Tell us about your favorite horse.

[Mellifluous]

Out of all of the horses you guys have owned or ridden, which one would be your favorite and why? I would love to hear some great stories. Include some pics if you have them.


I will post about mine later when I have the time.

[JimHannah]

They're all my favorite when I'm riding them.

My most favorite is my Palomino Largo Stud. I'll see if I can dig up a few photos to post later.

Jim

[pasolucy]

This is just too hard. The mare that I rode when I was a child that took me everywhere and did everything that a silly kid could could ask? The first horse that I trained as a teenager, I gamed him and won ribbons, he was broke to drive, I rode him everywhere and when I got married and had children he taught my two girls how to ride? The appaloosa gelding that I packed in on all over the mountains, he never failed to take me back to camp when I got lost, there were occasions when I put my life in his hands and let him choose how to get out of a tight spot that I had put him into? The first adult Paso riding horse that is now 20 plus years old and takes my grandsons for a nice trail ride, plus the fact that she has given us two wonderful riding horses that we are using now since she is semi retired? Horses are such wonderful animals that how do you choose? All of the horses that I have mentioned are horses that were never for sale, they were kept until they died or had to be put down, or will be kept until that time. These horses I will alway remember and be grateful for what they have added to my life. The ones that I have now, it is impossible to really choose a favorite, some I really like for one trait, the next is a little different but I think the first Paso that I bought as a two year old would have to be at the top of the list. I think she comes as close to being a perfect horse as they get. She is a wonderful horse to work with and ride, and yet she is our best Demo horse. Put someone on that mare and let them ride her and they want her sister, brother or foal. She will never leave our place unless it is to go to the grandsons when they are old enough.

[Linda Y]

Without a doubt the best horse I have ever owned...or probably ever will...was my first Paso Fino Cuca Volar. She was by Volare out of Sensacion LaCE. A bay with a blaze that I bought when she was 5 months old from the worst photo you ever saw. That was in 1965. I had her until she died of Cushings at age 20, and still own her last son and great great granddaughter. Cuca was a horse like nothing I have ever experienced...kind, honest to a fault, sweet as they come. Gait like silk. Able to do anything I asked of her. Trail horse supreme and a pretty good show horse to boot. Everyone who knew her loved her. I miss her every day of my life. Her GGD Cita is a pretty good little horse too. If I had spent as much time with her as I did with Cuca, she may be just as good, but as she is now I still love her. She is my favorite today...Cuca is my favorite forever.

[CarolU]

There is no question, it would be Tina. If I told you just 1/4 of what this horse did, we'd be here all night and you'd all just think I was bragging. In short, she was every dream I ever had fulfilled, plus some. She was a $125 grade mare, 13.2 hh, 1/2 QH, 1/4 Arab, and 1/4 Welsh pony. I had her 31 of her 33 years.

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/23115Me_and_TinaSml.jpg

If I died the day after she did, I would have died totally fulfilled.

[Terri]

I loved all the horses I've ever owned, starting with my 1st horse, a morgan named Laddy, my 1/2 qrt horse named Bits and my current 3: Mico, Incendio and Rio. But beyond doubt, Rio is the love of my life. He is the horse I have dreamed of owning all my life. He beautiful, sweet, smooth, and had a funny personality. I trust him to carry me where I ask. He has taken me to shows, parades, demos and trail rides. When he looks at me with his big brown trusting eyes, I know I have my equine forever best friend.
He even enjoys picnics
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/micomyhorse/DSC00027.jpg
I feel very blessed to have Rio in my life.

[Pam M]

Unlike Terri, I haven't loved every horse I've owned! But a few stand out and I still have most of them. The first is Bitta, who I paid $20 for in 1988. I bought him from the slaughter guy because he was sadistic and thought it would be funny - inexperienced little girl taking this crazy, nutso horse who'd just broken a cowboy's back. He was a 6-7 y.o. grade mustang cross and before it was all over we'd done everything. He was as bombproof a horse as you'll ever meet. I lost him this year due to a broken shoulder from a kick from his pasture mate.

