A NEW UNICORN IN HEAVEN

Here is another tribute to a noble and great horse that touched so many lives. Thank you to Nell Foxworth for her beautiful tribute to Denim.

We lost another one of the greats yesterday. Denim was an amazingly patient and kind horse, and had earned his angel wings years ago taking care of Julia Combs and Gracie Combs. He has taken care of Courtney since she was about 1. We were fortunate enough to be able to have him as Courtney’s horse for the last 3 1/2 years, and he was simply the best. He knew his job as a kids horse and made sure he kept it that way-he wasn’t interested in having the adults ride him, but he loved his little girls!! He passed away suddenly yesterday afternoon, the storm moving in got the best of him.

RIP Denim buddy-you were the best!

A TRIBUTE TO KNICKEE

When I started writing this blog, I intended to dedicate it to the NOBLE and GREAT horses throughout history and those not-so-famous ones that have touched our lives. If you have or know such a horse, please send me a tribute and I will post it here for all to see.

This tribute comes from Asako Jackson, a volunteer at Promise Ranch Therapy Riding Center in Franktown, Colorado. (If you have read, "In the Heart of a Mustang," you will recognize the name!) 

 

For Celebrating Amazing Knickee's Life

Our Knickee, the Bay Morgan mare of Promise Ranch passed away on Thursday, September 20th, at the age of 26. She came to Promise Ranch all the way from Florida after her previous career in Jumping, and as a show horse.

Knickee was kind of horse to me, that she was noble, elegant, patient, sweet-heart, and I saw her teacher side as well. Two years ago, before I joined volunteering at the Ranch, I had no experience with horses. She was my very horse encountered with for the first time, but funny, it felt like she was a long lost friend of mine.

It may sound like funny to you, but it's real that whenever I work with her, especially leading her for a session, I used to feel magical sensation that entire my body was becoming so relaxed and grounded as I received a magical power to my forehead from Knickee's. I would also feel as if I was wrapped around gently with a soft veil. It's funny, but I was soothed with her spiritual power. Knickee gave me the freedom of being okay just the way who I am.

People say that every creature ends the life when its own mission has done in this world. If Knickee's mission was saving people's life, her mission had been accomplished. She made lots of people's life uplifted, and I was the one of them.

Lastly, Knickee girl, how fortunate I am that I have you into my life. Wait up for me up there for a while until I finish my mission here. So long till I meet you again.

Training Your Arena Horse to Go on Trails

Two an a half months ago, I purchased a new dressage horse. She is a 15.1 hand American Warmblood and my first mare. She is eight years old. I named her Amara.

Amara has spent her life in an arena and is well started in Dressage. Had I not had to have knee surgery shortly after I bought her, I would have shown her at first level in dressage this summer. But, oh well.

As the author of three equestrian trail guide books for Colorado, any horse I own has to be able to function both in an arena and on the trails in the beautiful Colorado mountains.

Since Amara was not a trail horse, I needed to begin the process of training her to be one. The horse on the cover of the trail three books I have written is Kit, my thoroughbred. When I got him as a six-year-old, he was afraid of stepping on a shadow! He ended up showing in Dressage and becoming the world's best trail horse. He was so good that everyone with a new or young horse wanted to be in line right behind him. I love that horse!

 So, I've done this before. Amara is going to be easier to train because she has a very good brain in her head. But, that being said, there are some common sense steps one needs to take to move a horse from the arena to the trail.

STEP 1: Make sure your gas, brakes, and steering are well established while in the arena. Arenas serve a very important purpose when training by reducing the variables!

STEP 2: Venture out of the arena on your property. This is like sticking just your toe in the water. Practice walking, trotting, halting, circles...the usual arena stuff but outside the arena.

STEP 3: How is your trailer loading and unloading? If it is not good, stop here and work on that. If it is good, you may proceed to step 4.

STEP 4: Know the trail you are going to. You can hike it first or get a good trail guide book to advise you. I found that the regular trail books don't really deal with equestrian concerns which is why I wrote my own. What horse-hazards are you going to encounter? You don't need to do water crossings, bridge crossings, rocky ledges, etc, etc, on your first outing. You want it to be simple and successful.

STEP 5: NEVER GO ALONE. But don't take just anyone. Ask someone who has a steady, reliable trail horse. (Like Kit!) You don't need another horse upsetting your beginner and you may have noticed that horses feed off one another! Keep your first group small, 1 or 2 other horses.

STEP 6: This is not Endurance Training. Keep your first ride a nice calm walk. Talk to your horse, rub her withers and stroke her neck as you go along.

