tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20184404770242567512024-03-05T04:26:29.926-08:00The Mist TrilogyThe Mist Trilogy is a 3 Part fantasy story about a young boy who finds himself in the kingdom of the Unicorns. He learns that the Noble and Great horses are chosen to become unicorns in the after-life. This blog is dedicated to the noble and great horses that have lived on earth.Behind the Mist Trilogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135658430298254364noreply@blogger.comBlogger203125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018440477024256751.post-47659749885442388422023-12-20T13:23:00.000-08:002023-12-20T13:23:57.862-08:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxDhxFGFVAmKLz70v5lhqt52V33y39n2AmBTPnarFPEUbvpu9MDFHYsqLsM4d2BlrjI1SC_YXMj-05PPMU45BZtXgjDCTxpXj7yGH3j24LiBC0-Tq8SAFuCyjYy1Y4jCsroXZd3OIOtMeXJzk0ogHt5wFGFEsUTHBpcEp3ReF1lcfXMPH9hjLi_qtzK0/s2000/front%20cover%20with%20award.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxDhxFGFVAmKLz70v5lhqt52V33y39n2AmBTPnarFPEUbvpu9MDFHYsqLsM4d2BlrjI1SC_YXMj-05PPMU45BZtXgjDCTxpXj7yGH3j24LiBC0-Tq8SAFuCyjYy1Y4jCsroXZd3OIOtMeXJzk0ogHt5wFGFEsUTHBpcEp3ReF1lcfXMPH9hjLi_qtzK0/s320/front%20cover%20with%20award.jpg" width="200" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /> "The Stallion and His Peculiar Boy" is a historical fiction novel for young adults and adults combining the true story of the life of Witez II with a fictional character who becomes his groom. The twelve-year-old boy lives in the little village of Hostau, Czechoslovakia, where Witez was taken by the Nazis after he was stollen out of Poland. The young boy suffers from Autism at a time when little was known about the condition. As the story unfolds, the boy learns to interact with the world as he learns to work with the horse. The book has been the winner of seven literary awards: The Purple Dragonfly Award, Readers' Favorite Award, The FAPA President's Award, The CIPA Evvy Award, The Global Book Award, The Wishing Shelf Book Award, The Maincrest Media Award, as well as being the #1 Best Seller on Amazon. <p></p><p>I want to share some of the information I learned about Witez and the Polish Arabian blood lines: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHkiiVD4SJ0JkhCpNzROBEnoKU1LZbSnBn212cKOVPw79MTgesrl-YHcn-i3cB-uT8ztkl7SGxv49XSAyEb_8yQoG0f9EhT5yjX8A_siFNmZ5D48Ib9tPQlIthVOZ5rPEMD71lSP2PLsyGLloTMZ2ZxinxUDwOCGmmz2mMfm-bmL4Lplml0zBnX1FxGpw/s351/Witez_II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="284" data-original-width="351" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHkiiVD4SJ0JkhCpNzROBEnoKU1LZbSnBn212cKOVPw79MTgesrl-YHcn-i3cB-uT8ztkl7SGxv49XSAyEb_8yQoG0f9EhT5yjX8A_siFNmZ5D48Ib9tPQlIthVOZ5rPEMD71lSP2PLsyGLloTMZ2ZxinxUDwOCGmmz2mMfm-bmL4Lplml0zBnX1FxGpw/s320/Witez_II.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; text-align: start; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: white;">Witez II, the famed Polish Arabian stallion, left an indelible mark on the world of Arabian horse breeding and garnered international acclaim for his exceptional beauty, conformation, and athletic prowess. Born in 1938 at the Antoniny Stud in Poland, Witez II descended from a long line of esteemed Arabian horses known for their grace and endurance. His sire was the legendary Skowronek, and his dam, Ofirka, contributed to his impressive bloodline.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; text-align: start; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: white;">Witez II's reputation as a superior breeding stallion was solidified during his time at the Janów Podlaski State Stud, where he became an influential sire. His descendants went on to make significant contributions to Arabian horse breeding programs worldwide, enhancing the breed's quality and preserving its unique characteristics. Witez II's offspring were not only successful in the show ring but also excelled in diverse equestrian disciplines, showcasing the versatility that the Arabian breed is known for.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; text-align: start; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: white;">Beyond his influential role as a sire, Witez II achieved recognition for his own show career. Renowned for his stunning presence, he captured the attention of enthusiasts on both sides of the Atlantic. His accolades include championships at prestigious shows, such as the Salon du Cheval in Paris and the National Arabian Horse Show in the United States. Witez II's impact was not limited to the realm of horse shows; he became a symbol of the enduring beauty and grace associated with the Arabian horse.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; text-align: start; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: white;">Witez II's story is intertwined with the broader narrative of Polish Arabian horse breeding, which has consistently produced horses of exceptional quality and distinction. His legacy endures through his descendants, who continue to impress in various equestrian endeavors, carrying forward the tradition of excellence that Witez II epitomized. Today, the Polish Arabian horse community and enthusiasts worldwide celebrate Witez II as an iconic stallion whose contributions have left an enduring imprint on the history and heritage of Arabian horse breeding.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; text-align: start; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; text-align: start; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: white;">Get your own copy of "The Stallion and His Peculiar Boy" wherever books are sold. Autographed copies are available from the website:</span><span style="color: #374151;"> <a href="http://www.dancinghorsepress.com">www.dancinghorsepress.com</a></span></p></div><br /><p><br /></p>Behind the Mist Trilogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135658430298254364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018440477024256751.post-67072997181048125762023-10-12T09:56:00.000-07:002023-10-12T09:56:03.284-07:00<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>"FINDING FIONN" </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>IS A NEW RELEASE COMING OCTOBER 17TH INSPIRED BY THE KIDNAPPING OF THE FAMOUS IRISH RACEHORSE SHERGAR!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVGsUl8iStxnwN05C6bh74SyZrqMycDTbnZb05oSzwVqp7k9ToavnhwG6Cgg3XdOu1PW2DjOUa9s_2EnYHZj8OLDRaP4Q5-Kx6djwORRyoLEBCBfVJbj-7aqZvnIKJqIzVY7J6f6ljcQHJPrNbon3BhaKwvFXn3pHfY46Ae8WfiHecSg99gqcCwmtv6k/s2000/FINDING%20FIONN%20(9).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVGsUl8iStxnwN05C6bh74SyZrqMycDTbnZb05oSzwVqp7k9ToavnhwG6Cgg3XdOu1PW2DjOUa9s_2EnYHZj8OLDRaP4Q5-Kx6djwORRyoLEBCBfVJbj-7aqZvnIKJqIzVY7J6f6ljcQHJPrNbon3BhaKwvFXn3pHfY46Ae8WfiHecSg99gqcCwmtv6k/s320/FINDING%20FIONN%20(9).png" width="200" /></a></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">On a cold, foggy night in county Kildare, Ireland, the famous racehorse, and Irish hero, Shergar was kidnapped. The next day, a phone call came in to his trainer with a demand for 2 million pounds. Shergar's owner refused to pay and the horse was never seen again. To this day, this mystery has not been solved. </span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Shergar was the 1981 European horse of the year. He shocked everyone by winning the Epsom Derby in England by more than 10 lengths. