she went. While waiting on the squad, she paced endless back and forth along the fence where I was laying. I could tell she was so upset. After coming back from the ER with 3 broken ribs and cracked collar bone, I had to go see her. She muzzled that big head in my chest as if asking for forgiveness. I rub her head and hugged her. Since that day, she has been a very calm and loving horse; my best friend. Who knows what she went through but she knows now she won't have to go through it again. |
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| Janet Allen | 9/14/2009 1:01:27 PM |
| I was told that I have breast cancer this May,2009. I did not know how many great friends that I have. I sure found out. I have never felt so loved and or needed in my life. I found out that a lot of women that I have shown and or rode with over the years also have had brest cancer. In one weeks time I talked with five different women that have had cancer that ride horses, thats almost a women a day. WOW!!!
I am now cancer free and back in the saddle. I would like to help send out a message to anyone that rides who has breast cancer..... stay strong you are not alone !!!!!! |
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| Debbi Sorrell | 9/14/2009 11:30:06 AM |
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| mary baldwin | 9/14/2009 1:51:28 AM |
| I used to be in a drill team with my horse Nickii when I was in high school. One year we were in a 4th of July parade in Litchfield Park, AZ. The Blue Angels flew right over the tops of the palm trees that lined the streets. Every horse in the parade blew up but mine. She was as steady as a rock. I miss that horse. You could take her anywhere and never had to worry about her. She is now in that big pasture in the sky. |
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| Michelle Harmon | 9/13/2009 11:29:44 PM |
| Is it so bad that all I want to do is ride. I purchased this grade horse in January 08 that was unbroke. She has become my best friend and my most responsive horse I ride. I have spent countless hours with her and I am hoping to make her a barrel horse. She has come so far so fast and I look foreword to our future together as a team. |
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| Donia Taylor | 9/13/2009 4:39:22 PM |
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| becky cummings | 9/13/2009 1:41:59 PM |
| I made a classic beginners mistake. I bought a horse site unseen over the internet. Of course the ad stated bombproof, leads changes, etc. She arrived hyped up easily 100lb under weight, marked up as in a stock pen with a lot of other horses. Later found out the seller has been doing this to many others and I was lucky to even get horse or a horse that lived more than a few days. 3 years later and she is still with me, been through several trainers with out much success until I found a lady that really helped me to help her through leadership, lots of ground work learning how to do trail trials work. Not able to ride her much due to recurrent lameness but my granddaughter loves to groom her her, wash, her and will ride her bareback some to. The big lesson I learned is even when you end up with a horrible mistreated skinny horse, you can still fall in love and have a life long companion. Missy taught me how to be a consciousness and caring horse owner, where if she were bombproof, I would have rode her around a bit and never gained the magic and knowledge I now possess. |
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| Laura Fitterman | 9/13/2009 1:13:55 PM |
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| Elizabeth Heyer | 9/13/2009 12:49:01 PM |
| At age 18 I had never been near a horse. I showed up to college having never pet a horse, groomed a horse, or been near a horse. I wasn't a city girl, I just never had the opportunity to be near horses. The college I chose has a huge equestrian program. We have 75 horses. It is there that I found my true love. It took four years, three kicks, four bites, and two allergic reactions but I now own my own horse. In a way he saved me more than I saved him from auction. At 21 I had started to drink too much. I was always at the bar and failed most of my college classes. Then I met Samson. He was a leased horse to the school program and over the summer I cleaned stalls the same time he was in for an injury. When he fell on a jump that fall and faced going to auction I bought him. The time and money I would have spent drinking now went to Sam. I had to keep a certain GPA to keep him at the school so my grades went up and so did my confidence. Samson saved me from myself. We are an awesome pair. He was the first horse I ever rode and I can't wait to see what our future holds. |
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| sultry | 9/13/2009 12:28:28 PM |
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| Kyra Warpula | 9/13/2009 11:45:33 AM |
| As a little girl (age 12) i went into my own horse business breeding miniature horses. At 13 i was doing my own AI and preg checks. I am from a family who talks horses like they talk english - all the time. now at age 17, i have placed 3rd at state horse shows in hippology. hippology is the study of horses. I have two quarter horses and one mini. i sold my farm a year ago to focus on my education better. |