STEP 7: Think like a horse and be one step ahead. Anticipate what might be scary to him. Puddles will eat them, as will rocks! Look beyond the threat, keep calm and just ride past it. Or, let the seasoned horse lead.

STEP 8: Play Leapfrog. Take turns with the other rider(s) being in front, middle and back.

STEP 9: As your horse gets more experienced, add short sections of trot when the footing is good.

STEP 10: Go to the same trail a couple of times then start adding new ones.

STEP 11: Bikers - Stop and face them if they come up from behind.

STEP 12: Water Crossings: Take your time. Keep Calm. Let other horses go first. If that doesn't work, make a hundred circles, gradually getting closer to the water's edge until you actually get a foot in. Then move back away from the water and complete the circle and do it over and over.

Trail riding will become a favorite with your horse if you keep it safe and fun! It will also benefit your training. I practice my dressage on the trail: flex and bend around trees. Halt with just my seat and legs...you know...all that arena stuff but in a prettier setting!

VISIT MY WEBSITE TO SEE ALL MY AWARD-WINNING FICTION AND NON-FICTION BOOKS THAT HORSE-LOVERS LOVE!

www.dancinghorsepress.com

YETTI IS IN CELESTIA EARNING HIS UNICORN HORN

I am grateful that "The Mist Trilogy" brings comfort to those who are grieving the loss of their beloved horse. I received this letter and photo from the head instructor at Promise Ranch in Franktown, Colorado. It is a PATH, Intl certified therapeutic riding center. They are mourning the loss of Yetti, who passed away this week at only 20 years of age.

 This picture is so precious. The young man in the photo is a former rider at Promise Ranch, Patrick, who passed almost 2 years ago. It gives me great peace to know that Yetti and Patrick are together again. I have a dear friend, Margi Evans, who wrote a trilogy of books: "Behind the Mist," "Mists of Darkness," and "The Rising Mist," in which the young rider and his horse pass and learn that horses pass to become unicorns and continue to live and are protectors of animals and humans in our world. I know that Yetti truly earned his Unicorn Horn and gallops in Celestia among the great and noble horses!

-Carol Crisp-

THE AMAZING JUSTIFY!

I LOVE it when there is a triple crown winner! After watching the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness with the rain, fog, and mud, I was so happy that the Belmont had good weather and footing.

In case you missed it, here is the video of the final race of the Triple Crown:
https://youtu.be/hZDbn9P6NqU

Justify was born on March 28th, 2015...late in the year for a thoroughbred destined for the race track.  His mother is Stage Magic and his father is Scat Daddy. He was bred by John D. Gunther of Glennwood Farm.

The darling chestnut colt with the crooked blaze down his face was born full of life and cheekiness. His physique soon matched his big personality. He weighed 1,050 pounds as a yearling!

Justify was the result of careful breeding by Tanya Gunther at Glennwood Farm in Kentucky. You will notice on the pedigree that there is carefully planned inbreeding to get the desired qualities. She inbreed full sisters: Yarn and Preach, both by Mr. Prospector. 

Justify is one of only 2 Derby winners who didn't race as a 2 year-old. He remains undefeated. It is not known, yet, if he will be raced again. 

What is an American Warmblood?

Those of you who follow my blog know how heartbroken I was when my dressage horse, Jazz, died from a tear in his heart. I was devastated. It took me a couple of months to feel like I could even look at another horse as a prospective new partner. Well, yesterday, May 23rd, I brought home a beautiful little mare. She is eight inches shorter than Jazz and a girl to boot. I have never had a mare. I've always been attracted to boy horses and girl dogs!

As I said, I brought home this sweet girl and am already in love with her. She is an American Warmblood. Jazz was a Hanoverian, a warmblood breed developed in Germany. But America is developing their own warmbloods.

American Warmbloods are a warmblood type horse developed for the sports of Dressage, Jumping, Eventing, and Driving. They are approved and registered by the American Warmblood Society.  The horse must be suitable for the above sports and born in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico. While almost any breed is possible for acceptance, they must meet the strict criteria set forth by the society. Therefore, the American Warmblood is more of a "Type" than a "Breed" at this point.

Typically, they are solid in color and between 15 and 17 hands tall.

I have named my new horse "Amara" because she is so feminine in appearance. She is very responsive and as supple as a rope of licorice. She is amazingly calm for just an 8-year-old.

I am planning to work up the levels in dressage with her, but I also love to trail ride and jump so she is going to get to do a little bit of everything. 

