Favorite and/or Worst Experience with Horses

Many of us have had horses cross our paths in some way, whether through a pony ride at a local fair to actually owning your own horse. These experiences can sometimes be funny stories told to get a few laughs or scary memories that make us shutter every time we look back. When thinking about this topic myself, I thought of a story my mom told me about when she went away to camp one year as a child. She and a few other campers went out on a trail ride through the woods. While they were on their way back to camp, my mom's pony took off with her and galloped the whole way back to the barn. All she was able to do is sit back and hold on for dear life. As it turned out she was perfectly fine. The pony just wanted to get back home. The incident though appears to have made my mom nervous about riding a horse now. Although she does enjoy spending time at the stable where I board my horse, Shai and help with her care.

Do any of you have any interesting stories to share about horses in your life?

Top Equestrian Colleges in the United States

Choosing which college is definitely one of the most important decisions you will ever make in your life. Having a passion for horses can be something to lead you to a great career. Here is a list of top equestrian colleges with excellent programs that may just be what you are searching for.

Centenary College
Virginia Intermont College
SUNY-Morrisville State College
Sweet Briar College
University of Findlay
Eldsworth Community College
Johnson and Wales University
Meridth Manor International Equestrian Center
William Woods University
University of Louisville
Many more equestrian colleges

The Journey to My First Horse

My quest began to acquire a horse of my own when I was a child. I had always wanted a horse. First, I started begging my parents every day, literally every day, I’m not kidding!  I was very dedicated. I’m surprised they didn’t give into me sooner either out of pity or just to shut me up, but they held their ground and wouldn’t give in to my request. I finally came to the conclusion that if my parents wouldn’t buy me a horse I would get the money and buy one myself. At this time I was still a young child in elementary school. No one would hire me to do anything. I wasn’t even old enough to babysit. These factors didn’t crush my spirits. I saved every penny I could get my hands on from that point forward. I saved all my birthday money from my grandparents and other relatives down to any odd change that I could find lying in the street. My dad would make jokes like “now you have enough to buy the tail,” but I knew that one day all the money would add up and could afford me a horse and indeed it did.

Fast forward to my sixteenth year of life, I was a sophomore in high school. I was now in the 4H horse program and taking regular riding lessons with my instructor Margaret Weber. At this point I was old enough to have a job, which I had had for the past year and a half. I worked at the local miniature golf course, The Village Greens. Having a steady job was one of the conditions my parents had given me when they were thinking about letting me buy a horse, because they were not going to pay for the upkeep, I had to. Now that I was old enough, had a job, and proved that I was responsible enough to take care of a large animal, I was allowed to buy a horse. I was ecstatic! I couldn’t believe this moment had finally come. All the money I had been saving since I was a child would be put to use. I was going to actually have a horse to my name. Life couldn’t get any better!

Now began the process of horse shopping. This consisted of going online and looking at ads on DreamHorse.com to picking up copies of the Equine Marketer at the local Tractor Supply store. I would always run the horses past my riding instructor Margaret first, I valued her opinion on which horses to go see and which ones to put in the "no" pile. After months of searching, I went to see my first prospect. She was stunning. Jo was a two year old Paint filly who already had height and was still growing. I was convinced that this was my horse. Unfortunately, due to complications with the owners I was unable to purchase Jo. She was not the horse for me. My search for my dream horse continued. I looked at a few others and some phone calls were made, but nothing turned up. I was beginning to get discouraged when I received a phone call. It was the woman from Lost and Found Horse Rescue. I had previously given an application to them. The woman said a horse had come in that she thought I would be interested in. I immediately made an appointment to go and see the mare. 

That Sunday Margaret, her daughter Beth and Beth’s daughter Megan, my mom and I all piled into a minivan to go meet this horse. When we arrived the woman took us all into the dingy old barn. In the far corner stall was a chestnut mare. The woman brought her outside so we all could get a better look. She was a beautiful horse, tall, elegant and with conformation just about as perfect as it comes. She was chestnut colored from her head to her hooves except of a little with star on her forehead. I fell in love at first sight. I put down a deposit and made an appointment to come back and ride her the following Thursday.

The following Thursday turned out to be quite the adventure. It was cool first of all because I got to miss a day of school. I had originally just planned on going with Margaret to just ride the mare, which I did do. Afterward Margaret and I discussed a few things I made the official decision that I was going to purchase the horse, my horse! Then I had to proceed in getting my new equine friend home, or her new home rather which was a barn about five minutes from my house. Margaret and I drove from York, where the horse rescue was located, to Margaret’s barn to pick up the truck and horse trailer, and then all the way back to York to pick up my horse and bring her home. It was a full day of driving, but totally worth it to bring my new horse, Shai, home.

I learned so much from this experience. I wanted a horse, I worked hard and saved money, and finally got my horse. Horses teach us all so much. I continue to learn from mine everyday. I feel very lucky to be able to have one of my own.

Here is a picture of my horse, Shai. I've had her for about 5 years now.

Welcome!

I've created this blog as a project for a course I'm taking at college. When having to choose a topic for my blog I immediately thought of my love for horses. I thought it would be nice to have a blog that discusses and gives some advice about horses to people. It would be cool to have many people share tips they have regarding horses. Any information that would be useful to other horsey people will be welcomed here. Thanks in advance to anyone who writes on my blog and helps with my project!