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMgcCFvgftv42Xs9ndYPgmNJis5t3F7uoZcoG_9-r2xMT5_Pa6d2jlXFaco578cRVsrqRfRKUP9J6c219fLnqul3aVqGmsBrxkk0CzeiS6bpS1pOJNMZU7PmjV4M-np9cUcxuzfhQ0GlQhtsZMC9E2y1kggBAoPn0PxvI8LFiUn6WHgJKAX07WAXUzus/s220/Shergar,_1981_Derby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="142" data-original-width="220" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMgcCFvgftv42Xs9ndYPgmNJis5t3F7uoZcoG_9-r2xMT5_Pa6d2jlXFaco578cRVsrqRfRKUP9J6c219fLnqul3aVqGmsBrxkk0CzeiS6bpS1pOJNMZU7PmjV4M-np9cUcxuzfhQ0GlQhtsZMC9E2y1kggBAoPn0PxvI8LFiUn6WHgJKAX07WAXUzus/w306-h197/Shergar,_1981_Derby.jpg" width="306" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Shergar was beloved by everyone who knew him and worked with him. After an extremely successful career as a three-year-old. He was retired back to his birthplace, the Ballymany stud in Ireland. As a four-year-old, he fathered many successful colts and fillies. But his promising career as a stud came to a halt on that fateful night in February 1983. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9xBhqmOYAAmHnJ-NvpevNreQVQ2CQKgNckFFI0tJEl20jattf2mWPHdIQTu1Ja80gfs0itcrEhYXdnLUoDDzqKk93PLfosE5lvBZXg8FynEkoMNL_poPS2Ny4jiEzE-ycoAjqxd0jVBNXzkXPXRdVlEXaAygyp82_xIBd0vbaCRO1HGbAqMJJUV4DLk/s634/shergar%20with%20jockey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="634" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9xBhqmOYAAmHnJ-NvpevNreQVQ2CQKgNckFFI0tJEl20jattf2mWPHdIQTu1Ja80gfs0itcrEhYXdnLUoDDzqKk93PLfosE5lvBZXg8FynEkoMNL_poPS2Ny4jiEzE-ycoAjqxd0jVBNXzkXPXRdVlEXaAygyp82_xIBd0vbaCRO1HGbAqMJJUV4DLk/s320/shergar%20with%20jockey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Many theories abound as to who was responsible for his theft. Was it the Irish Republican Army (IRA) seeking funds to continue their war efforts? Was it a jealous competitor? Was it insurance fraud? </span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No one knows. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My new book, to be released on all sites on Oct. 17, 2023, takes the facts of the kidnapping and applies them to a fictional horse named Fionn MacCool. Because I am an author, I can create the ending to the story as I would like to have seen it happen. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Autographed copies are available on the website: www.dancinghorsepress.com</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <br /><b><br /></b></span></p>Behind the Mist Trilogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135658430298254364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018440477024256751.post-28569341890925234342022-12-20T04:56:00.000-08:002022-12-20T04:56:05.337-08:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK99Qu-qu9-Tn0EQH86EA4m6qpKKno2VyFvTwI4ulz1J5MsYY4-ttGws0in37pYMcarz9cHl4FsKfrglvVO9OwGQA9viwRSyGVhaFwJ98Hw-iJzSmUtwa27fAWx3pnLi40Fs7Pg9WCB5zJ_awK-2MheMgD8HoHvKg-xcPpYgx2EKcgtaGRdUGeOPh_/s600/2020-01-Winter-Senior-Horses-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK99Qu-qu9-Tn0EQH86EA4m6qpKKno2VyFvTwI4ulz1J5MsYY4-ttGws0in37pYMcarz9cHl4FsKfrglvVO9OwGQA9viwRSyGVhaFwJ98Hw-iJzSmUtwa27fAWx3pnLi40Fs7Pg9WCB5zJ_awK-2MheMgD8HoHvKg-xcPpYgx2EKcgtaGRdUGeOPh_/w369-h308/2020-01-Winter-Senior-Horses-2.jpg" width="369" /></a></div><br />This article was posted on our Colorado Horse Forum Facebook page. We are expecting a couple of days of record-breaking cold. This might be helpful for all of you horse owners out there who are facing winter weather that is extreme. Please take good care of your equine family members! <p></p><header class="post-header" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 15px; outline: 0px !important; text-align: center;"><h1 class="post-title" style="box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; color: #6a5125; font-family: "Playfair Display"; font-size: 40px; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 44px; margin: 0px 0px 13px; outline: 0px !important;">Tips for Taking care of your Horses and Equines with -50°F Temperatures</h1><div class="post-meta clear-fix" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: "Playfair Display"; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-bottom: 22px; outline: 0px !important;"><span class="post-date" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #bcab78; outline: 0px !important;">December 19, 2022</span> <span class="meta-sep" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #bcab78; display: inline; outline: 0px !important;">/</span> <a class="post-comments" href="https://coloradohorseforum.com/tips-for-taking-care-of-your-horses-and-equines-with-50f-temperatures/#respond" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #bcab78; outline: 0px !important; text-decoration-line: none;">No Comments</a></div></header><div class="post-content" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px; outline: 0px !important; overflow: hidden;"><p style="box-sizing: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px 0px 13px; outline: 0px !important; text-align: justify;">If you haven’t seen yet, Wednesday night through Friday morning, we are supposed to get a MAJOR freeze event in Colorado. They are predicting -12°F as the high in places with a -50°F windchill. This means exposed skin (human and horse alike) can get frostbite in as little as 5 minutes. Not to mention our normal concerns for colic during these drastic weather changes.</p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px 0px 13px; outline: 0px !important; text-align: justify;">Important things to consider for your horse and equine friends:</p><ul style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px !important; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;"><li style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 25px; outline: 0px !important;">The ears are the most typical area in horses to be affected by <strong style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px !important;">frostbite</strong>. Males that drop their penis for extended periods of time can also experience frostbite on their penis. If your animal experiences frostbite, you will want to warm the area slowly with something like a warm towel or compress. In extreme circumstances, you will want to contact your veterinarian to evaluate and potentially prescribe anti-inflammatories and antibiotics or other treatment methods. <em style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px !important;">Don’t rewarm frostbitten skin with direct heat, such as a stove, heat lamp, fireplace or heating pad. This can cause burns.</em></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 25px; outline: 0px !important;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px !important;">Add electrolytes</strong> to your horse’s diet for a day or two prior to the weather event, as well as during it, to assist in water intake, and help stave away colic. If you don’t have an electrolyte supplement, you can utilize regular table salt. Per the National Research Council, for an 1,100lb horse you can use approximately 1.5 tablespoons or .75 ounces of loose salt.</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 25px; outline: 0px !important;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px !important;">On the topic of water</strong>, make sure clean unfrozen (and preferably slightly heated) water is available 24/7. If this is not an option, bring buckets of warm water to your horses every couple of hours.</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 25px; outline: 0px !important;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px !important;">Do not add feed sources that your horse is not conditioned to receiving</strong>, this can promote colic in horses. If you would like to provide a mash, turn your horse’s regular grain ration into one. Or you can consider making a mash out of hay pellets/cubes of your horse’s normal forage type. Ex: if your horse gets timothy hay, use timothy pellets or cubes to make a mash. <em style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px !important;"><a data-id="52578" data-type="post" href="https://coloradohorseforum.com/usda-warning-colorado-firms-alfalfa-cubes-may-kill-horses/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #7c7000; outline: 0px !important; text-decoration-line: none;">Remember there is a recall right now on Top of the Rockies alfalfa cubes</a>.