Happy Horse Tails

Top 25 US Racehorses of all time...

2009-02-25T21:41:00.000-08:00

Have you ever gone to www.allbreedpedigree.com and traced your horse back to foundation breeds- suprised to see a famous thoroughbred way back in your quarter horse or paint's bloodlines? You may recognize some names below... the top 25 US Racehorses of all time.

In 1999, a panel for The Blood-Horse magazine made up of distinguished horse racing people: Howard Battle, Lenny Hale, Jay Hovdey, William Nack, Pete Pedersen, Jennie Rees and Tommy Trotter. These experts compiled a list of what they considered to be the top 100 United States thoroughbred racehorses of the 20th Century. The list was made into a book with complete biographies under the title Thoroughbred Champions: Top 100 Racehorses of the 20th Century.Eclipse Press (ISBN 1-58150-024-6)

Top 25 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century

Man o' War
Secretariat
Citation
Kelso
Count Fleet
Dr. Fager
Native Dancer
Forego
Seattle Slew
Spectacular Bid
Tom Fool
Affirmed
War Admiral
Buckpasser
Colin
Damascus
Round Table
Cigar
Bold Ruler
Swaps
Equipoise
Phar Lap
John Henry
Nashua
Seabiscuit

The next 75 horses are located on Wickipedia (click here for article) or check out Thoroughbred Champions: Top 100 Racehorses of the 20th Century. Eclipse Press (ISBN 1-58150-024-6).

If you love the sport of horse racing, consider giving back to the horses by supporting worthwhile efforts like The Prodigious Fund (through Emerald Downs Racetrack). or by donating to your favorite TB nonprofit rescue, or even better- adopt a retired racehorse!

Your Horse is Your Gift

2009-02-19T10:56:00.000-08:00

To have a horse in your life is a gift. In the matter of a few short years, a horse can teach a young girl courage, if she chooses to grab mane and hang on for dear life.

Even the smallest of ponies is mightier than the tallest of girls. To conquer the fear of falling off, having one's toes crushed, or being publicly humiliated at a horse show is an admirable feat for any child. For that, we can be grateful.

Horses teach us responsibility. Unlike a bicycle or computer, a horse needs regular care and most of it requires that you get dirty and smelly and up off the couch. Choosing to leave your cozy kitchen to break the crust of ice off the water buckets is to choose responsibility. When our horses dip their noses and drink heartily; we know we've made the right choice.

Learning to care for a horse is both an art and a science. Some are easy keepers, requiring little more than regular turn-out, a flake of hay, and a trough of clean water. Others will test you - you'll struggle to keep them from being too fat or too thin. You'll have their feet shod regularly only to find shoes gone missing. Some are so accident-prone you'll swear they're intentionally finding new ways to injure themselves.

If you weren't raised with horses, you can't know that they have unique personalities. You'd expect this from dogs, but horses? Indeed, there are clever horses, grumpy horses, and even horses with a sense of humor. Those prone to humor will test you by finding new ways to escape from the barn when you least expect it.Horses can be timid or brave, lazy or athletic,obstinate or willing. You will hit it off with some horses and others will elude you altogether. There are as many "types" of horses as there are people - which makes the whole partnership thing all the more interesting.

If you've never ridden a horse, you probably assume it's a simple thing you can learn in a weekend.You can, in fact, learn the basics on a Sunday, but to truly ride well takes a lifetime. Working with a living being is far more complex than turning a key in the ignition and putting the car or tractor in "drive."In addition to listening to your instructor, your horse will have a few things to say to you as well. On a good day, he'll be happy to go along with the program and tolerate your mistakes; on a bad day, you'll swear he's trying to kill you. Perhaps he's naughty or perhaps he's fed up with how slowly you're learning his language.

Regardless, the horse will have an opinion. He may choose to challenge you (which can ultimately make you a better rider)or he may carefully carry you over fences - if it suits him. It all depends on the partnership - and partnership is what it's all about. If you face your fears, swallow your pride, and are willing to work at it, you'll learn lessons in courage, commitment,and compassion in addition to basic survival skills.

