Trip to Gaiting Paradise

I went to visit Barb Preiss this month, and I can't express what a great visit it was. Barb's place was home to Coral Lace, and his offspring are abundant on the place. Barb is so hospitable and gracious and fun. Her family are just as welcoming. There are so many beautiful horses there. It's like being in a Paso Fino heaven. Stallions of every color - each one a delight to behold and a pleasure to be around.

I got to ride Eve de Vez with Barb and Harold (on Cibuco and Canyon respectively). Although over 20 years old, Eve is an amazing horse. She's a gorgeous buckskin with the smoothest gait ever. From the way she led the ride, you would never know her age (and I won't tell what it is exactly). We rode in a place behind Barb's place that is also home to the largest carriage museum in the world. I also got to see David Ortiz train and ride several horses. He is excellent with them. If he were closer to me, I would definitely use his training on my horses.

I took a lot of pictures of the horses. There are pictures of Barb, the horses and friends. I highly recommend a trip to Gaiting Paradise, and maybe you can have a Barb Preiss treasure of your own (I have several mares from Barb, and they are absolutely wonderful).

Gaucho... thrilling moments

I can't help it - I find myself in love with a horse. Don't get me wrong. I love all horses, but Gaucho is just a dream. From the moment I saw him, I thought what a great stallion he is, but I had no idea that he is such a great horse and friend. We are really good friends. I groom him, and he stands in place. No fidgeting. Picking his hooves - not a problem. I have been leaning over him, and he is so quiet about it. So, last night - I got on him. It wasn't a long ride, but I had a halter and lead rope on him (tied at both ends of the rope), and I was leaning over him, and suddenly I was on him. We only went about a third of our driveway, but it was wonderful. How can something so simple be so fulfilling?

My thoughts on Auctions

Someone on Facebook suggested that we should just quit breeding horses as a way to keep them from going to slaughter. Another alternative is not breeding at all is to breed carefully and train thoroughly...I bought a horse from an auction 3 years ago. While ridden in the auction barn, Patriot looked amazing. I paid $500 for him. What Patriot turned out to be was a spoiled, untrained brat. 6 months after riding him - he flipped out one day for no apparent reason and bucked like a bronc. I landed on my back on the asphalt. Patriot was moved along to a woman has trained him for English/dressage. He underwent 4 months of training, an additional 2 months for the woman who bought him, and he is a different horse now.

I do plan to breed, but I plan to keep disposition first in mind (not color or any of the other gimmicks that I hear about). I live in the land of the Quarter Horse here in Texas. So, my Paso's have to be able to do what any great QH trail horse can do, and they need to have big enough bone to be an attractive alternative to the constant bouncing of the QH trot. There are lots of horse lovers in Texas who are growing older who want a great trail horse and no bounce. I want the Paso Fino to be the trail horse of choice for older Texans. These horses are not just for show - they are the best ride around.

So, the auctions are terrible. We all have to do our part to keep horses out of them. Not breeding is certainly one option.

Wonderful ride with a group today

GREAT ride today. We were quite a sight for passers-by. There were 5 of us riding the county roads. Steve, Pam, Halla, Shelby and me. We had 3 Paso Fino's, an Andalusian, and a Criollo...all Spanish breeds. So, we did about 5 miles down the roads and then took a trail by a creek that is lined with trees back to our road - it was a nice spot to ride on a hot day. We came back home. Sergio and Raoul (his brother) came by riding 2 more Paso Fino's - Raoul was on our Perla. Steve will start riding her Monday in preparation for her coming home. What a very, very nice day.

Perla de Vez with Sergio Reveles

Perla has been trained by Sergio Reveles. This elegant mare from Barb Preiss is beautifully gaited and very well mannered.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Gaucho...."Aren't I cute?"

Sweet Face of the New Boy in Town

Gaucho de Vez

So happy to have brought Gaucho de Vez home. He is a beautiful stallion out of Corito de Vez and Coral's Otra de Vez. It will be so wonderful to watch our relationship with Gaucho develop.

John Lyons on Paso Finos...

I just love this video of John Lyons from 2009. I am so happy to hear the wonderful things that he says about this great breed.

Riosa in January 2010

January was pretty cold, but Riosa and I had a great time together. This montage spans the 9th through the 31st.

Peggy and her girls at Sergio's

Well, it was a really cold Sunday, but it's never to cold to play with the horses. This is Peggy with two of her mares that are in training with Sergio Reveles. He's amazing - he produces results through consistent communication. It's lovely to see. And it's wonderful to see the big grin on Peggy's face.