</em></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 25px; outline: 0px !important;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px !important;">Hay, hay, and more hay.</strong> Horses and equines produce heat during digestion. Keeping hay in front of them 24/7 will help keep them warm from the inside. Plus a constant source of food in the digestive tract will help prevent colic. <em style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px !important;">A little extra hay spend now might save you expensive vet bills later.</em></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 25px; outline: 0px !important;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px !important;">Blanket, and even double blanket!</strong> Layers work for humans, they work for horses too. Your horse will NOT be too warm Wednesday night or Thursday because it is double blanketed. If you can, use a hooded blanket. The more covered they are, the better.</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 25px; outline: 0px !important;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px !important;">Shelter is required.</strong> And I am not talking about a tree windbreak. I am talking about a 3 sided shelter at minimum. If you absolutely cannot provide this, it is EXTRA important you provide layers and extra hay for your horse.</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 25px; outline: 0px !important;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px !important;">Check for shivering and signs of cold.</strong> It might be miserable for us to go outside in this, but it is imperative to our horse and equine health that we regularly check on their status. Stick your hand inside their blanket, feel if they are warm or cold, see if they are shivering.</li></ul><p style="box-sizing: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px 0px 13px; outline: 0px !important; text-align: justify;">Some tips for humans during this cold snap:</p><ul style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 15px; outline: 0px !important; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;"><li style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 25px; outline: 0px !important;">Adding surgical/latex gloves inside of your regular gloves can help keep warmth in as well as moisture out.</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 25px; outline: 0px !important;">Rechargeable heated items can be your best friend for cold weather like this. Some options are <a data-id="https://amzn.to/3V46IER" data-type="URL" href="https://amzn.to/3V46IER" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #7c7000; outline: 0px !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">gloves</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/3hAwMK1" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #7c7000; outline: 0px !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">socks</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/3FMrKCm" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #7c7000; outline: 0px !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">scarves</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/3YBgOQw" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #7c7000; outline: 0px !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">hats</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/3YBgOQw" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #7c7000; outline: 0px !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">vests</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/3Wd21K8" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #7c7000; outline: 0px !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">jackets</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/3v1vaMp" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #7c7000; outline: 0px !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">pants</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/3G3D1PN" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #7c7000; outline: 0px !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">insoles</a>.</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 25px; outline: 0px !important;">If you experience frostbite, soak affected area for 20 to 30 minutes or until the skin becomes its normal color or loses its numbness. For the face or ears, apply a warm, wet washcloth. Don’t rewarm frostbitten skin with direct heat, such as a stove, heat lamp, fireplace or heating pad. This can cause burns.</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 25px; outline: 0px !important;">Stay active, motion creates warmth. Try not to remain immobile while outside during this extreme weather.</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 25px; outline: 0px !important;">Cover everything up. Your body is prone to dispersing/losing heat the most through your head and extremities. Be sure to wear a good hat, gloves, and as many layers as possible while still being able to function as needed.</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 25px; outline: 0px !important;">Do your best to stay dry, getting wet will harness the cold and stick it to you.</li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 25px; outline: 0px !important;">If you don’t have a live stream camera setup on your property and want to be able to watch/check on your animals from the comfort of your house, consider adding some wifi cameras. This is what we use: <a href="https://coloradohorseforum.com/inexpensive-nanny-cams-for-your-horses/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #7c7000; outline: 0px !important; text-decoration-line: none;">https://coloradohorseforum.com/inexpensive-nanny-cams-for-your-horses/</a></li></ul><p style="box-sizing: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px 0px 13px; outline: 0px !important; text-align: justify;">Thanks to <a href="https://vetwerxequine.com/?utm_source=ColoradoHorseForum&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ColoradoHorseForum" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #7c7000; outline: 0px !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Dr. Kieran Smith from Vetwerx Equine South</a> for providing some of these helpful tips for our horses and equines!</p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px 0px 13px; outline: 0px !important; text-align: justify;">If you have other recommendations, be sure to drop them in the comments below!</p></div>Behind the Mist Trilogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135658430298254364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018440477024256751.post-9044470906896052072022-11-29T13:23:00.001-08:002022-11-29T13:23:26.243-08:00THE STALLION AND HIS PECULIAR BOY<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvK9oKyINB3ouEf_UUkq2JU1yKt3gis99oSdloPv8Sk6ucq1RTlFH9YALI1cOMvLpavRHdATHC20VRuNdD88I1AnRkcWiLdPm3uKB9LdkNeGapuAzf6clfusbmNpHQxThsiTg0CBtUwyIKJ1FpLGO5QK-b9BPrRj5MjbVU_PEqqxXXiGo5CW_t4Gn4/s800/Witez%20photo%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="800" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvK9oKyINB3ouEf_UUkq2JU1yKt3gis99oSdloPv8Sk6ucq1RTlFH9YALI1cOMvLpavRHdATHC20VRuNdD88I1AnRkcWiLdPm3uKB9LdkNeGapuAzf6clfusbmNpHQxThsiTg0CBtUwyIKJ1FpLGO5QK-b9BPrRj5MjbVU_PEqqxXXiGo5CW_t4Gn4/w370-h280/Witez%20photo%203.jpg" width="370" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My new book "The Stallion and His Peculiar Boy" will be out in the spring! It is a Historical Fiction based on the life of the famous Arabian Stallion, Witez II. The professional reviews of starting to come in. Here is one from Readers' Favorite:</span></p><div class="row" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px -15px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><div