You'll discover just how hard you're willing to work toward a goal, how little you know, and how much you have to learn. And, while some people think the horse "does all the work", you'll be challenged physically as well as mentally.Your horse may humble you completely. Or, you may find that sitting on his back is the closest you'll get to heaven.You can choose to intimidate your horse, but do you really want to? The results may come more quickly, but will your work ever be as graceful as that gained through trust?The best partners choose to listen, as well as to tell.

When it works, we experience a sweet sense of accomplishment brought about by smarts, hard work, and mutual understanding between horse and rider. These are the days when you know with absolute certainty that your horse is enjoying his work. If we make it to adulthood with horses still in our lives, most of us have to squeeze riding into our over-saturated schedules; balancing our need for things equine with those of our households and employers. There is never enough time to ride, or to ride as well as we'd like. Hours in the barn are stolen pleasures.

If it is in your blood to love horses, you share your life with them. Our horses know our secrets; we braid our tears into their manes and whisper our hopes into their ears. A barn is a sanctuary in an unsettled world, a sheltered place where life's true priorities are clear: a warm place to sleep,someone who loves us, and the luxury of regular meals. Some of us need these reminders.When you step back, it's not just about horses - it's about love, life,and learning.

On any given day, a friend is celebrating the birth of a foal, a blue ribbon, or recovery from an illness. That same day, there is also loss: a broken limb, a case of colic, a decision to sustain a life or end it gently. As horse people, we share the accelerated life cycle of horses: the hurried rush of life, love, loss, and death that caring for these animals brings us. When our partners pass, it is more than a moment of sorrow.We mark our loss with words of gratitude for the ways our lives have been blessed. Our memories are of joy,awe, and wonder. Absolute union. We honor our horses for their brave hearts, courage, and willingness to give.

To those outside our circle, it must seem strange. To see us in our muddy boots, who would guess such poetry lives in our hearts? We celebrate our companions with praiseworthy of heroes. Indeed, horses have the hearts of warrior sand often carry us into and out of fields of battle.Listen to stories of that once-in-a-lifetime horse; of journeys made and challenges met. The best of horses rise to the challenges we set before them, asking little in return.

Those who know them understand how fully a horse can hold a human heart. Together, we share the pain of sudden loss and the lingering taste of long-term illness. We shoulder the burden of deciding when or whether to end the life of a true companion.

In the end, we're not certain if God entrusts us to our horses--or our horses to us. Does it matter? We're grateful God loaned us the horse in the first place.

~Author Unknown

The Circle of Life (In Memory of Al)

2009-02-18T21:45:00.000-08:00

ring…ring…ring.....

“Hello?” my mother asked annoyed, it was probably her 30th phone call this evening; I could tell she was stressed, but what mother wasn’t? We were coming up fast on the Paint World Show, and I still didn’t have a horse to ride, I was planning to show lead line. A few minutes had passed, and my mom dropped the phone. There was a look on her face saying “You won’t believe it!”

Little did I know that the might be one of the most memorable phone calls in my life.

When I was in my mom’s stomach, she had a horse named Too Tuff To Zip. She had him since he was a baby, and had trained him with the help of her very special friend, Al.

At the age of seven, Tuffy had to be sold, because my moms life was about to change, she was about to have her first child; me. She still rode all the time, and had a very good time with her friend Al, I still remember him watching me when I was little, and putting licorice in the bathroom, my mom had known him for about 10 years and they had a special friendship, I still remember.

hen I was about five, I started to show an interest in riding. So my mom took me to lessons, and a couple years later, and after a lot of practice, my mom felt I was ready to go to Paint Worlds. We had been looking for horses to ride, but couldn’t find the right one, it was quite complicated. My mom and I were getting doubtful, so we asked our trainer if she could find a horse for us.