But I still have Pia, technically Princesa KP. I lease her from Hollis but she should be mine this year. She was a walking disaster. Absolutely nuts. Only horse I've ever seen that tried to commit suicide (according to the vet). And I'm crazy about her. She's managed to turn from a basket case into a fairly well-mannered, if tempermental, sweetheart. She's still not for the faint of heart but I've earned every ride on her and I appreciate everything she's taught me about how to communicate with a horse. She doesn't tolerate many mistakes. But she's a lifetime keeper.

And for two months I've had Paco. He is turning into the kind of horse you dream of having one day. I still have to pinch myself that he's here. He's got the looks, personality, spirit, disposition - he turns heads with his flashiness but he's ok for even a beginning rider. His kind don't come around too often - maybe twice in a lifetime.

I can't leave out Romeo either. He's also a lifetime keeper. He's a QHxFlorida Cracker (or Morgan, depending who you ask!). He's special because he's that one in a million horse that is capable of totally adapting to his rider. Put a 5 y.o. kid on him and you can be confident turning him loose. He'll take care of that kid. Put a h/j rider on him and he'll clear every jump like a pro. Put a beginner adult and he'll give them confidence. Put a more confident rider on him and he'll make them work. Put a very confident rider on him and he'll dump your butt on the ground if you even think about making a mistake. I love a horse with a brain!

[Brigitte]

Wow, I can't possibly say I have A favorite, but I have lots of favorites and all for different reasons, I have favorite horses who other people would not even look at. But they are my favorites so I don't care

[moonrize]

All I can say is there is nothing like the love between a young girl and her first horse. I don't think that love is ever found again. But I'm older now and many horses later, know that I've loved and appreciated all my horses in one way or another - each for their unique characteristics.

I'm like others, I could bore you with all the details of why I've loved each one and why it could be considered my favorite. I'm perfectly happy and content with the 7 horses I have now!

[lisa l aka marci]

My favorite......hard to choose....Right now I would say it is a tie between Lucy (Lucia de Caroline) my 31 1/2 year old Momma horse and her daughter Marci (Marquesa de la Danza).....and I can't forget Rosie (Rosinante) - another daughter of Lucys.....

I've had Lucy for about 22 years - been there, done that with her - like riding ACROSS that bridge..- it is only about 300 feet high!!! ..(TWICE!) http://www.westchestergov.com/parks/Images/ParksLoc02/CrotonGorge3.jpg ..http://village.croton-on-hudson.ny.us/Public_Documents/CrotonHudsonNY_WebDocs/HistoricalSociety/002B6066-000F8513.0/1122004_123255_0?src=.PNG..except showing.....although she HAS been to a show with me - just for fun classes. She would go anywhere, do anything.....and keep on doing it until she dropped if I let her. I fell in love with her all over again a few years back when kids started riding her - this horse that was for 'experienced' riders only turned around with a kid on her back!

Marci is another go-anywhere-do-anything horse.......I was there the day of her borth, but missed the birth itself.....she takes me on trails, shows, demos....all with a laid back, "whatever mom" attitude.....this coming year she will become Tori's horse -

Rosie was my first foal, born a little under a year after I bought Lucy....another missed birth - but she was a sweetheart! Another go-anywhere-do-anything horse, kid safe, gave lessons, trail rides, I used to jump bareback with her.......unfortunately lost her too young at 15 to colic......

[DSDECKERT]

Ditto - I love them all, starting as a 3 year old child with a pony named Dusty - to the three I have now.

IF I HAD to pick a favorite, it's probably Bianca - she's just the whole package...no spook, spirited enough to be fun and not boring, but will do anything for me. Unfortunately, she's something of a lawn ornament, just light riding - with her suspensory issue. but that's ok, I love her and just being with her.

[pnalley]

I have had so many really good horses in my life it is very hard to choose.