class="col-xs-5 col-md-3" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: left; margin: 0px; min-height: 1px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px 15px; position: relative; width: 239px;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;">Review Rating:</p></div><div class="col-xs-7 col-md-9" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: left; margin: 0px; min-height: 1px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px 15px; position: relative; width: 717px;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;">5 Stars <b style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;">- Congratulations on your 5-star review! </b></p></div></div><hr style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 0px; border-image: initial; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; box-sizing: content-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700; height: 0px; margin: 20px 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;" /><div class="row" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px -15px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><div class="col-xs-12 col-md-12" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: left; margin: 0px; min-height: 1px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px 15px; position: relative; width: 956px;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;">Reviewed by Kimberlee J Benart for Readers’ Favorite</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;">The Stallion and His Peculiar Boy: Based On the Life of the Famous Arabian Horse Witez II</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;">is a work of historical fiction by M.J. Evans set in the period 1943 - 1965. Teodor is a </p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;">non-communicative autistic boy living in Hostau, Czechoslovakia, where the finest </p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;">captured horses from all over Europe are sent to a Nazi breeding farm. Teodor meets </p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;">Witez, the two bond immediately, and he becomes a worker at the farm where he trains as </p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;">Witez’s groom. Later, as the war ends and the horses come under the threat of being </p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;">slaughtered for food by the advancing Russian Army, some German officers ask the United </p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;">States Army to rescue the animals and take them out of Czechoslovakia. Soon, Teodor </p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;">accompanies Witez to America in the adventure of a lifetime.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;" />In The Stallion and His Peculiar Boy, M.J. Evans gives us an entertaining and informative </p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;">account of the Polish horse who became a premier stallion in the pedigree of the Arabian </p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;">breed in the United States. Told in part through the fictional character of Teodor and </p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;">sensitive to his therapeutic and devoted bond with Witez over the years, it blends the </p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;">suspense of a World War II military rescue operation with the subsequent challenges of </p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;">resettlement in a new land with new owners. The narrative is engaging and moves at a </p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;">good pace. The choice of an autistic protagonist adds a special dimension, and Teodor </p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;">is both relatable and believable. Suitable for young adult and adult readers, this story </p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;">is sure to please anyone who enjoys good historical fiction.</p></div></div>Behind the Mist Trilogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135658430298254364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018440477024256751.post-69938860910803726742022-09-20T10:38:00.000-07:002022-09-20T10:38:07.020-07:00Belgium's 500 Year Tradition of Shrimp Fishing on Horseback<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6zVggH6If9teAmvZ74NScYv9XljeRbgQjKr3nzZe3H_lh3DX54Inl4CgJb6YXHXnDXaAcpQ7qqk4Y6-LYhnX_iXYN3i6Bwk04OqjRbC4uV0tYieNU4LMta6kkr7TYZkQ3nJuw-jj0RGqVv6SWxulzndB3GWZXy0mfj2jHz_BKyl0bx0y1o2hGLzA/s290/f1a99281b21a110ffe36c8565f5dc2c7--draft-horses-brussels-belgium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="290" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6zVggH6If9teAmvZ74NScYv9XljeRbgQjKr3nzZe3H_lh3DX54Inl4CgJb6YXHXnDXaAcpQ7qqk4Y6-LYhnX_iXYN3i6Bwk04OqjRbC4uV0tYieNU4LMta6kkr7TYZkQ3nJuw-jj0RGqVv6SWxulzndB3GWZXy0mfj2jHz_BKyl0bx0y1o2hGLzA/w331-h331/f1a99281b21a110ffe36c8565f5dc2c7--draft-horses-brussels-belgium.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Since the late 15th century, fishermen in the seaside communities that line the North Sea have practiced a unique form of shrimp fishing. While riding a horse, these fishermen, called "Paardenvisser," trawl the shallow waters along the coast to capture the well-loved crustaceans. </span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2lhV9JrD8jWME8jDs2UsCv03koWwW4Yo0nCdlLcVbtPbF9uHluyFoQ9aPKSX0xEcJu-U4fsc2QETbpSljpACiqnLDRMtWy-PQ6rCXXif6LynVLdk07lpKXnoiLWpJFaB2RKMFfw28mlc2F4VeTGi2wtMt_XWbMW5gaA7toe-TLLgP7YP8b2MkKHN/s1000/horseback-fishing-oostduinkerke-4belguim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="1000" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2lhV9JrD8jWME8jDs2UsCv03koWwW4Yo0nCdlLcVbtPbF9uHluyFoQ9aPKSX0xEcJu-U4fsc2QETbpSljpACiqnLDRMtWy-PQ6rCXXif6LynVLdk07lpKXnoiLWpJFaB2RKMFfw28mlc2F4VeTGi2wtMt_XWbMW5gaA7toe-TLLgP7YP8b2MkKHN/w365-h244/horseback-fishing-oostduinkerke-4belguim.jpg" width="365" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">They came up with a very ingenious method of fishing. Riding a Brabant Draft Horse, they pull a net attached to two metal and wood boards. The water pressure keeps the net open as well as pushes the catch to the back of the net. A metal chain attached to the front of the net sends shockwaves through the sand which causes the shrimp to jump into the trap. I have no idea who the brilliant person was who thought of that!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The paardenvissers can be seen wearing their bright yellow oilskin pants and jackets atop their sturdy horses during shrimp fishing season which lasts from March to May and September to November. There is a two-day Shrimp Festival in June when the horses get to parade down the streets leading elaborate floats. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">At this writing, there are only seventeen known paardenvissers. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So that is your fun horse fact for the day!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">COMING SOON: MY NEW BOOK ABOUT THE FAMOUS POLISH ARABIAN STALLION, WITEZ II! More info on that next time.</span></p>Behind the Mist Trilogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135658430298254364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018440477024256751.post-20018571532735934412022-08-18T13:50:00.000-07:002022-08-18T13:50:08.022-07:00I REMEMBER FURY!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JJ4BPtZRHAdEPjg1c3bq7l_nXeHkh74aFrFW6bBNsmDE3BR5jRpERGRJUIPnBa8fQZPt4pZ0w8XvdDSOkLXJqNMcS0riLTI7Yykk2W_5Jl-rfIM9oO3RBJouR66XpbcqPlQNhJqpKTb1aMfNd3A8tCBR7UvY_s1FbEHLng1knLiiNb51ejGNhj9K/s333/98775ac429513bfb1cd0110557c7f80c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="250" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JJ4BPtZRHAdEPjg1c3bq7l_nXeHkh74aFrFW6bBNsmDE3BR5jRpERGRJUIPnBa8fQZPt4pZ0w8XvdDSOkLXJqNMcS0riLTI7Yykk2W_5Jl-rfIM9oO3RBJouR66XpbcqPlQNhJqpKTb1aMfNd3A8tCBR7UvY_s1FbEHLng1knLiiNb51ejGNhj9K/w298-h398/98775ac429513bfb1cd0110557c7f80c.