Two weeks before we had to go, we got a phone call! The look on my moms face said it all, “we have found a horse” I wondered why my mom was crying, “His name is Too Tuff To Zip!!!!!!!”

“Leah, get your hat on we are going in. Dad is in the stands, and Al is watching live on the computer and just called to wish good luck. After going in and walking around and looking cute, we lined up, this was the most exiting day of my life. The speakers started going “Under judge…” “10th place goes to… 8th, 7th, and 6th place goes to Leah Grisham riding Too Tuff To Zip”

I got sixth over all! I still remember the look on Al’s face when we told him we were going to ride Tuffy. That was the last time I saw him.

Al was terribly sick and going to die he had held on just long enough for my mother to go into the room, hold his hand, and show him the buckle I had gotten, Al and my mother cried, and slowly Al’s life drifted away, Al was a great friend, and really looked after us, he did not have much family, and I really appreciate what he has done for us.

In memory of Al.

Submitted by Leah, from California

Funny Poem- the Appaloosa Mare

2009-02-17T21:29:00.000-08:00

THE APPALOOSA MARE
by Hilma (Volcano) Volk

They pulled up in a station wagon
Lookin' for a horse to buy.
I didn't have too many left -
Sold most to some camp guy.

But there were four behind the barn
They'd look at if they could.
"What about that appaloosa?"
I replied, "She don't look too good."

He said, "I used to own some horses
And I've got a pretty good eye
For judging conformation;
Her withers are slightly high."

She said, "Yes, but the bones are fine
And the forehead's nice and wide.
The shoulders are sloped just right;
And what a remarkably colored hide."

I drawled, "Yup, them spots are showy.
But no, I don't think you should
Take that mare on home with you
'Cause she don't look too good."

They eyeballed her up and down,
Felt for flaws that might be hidden,
An' jest a lovin' that flashy coat
An' asked if she'd ever been ridden.

"Most likely has, but this mare's
More for makin' colts in a brood.
You don't want her for ridin'
'Cause she don't look too good."

With that I hopped upon her back
To prove she wouldn't buck.
They smiled at each other
An' I knew I was in luck.

I said, "She's priced two thousand, firm."
They had the cash on hand.
They asked, "Can you deliver?"
"I'll go load her in the van."

Next day he came back snortin' fire,
"You lying, horse tradin' hood.
You cheat, that Appaloosa's blind."

"I told ya...she don't look too good."

From Manure Happens

Destiny

2009-02-17T19:43:00.000-08:00

Everything first stared in June 2006. My mom I and were looking for the prefect new horse to add to our family. My mom was being very picky about what horse it would be, we had already looked at so many I couldn't even keep count!!!

Late June we got a call from someone who had saw the ad about us wanting a new horse. Unfortunately my mom was sleeping at the time she had just gotten home from work that night. So I had to take a message, but the lady that called seemed to like us she was in a bind she didn’t know what to do with her horses and needed a home for them fast, she said she would wait to call anymore people until my mom got up and called her back.

I remember it perfectly: my mom was up by 4pm and called the lady back she set up an appointment to go see the horse for a bit later that day we left immediately because the horse was 2 hours away.

She said we were going to check out an Arab/Saddlebred, though we really did not know what to expect.When we arrived there. She explained to us the situation- she lived out of state and was going to be leaving in a week and she had left the horses with a trusted friend but they did not take the best care of them, then she thought she found a home for the two but the people were not kind to the horses and neglected them. She felt absolutely terrible. The horses had been neglected for 3 yrs.

We finally saw the horses there were two a big 15.3hand black and white Morgan cross gelding and a little 14hand Arab/saddlebred mare. Digger and Destiny were their names, they were both thin and had not been ridden recently the mare had water pouring from her eyes.

My mom got them both for $500... I don’t know why she got them but boy am I glad she did.

A week later they were both home, neither would allow me to touch them and I so bad wanted to brush them; they were dirty and the morgan’s mane was just one big knot. I won them over eventually by just sitting in their pasture real quiet and the grain (treats helped too!!)