One of my most favorite was a AQHA mare I bought at auction for $370. This little mare looked like a mini thoroughbred. And she was every bit as athletic. She taught me more about horses than all the horses I have ever had in my life. No matter what book I read about how she was "supposed" to behave or re-act, I finally realized she did NOT read those same books. She was challenging at best. I truly would have the ride from HEck one day, then the next day she would be amazing. At one point I finally realized if I tried to teach her something new, she would try really hard the first day, the second day she would absolutely nut up and refuse to try, and the third day she got it. It literally took that horse 3 days to learn something, anything new.
I could tack her up with a mild curb and she knew we would be doing reining, a mechanical hack and it was barrels or poles, a kimberwick and we would be jumping. I could trot a pole pattern without ever touching the reins, I could point her at a jump, drop the reins and hang on and over she would go. When you got on her she felt like a "nerve". She was just waiting for a cue, she didn't anticipate, she just wanted you to ask for something, anything so she could do it.
One of her weird habits was that she was so concerned about her surroundings that she wouldn't eat if all the other horses were not up. Needless to say it was challenging to keep weight on her. If kept up she would pace, all night. This helped her to develop narcolepsy. If cross tied or made to stand still she would fall asleep and her knees would buckle. I can't tell you how many times I was just sitting on her waiting for either our turn to go, or just resting and she would flat fall asleep and almost go down with me. This little mare had more heart and "want to" then all the horses I have ever had in my life.

I picked her at auction as one to look at because part of her name was the same nickname my 1st horse of a lifetime (a Paso), her Dams name was part of my name.

Miss Lucky Penny

[paintedhorizon]

I have two. One is Malvado Comenzar, the gelding that appyday now owns and calls Jose. I had a blast every time I rode him and he was such a loving guy! If there was anyway I could have owned him, I would have!

My second is, of course, Embellazo! Not only for his beauty, but his attitude and gait! He is one of the calmest stallions I have ever dealt with, even while breeding! And his gait, well, it's just magical!

[Jennifer]

My favorite paso will always be El Piel Roja. In my eyes, he is perfect. He is more to me than a horse though. He has personality, style, grace, elegance, charisma, and the biggest heart of any horse I have ever met. He is the first horse that I ever rode that made me feel like I was riding, not just sitting there or hanging on but really riding. He was my first trail ride partner. My first parade partner. He was the first one that I ever won a blue ribbon on in the show ring. He was the first one I ever fell in love with. And to top it all off, he is the father to my second favorite horse, my gelding Poderoso del Piel Roja. I have many memories that will last me a lifetime with Roja. I hope one day a girl will look at my gelding, his baby, and carry as many memories of Poderoso as I do with Roja. Here are a few pics of us...

[Finogirl]

My old Lipi stallion Storm (Neopolitano Alea VI.1) was to be an amazing horse, My TB X Welsh called Marksman was an amazing riding horse but actually I think both Mateo my current Lipi gelding out on loan and my Paso Fino mare Canela de Austria are my favs !;)

[DebJ]

My First favorite was my first horse. Got her when I was 30 yrs. old. She was 13 and used for the riding handicapped program. She was a Lippizzan mare. Conversano line. Had a lip tatoo so do know her bloodlines. Her grandparents were some of the first lippi's shipped to the USA. Quiet, elegant, and very good for a first horse. So patient, and would go anywhere I asked. We trail rode, and in her previous job, she went to Harrisburg for horse demo on the riding program and to local parks to demonstrate same. So she was a love, she died of natural causes at age 29. She came for Temple Farms in Illinios.
My second and third favorite horses are the two I own now. Ladybug, age 9 and her daughter Lightningbug, age 4 1/2. Ladybug, as she is a very good horse, smart, pretty, and just enough brio to be fun. Bug is also smart, pretty, and fun to ride, but actually is a little calmer than mom so I think will make a better trail horse, and also has enough brio to make her fun. Our son rides her and he is doing very well with her. We worked with her alot on the ground when she was little and she just met a big box the other day in the indoor ring, just stuck her head into it to see what was there, and I picked up a smaller one and laid it on her back and all over her. She just stood there, like OK, can I play with it now?? She pushed it till it fell over then was done LOL.
Have not owned that many horses, 6 all together, loved them all, but these were my favs.