09/05/08

 I started out riding here and there as a child, but did not own my own horse until I was 14 years old. I saved up enough money to  purchase my first horse and had a paper route to pay for his pasture rent and feed. My first horse was named Little Man. He was half Welsh pony and half Quarter horse. Little Man was a perfect first horse, the better I got at riding the spunkier he would be. That poor pony was ridden everywhere and as frequently as possible for the years that I owned him. The first year or so I had him I rode him bareback since I did not have a saddle. My aunt gave me a nice little English saddle and so I rode English for my first several years. Little Man was old when I bought him and had to be put down eventually.  He was a great little horse that will always have a special place in my memories.

 My next horse was purchased while I sill owned Little Man. She was an 8 year old Morgan Horse named Lady Stetson. Stetson was not broke to ride but a very gentle horse. She was the first horse that I ever broke myself.

From here on would be crazy to try and write about every horse that I ever owned since I purchased several to train and resell (mostly starved horses and ponies that needed a second chance). My parents also finally moved onto a property large enough to have the horses on and they got a few very nice Morgan horses as well. When I went to college I studied Animal Technology: Horse Management and after completing that degree went to Farrier school. All during college I trained horses for other people , gave riding lessons, bred my mare and took lessons in dressage and jumping. After college I still trained but also was an active farrier (horse shoer).

When I got married and moved to Missouri I sold all of my lovely Morgan horses. They all went to good homes, but it was hard to let some of them go. It would have been harder though to move them half way across the country when I did not have property to keep them on.  I did not however, stop riding. There are always horses to be ridden if you just look around. I took a job at Truman State University teaching Horsemanship classes and coaching the Equestrian Team. This job allowed me access to many many horses and plenty of students to teach.

 My husband, Steven, had horses growing up and rode when he could. His family bought a gray Arabian when he was 10. Later Carolita was replaced by an old ranch horse, Bob. Since two horses are twice as much fun as one, his father bought Misty. Other horses followed and then were sold when his family moved out to Missouri. When his father was established in Missouri he bought some Quarter horses and currently raises gaited horses.

 Now that we are more settled we again have our own horses. Horses are a family interest for us. My husband and I love to go riding together, and our little boy enjoys tagging along too. Right now we only have two horses and a pony at our house.

                        

 

   Tove (pronounced Toe-Vah) is a 4 year old Norwegian Fjord mare. She comes from Green Valley Farms in Illinois and has a great pedigree and awesome disposition. Although only a youngster she has a level head and willing attitude. I love this little stocky mare and look forward to the many years we have together. Steven and I have wanted to get into Fjords since we were first married 6 years ago. Now that we finally have our first one we know we chose the right breed.