When they were settled in and hand able first we had the farrier out their feet were horrible!! Then the vet came out and did vet checks on both and we found Destiny was a month pregnant- it was quite a surprise!

Digger was in good health he just needed to put on some weight. He was not trained and he was 15 yrs old. A lot of people said he was useless and wanted to give up on him but I didn’t. I thought he deserved a second chance- after all, what happened to him was not his fault. I worked with him everyday for almost a year. He went from rearing just seeing the bit coming toward him to allowing it in his mouth effortlessly and taking direction from it.

Eventually my mom decided gave him away with a contract to a very nice lady who loves him and rides him often. She only lives about an hour away so we get to visit him sometimes.

Meanwhile, Destiny kept growing larger and larger - I thought she would pop!! It was her first baby at 14 yrs old. This foal was a miracle in itself. Destiny had made a complete turn around. Every time she saw me coming she would whinny to me. Her first winter with us she was already a fat happy and sassy little mare!!

By late April she started showing signs of foaling. We set up a camera that supervised her in her stall and it was hooked up to a TV in my bedroom. Finally, on May 5 2007 12:45am Snickers was born - my surprise baby!! She was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen… although I could be a little biased.

Destiny was a good mommy although at first she was afraid of the furry little thing chasing her around. She was a protective mommy but never cared about me doing anything with the filly.

Destiny grew into one of our most reliable trail horses. She never spooked, had a lot of stamina, and would walk through anything I asked her too. Like me, she preferred bareback. She was very fast also and loved to run, when I would take her out every once in a while I would just let her go we would fly across the fields, it was always so amazing.

Unfortunately my time with this special mare was cut short- out of nowhere on June 12, 2008 my world was turned upside down. I went outside to feed the horses. Just like any other morning it was 5:30am and I was doing it before school. Destiny was hysterical she was running around whinnying and she was all upset. I tried to get her to and she would not let me- something was definitely wrong. I went inside to get my mom up, and then ran outside to get Destiny walking around - she was colicking.

My mom called the vet who said she was on her way. I walked Destiny and she kept trying to go down, I had to run with her to keep her on her feet. When the vet arrived she checked Destiny and said she thought it was an impaction so treated her as such, and Destiny seemed a whole lot better. Since it was the day before the last day of school I had a lot of finals so my mom drove me to school (I had missed the bus by a couple hours). I called my mom half way through the day during my lunch and she had said Destiny was sick again and the vet was coming back.

I broke down right there in school. I had to go take another final: it was the hardest thing I have had ever had to do, all I could think about was Destiny. I called my mom every 40 minutes or so to see how everything was going. Mom told me that the situation was not too bad, the vets thought they had discovered what was actually wrong and had confidence they would be able to fix it. It turns out she had misplaced her intestines over spleen and it was causing her a lot of pain. I called her on the way home from school on the bus and we talked about it they had tried some stuff but their attempts were not helping, she had a 50% chance of surviving.

I was crying, my face was bright red and tears were streaming down my face- my baby was dying and I wasn’t there for her. I got home and I ran down our driveway and straight to the barn - Destiny was sick and looked exhausted, but the vet wanted me to try something else... she gave Destiny a medication to shrink her spleen and told me to lunge her for 15 minutes preferably at a lope in hope it would move it back over. The problem was, Destiny did not know how to lunge, but she came through as always and learned. We hoped that would help her condition but unfortunately it did not. She was not getting better.

Our next option was to sedate her and roll everything around and try to get it back manually. We did that, we were all very optimistic walking her back to the barn, she was wobbly from the sedation but other then that seemed better. The vet said her name would truly fit - you see, her full name was The Unwritten Destiny, and she felt that whatever happened would be her destiny.

The vet left and said if we have any problems call and said if she didn’t hear from us by 9 that night she would stop back and see how she was doing. We all went inside and ate while Destiny slept off the sedatives.