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| Kelly Thayer | 9/13/2009 11:17:36 AM |
| When I was 14yrs old I got my first trained show horse, I was of course excited to show him in the spring, but come April he was diagnosed with EPM. I was devastated, but we helped him through the tests, and treatments, and two years later, I was able to take him to fair, and made it to state show, and placed second in trail class and hunter under saddle!! We also went to the All American Buckskin Congress, and took Congress Champion in Trail and Res in Hunter Under Saddle and High Point Youth. That winter he got sick again, but it wasn't EPM, but it was because of him having it. He no long was able to digests he food, and we had to put him down. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do. During this time, I had also got a gelding for barrel racing, I ended up showing that horse in everything, and winning in everything, and we still do, in fact we are going to Quarter Horse Congress this fall, showing in showmanship and barrels and poles. Most people don't believe me when I say he does barrels or the same with doing western pleasure, but he loves both. |
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| Kevin Showman | 9/13/2009 11:07:28 AM |
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| Nicole Freed | 9/12/2009 9:38:33 AM |
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| Debbi Sorrell | 9/7/2009 2:09:38 PM |
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| Sara Caines | 9/5/2009 8:07:03 AM |
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| Debbi Sorrell | 9/2/2009 8:04:29 PM |
| We bought our first miniature horse in April 2005.A little filly who we named Dakota.Our next purchase was a little stud who we named Rambo,at the time we bought him,he was only 4 weeks old,he is now 4 years old and beleive me he lives up to his name.Over the next 4 years we have had 6 babies born here.Our plans were to sell Minis and my husband had 2 of them sold when I was down and out after achellis tendon surgery this past April,with the help of our local vet who referred this couple to us.When my husband told me he had sold two of my babies,I told him he had another thought coming,a few words later and he made the phone call to tell the couple I wouldn't let them go.It is a laughing joke among people where we live the vet had sold 2 of our minis but I wouldn't let them go.The Vet told me he had been selling them at 2:00 in the morning.I just can't part with any of my babies,especially when I have been there when some were born.We have 20 little minis and each one has a special place in my heart and I can tell you little stories about each and everyone of them.maybe one day I can sell one(doubt it).I was kicked by Dakota and ended up having to have surgery on my leg last year.I just laugh and go on and tell people I got in her way.They are really wonderful creatures. |
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| Makon Buzzell | 8/31/2009 11:27:29 PM |
| When Rosie came to me a year ago, she could have been awarded an Emmy or an Oscar. You see she had just spent the last year of her life convincing her riders that she was going to kill them and they quickly dismounted before she could try. Her act even got me on our first trail ride, and I ended up walking her home. Fast fwd 9 mos. I quickly figured out that Rosie is a very big sweetheart just too smart for her own good. After A LOT of lunging, ground driving, hacking, riding with just a halter for a couple of months and plenty of long hours grooming and doting, Rosie has made a complete 360. We were fortunate this spring to be a demo pair in a Jane Savoie clinic! |
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| James Richards | 8/31/2009 12:50:08 PM |
| I just got my first horse this year at 45. I have been taking riding lessons for about 3 years with my wife, and we have really grown to love horses. My guys is a 10 year old Quarter Horse gelding. I am planning to show him in some local fun shows next year, so will have lots to work on all winter. Really looking forward to it. I have just signed up for HorseLogs too. |
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| Samantha Johnston | 8/28/2009 12:25:18 PM |
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| Valerie Traina | 8/25/2009 2:35:38 PM |
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| Stephanie Davenport | 8/24/2009 3:05:00 PM |
| Christmas Morning...
I woke up to laughter and chatter coming from downstairs, it was my family sitting around the Christmas tree. They said quick go outside my dad "heard" A gun shot right after he saw a deer.
So as we ran outside to see what happened to the dear we ran past the old cottage, I caught a glimpse of grey fur and a winnie... The old cottage had been turned into a stable! and my new best friend was inside!
Excited to see... My sister put the headcoller and lead rein on her head then handed the lead rein to me. I led her out of the stall, eager to see the beauty that stand before me...
A beautiful dapple grey young filly. Elegantly standing 13.2, she looked more like a Thoroughbred than a Welsh Section B. I would of been most appreciative of just a grey horse or pony of any sort. But I was shocked to see such a beautiful young thing. Dapple grey, four white socks and a blaze.
It was truly the BEST Christmas I have ever had.
