Our newest arrival!

Angel came to us through a horse rescue program in Tennessee. Aria and Tiana came out with me and at first she didn't want anything to do with us, but eventually she let us catch her and the girls doted on her, brushed her and walked her around the yard. She is a good pony and spirited, but obedient with a firm hand. She doesn't seem to mind a bath or being an Indian pony for games.

Our Horse Story

Four years ago we finally put up a perimeter fence when Belen was given a horse by Uncle Dan. Samson was a yearling at the time, half quarter horse, half Belgian. Chock and Belen started him that summer and he has been her baby ever since (a very big baby!). He is at Uncle Dan's learning to drive while Belen is in college.

Later that summer, we found a nice mare for sale in our price range with two saddles thrown in the bargain. She was called Little Bit, and we call her Bitsy. She is half Saddlebred and half Tennessee Walking Horse, and still a little small, just perfect for growing girls. She is officially Mom's horse, but Aria trained her, rides her and showed her in 4-H her first two years. She is sweet and calm, but don't be fooled--she is the boss of the herd. One of the best bargains ever!

Then Pete came along. Someone Chock works with heard that the kids were working with horses in 4-H and asked if we wanted a quarter horse that he had. He was a little frustrated because training hadn't been going as well as he would like and he didn't have the inclination to keep trying. Pete is a little temperamental, but a good trainer for Shelvin--I think they're a little alike. Pete is such a pretty coppery sorrel and shines in the sun. He has the best muscle definition and a lot of speed and will. He trained in hunt seat for a few months with Chloe. He got good marks!

Here are Pete, Bitsy and Sam on a wintery day checking out the rc car that the boys decided to tease them with.They alternated between running away and creeping up to sniff it again.

The next spring Uncle Dan's mare Dolly had a cute colt that Belen fell in love with and asked him on the spot at two days old how much. So she bought the colt with her puppy money and Dolly and Dakoda came to be with us. Uncle Dan also said we could keep her another year and get a foal from her. So we bred Dolly back while she was here. Dakoda and Belen trained in hunt seat and went to the 4H state horse show. Here is Dakota as a foal, yearling and being introduced to the saddle (he does very well now and Belen can ride him anywhere, well, almost).

That summer Uncle Dan moved to a smaller farm and asked if we would keep his mule with our herd. Tarbaby is a good riding mule and he and Russell get along great. They are just right for each other. I think Uncle Dan and Aunt Pam have him back now for driving. Sam is a good buddy, too.

Next spring (2007) we welcomed Dolly's foal, a cute little filly that looks a lot like Dakota. Mom was so thrilled to be able to watch the foaling. After the kids were in bed one night, we went out to check on Dolly, knowing she would foal soon. She was foaling right then and we stayed out there really quiet in one corner while Dolly did her business. It was a wonderful sight! Her name is Dusty for the Dusty pen she was born in and the dusty summer heat she endured her first summer. Here are Dolly, Dakota and Dusty summer 2008

Tiana felt a little intimidated by the big horses and started asking for a pony she could ride. We did a little looking but nothing good came up in our price range (little or nothing). Then we got a call from a family who didn't want to give up ownership of their pony, but wanted to loan him to someone who would ride him and keep him company. So Snoopy joined us and Tiana is now an avid rider and spends all day riding and brushing him if the weather's just right; she can even jump up on him all by herself now and Esther is even comfortable on him--with help, of course.

Next came Dandy. Our vet, Dr. Curry, was downsizing his horse herd and had a three-year-old gelding that had only been trained to a halter. He was willing to just give him to us if we would care for him, train him and enjoy him. What horse-lover could refuse that offer? He is half appaloosa and half Tennessee Walking Horse. I think his color is strawberry roan appaloosa. Aria has had a great experience training him and his first show was last spring's 4H state show. Don't they look great!

This is Tory. She is a three-year-old buckskin quarter horse that Belen and Dad brought home. She is sweet and loves people. We will enjoy watching her personality unfold as she grows and as Belen works with her. Here they are getting to know each other on a windy day. Belen's three horses miss her while she's in college.

So from our family dream of having a few horses to ride and enjoy, we have been abundantly blessed almost more than we have room to hold. We enjoy them and hope to continue training both kids and horses with our herd. We love to have an excuse to get them saddled up and go, so if you're hankerin' for a horsey ride, just come on over.

Check out