Today is National I Love Horses Day—now officially one of my favorite days of the year. How could I blog about another subject rather than wax poetic on this?
I’ve been a horse lover since the very first time I went to visit my maternal grandfather in Oregon (we live in Colorado). He lived in a small town (which I used when creating my Serendipity, Texas novels) with a patch of land with a lovely “crick” running behind it. At various times he had chickens, a really mean rooster, adorable donkeys and two palomino quarter horses named Suzy and Cindy. He had an old tack shed that smelled like horse and leather and inside his house he displayed an impressive spur collection. One of my favorite memories is how he played the fiddle without knowing a note of music.
I spent hours outside just watching the horses and enjoying being with them. My grandfather once hooked them up to a wagon and we participated in a parade. And when I learned to ride, he allowed me to saddle up and take Suzy around town.
My grandfather also subscribed to Western Horseman, so whenever I was inside, I was reading months’ worth of the magazine from cover to cover. In the classified advertising in the back I discovered people who “showed” their Breyer horses (with snapshots), and for a while collecting and showing Breyer horses was my favorite hobby.
Every summer I would go to the Campfire Girls weeklong horse camp, where I always chose my favorite horse, a white Arab called Pitonio. I enjoyed shooting bows and arrows and taking hikes, but I lived for the daily horse rides.
Back home, I loved visiting our local library and would come home with stacks of books both nonfiction and fiction, everything from How to Care for Your Horse to Black Beauty and Misty of Chincoteague. I learned all about different horse breeds and which breeds I most leaned toward (Arabians!) I dreamed of having a horse of my own.
Fast forward forty-some-odd years. Still no horse of my own, but I absolutely love visiting my sister’s horse sanctuary, Happy Haven Farm and Sanctuary, standing out in the field surrounded by curious horses. My worries and cares fade away around my equine friends and I’ve discovered a true happy place. Occasionally, my sister and I take trail rides into the Rocky Mountains. Heaven on earth!
And then I met Moscato. Love at first sight, and it doesn’t hurt that Moscato is also my favorite wine. He’s a three-year-old gorgeous bay Arabian with a lovely personality. His smooth gaits bring tears to my eyes, especially when he’s galloping free with his head and tail high in the air as only Arabians do. I’ve worked with him in a corral, and the connection we’ve made makes my breath catch in my throat. I finally adopted a horse of my own.
I’m not sure my sister will appreciate this, but I’m thinking tiny house on her eastern Colorado property so I can be with my Moscato every day.
I often write about horses in my books. My January release from Harlequin Love Inspired, Their Unbreakable Bond (Rocky Mountain Family #4), features draft horses Percherons Preacher and Deacon and Shires Jack and Jill.
What about you? Do you love horses? What’s your favorite kind of animal and why?
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~~Love Courageously~~ Publisher's Weekly Bestselling, award-winning author of 30 novels, Deb Kastner enjoys writing contemporary inspirational western stories set in small communities. She feels especially blessed to be able to include faith as a natural and genuine part of her characters' lives. Deb lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband and a pack of miscreant mutts. She is blessed with three adult daughters and two grandchildren. Her favorite hobby is spoiling her grandchildren, but she also enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music (The Texas Tenors are her fav), singing in the church choir, and exploring the Rocky Mountains on horseback.
By coincidence I watched the latest movie version of BLACK BEAUTY last night.
When you mentioned a mean rooster I have come across a few in my time. One when I was looking looking after the pets and chooks for a friend. The rooster attacked me every time.
I was never into horses. I did get to ride on a pony a few times and with dad on a big white horse called Tango but they tended to scare me a little. The boys on the farm use to get them running at me when I would want to go out the gate and they were in the main drive at the farm (Farm managers boys and sometime my brother with them).
I love cats my favourite after seeing one at the zoo on my first trip there at about 12 is a cougar or the Mountain Lion. I know they are deadly but they look so majestic. I also love Tigers. (and domestic cats)
I have always enjoyed any animal that would be likely to form a relationship bond with me. Dogs, of course. Cats, even, though they are more selective. All the reading about horses makes me wish I could get to know a friendly breed. I think I have only ridden once or twice in my life. I didn’t understand how to relate to them very well, though. I wish I had been introduced by someone who was a horseman.
I love the story of your youth with horses! And I’m so glad you have Moscato to connect with.
I haven’t been around horses much, though I do like to read about them. I like cats and dogs, and most other animals, though.
Hi Deb! Oh the special bond between grandkids and their grandparents. While I have ridden a horse a few times, this city girl prefers cats and dogs. Definitely miss my Sheltie Penny and our vocal tabby Abbey. But since Penny lived to be 16 at our age, we now share Sheltie Ivy with our son. Due to age and health, not fair to have an animal bond only to be left behind. Ivy visits regularly and we care for her when our son and family is out of town. Great pictures. Enjoy your horse. Best wishes.
Oh, lovely! I may have to look up some of my old favorites.
I understand it now, but at the time I wondered why the chickens were in a coop while the mean ol’ rooster had free run! I was chased SO many times. Colorado is especially known for its cougars/pumas/mountain lions. The ecosystem supports them well.
Horses are surprisingly social with their person. Right up there with dogs! It’s such an amazing feeling to connect, maybe because horses are such large animals and they are giving us permission to come into their worlds.
Horses are surprisingly social with their person. Right up there with dogs! It’s such an amazing feeling to connect, maybe because horses are such large animals and they are giving us permission to come into their worlds.
Thanks. I’m a huge dog fan, as well. And I have cats, LOLOL.
Hi, when I was a teenager we had a horse and his name was Big Red, we used to ride him. I love dogs and so we have a 23lb. 8yr old half Schnauzer and his name is Honeybear. I enjoyed reading your post. Have a great rest of the week and stay safe.
It would truly be worth your time to go on a trail ride. I think you’d become enamored of the whole experience!
What a lovely memory about Big Red. And I have a very special spot in my heart for schnauzers!!! Give Honeybear a love for me.
Moscato is my favorite wine too LOL
I love horses from a distance…kind of scared to be on due to a lack of experience.
When I stayed with my uncle and Aunt when I was 11 uncle Bill trained racehorses and I would go down to the stables in the back of their place and pet Congoda a brown race horse. A couple of the others were not so friendly with people but he was really friendly and loved a pat. I even had a photo of me with him. While one was quite easily spooked my cousins 18 month old walked into his stable and my uncle thought he would be trampled. The horse stood so still and let Jay walk round him. I guess it knew he was safe and that if he moved he would hurt him. An adult wouldn’t be so lucky.
Horses are beautiful animals. I love to see them. I have only rode a few times in my life. I love cats and dogs. They are both animals who can live inside our home. I can cuddle with them. God bless you.
I love to feed horses & as a child camping we fed two horses in the field beside us. I never could ride one due to my epilepsy though. My most favourite animal is a Pekingese puppy. I also love Chipmunks & Raccoons.
I find horses nice. My favor animal is a German Shepherd Dog & also a Penguin.
Yes! I was a horsey girl and had a horsey childhood too! So many awesome memories!
I don’t have much experience with horses, though they are beautiful creatures.
I love frogs, squirrels, rabbits and love bird watching. I’m an animal lover for sure!