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| Jasmine Hobart | 8/24/2009 1:57:51 PM |
| Grand Salute
We obtained "Salute" five years ago when my mom's friend, Sharon, bought him from a quarter horse sale. Salute is a 16'2 Hanovarian/TB cross, so no one wanted him, he was labeled a "maniac" and I am afraid his days were probably numbered. To make a long story short...we got him back to health, found out his history and who he really was. I evented him at beginning novice and have shown him thru Dressage, Third Level. We also found out he is thirty years old, sound and looks fabulous. What a neat horse!
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| Judy Nevelos | 8/23/2009 8:21:30 PM |
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| Kyra L. | 8/21/2009 1:45:44 PM |
| This was my first year showing my new TB at my local fair. She did amazing we placed in all of our classes except one. I couldnt have asked for anything more. Then she gave it to me, she helped me win hunter over fences level II! I have always been afraid to jump infront of a large crowd and she pulled me threw and we Won! This is the best year at fair in a long long time :) |
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| Christine Freeman | 8/20/2009 5:05:02 AM |
| I had just purchased this horse 3 years ago, He is a big gorgeous sorrel gelding with a flaxen mane and tail. He was kind of poor, needed some weight and in definate need of farrier work. The owner told me to just take him and try him. Well a couple of months later I really didn't think he had what it took to do what I wanted him for, Speed Events. I just fell in love with him any way, his disposition was worth its weight in gold. So, I drove to Alabama to pay for the horse, decided I wanted to keep him, Good Trail Horse. about 3 months later I went to the barn to ride and he wouldn't come to me from out in the pasture, he was holding his right hind leg out, I couldn't believe it, it was broken. He had fractured his P-1 pretty severely and it shattered his ankle, I was devistated. The vet said they would try to fix him if I just wanted a pet, my husband was adoment that we were not going to put him down. So we tried it, they put screws in the slab fracture to pull the bone together and put him in a cast to hope his ankle would mend, knowing I would never ride this horse. after a long year of medication, therapy, stall rest, and every kind of joint supplement I could afford I turned him into the round pen to get some sunshine, this horse shot off like a rocket and made about 20 laps, I freaked, I thought, "Oh my god" he is going to wreck himself. He was so happy and proud, I cried and couldn't believe the way he was moving, knowing in the back of my mind this horse would never be ridden after 2 1/2 years of pasture I decided to try him out. He moved like I was riding a cloud, smooth, and willing. Over time he got stronger and better, handled trailed like a dream, no limping or telling me hurt. 3 years later just playing I took him to a barrel run, mind you, this horsee knew nothing. He had only seen the pattern a few times before his accident. He ran the prettiest pattern and placed 1st in the 3D. His first ever time running barrels. From that point on he has been going to NBHA runs about once a month and has won a check every out but 1 time. We fell in a crack. He has a heart the size of the moon and has never told me he doesn't want to. He is the only horse I own now and I am no hurry o look for another. He has been a true miracle. It was a long wait and well worth it.. |
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| Maddy Brown | 8/19/2009 11:22:29 PM |
| In about nine months, I have taken a 16 year old trail and barrel pony to a champion hunter pony. She has done western her whole life, until November of 2008. I have taught her to jump and show. We show at "C" rated hunter shows in the 2'3 and 2'6 divisions. She is such an amazing pony. At her second horse show, she won every class she was entered in and got grand champion! |
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| darlene martin | 8/19/2009 8:45:22 PM |
| I bought my first horse at the ripe age of 44. My sister bought a mare and I fell in love with her. My Quarterhorse mare was 18 months when I purchased her. She is my sister's horse's niece!
We have had 8 years of bliss together (we were green on green) and I have never had anything make me so happy in my entire lifetime. Every time I ride her she amazes me with her intelligence and loyalty! We learn something new everytime we are together and I feel that I am truly blessed to have had the honor of owning and getting to know such a wonderful creature! |
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| Karla | 8/19/2009 8:42:58 PM |
| I am now sure that horses do have feelings for their owners...I've read stories about horses helping people in dangerous situations with other wildlife, etc and always thought wow that's some horse. I love my morgan/QH X dearly but have always been under the impression that food was his number one priority and that I was just his food delivery service until this past weekend.
