I've been hanging around barns (and flies) for some 25 years (has it really been that long?) The responsibility of raising my family keeps me in check so I don't get to spend as much time with four legged critters as much as I used to. Not that it is a bad thing. It is just that at this point and time, my "human" babies need me more.
Pictured above in my banner, beside my littlest one, is my first horse; Orion's Stardust or "Dusty" to put it plain and simple. Dusty is a registered Arabian. Dusty is also very, very, old in horse years. On April 1st, 2009, Dusty will turn 31 (human) years old. I can't believe it myself. I have come to the realization that Dusty might not live another year or so but I comfort myself in knowing that he has lived a pretty interesting life and thanks to my sister who know takes care of him everyday, he will leave this world, well fed.
I don't know the history of Dusty's early years other than he was born in Pickens county, South Carolina and at some point in time, was in more than one Arabian horse show. Just to let you in on a few things; Dusty is a goof ball and therefore, I don't imagine he went very far in any Arabian shows (hence him being sold to us in the first place I would suppose). Dusty also doesn't like men- they make him nervous (ask my uncle what happens when a man rides my horse- he will tell you quite an interesting "rodeo" type story). Dusty was abused at one point in his life and I would imagine, he is leery of men (especially those with lunge whips) because of that abuse. Dusty also has this head swinging habit and that nervous balking thing that he does when something doesn't quite look right to him. He is talented in an odd since of the word. When he was seven, he could count how old he was by pawing his foot on command. One of the strangest things he can do-but only when his nerves are torn to shreds- is dance. A few of the family has witnessed his prancing in place. It makes me wonder if he did dressage in those horseshows....
When he was boarded at a barn, early on in my horse ownership, someone let him drink out of an aluminum can and he has loved canned drinks ever since. His favorite is Dr. Pepper but any soft drink will do. (If you don't have a can, he will daintily drink from a plastic cup as well). As I think back, he has eaten a lot of weird stuff for a horse. Right off of the top of my head, he loves moon pies, pecans, M&M's, Hershey bars, mulberries, strawberries, and once gobbled up an entire Whopper from Burger King- completely by accident. (He was faster than I was and woofed my dropped burger down before I could pick it up). In his old life now, he loves the loaves of bread that my mother treats him to every day. He has her spoiled by the way. He neighs, paces the fence, and gets her attention if she is late in tossing the daily treat. I'd imagine he is dreaming of warmer weather, loaves of bread, and mulberries right now.
Dusty has carried me through a lot of dark times as my very best friend. I stopped riding him some 14 years ago or so and he is in full retirement now. I guess that is why he has lasted so long. He now spends his days relaxing and doing his favorite thing- Eating.
Here are a couple of my "horsey" related favorites from The Schooling at Home Estians and The South Carolina Etsy Street Team. Make sure and click on their shop names to go to their shops and see some more of their beautiful work!
Pictured above in my banner, beside my littlest one, is my first horse; Orion's Stardust or "Dusty" to put it plain and simple. Dusty is a registered Arabian. Dusty is also very, very, old in horse years. On April 1st, 2009, Dusty will turn 31 (human) years old. I can't believe it myself. I have come to the realization that Dusty might not live another year or so but I comfort myself in knowing that he has lived a pretty interesting life and thanks to my sister who know takes care of him everyday, he will leave this world, well fed.
I don't know the history of Dusty's early years other than he was born in Pickens county, South Carolina and at some point in time, was in more than one Arabian horse show. Just to let you in on a few things; Dusty is a goof ball and therefore, I don't imagine he went very far in any Arabian shows (hence him being sold to us in the first place I would suppose). Dusty also doesn't like men- they make him nervous (ask my uncle what happens when a man rides my horse- he will tell you quite an interesting "rodeo" type story). Dusty was abused at one point in his life and I would imagine, he is leery of men (especially those with lunge whips) because of that abuse. Dusty also has this head swinging habit and that nervous balking thing that he does when something doesn't quite look right to him. He is talented in an odd since of the word. When he was seven, he could count how old he was by pawing his foot on command. One of the strangest things he can do-but only when his nerves are torn to shreds- is dance. A few of the family has witnessed his prancing in place. It makes me wonder if he did dressage in those horseshows....
When he was boarded at a barn, early on in my horse ownership, someone let him drink out of an aluminum can and he has loved canned drinks ever since. His favorite is Dr. Pepper but any soft drink will do. (If you don't have a can, he will daintily drink from a plastic cup as well). As I think back, he has eaten a lot of weird stuff for a horse. Right off of the top of my head, he loves moon pies, pecans, M&M's, Hershey bars, mulberries, strawberries, and once gobbled up an entire Whopper from Burger King- completely by accident. (He was faster than I was and woofed my dropped burger down before I could pick it up). In his old life now, he loves the loaves of bread that my mother treats him to every day. He has her spoiled by the way. He neighs, paces the fence, and gets her attention if she is late in tossing the daily treat. I'd imagine he is dreaming of warmer weather, loaves of bread, and mulberries right now.
Dusty has carried me through a lot of dark times as my very best friend. I stopped riding him some 14 years ago or so and he is in full retirement now. I guess that is why he has lasted so long. He now spends his days relaxing and doing his favorite thing- Eating.
Here are a couple of my "horsey" related favorites from The Schooling at Home Estians and The South Carolina Etsy Street Team. Make sure and click on their shop names to go to their shops and see some more of their beautiful work!
These beautiful prints are available from Rachelsstudio.
Thank you so much for sharing my art. Your blog is great!
ReplyDelete~Rachel
Dusty is certainly a true eccentric...what a wonderful life you've had with him...
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