Sunday, January 24, 2010

Dreaming of a horse...

It's been almost 3 years since I've owned a horse and I can't stop thinking about them! I've even been searching Craig's List daily for horses (crazy). I think because of the economy, the prices are very low. So, I won $50 dollars this weekend, 3rd place in a photo contest (more on that later). I think that money is going to start my horse fund. Hopefully, in 2 years, I will have enough! My last two horses were thoroughbreds but this time I'm thinking of going with something smaller, so Zoe can learn, and quieter, so I don't get killed. I think a Haflinger would fit the bill perfectly. I have a friend that had two of them and I went on a trail ride with her once and had a blast. Plus, who can resist that gorgeous golden coat and flaxen mane?

Here are some random horse photos from the past. I'll include two Haflinger photos first.















Would you believe that little kid is me? The other two are my Aunt Mary and her horse Honey. I spent
every summer with that horse. She was the best! Don't we look like a grumpy trio?




25 comments:

Lin said...

Oh, I hope you can get your horse soon! Love the photo of the two "happy" riders!! LOL!

Unknown said...

Hi Jen,
I know that once you put the notion of looking for a horse out into the Universe, the ideal steed will appear! Is the black a Percheron?
It's been 10yrs now since I've had my own horse, and I feel much the same way. Great photos as usual. Deb

Pony Girl said...

Jennifer, it can happen! Three years ago I started dreaming of owning a horse again. I started a horse fund like you...rolled quarters, shopped at the dollar store. I leased a horse first, and the opportunity came up to buy him as his owner was going through a divorce. Which was a good thing, that he came up for sale, because I'd fallen in love with him! When I first started leasing My Boy, the barn he was at, they had a lot of Haflingers. They are really pretty, not too big yet sturdy, and, had nice temperaments.

Theresa MacNaughton said...

Keep winning those contests so your horse fund can grow! Again, congrats on your win and I hope that you can find the perfect horse sooner than later. :) Theresa

~tinyartjewelry~ said...

Sure hope that horse finds its way into your heart much faster than ever imagined. My sister owns 8 gorgeous horses. Maybe I can sneak one out next time I visit her ;-)

Judy said...

Oh Jennifer I am with you about wanting a horse. I had never been around horses until I moved to Tenn. (they are everywhere!) I met a friend who raised Thoroughbreds and fell in LOVE! I helped him with the mares and the 3 foals that followed as he got sick. I ended up being their only care giver for months and then they were taken back to Ohio, so now I am horseless and miss them terribly.
I wish you much luck with finding your horse!

Paint Girl said...

That would be so exciting for you to get a horse! I think your daughter would love it too.
My sister did the same thing a few years ago. She started leasing her horse, then a year later, she was able to buy him.
Haflinger's are really neat horses. Where my trainer/friend used to work, and where I sent my horse's to training with her, they raised Haflinger's. I got to see them everyday, they are such neat and beautiful horses.
Good luck in your horse shopping endeavor, and I hope it happens sooner then you think it will!!!

Unknown said...

Gah, lady, don't get me started on the horses! I want TWO horses--the draft kind, with a wagon to boot! ;)

I know it can happen for you! You actually live in a place where you can have them...and you have this luck about you, I just know it will happen! :)

cowgirljlynn said...

Dreams do come true! I never thought that I would have my own horse either, leased and took lessons just so I could be around them!! Now I have my own!!

Unknown said...

Congratulations! I hope a horse happens for you sooner rather than later. I can't imagine my world without them.

By the way, that could be the famous squinting into the sun look...

Laurie Powers said...

what nice photos and comments from everyone. I know you'll get a horse, Jen. I don't know that much about Haflingers, but they look lovely.

Janine said...

I like haflingers very much

Linda said...

I was looking through the horses for sale too yesterday, except they are very exspensive here, I wish I could win the lottery big, so I could have lots of joy to share around.You look just like Zoe, I have a few pictures of me as a kid I look grumpy too, I think I was capturedto be put in front of a camera. Lindaxx

Heather said...

Oooh, I wish you luck!

Yeah, horses are really suffering because of the economy. There have been more and more that are just abandon!

We rent our barn out to a quarter horse breeder, so every spring we get to see a field full of little foals! SO CUTE!!!

Jennifer Rose said...

its great seeing that picture of a young you on a horse :)

I would love a Gypsy Cob, they are just gorgeous or a Shire. lol need to buy some land first I think

The Silver Age Sara said...

I do hope you get your horse. They bring magic to our lives. I also love Haflingers and thought about getting one. There are lots of rescues around now too. I hope your dream comes true and I loved your photos.

First Draught Farm said...

I cannot believe how much you look like Zoe!!! You know my story. . . To Thine Own Self Be True . . . and GO for it!

PS: $50 will buy you a horse these days. . . In fact, we just took in a give-away into our riding program.

Angie @ thejunkranch said...

Zoe will be at such a good age to start in a couple of years. It's a buyer's market so you may be able to swing it sooner than you think.

Rue said...

I learned to ride on a Haflinger! I haven't ridden in years though. Your blog makes me miss it terribly!

Good for your for starting your horse fund!

Jeni said...

Ohhh Jen! Good for you! You may want too look at rescues too. There are so many horses out there right now who's owners surrender them because they can not feed them anymore.

Jessie said...

If you ever want to get into paints let me know! :) It took me a long time to finally get back into horses again and now I can't seem to have any less than a half dozen LOL. Hopefully you can find just the perfect one!

Bonnie Story said...

Yay!!! I'm glad for you. There are a few good Haflinger breeders right near where I live (90 minutes NW of Seattle) and I get to see them regularly. Great idea! I agree about Craigslist - OMG the horses are at fire-sale prices. I feel bad for the sellers, you know they don't want to sell but just can't make it work... boy you could get into a really, really decent horse with just about 2500 bucks these days. It's amazing.

Debbie said...

Fabulous Photographs. Thank you for sharing them with us..x

Erica Lea said...

It will be 7 years this June for us (after almost 23 years of having them), and the urge has come back so strongly. I thought after how we had to give them up, the urge would go away, but it just keeps growing. I think once horses are in your heart, they're there for good. I hope you find your match - I wouldn't be surprised if it happened sooner than you think:-) Also, why not a Gypsy Vanner? They seem like they match your requirements, too.

By Way of Salem said...

Lol Jen! It's not the purchase - it's the monthly upkeep of $$$! I'm excited for you tho - nothing like owning a horse - so good for the soul.
P.S. I'm waiting for you to paint some signs and put them on Etsy! Jeannine