Last Sunday morning, I went out to feed the horses their breakfast and normally bring one of the mares in the barn as she can get agressive with my gelding and a boarder's gelding she's turned out with...however, I had not slept well the night before and mistakely I decided to put her feed down on the ground instead to save myself time so I could get back to bed. I then walked a good distance away to put the other geldings feed down. It all happened very quickly but the mare decided to run over to my gelding's feed and turned around to kick out at him but I caught her kick in my side and lower back. It sent me to the ground imediatley and made me lose my breath. I was in alot of pain and didn't know if I could get up by myself. I just tried to keep breathing calmly. The mare meantime had gone to the end of the field and was watching the situation. Then my horse came over to me with his head lowered and nickered to me...he just kept his head down by me. I believe that yes he was wondering" what are you doing down there?" but also he seemed to be shielding me from the other horses until I could get the strength to get up. Once I finally dragged myself up he then walked over to his feed to finish it. I was very touched by his protectiveness. I've learned two things from this incident...never take short cuts even if your short on time and to never disregard the loyalty of an animal that you care for. I was very fortunate that I was not hurt more seriously but my ribs and back are just sore enough to make me remember not to cut corners again with horses and to always stick to the routine:) |
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| Aimy Crouse | 8/19/2009 6:05:50 AM |
| When I was small, my father had an Appaloose stallion that he rode everywhere. He used him to visit neighbors, and would put him in pastures for the day at their farms. There were even a few times dad had a little too much to drink, but Tarzan always brought him home. He would have done anything for my father. He made me love horses, with his beauty and gentle disposition. He passed when I was 13, so he is both my happiest and saddest childhood memory. He will never be forgotten. |
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| Liana Castro | 8/18/2009 8:49:33 PM |
| I rescued an unwanted horse that no one could touch or handle and I have rehabilitated her in a humane way. It took over a year but it was worth it. |
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| Clareybox | 8/18/2009 7:56:37 PM |
| The saying "pride before a fall" is very true!!
Two weeks after I first got my mare last year, I tried to 'demonstrate' what a 'skilled' rider I was, and how responsive my mare is. After a 2-second comedy of errors, I had a broken arm! This resulted in not riding my new horse for the whole summer. Moral of this story: Don't brag to an audience! |
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| Mary Beth Tolan | 8/18/2009 6:59:23 PM |
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| 8/18/2009 5:59:03 PM |
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| Donia Taylor | 8/18/2009 5:43:32 PM |
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| Richard Lewis | 8/18/2009 5:43:20 PM |
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| Renae Rietow | 8/18/2009 5:01:54 PM |
| I have never had such a special bond with anything, or anyone, in my life before I met Volt. I started leasing him when I was 12 years old. He was in his late teens to early twenty's by then, and by now he is probably passed. I think about him all the time and although I've had other horse's since, I have yet to meet one that I've bonded with just as much. |
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| Lily Cariou | 8/18/2009 4:33:25 PM |
| Swimming bareback on a horse has to be one of the funnest things I have ever done, It is an awesome expeience. A lot of horses truly love the water, they will paw in it to make bubbles and splash around and have a great time! If you have a lake or pond nearby then I say go give it a try. Its a fun thing for you and your horse to enjoy together and it gives them a break from ring work. |
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| Malama Lio | 8/18/2009 2:59:17 PM |
| Riding across the lava fields on Hawaii Island, just a few miles from the active crater at Kilauea, is an unforgettable experience. We rode through the tree ferns, into the dripping-wet rain forest, out into the hot sun on the cinder-sand, over the crumbly lava to the edge of the crater, where we waved at all the tour buses. Good horses make all the difference, and my two horses are excellent on the trails. |
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| Sarah Blanchard | 8/18/2009 2:53:55 PM |
| My mare Pandora is very clever with her mouth and feet, and can get herself into trouble because of it. She opens latches, picks up any loose items she can find, turns on faucets, drags the hose and water tub, around the paddock, and sometimes pulls objects under the fence with her feet if she can't reach them with her mouth. Unfortunately, this also gets her into trouble. She sometimes gets a front foot hung up in the mesh fence (supposedly horse-safe!) but never panics, and will wait for an hour or more for someone to cut her free. She ties well but will sometimes express her desire to be elsewhere (wherever the food is) by flexing a front foot in the air.