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><p><br /></p>From 1955 to 1960, NBC televised a western titled: "Fury." My parents didn't get a T.V. until 1956, but once they did, I HAD to watch every episode of the story about the wild stallion that only one boy could tame and ride. I dreamt of being that boy. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiferCtkUIVytCwyy1-N1bGqS7LdqxDA-vQg9eSNGWNdjJnLqn_5T5WoYNb5q0sYVo-gG_gTuk5edSZPuschYVCaBMk7FswCEnEc_t4RLYG2ZkUGIDWuricxfq50pq_GwkxX4TT7Ebhf3MoUB1iToF_gn1KNfMCtVIlolLaG0zoy43POfdGB4_oyRuO/s594/Fury%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="474" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiferCtkUIVytCwyy1-N1bGqS7LdqxDA-vQg9eSNGWNdjJnLqn_5T5WoYNb5q0sYVo-gG_gTuk5edSZPuschYVCaBMk7FswCEnEc_t4RLYG2ZkUGIDWuricxfq50pq_GwkxX4TT7Ebhf3MoUB1iToF_gn1KNfMCtVIlolLaG0zoy43POfdGB4_oyRuO/w289-h362/Fury%201.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Fury was an equine actor. He was thought to be the most popular horse in the country during the 1950s. He held the title role on the popular Saturday morning television series which was also broadcast around the world. Additionally, he starred in several movies: "Black Beauty," "Brave Stallion," "Gyspy Colt," "Wild is the Wind," "The Return of Wildfire," and "Giant" with Elizabeth Taylor.<div><br /><div>He won several Patsy Awards. The Patsy Award was created in 1939 by the Hollywood office of the American Human Society. It was created to honor a horse that was killed on set while filming a movie. It stands for "Picture Animal Top Star of the Year." </div><div><br /></div><div>Fury was born in 1943 in Missouri. The Saddlebred Stallion was named Highland Dale. He died in 1972, at the age of 29 in California and is buried there. He worked only four months of the year. He earned his owner/trainer Ralph McCutcheon $500,000 in the eight years he performed. He was paid $1,500 for each Fury episode. By the time Highland Dale retired, he ranked second only to Lassie in net earnings by an animal actor. <br /><p><br /></p></div></div>Behind the Mist Trilogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135658430298254364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018440477024256751.post-38834991598094264272021-09-27T13:02:00.000-07:002021-09-27T13:02:08.040-07:00THE SAND POUNDERS OF THE U.S. COAST GUARD DURING WWII<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> It's not your fault if you have never heard of the Sand Pounders...most people haven't! </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzNl1Vh7MJsCI2t5B76X6TTlHZQIuifhap28ctU6Ew7W9HvI5p5ouVppulzU0069X9h5NxLfQ-GaqecP5BNoyLiqkLCkQ-e2STkySCXKaX59XY40SRjDIWChMYJSz0EJnhialuieL4WwI/s300/Beach+patrol+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="244" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzNl1Vh7MJsCI2t5B76X6TTlHZQIuifhap28ctU6Ew7W9HvI5p5ouVppulzU0069X9h5NxLfQ-GaqecP5BNoyLiqkLCkQ-e2STkySCXKaX59XY40SRjDIWChMYJSz0EJnhialuieL4WwI/s0/Beach+patrol+3.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><br /><p>For two years during World War 2, the U.S. Coast Guard had a mounted beach patrol. After the U.S. was attacked by Japan on December 7th, 1941 at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, the call went out to Horsemen across the country to enlist in the new division of the Coast Guard called the Sand Pounders. Their job was threefold: </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">“We have been tasked with
protecting American shores against sabotage, enemy submarines, and enemy
landings. We have three basic functions: to detect and observe enemy vessels
operating in coastal waters and to transmit information thus obtained to the
appropriate Navy and Army commands, to report attempts of landing by the enemy
and to assist in preventing such activity, and to prevent communication between
persons on shore and the enemy at sea.” (The Sand Pounder pg. 66)</span><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 0.533333px;">Cowboys, jockeys, show jumpers, horse trainers, and rodeo riders answered the call. In all, 24,000 men signed up to patrol 3700 miles of coastline on the east coast, the west coast, and along the Gulf coast. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZGwd0Wwt_sa3tV2suOgLhfRGuJDdJxCBPgQwYvXU1YuFpRxjunDPljQvBER5Je2dS5tXOJkfAnUuX08QuGgPzqk0kYQqvm7m5Pg5V2gofP9QXtBArmMdjVYe_j75Cvf3zW3URfJmrAo/s2048/Sand+pounder+%25233.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1680" data-original-width="2048" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZGwd0Wwt_sa3tV2suOgLhfRGuJDdJxCBPgQwYvXU1YuFpRxjunDPljQvBER5Je2dS5tXOJkfAnUuX08QuGgPzqk0kYQqvm7m5Pg5V2gofP9QXtBArmMdjVYe_j75Cvf3zW3URfJmrAo/s320/Sand+pounder+%25233.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was born in 1951, just a few years after WWII ended. My family lived in Oregon and we often went to the Oregon Coast. My father took us to Fort Stevens, the only place in the continental U.S. that was shelled during the war. He talked to us about the war but he never mentioned the Sand Pounders!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was just a few years ago that I stumbled upon them. I began researching. I was able to get a copy of the newly released confidential report that the Coast Guard had submitted so many years before. I researched for a year. (Which is why I haven't written a blog post for so long!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thus...my new novel was born! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5iFU_WGLhO7yEXFlI8Dz3YdwG6eLi6CU9g5u-sCTgtsf8BJ6wJfzcgzgYASFwYAsFiAWASVXHvh8ZiQnkD0Gc7TyhMl7usoG7xSQLcqqxpkJ64OGFfd8KVL5NrkIqspt2GD8F2G4mVc/s2048/Margi_SAND+POUNDER_Front+Cover_v3_NO+BLEED+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5iFU_WGLhO7yEXFlI8Dz3YdwG6eLi6CU9g5u-sCTgtsf8BJ6wJfzcgzgYASFwYAsFiAWASVXHvh8ZiQnkD0Gc7TyhMl7usoG7xSQLcqqxpkJ64OGFfd8KVL5NrkIqspt2GD8F2G4mVc/s320/Margi_SAND+POUNDER_Front+Cover_v3_NO+BLEED+%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /></div>"The Sand Pounder - Love and Drama on Horseback in WWII" is a young adult to adult historical fiction. Set on the Oregon coast, it is the story of an older teen who wants to become a sand pounder. The only problem is, SHE is a girl and they are only taking men. Let's just say it is a "Mulan" story- if you know what I mean! I mixed in a lot of horse stuff, a little romance, and information about both the Sand Pounders and what life was like for citizens during world war 2. <div><br /></div><div>I am honored to receive the Maincrest Media Award for outstanding Historical Fiction before the book was even released. The release date is September 28th, 2021. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8DMxK15x7jpvdJRbgCxkMfaokt5urNP8qWIhCGJd5Tmopm21qfVShPCcWIFqcE4Llrl94QCMvZxDd24bBh_hRzv140J38rVSqyczcjCyy_39Zpx4QXyqstKmAnceMJhiarJtRrLbxZx8/s2048/maincrest+media+award.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8DMxK15x7jpvdJRbgCxkMfaokt5urNP8qWIhCGJd5Tmopm21qfVShPCcWIFqcE4Llrl94QCMvZxDd24bBh_hRzv140J38rVSqyczcjCyy_39Zpx4QXyqstKmAnceMJhiarJtRrLbxZx8/s320/maincrest+media+award.png" width="320" /></a></div><div>Here is what the critics are saying: </div><div>“Evans’ writing and use of descriptive imagery is incredible.” Maincrest Media Awards</div><div><p class="MsoNormal"> “The Sand Pounder is one of those rare historical
novels with a charm that appeals to both young and old readers.” <span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Vincent
Dublado for Readers’ Favorite<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> “<span style="background: white; color: #222222;">M.J.