Right now I don't have any plans to feature her in a book like I did Jazz in "Behind the Mist," but you never know....

The Centaur Chronicles

HORSES ARE HEALERS

HORSES ARE HEALERS-THAT'S NOT FICTION OR FANTASY!

 I was born with manure in my blood! What I mean is that once I took my first breath outside the womb, I needed a horse to survive! Some of you can probably relate to driving your parents crazy until they either let you take riding lessons or...better yet...got you a horse once they were convinced you wouldn't kill yourself. I bought my own horse when I was thirteen and taking care of him certainly kept me out of trouble as a teenager. Decades later, and now a grandmother, I am still a horse-lover and owner.

A few years ago, I worked for PATH, Intl., here in Denver, Colorado. PATH stands for "The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship." While there, I learned that horses are truly magical...something I knew intrinsically but had never put into words. The stories of the miracles that took place at PATH riding centers around the country came in almost daily, often bringing tears to my eyes. One autistic child, who had never spoken a word, got on a horse and started talking! Veterans who are suffering from the loss of a limb or PTSD, have programs with horses that help them heal and find joy in their shattered lives. Children with cerebral palsy learn to improve their balance and coordination. Children and adults who can't walk, get on a horse and fly!

As a former middle-grade and High School teacher, I was particularly touched by the programs for troubled teens. Many of these kids had never had a friend...until they met a horse. Many had never felt loved...until they met a horse. Many had never felt a purpose in their lives...until they needed to care for a horse. Many had always felt powerless...until they moved a thousand-pound animal through an obstacle course. This isn't fantasy, but it is magical!

This was my inspiration for my only non-fantasy fiction novel. My Award-winning, coming of age novel, In the Heart of a Mustang, is about a teenage boy who is sent to a therapy ranch in Arizona. He arrives with his suitcase and a huge chip on his shoulder. It takes a wild Mustang and a wise, old cowboy to knock that chip off. Literary Classics Reviews said: "In the Heart of a Mustang is one of the finest books ever written for teens and pre-teens." Grab a copy wherever books are sold and have a wonderful time at Promise Ranch!

Autographed copies are available on my website: www.dancinghorsepress.com

(Pictures are taken from the PATH webside.)

GRIEVING THE LOSS OF YOUR HORSE

It has been six weeks since I lost my beautiful Jazz and I can't stop hurting. I cry at the mere thought of him. If anyone asks me about him, or worse yet, when those that don't know ask if I am getting ready for show season, I start crying. Then I find myself apologizing because I know this makes them feel uncomfortable. At public speaking engagements, I am asked how many horses I have and I say "Three...um, two." Then I feel the tears stinging the backs of my eyes again!

I realized that some of you may have gone through or are going through the same grieving process that I am. I have been reading articles about grieving the loss of a pet and have learned that it is just the same as grieving the loss of a human family member. (We all know that our horses are part of our family, especially if we have had them for a long time. I had Jazz for 12 and 1/2 wonderful years!) I am going through the same stages of grieving that is normal for anyone. I even got mad at God for a while. "Why would you take Jazz from me?" I cried aloud. I am trying to develop more gratitude for the 12 and 1/2 years He let me have such an amazing horse and realize that there are very few people in the entire world who ever get to ride a horse like that!

This is what I learned:
1. ALLOW YOURSELF TO GRIEVE. How you grieve is very personal and each person reacts differently. Let the tears come when they need to and, unlike me, you don't need to apologize. Don't rush it. There is no time limit on grieving...no time at which you "should be over it!"

2. TAKE TIME TO REFLECT ON THE LIFE YOU SHARED WITH YOUR HORSE. You may just need to find a quiet place to think, or look through pictures, or handle those beautiful ribbons or that soft, leather bridle, or stand in the middle of his stall and just breathe. Maybe, like me, you need to write about your horse or talk to friends, especially those who also knew him and the two of you together. Several of my horse friends took me out to lunch to just talk about Jazz. Yes, I cried right there in the restaurant, but I laughed, too.

3. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AS YOU GRIEVE. As silly as it sounds, grieving is taxing on the body. Eat nutritious meals...don't bing on junk food! And get both exercise...very important...and sleep.

4. MAINTAIN ROUTINES WITH YOUR LIVING ANIMALS. I still have two wonderful horses that need my love and care as well as a bouncy new standard poodle puppy that needs to be played with. It first I didn't think I could face Jazz's empty stall by going into the stable. But Hardy and Kit needed me, so I went. It was awful but I did it. Kit and Hardy knew something was wrong and they seemed almost depressed. I gave them lots of treats and rubs. The puppy, well, she's a puppy...she just wants to play and that makes me laugh.