Once, tied to my trailer, she gently tapped a trailer tire with a front foot and broke off the valve stem, causing an instant flat tire. The air whooshing out didn't frighten her; she was fascinated by it. I no longer tie her anywhere that she can reach anything that can be destroyed. |
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| Heather Villano | 8/18/2009 2:39:21 PM |
| At the age of 5 i was blessed with a horse. A very friendly 3 year old palomino quarter horse. We've grown up together. Now he is 18 years old and still the best thing that has ever happened to me. We have been through so much. He loves to test me even now. We've raced other horses, jumped bareback, and gone on many trail rides, hes even tossed me a few times. He's worth the bruises though. |
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| Denise Fazzio | 8/18/2009 2:12:09 PM |
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| Mary Baldwin | 8/18/2009 11:42:19 AM |
| I had this horse named Nickii when I was a kid. She was actually my brother's horse. He traded an old pontiac for her. I am the one that rode and trained her though. When I got married my husband and I moved to California. I gave Nickii back to my brother. Everytime I came to visit him, from then until the day she died, Nickii would meet me at the pasture gate. I would jump on her and off we would go. Not coming back until the sun went down. She was happy and so was I. My brother was always upset about it as she never did that with him. He always had to chase her down to ride her. |
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| Carolyn Arney | 8/18/2009 11:14:40 AM |
| My horse Reno is afraid of saddle bags. I learned this because I put one on him. He reared and dumped me, then tried to scrape the bag off by running UNDER the arena fence, jumping over another fence, jumping through a swing, and falling down and skidding on the driveway. He turned out to be ok with a lot of road rash, but I wish I had known his normal vital signs etc to be able to compare. I am going to learn them and write them down now. Live and learn... |
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| Ashley Pogue | 8/18/2009 11:01:32 AM |
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| Debbi Sorrell | 8/18/2009 10:22:36 AM |
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| Lorraine Eisenhuth | 8/18/2009 10:01:37 AM |
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| AWit | 8/18/2009 10:01:18 AM |
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| Emily | 8/18/2009 9:51:26 AM |
| When I was 13 my parents gave me the gift of leasing a horse for the summer for my birthday! What a gift! With some help from our barn manager we found a wonderful Quarter Horse gelding to teach me the ins and outs of horse "ownership" and we had him vetted. When he vetted sound we were thrilled to know that my summer would be full of riding, but that evening the owner called to let my dad know that there had been two offers to purchase the horse. As the new lessee my dad had first right of refusal. Being the kind, generous man that he was, my dad didn't disappoint me, and he bought the horse. I'm sure he felt cornered! Dusky Drifter and I proceeded to make a great partnership, and he was sold two weeks before I went off to college. What had originally been the gift of a three months' lease turned into five years' ownership! What a lucky girl I was!! |
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| Beth Benner | 8/18/2009 9:46:54 AM |
| My horse name is Bo, this is his story he was A was A race horse four five years. Than he bowed his tendon the trainer of this was going put him down if know one took him. So in july of 2009 I want to get him, and know his leg almost heel and he will start his new career in english pleasure riding/dressage. I think this gift card would help me with him. |
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| JoLisa Anderson | 8/18/2009 9:04:32 AM |
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| Corrie McDermott | 8/18/2009 9:02:46 AM |
| For 20 years I had longed for a horse. In 1999 at the age of 20 a 33 year old Arabian gelding named Tempa became my first horse. He was everything I didn't want in a horse at the time. He was older, he was fast, he was anti-social and he was my least favorite color; gray. Over the next few years that all began to change. Age didn't matter because he was extremely lively. He was NOT your typical senior horse! He was fast, but well trained and we learned what speeds worked well for us. The anti-social behavior disappeared as he began to trust me and we very quickly became best friends. He was the talk of the horse community, both in town and online, especially as he grew older into his 40s and was still lively and healthy. Having him at home was the best decision I'd ever made. We did everything together and our bond grew far beyond that of a horse and his owner. As his early 40s came, I worried about how long I would continue to have him in my life. He was always healthy, but that began to change. In the summer of 2008 he became very sick. We learned he had an ulcer and immediately treated him for it. He bounced right back, but getting him to gain weight became a real challenge. His perky, happy attitude remained, and even though he would have to be on medication for the rest of his life, I was happy to still have my best friend. In February of 2009 he became ill again. This time the news was not so good. This time it was not the ulcers bothering him, but old age had finally caught up to the horse who thought he was still a young colt. His internal organs had started to fail and he also was starting with congestive heart failure. Just a few months shy of his 43rd birthday and our 10 years together, I made the extremely difficult decision to have him put down before he truly suffered. It was the most difficult decision I have ever had to make, but its something I do not regret. Tempa is in the big field now. Running, bucking and playi ng with no restraints such as old age and sickness to slow him down.
Video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOKXrNVVirY
Photos:http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v145/cormak/Tempa%20and%20Princess/?start=0
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| Laura Fitterman | 8/18/2009 8:52:27 AM |
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