Evans does an excellent job of winding the era's history and the lesser-known
job of the Sand Pounders into a realistic story of a mature teen's
determination to make a difference in her world.” Diane Donovan for Midwest
Book Review</span>: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> “A gripping YA historical novel packed full of
twists, turns, and memorable characters. Highly recommended!” The Wishing Shelf Book Review(UK)<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><br /></div>This fun and informative book is available NOW on my website: </div><div><a href="http://www.dancinghorsepress.com"><span style="font-size: large;">www.dancinghorsepress.com</span></a><p></p></div><div>and wherever books are sold. </div>Behind the Mist Trilogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135658430298254364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018440477024256751.post-68999705744784969252021-02-03T18:36:00.003-08:002021-02-03T18:36:39.440-08:00Bold Minstrel - A Heroic Horse For All Seasons!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AeXUrvIG3VkL-JKSWekyxJpvJ3jG_C7QChD3WoadrN8Mp_l_CLeqwUlV7O47H6RMZAOZ8cqNwSOzwQGZ96oCj1V1fS7osq7vlpZ1PAAbfqlJ9TxtyvPnYYRQWowZvWv4ikXwkEQOtsA/s800/BoldMinstrel4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="800" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AeXUrvIG3VkL-JKSWekyxJpvJ3jG_C7QChD3WoadrN8Mp_l_CLeqwUlV7O47H6RMZAOZ8cqNwSOzwQGZ96oCj1V1fS7osq7vlpZ1PAAbfqlJ9TxtyvPnYYRQWowZvWv4ikXwkEQOtsA/w385-h326/BoldMinstrel4.jpg" width="385" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> Bold Minstrel ridden by owner William Haggard at Devon in the hunter classes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> When I was growing up in Lake Oswego, Oregon, I purchased a dapple gray 3/4 Arabian with my own money. Because Tai was such a wonderful horse, dapple-gray became my favorite color! As a result of my love of dapple-gray horses, I want to share some information with you about a fabulous, famous horse named Bold Minstrel. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> Bold Minstrel is the only horse in history to medal in three Pan American Games and one Olympic Games in two different disciplines: Eventing and show jumping. This amazingly talented thoroughbred was born in 1952 (or 1951 depending on the source,) in Camargo, Ohio. He was purchased by William Haggard as a five-year-old. Haggard loved riding him in hunter classes and eventing. (Dressage, cross-country jumping, and stadium jumping.) Because he was such a big, stocky horse, Billy nicknamed him "Fatty." By jumper standards, he was quite fat. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> Haggard began showing Fatty in hunter classes, his flashy looks and beautiful form winning him numerous championships. Then Haggard switched to eventing, earning a spot on the U.S. Team in the Pan Am Games in 1959 where the team came home with the silver medal. Four years later, the team came home with the gold in San Paulo, Brazil. Between the two games, Haggard and Bold Minstrel still had fun winning in the hunter ring. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinU81OWM8hBUm23HoXn58jspNJ84are-OGhYF6KgSYsKxTn_xqu0e4Al0fbT2ftS4YO7-KLZsnv2Y6qc3SwSilsk-WeBORC-SmMsH3HrXDf1_DY-8dnVnaroB_aabOd_qoWEJ7vzszgqg/s680/Bold+Minstrel+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinU81OWM8hBUm23HoXn58jspNJ84are-OGhYF6KgSYsKxTn_xqu0e4Al0fbT2ftS4YO7-KLZsnv2Y6qc3SwSilsk-WeBORC-SmMsH3HrXDf1_DY-8dnVnaroB_aabOd_qoWEJ7vzszgqg/s320/Bold+Minstrel+2.jpg" /></a></div> Surprisingly, the team was not selected for the Olympic Games in Tokyo. However, when J. Michael Plumb's horse, Markham, had to be euthanized on the flight over, Haggard loaned Bold Minstrel to the veteran rider. Bold Minstrel was flown over to Japan just two weeks before the competition. You and I might be awfully nervous about riding a new, strange horse in the OLYMPICS after only two weeks of training. The talented horse caught the eye of the famous Olympic Equestrian, William Steinkraus. For several years, Steinkraus tried to convince Haggard to compete with the horse in Jumpers, or let him do it. So, when the horse was twelve years old, Haggard loaned him to Steinkraus.</div><p></p><div><p style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; line-height: 1.5; margin: 10px 0px; word-spacing: 0.125em;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Lato, sans-serif;"> </span> </span></p><p style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #222222; line-height: 1.5; margin: 10px 0px; word-spacing: 0.125em;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXODV_1JN0KaY1zwwsEKYvlV4xIQ_aaRG2-0RNYJ3VgcvYpLPQkaJ-b72ViGJDyIji7Wcx6XZnHouT8xUq14GRpTcQqOeDK4NDiDu9c4pMmXTZwSJPcKbV6ayh8uGtYMs3_I-Zh_aBco/s800/BoldMinstrel6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXODV_1JN0KaY1zwwsEKYvlV4xIQ_aaRG2-0RNYJ3VgcvYpLPQkaJ-b72ViGJDyIji7Wcx6XZnHouT8xUq14GRpTcQqOeDK4NDiDu9c4pMmXTZwSJPcKbV6ayh8uGtYMs3_I-Zh_aBco/s320/BoldMinstrel6.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Bold Minstral being shown by Bill Steinkraus</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Steinkraus remarked that the horse was not only brave and talented, but had a mind of his own when it came to completing a jump course of enormous jumps.Nothing made owner William Haggard more proud than when Fatty broke the world record in the old Madison Square Garden, winning the International Puissance by clearing the 7'3" wall!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-xx64aMqFNKX2muGAQPaEjpNQhKCftN25v8fOABiuWzRwjLghX8Z2_yFur2ONYfCRTliEXqncwCcui4-YyOrXpY2ddVeP9F9XwVuzrs6IXvVYpgUf81P0hZu4GJ2HZgZ7SJ9LQhA3aw/s400/Bill+Steinkraus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-xx64aMqFNKX2muGAQPaEjpNQhKCftN25v8fOABiuWzRwjLghX8Z2_yFur2ONYfCRTliEXqncwCcui4-YyOrXpY2ddVeP9F9XwVuzrs6IXvVYpgUf81P0hZu4GJ2HZgZ7SJ9LQhA3aw/s320/Bill+Steinkraus.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fatty was retired from competition at the age of 18. After that, he returned to the Haggard farm where he enjoyed a life of Fox Hunting. Bold Minstrel has been inducted into the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Learn about another famous horse: "PINTO" the holder of the record for the longest horseback ride in history!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">Click here to get the book about him from Amazon: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/PINTO-Based-Longest-Horseback-History/dp/1733020411/ref=pd_bxgy_img_3/142-2108745-3005955?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1733020411&pd_rd_r=eb6bbc2d-bfa2-49aa-95c1-a2a7066af9ee&pd_rd_w=2IEE7&pd_rd_wg=HfvXe&pf_rd_p=f325d01c-4658-4593-be83-3e12ca663f0e&pf_rd_r=6636K4XP8ZZR545DDZKN&psc=1&refRID=6636K4XP8ZZR545DDZKN">PINTO-Based Upon the Longest Horseback Ride in History</a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">Click here to get the book from Barnes and Noble:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pinto-m-j-evans/1132984872?ean=9781733020411">PINTO! Based Upon the True Story of the Longest Horseback Ride in History</a></div><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><p></p></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Behind the Mist Trilogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135658430298254364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018440477024256751.post-24918535528266420062020-12-22T09:08:00.003-08:002020-12-22T09:08:47.846-08:00<p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Please enjoy this author interview by "AllAuthor"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5pnbPe_S3dCfRRrT8RvKIsMQ_KS0Lx8R_xs-zB22F-SqOgbZMCm1zC7sc1-1mPsNHcX_rK0YrLiiDnjU5QocTLQ6hMd2aw4tGzeYXdvM6H0zpuXT7aODN4wC-SUpJKEocQmDMzkM7y0/s1024/All+author+interview.