How Many Horses Do You Have?
"How many horses do you have?" I get asked that question a lot. (Do you?) It usually comes up at "civilian" social gatherings, where people are trying their best to make polite conversation and have gotten past the standard "what do you do?" line of questioning.
It may seem odd, but I never know the answer right off the top of my head. Horses are always coming and going around here, so the number goes up and down and back up again, several times a year. I had to stop and count fingers just now: There's Tank, Gussie, her new filly Tiffany, Chanel, Riley, plus Beau, the boarded horse. So, six. But just a few weeks ago, we also had Carson (sold) and Najah (deceased). And before that, we also had Nelson (sold), Starla (sold), Trouble (given to our farrier's three little boys, in an eruption of "pay it forward" good will), Ace (deceased), Jack (boarder horse who moved away)...plus numerous other ex-residents. Now you know why I never bother to put name plaques on the stall doors.
I never get tired of learning what makes each horse unique, nor of seeing my horsemanship improve as a result of the variety. I'm like Velvet Brown the girl in "National Velvet" who had paper-doll horses in every size and color--except that my ever-evolving collection eats, and won't quite fit in a shoebox.
posted by Juli Thorson @ 10:16 AM
9 comments
9 Comments:
I always get asked why I have horses. How can you answer that one?
Colleen
http://www.naturalhorsenetwork.com
It's hard to not collect. My husband has put a limit of two horses only, which I have. I really could easily go to three and then......I also get asked the, "why do you have horses?"
Thesedays we are down to 6....with one mare due to foal in Spring.
Four are paddock ornaments and we are showing one quarter horse filly at halter.
We are just a couple of weeks away from our State Show and Nationals, and as its almost winter down here in Australia, are battling to keep slick show coats on our palomino 2yo Evocative.
We are coming over to the USA to watch the AQHA World Show later this year...would really appreciate some tips and advise on what we should plan to see while over there when you have time. Have enjoyed catching up on all your blog content!!
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c304/sherylden/P1040447.jpg
regards
Sheryl
email ahmirage15@hotmail.com
We have 4 and out of those 4 we were gifted with a set of twins born from our mare. It was our very first experience with a horse giving birth and we went by the book. The ultrasound did not show up twins. We were very lucky! So, we went from a planned 3 to 4 all at the same time!
Sheryl:
AQHA usually offers tours of Quarter Horse farms in the Oklahoma City area, so I would look into those while you are there for the World Show. You might also set aside time to visit the National Cowboy Hall of Fame--it has a new name now, that escapes me right this minute, but it's well worth visiting.
--Juli
Juli: The new name official name of the Cowboy Hall of Fame is the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, but everyone calls it the Cowboy Hall of Fame. I've even heard some of the employees call it that.
I currently have one horse, but he's boarded at my friends' ranch. My friends own/board about thirty horses.
2 Currently - lost the my broodmare the year before to colic - lost one in the fire this winter, uninsured, so it will stay at 2 for a while.
Sad thing is the cross of my broodmare and the stud that also died in the fire turned out to be super great! Now both are gone.
I also get asked why, at least while I am in town at work or something - but that's almost always followed up with "did you grow up with horses?"
I never get asked why I have horses, but guess that's probably because I never go anywhere except with horse people or where horse people gather.
I do get asked all the time how many I have or how many babies I have coming. Sometimes I can't keep track either.
I currently have 6. All I have raised from babies and were given to me, with the exception of two that I bought the old mare was 3 when I got her, she's now 26, and my 11 y/o Hollywood Jac horse, I bought as a weaner.
One was born in my lap from the oldest mare. And the last horse I aquired was given to me from the breeder. He was a 3 year old that was weaned then turned out and forgotten until age 3. He's nice gelding and now that he has his kindergarden done he's going to make a good mount. He always was a nice horse but didn't get the chance to prove himself due to his neglectful owners. It's a shame people don't have to have permit or license to breed horses. We would have far less surplus stock if they did.
While it's difficult taking care of 6 equines, being a single person, I work two jobs just to support them but they are my family, they needn't worry about having a good home...til death do us part is my motto
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