I went out to check on her not even a half hour later and she kept getting up and down rolling and was sweating and shaking. I put a blanket on her and called the vet. The vet explained that we had two options either we could send her in for surgery or put her down. Unfortunately, they did not expect she would make it home, even if we tried surgery- her chances were slim. We made the decision to put her down.

As we waited for the vet I sat with her in her stall. I talked with her and told her I was sorry and that I loved her, and always would and how thankful I was to have her baby. She put her head in my lap and closed her eyes as I rubbed the middle of her head (it always helped relax her to rub right between her eyes on her shield-shaped star).

She was tired, and as much as I wanted her to stay I did not want to see her to hurt anymore. When the vet came I lead her out to her final resting place and assured her everything would be alright and all the hurt would be over soon. I pet her head just like always as the vet administered the drugs and she fell to the ground. Taking her final breaths I sat there with her still stroking her beautiful head- when the vet said that she was gone I closed her eyes and gave her a big kiss.

Many people thought she was just a grumpy little mare but in reality she was a sweetheart, she just needed a chance to prove it. Rest in Peace Destiny I will never forget you, baby.

Submitted by Amber from New York.

At right is a photo of Destiny's daughter, Snickers, today (not such a baby anymore) who remains with Amber.

Pogo and Amanda

2009-02-17T19:25:00.000-08:00

Pogo Is my 15 yr old Quarter Pony Mare. I saw her ad posted for sale at a local tack store and I thought she sounds like my kind of horse.... A 15 yr old quarter pony mare 14 hands... shown open shows and Michigan Youth Race... won a saddle in the MI youth race pony division and local show yr end high point as well- they said she needed a very experienced rider. The lady also said she does not trail ride.

I called and went and looked at her a few days later. I was a little scared of her at first because she hopped ALOT! And she was really fast! I just wasn't sure if I liked her or not.

So I told the lady I need to think about it, At that time we really didn't have the money anyways. A few months went by, Fair came around, I kept thinking about that barrel pony I looked at. So I talked to my mom about it. Luckily I still had the lady's phone number...I called her up a day before fair, I asked her if she still had her and she DID! YAY!

I went and looked at her and rode her again, I was still a little scared of her. But There was something about her I liked. I told the lady I really liked her but We would think about. Well, we thought about for about 2 weeks I called the lady again! and asked if she still had her. She said yes she did.

We asked if she would take payments because we only had part of the money. She did!!! YAY! We over paid for her- she is nothing to look at, has bad conformation, big head, a knot on her knee (just a wind puff... but still!)

I went up and picked her up. I wanted to show her that night... she didn't even get to go home -I took her straight to a show! She did okay, even though I didn't know her.

I have had her 1 yr in September. We got Year End High Point at our local horse show. I can even trail ride her bareback now! She was starved and abused somewhere in her past so she has MAJOR trust issues. She only trusts me, if anyone goes out to catch her besides me she puts her ears flat back and looks like she could charge you. I have never had a horse bond to me the way she has, I can get her to do anything I ask...We are now working on dressage and jumping, She is doing very well! She is the most amazing horse I have ever met, I could NEVER EVER Sell her.

Submitted by Amanda, Michigan

Why Do I Like Horses (A Poem)

2009-02-13T11:34:00.000-08:00

Why do I like horses?
I think I must be mad.
my mother wasn't horsey,
and neither was my dad.

But the madness hit me early
and it hit me like a curse.
and I've never gotten better.
In fact I've gotten worse.

My stables are immaculate.
My house is like a hovel.
Last year for my birthday
I got a brand new shovel.

I hardly read a paper
but I know who's sold their horse.
and I wouldn't watch the news
unless Mr. Ed was on - of course.

One eye's always on the heavens
but my washing waves in vain
as I rush to get the horses in
...in case it's gonna rain.

And though they're wearing 15 rugs
(the best that you can get)
I bring them in to keep them dry
while I get soaking wet.