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5pnbPe_S3dCfRRrT8RvKIsMQ_KS0Lx8R_xs-zB22F-SqOgbZMCm1zC7sc1-1mPsNHcX_rK0YrLiiDnjU5QocTLQ6hMd2aw4tGzeYXdvM6H0zpuXT7aODN4wC-SUpJKEocQmDMzkM7y0/w485-h243/All+author+interview.png" width="485" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><b>Q.What is one lesser-known fact about your childhood?</b><div>I bought my own horse when I was 13 and had to support him myself. I babysat, cleaned houses, and walked polo ponies between chukkas (the play period.) I loved that horse, and I was so busy taking care of him, I never had time to get in trouble!</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Q. Who is the most supportive person in your life when it comes to your writing?</b></div><div>My grandkids!!! They always tell me how much they love my books. That keeps me going.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Q. How would you describe your experience as a former teacher?</b></div><div>I loved teaching teens and pre-teens. I enjoyed the depth I could get into with my high school students, but I loved the energy of the younger teens in Junior High. I also learned that a good teacher is kind of like being on stage and entertaining an audience.!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Q. Why do you mostly write about horses or horse-fantasy creatures?</b></div><div>I have been a horse-lover since birth...I call it "being born with manure in my blood!" I started taking riding lessons when I was eight. When I wasn't on a horse, I war reading both fiction and non-fiction books about them. Thus, I developed a love of reading as well. Fantasy has always been a favorite genre of mine so combining fantasy and horses seemed like the perfect fit. have expanded my horse stories to include "coming of age," and "historical fiction" to challenge myself.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Q. What developed your love for horses?</b></div><div>As I mentioned, I was born loving horses. Owning my own horse and sacrificing to take care of him served only to deepen my love. Your love increases as you serve and sacrifice.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Q. What inspired your first original story? Did you share the tale with anyone?</b></div><div>My first book was a non-fiction book titled: "Riding Colorado." it is an equestrian trail guide book and is the first of a now, four-bok series about trails to ride in and around colorado. I researched and wrote those books for the selfish reason that I wanted to find all the cool trails to ride. I had five other horse friends testing the trails with me, so, yes, I shared the experience with them. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXOnfmRDsIkLMdtSAI4vbG5T7f0gF3lT7EW44bAzKTOk0CnJ0ZeP42SWa_ACfwI6ODY0jM6CwbCd5BXxnJp0RnQDBBnOa61fjPrbSf12qEM6A6-vtk1Lh7rl-xDz9Z4Koj2JL_w-1SSw/s268/Riding+Colorado.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXOnfmRDsIkLMdtSAI4vbG5T7f0gF3lT7EW44bAzKTOk0CnJ0ZeP42SWa_ACfwI6ODY0jM6CwbCd5BXxnJp0RnQDBBnOa61fjPrbSf12qEM6A6-vtk1Lh7rl-xDz9Z4Koj2JL_w-1SSw/s0/Riding+Colorado.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>As we would drive to the trailheads, I would tell them the fiction story I was creating that became "Behind the Mist-Book One of the Mist Trilogy."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtmoNujj6JFCxTeeGU5VVnrfqIEv9Z3LEi6yTAAkXNrEEonzakcR8ATiux-aBWrkVl-vxpjXaAefHZrIMgO2PVmByaCGPDR87bmujRDMYgv96ila_JLKeEQlZhGP8zCesTDZfDplSTPg/s859/new+cover+only+Behind+the+Mist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="859" data-original-width="555" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtmoNujj6JFCxTeeGU5VVnrfqIEv9Z3LEi6yTAAkXNrEEonzakcR8ATiux-aBWrkVl-vxpjXaAefHZrIMgO2PVmByaCGPDR87bmujRDMYgv96ila_JLKeEQlZhGP8zCesTDZfDplSTPg/s320/new+cover+only+Behind+the+Mist.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Q. What is the significance of the title of your book, "In the Heart of a Mustang?</b></div><div>For several years, I worked for PATH, Intl,., The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship. There I witnessed the healing power of horses not only for disabled and handicapped people, (I write about that in "PERCY-The Racehorse Who Didn't Like to Run,") but I was also touched by the effect horses have on troubled teens. I coupled that with my interest in the bands of wild mustangs running free in ten western states and came up with "In the Heart of a Mustang." People who have adopted these wonderful horses love them so much.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzy9HUF4D231LkKeyBhw0yx3v6RT9HoFh_RiBm0NuNoTER75bi_kNPsPKY1qMMk-R3Y9xQw4a7f3s0ntDzM6mRLdpxj_llL225OqVM5DjGg0efY1tdLehv-ceGY6Ub2ZCh33s2mlOquA/s640/Heart+Of+Mustang+Cover-with+awards++%25283%2529+Front+cover+-High+Res.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzy9HUF4D231LkKeyBhw0yx3v6RT9HoFh_RiBm0NuNoTER75bi_kNPsPKY1qMMk-R3Y9xQw4a7f3s0ntDzM6mRLdpxj_llL225OqVM5DjGg0efY1tdLehv-ceGY6Ub2ZCh33s2mlOquA/s320/Heart+Of+Mustang+Cover-with+awards++%25283%2529+Front+cover+-High+Res.jpeg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBlE3n9abKDG2kb6ykRRJg_lVfxYWCJm8_Nv0Ock2O1hJNrjywbpKF_VithlKovAbgyfNPOatpYwqPHr4fFm75RissnFhWWKWAcGKShyYtaaKdGRUepqz0Zy5b1S28yy9EvpGESbiJSU/s2048/Percy-Front-Cover+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1595" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBlE3n9abKDG2kb6ykRRJg_lVfxYWCJm8_Nv0Ock2O1hJNrjywbpKF_VithlKovAbgyfNPOatpYwqPHr4fFm75RissnFhWWKWAcGKShyYtaaKdGRUepqz0Zy5b1S28yy9EvpGESbiJSU/s320/Percy-Front-Cover+2.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Q. How much did you research about the longest Horseback ride in history while writing your book, "PINTO!"?</b></div><div>"PINTO!" took me two and a half years to research and many miles of travel. I started doing research on the internet. I found a little...just enough to pique my curiosity. I traveled to Oklahoma City to visit the National Western and Cowboy Museum. the research librarian didn't even know they had a collection of material. But, after searching in their basement, they found a box of original photographs and a few articles from the time. I went up to Bainbridge Island, Washinton to their little historical museum and was greeted like royalty. They were so excited that I was going to write about their hometown heroes. They have a permanent exhibit of the Overland Westerners and a driftwood sculpture of Pinto. In their collection are all the original journals still in existence that two of the men kept. I was able to take home a flash drive with the transcriptions of the journals. I read every word and highlight the events that Pinto could tell about. It was so much fun!