Northernhorse.com Blog

AQHA ANNOUNCES 2010 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

America’s Horse, July 22, 2009 – Three individuals and three horses will be inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame during the 2010 American Quarter Horse Association Convention, March 5-8 in Kissimmee, Florida.

The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame was established in 1975 to honor people and horses instrumental in the development of the breed and the American Quarter Horse Association. Induction into the Hall of Fame is one of the highest honors bestowed by AQHA. Continue Reading »

We had just started our horse business and thought we would breed our black/white tobiano mare to a solid sorrel stud. We thought we might get a buckskin out of the combination. We ended up with a solid bay filly. She wasn’t the prettiest filly but we fell in love with her anyway.

We went and woke up our daughter who was four at the time and she looked out the window and the first thing she said was Hi Sky. Needless to say we named the filly Poco’s High Sky. We also gave this filly to our daughter. She was a constant companion to her. This filly followed our daughter whenever she went out to see her.

This filly turned out to be a very big mare and we all loved her. We got her broke and my husband started to ride her on a regular basis. My daughter was very excited that one day she would be riding this big bay mare.

We left the house for errands one day in 2006 and when we came home we noticed Sky was far away from the other horses. My husband walked out to her and noticed she has a massive slice in her leg. We got her to walk into the barn area but with each step we knew she was in alot of pain. It was a hard thing to see. We knew taking her into the vet it was going to be too much money to keep her and we were right. She would also never be sound again and so our daughter would never be able to ride her. Our daughter who was only nine at the time told us that she did not want to see Sky in pain so she said to put her down. This was one of the saddest days for our daughter but what a mature decision she made. We will always miss seeing her out in our pasture and our daughter will miss the connection she had with this mare. We will always miss her and she will always be in our hearts especially for our daughter. To this day our daughter has yet to have that connection with any of our other horses or their foals. Hopefully one day she will find that great connection again. Continue Reading »

I used to co-own a 35 year old mare named Dee-dee. Dee was special to me as her owner found her abandoned in an old alfalfa feild, and I was there to help nurse her every step of the way. She is still alive, although she is now 37 or so. She was an appaloosa cross, and was an almost sandy-grey colour through most of her body, but had a white blanket that had dark brown or black spots. She had chestnut going throug her mane and tail. She was a great horse and it had gooten so she would whinny every time she saw me and if I didnt come say hi to her first she would neigh very loudly until I did.

Sent to us from Rachael Ossel

The horse who sticks out for me the most was a big quarter horse gelding named Idaho.  He was 16.2 and palamino and he was patient enough to teach me all about horses the summer of my 15th year.  I spent 3 blissful months learning how to ride my patient teacher.. loping circles, barrel racing. roping cattle, branding.. Idy was awsome.  I am sure he is long gone now, he was 13 or so when I knew him.  He was an actor and was a horse used in the Dances with Wolves movie.  He was a great embassador to the horse breed… I don’t think I would know half of what I know now if it weren’t for that great big golden boy…

We have another story of a horse who helped make someone’s dreams come true.

I bought Dee Cas Jet or “Cas” as a very green inexperienced rider who had just gone through a horrific experience with a very green gelding. I loved horses so much but was terrified to ride them at anything faster than a walk now. This was a problem as I had big dreams of being able to someday compete in working cowhorse, which is an incredibly aggressive and speedy sport. Continue Reading »

Jenny Faulkner sent us this story of a horse who stole her heart.

Misty was a horse I bought at the spur of the moment. I was going to take home her half sister, whom I had chosen to buy before hand. The seller said she would make me a deal on the 2 and being the horse crazy child I was, i couldnt say no. There I was at the age of 13, with 2 weanling QH fillies. Continue Reading »

Here is another story in our Horses we have loved series. Lana Bollers writes: The most memorial horse I can honestly say was the twin, Striker we lost. Striker was born on March 26, 2008 shortly before 4pm. I obtained a call around 4:10 with my daughter saying, “MOM! Mischief had two babies!!” I was in shock, immediately calling my husband and our vet. Continue Reading »

At first glance, the horse that now lives only in my memory wasn’t all that remarkable. While many dream of big, black Friesians or graceful, dancing Warmbloods, I dream of a squat little white horse – an Arabian with a straight, almost Roman nose and a propensity for bucking and taking off. Continue Reading »

Funny how things go. I started a blog about horses we all loved and now I have inherited my mom’s favorite old mare.

Old Brandy has been running on Mom’s farm for many years. Some of you probably knew my mom, Betty McKenzie. Now her herd has been sold off and moved away and I always told Mom I would look after Brandy if Mom wasn’t here to do it and supervise having her put down as gently as possible when the time comes. But we aren’t quite ready for that big, bad day yet. Continue Reading »

I’m writing to tell you about my favorite old guy. His name was Leo . He was a buckskin quarter horse.  I met his mom Loretta through a lady. We were  talking and I was telling her about a bad experience I had and she sent me to  Loretta.  That is where I  Met Leo. He was 9  years old at that time and what a handsome boy he  was. I fell in love at first sight and I wouldn’t ride anyone else much to the dismay of my friend.  Leo  really helped me to build my confidenceafter only a month.  So much so that I started to barrel race only for fun in Loretta’s corral and other things with him. I wasn’t  scared any more to ride.   I rode him for four years until I had my daughter. When my daughter was 6 months my favorite horse passed away at 25. He was   such a good guy If  I was scared or nervous.  He would stop and look at me as if to say I’m here don’t worry  it’sokay.  I won’t hurt  you. Forever in my heart.