5. MEMORIALIZE THE MEMORY AND LOVE OF YOUR HORSE. I believe that animals have souls and inherit eternal life just as we do. While it brings me great comfort to know that I will be with Jazz again, I needed something tangible here and now. The vet sent me a braid of his tail hair intertwined with red ribbon and I had a picture of him blown up and framed. Yes...as you might guess, both make me cry but remember, that's okay.

6. SEEK SUPPORT FROM UNDERSTANDING FRIENDS AND RELATIVES.  I have been blessed with a wonderful husband, children, and friends, both horsey and non-horsey. Fortunately, my husband, Tom, was in town when the vet called to tell me to come say goodbye. He took we and hugged me as I hugged Jazz. A few days after Jazz's passing, I told Tom that I was blaming him because if he hadn't bought that wonderful horse for me, I wouldn't be hurting so much now. He just nodded and said, "I'll take the blame." I also received flowers, cards, candy, cakes and even a "heart attack" (where your house is decorated with cut out hearts and love notes.) I didn't handle some offers of kindness very well. When friends would ask, "What can I do?" all I could say was "Bring Jazz back." Frankly, that was my true feeling.

I hope this will help someone out there in internet land. I adapted this list from an article titled "7 Self-Care Essentials While Grieving the Death of a Pet" by Adam Clark LCSW< AASW

MY BEAUTIFUL JAZZ IS EARNING HIS UNICORN HORN

It has been a very sad 10 days for me. On Tuesday morning, Jan. 30th, I went out to feed Jazz, Kit, and Hardy and I noticed that Jazz was panting. Horses don't pant! I immediately called the vet thinking colic. When he came, he noticed that Jazz's heart rate was nearly 200 bpm. Normal is 40! And it was arhythmic (uneven and irregular.) I loaded him into the trailer and took him to Littleton Large Horse Hospital.  They told me that the problem wasn't colic, it was a problem with his heart. After doing an ultrasound, they found a tear in the aorta. After trying for several days to get his heart rate down and rhythmic, they realized that his heart was failing. I had the devastating experience of having to say goodbye to my wonderful friend and dance partner. I am heartbroken.

When I bought Jazz 12 and 1/2 years ago, my goal was to take this untrained Hanoverian gelding up through the dressage levels until we reached 4th level. It was a fantastic journey, training and working together, moving up through the Dressage levels. Last summer we made it! We competed at fourth level and earned our scores toward the USDF silver medal for 4th level. We were actually working toward competing at Prix St. George this summer. The last time I rode him he did five 4-beat Tempi changes perfectly. It was so fun. We were in perfect rhythm together. 

Besides being my dressage partner, Jazz was just a wonderful, loving horse. This is the most recent picture of him saying "Hi" to my 2-year-old grandson, Landon. 

I also started riding him on the beautiful Colorado Trails the last two summers.

I had so much fun with him!

Now my dream horse is gone and I am in horrible pain.

Those of you who have read "Behind the Mist," know that Jazz is the star of "The Mist Trilogy." You know that I believe that animals live forever just as we do. I know that Jazz is in heaven. It is just that I miss him so much. It hurts so much to walk into the barn and see his empty stall and unused saddle and bridle. 

For several days, I was of the mind to never ride again. But, you know what? I can't do that. It is true that my heart is broken but I can't cut that same heart out. Horses are part of who I am and I can't deny who that person is.

What the future will bring, I don't know. I'm kind of relying on Heavenly Father to make that clear to me. But, while I always planned that Jazz would be my last horse, I now think there may be another horse in my future.

Just a note: My deepest thanks for all the kind words of love, understanding, and sympathy from so very many people. Your concern strengthened me.

EQUUS FILM FESTIVAL HONORS MY BOOKS

I am excited to tell you that I attended the 2017 EQUUS FILM FESTIVAL in New York City in November. Both of my books that were submitted won their categories and were awarded the "Winnie Award."

"The Stone of Mercy" won the category for Childrens/Middle Grade Fiction and "In the Heart of a Mustang" won the category for Young Adult Fiction.

I was so honored to receive this wonderful recognition for my work. The following is from their website:http://www.equusfilmfestival.net/ "Our festival has been created to highlight and award the diverse and creative efforts of those who artistically pay homage to the horse. The festival empowers storytellers to show the rich history and diverse tapestry of horses in human culture through equestrian content. We have feature films, documentaries, shorts, music videos, commercials, training educational materials, art and literature."