I spend up every cent I've got
on horsey stuff for sure
I buy saddles, bridles, fancy rugs
...and then I buy some more.

I should have had my hair cut
or bought that nice blue shirt.
at least it wouldn't now look ripped
to shreds and in the dirt.

I can't make a bloody sponge cake,
I don't even try.
But I can back a car and trailer
in the twinkling of an eye.

It's jeans and R.M. boots
that I live in night and day,
and that smell of sweaty horses
just doesn't wash away.

Once every now and then
I dress up for a ball
make up and a hairdo
with high heel shoes and all.

I ache from long forgotten falls,
my knees have got no skin.
my toes have gone a funny shape
from being squashed again.

But late at night, when all is still
and I've gone to give them hay,
I touch their velvet softness
and my worries float away.

They give a gentle nicker
and they nuzzle through my hair
and I know it's where my heart is
...more here than anywhere

- Author Unknown
(if you know, please tell me and I'll gladly credit them)

Submitted by Pam, Maple Valley WA

Jingles

2009-02-11T05:52:00.000-08:00

Every girl dreams of her first horse. That beautiful horse, with a long mane and tail, shimmering body, galloping endlessly through the fields. That fairy tale horse, that you thought you would only see in your dreams. It may become a reality, may not look like it at first, but it all comes together in the end.

I was 5 years old. My mom, my dad and I were out and about one afternoon shopping. We drove past a barn, it has a sign out front that read, "Lessons, pony rides, boarding." So just like every horse crazy kid, I wanted a pony ride.

At first I asked, they said no. Then I pleaded. They finally turned around and headed for the barn. We got there, and were met by an amazing, very caring lady by the name of Sue. She got the pony all ready, and took me around the pond they had on the property. She talked to me, I don’t remember much of what she said, I was just soo happy! I talked to my mom and dad, and they set up a few lessons.

I was taking lessons at this barn for a few months. It was now cold out. There was some snow on the ground, not much, just a dusting from the night before. Sue, was a very caring person, and was actively rescuing and helping animals in need. I came to the barn for my lesson to see a new horse standing in the small paddock out front. He was skinny, looked to be white, he was covered in mud, matted hair, and burrs all over. Sue told me about how his owners had left him in a field, with nothing to eat. She said that he was so sweet, and couldn’t imagine how someone could do that to him. I took my lesson, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the white horse in the paddock.

The next week, I went for my lesson, I was early, so I asked Sue if I could go in with him until she was done, and she said as long as it’s ok with your parents. They gave me the ok, and I ran for my brushes, a halter, lead line and a treat.

I went in with him, put on a halter, and gave him the treat. I started to brush him, most of the mud and burrs had already been brushed out, but he was still shaggy. He had put on some weight, and I couldn’t help but to think how adorable he was! He had a short mane and tail, spots, and the cutest little ears! While I was brushing him, Sue had decided to talk to my parents about me taking a lesson on him, they agreed. I didn’t do much on that lesson, just walking around, some trotting.

I was honestly in love with him. After a few more lessons on him, Christmas was around the corner, and I was going for my last lesson of the year. I was brushing him down after my lesson. And Sue came up to me, and I was telling her how amazing he was, and she looked at me and said, well. I really wasn’t supposed to tell you because it’s still not Christmas yet, but he’s yours! I couldn’t believe it! It was the best day of my life!

After a few more months, we decided to bring him home to the farm. 11 years later, at the age of 37, Jingles passed away in his sleep very peacefully. He is buried on our farm, freed from all his bad memories of his past, and left with all the memories of his good years.He was given a second chance to live, and I was given the best years of my life. For everything that horse had been through, he was the most patient, kind, loving horse I have ever came across.. He touched many people, in so many different ways. He lived many great years on our farm, always healthy and happy, never having to worry about reliving the horrors of his past.

Jingles, loved and cherished!

Born in 1972, mine in 1997 - Passed in Dec. 2008

Submitted by Taylor from Palmerton , PA

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2009-02-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

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