[masraum]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

That is a great pic, Rock.

I wanted to add to this thread again because I think it is important that horses at the end are not like taking a dog or cat to the vet...it requires planning and a lot of logistics.

The picture below is my wife, daughter and Batman, her horse for over ten years. It's his last bath on the mats (hot and cold water) before he was put down and buried on the farm...I drive by his grave when I am out with the dogs and smile every time. He was the real deal.

Tears.

I have very little equine experience, but what little I have made me think that they are amazing animals, and I can see how a person and horse could get super attached to each other as much as any other family pet. Absolutely amazing animals. I remember years ago (20?) being in New Orleans and seeing the horses used for tours with sores where their gear rubbed them which killed me.

Originally Posted by rockfan4

I found out the horse my wife is using for her lessons is a ringer.
He's a former reining horse, even with the one eye. I found a few videos of him in competition about 8 or 9 years ago. He has over 600 half siblings, his daddy apparently has some pretty good genes, and has won quite a bit of money.

When my wife was done with her second lesson, the instructor's daughter got up on him, and spun him around and ran him around the ring with just her heels, didn't need to use the reins at all. It gave my wife inspiration.

Wow, very cool. I hope your wife loves it, but manages, at least for a while to keep it to a reasonable expense.