I’m thankful for Remi. She is always very confronting and forward in what she needs. For this previously wild BLM mare to walk right up to my face and ask for what she wants – means so much to me. I am very, very thankful for this girl – especially because she is so powerful. I am not thankful, however, for her ability to make a cacophony of sound when she wants to eat… but, I guess that just shows how well she can train me. ;)

Beautiful, shy Sam. This very wild mare (she is still very wild…) is a breath of sunshine to me. Although she sees no needs to be cuddly or to be touched at all, she is quite respectful, obedient and totally true to her wild roots. This mare is tough and fierce, but a real softy inside.

The dynamic duo of Slick and Norma Jean. I am so thankful to both of these munchkins. Slick is a HUGE horse stuck in a tiny body. He is a romantic and an avid explorer trapped inside a Shetland body. I adore him… and so does Norma Jean.  NJ is the most sweet, most demure and most gentle soul here. She is a gift. They both are…

Perfectly mannered BG (Beautiful Girl). I am thankful that this girl is such a good girl. She is my next riding horse and I think her cool, calm and collected persona will be perfect for me. This girl deserves some special attention because she never demands it.  She is also a smartypants.  You see, this evening at dinner time, she went into a totally different pasture so that she could eat alone – so no one could eat off of her pile.

Funny, wonderful Finn! Finn is my present riding horse and BG’s full, older, brother. They are nothing alike. Finn is a force of humor with a bold personality – except when he’s scared. He isn’t really very confident and that is quite endearing on a horse with such bravado. The Big Man often needs comforting. But, when Finn is relaxed, he is the total, lovable clown with an incredible gait and canter!

Big, Bold, Beautiful Bodhi! I am thankful that Bodhi is home. We love him!  He is like the big, pushy, lovable lunk that is a marshMELLOW inside.

Brilliant Gwen (Tess’ first foal). This girl can pick any lock and open any door. She is a horsey quick thinker!  She actually comes to the front door when she needs something…. I am thankful for her wit and for her ability to carry me for many years with her perfect trot and rocking-horse canter.  She was and is my partner.  (I’m not happy that she puts her nose marks on the door…)

Amazing Rojo the King. Rojo was wild just a few years ago, and he is still mostly wild. I adopted him just before I was diagnosed.  He was supposed to be my riding horse but that had to be postponed for a few years while I healed.   But, for now, he is helping me understand the wild horse herd. I am so thankful that he is willing to live here and be my friend, even though he is not being ridden as promised. Thank you, Rojo, for giving up your freedom. How awful that must have been…

The most kind soul here. Dodger the Shetland. No one can decide how old he is but I’ve had him for 19 years and I think he was a teenager when I got him from the feedlot. Dodger is the King of his pasture and will run like a demon when he is let out. Many years ago, the once standoffish pony had a very bad bout of colic. I brought him into the barn and babied him all night and for the next several days. After that, he has always looked at me with gratitude and soft eyes. It is as if he is saying, “I’ve got your back, Human!”. He is very special and I am so thankful for finding him at the meat auction.

Mr. Wrigley (Tess’ 6th foal) is my challenge and I am thankful for that. This boy is so talented and amazingly athletic… but he is also all fire with snap/crackle/pop seething out of him. He is brilliant, sensitive and awesome – the most difficult for me to train. He needs patience to give him confidence so all of his ability can shine. I am not a patient person, so he teaches me – daily – and I am thankful.

Ahhh, the Queen. Mama Tess. I am so thankful that she is still here, teaching us all about her force of nature and her  will to heal from a mostly impossible illness. Every single day she teaches me. I am incredibly thankful that I am her helper on this extremely trying and amazing journey.  I doubt this illness could ever get the best of this very powerful mare.

THANK YOU for reading and helping grow this blog so that we have strength in numbers – to help all of the horses. THANK YOU.

JEWELRY THAT BENEFITS THE BUCKET FUND HORSES! Every sale counts! Click image to see the new pieces!

Isn’t this a great shot of one of our November Bucket Fund Burros?! She looks so healthy and they’ve integrated into their new Sanctuary very well. I will have an update tomorrow! Click image to read their story!