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6Sxp5vUamXpCAHSOMEt0B6BaEdFGvw6D1U0Pz_HCAasg93fe4WMtZoqEkxpv2HNLZEjTkkX8Sk0VRqIb32FyCA-XLv3HFnW-3sm7HQ78TlX91h8_lph5s4Zhyphenhyphenb2T8bKB5oTCJYjRjZU/s2048/Pinto+Front+cover+with_BEA+AWARD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6Sxp5vUamXpCAHSOMEt0B6BaEdFGvw6D1U0Pz_HCAasg93fe4WMtZoqEkxpv2HNLZEjTkkX8Sk0VRqIb32FyCA-XLv3HFnW-3sm7HQ78TlX91h8_lph5s4Zhyphenhyphenb2T8bKB5oTCJYjRjZU/s320/Pinto+Front+cover+with_BEA+AWARD.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div><div><br /><p><br /></p><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 28px; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 7px;"><br /><br /></h1></div></div>Behind the Mist Trilogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135658430298254364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018440477024256751.post-50824285943923427532020-12-04T06:22:00.003-08:002020-12-04T06:36:45.714-08:00HORSE BOOKS MAKE GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFTS!<p> <span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Happy holidays! I teamed up with a whole herd of equestrian authors to bring you some virtual holiday cheer on the Equestrian Author Spotlight podcast. In the special holiday episode, we share our favorite horsey holiday memories and some great christmas gift recommendations because horse books make great gifts. Plus, we are getting into the holiday spirit with a spur jingling giveaway for our readers! </span></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The Horse Books Make Great Gifts Giveaway ($200 value) includes:</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Eight full-length paperbacks of each book in the Horses, Hearts & Havoc collection</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Beautiful pillow to prop on while reading</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Snuggly blanket to wrap around yourself while immersed in a story</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Holiday Tin Collection from Grey Horse Candle Company</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Mug for sipping your favorite hot beverage — tea and hot chocolate included</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Door hanger to keep interruptions at bay</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Canvas tote bag to carry it all</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Padfolio for making notes</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Set of fun equestrian magnets</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Watch the full video packed with holiday cheer and enter the giveaway here: <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl py34i1dx gpro0wi8" href="https://www.carlykadecreative.com/blog/a-horsey-holiday-special-equine-authors-share-their-merry-memories-horse-books-make-great-gifts-giveaway-equestrian-author-spotlight-podcast?fbclid=IwAR33_OV-s6TrEZIHUs73LdhIU4Umd6janF6qV7qvpId-1bgd7kQ17yw1Mus" original_target="https://www.carlykadecreative.com/blog/a-horsey-holiday-special-equine-authors-share-their-merry-memories-horse-books-make-great-gifts-giveaway-equestrian-author-spotlight-podcast?fbclid=iwar33_ov-s6trezihus73ldhiu4umd6janf6qv7qvpid-1bgd7kq17yw1mus" rel="nofollow noopener" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank" waprocessedanchor="true">https://www.carlykadecreative.com/.../a-horsey-holiday...</a><div mcafee_wa_ann="{"rep":1,"cat":[112],"ufg":6,"url":"https://www.carlykadecreative.com/blog/a-horsey-holiday-special-equine-authors-share-their-merry-memories-horse-books-make-great-gifts-giveaway-equestrian-author-spotlight-podcast?fbclid=iwar33_ov-s6trezihus73ldhiu4umd6janf6qv7qvpid-1bgd7kq17yw1mus","dossierUrl":"https://www.carlykadecreative.com/blog/a-horsey-holiday-special-equine-authors-share-their-merry-memories-horse-books-make-great-gifts-giveaway-equestrian-author-spotlight-podcast?fbclid=iwar33_ov-s6trezihus73ldhiu4umd6janf6qv7qvpid-1bgd7kq17yw1mus"}" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; cursor: default; display: inline-block; float: none; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 4px; position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: 1;"></div></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here is my contribution to the effort: </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX8S2L2NI6Q">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX8S2L2NI6Q</a></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></div></div>Behind the Mist Trilogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135658430298254364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018440477024256751.post-50751238748410281212020-12-04T06:22:00.001-08:002020-12-04T06:22:41.587-08:00Pinto Update Nov v1 1<iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pmhheI10wFc" width="480"></iframe>Behind the Mist Trilogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135658430298254364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018440477024256751.post-14219490130180390062020-09-20T09:40:00.000-07:002020-09-20T09:40:57.362-07:00PINTO! Receives its 10th Literary Award!<p>I'm excited to tell you that my historical fiction novel, "PINTO! Based Upon the True Story of the Longest Horseback Ride in History" received the first place award for middle-grade history from the Chanticleer Book Awards! If you love horse stories ala "Black Beauty," you will love PINTO!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg733rj2LmBj4L9npLb5-jMVzrOdj67u416GNo1E86skDxw2BDDHgp_bL8cCK7prI6CMvUqMpjosFFQ4h7tigOuY6kYvby7r55bGur_WM_gAC14oSt44bPT2u_OmYAbOlbslwzQOrZqRHw/s564/Gertrude-First-Place-Category-Winner-e1564527993859.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg733rj2LmBj4L9npLb5-jMVzrOdj67u416GNo1E86skDxw2BDDHgp_bL8cCK7prI6CMvUqMpjosFFQ4h7tigOuY6kYvby7r55bGur_WM_gAC14oSt44bPT2u_OmYAbOlbslwzQOrZqRHw/s320/Gertrude-First-Place-Category-Winner-e1564527993859.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U1eNWrGCTio" width="320" youtube-src-id="U1eNWrGCTio"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">PINTO! is available on my <a href="http://www.dancinghorsepress.com/">website: www.dancinghorsepress.com</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Or on Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/PINTO-Based-Longest-Horseback-History/dp/1733020411/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1U2J727RTI5V7&dchild=1&keywords=pinto+by+m.j.+evans&qid=1600619731&sprefix=Pinto+by+%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-1">PINTO!</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Or on Barnes and Noble: <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pinto-m-j-evans/1132984872?ean=9781733020411">PINTO!</a></div>Behind the Mist Trilogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135658430298254364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018440477024256751.post-23010353817627223752020-03-11T12:20:00.002-07:002020-12-04T06:46:16.554-08:00PINTO! Receives the 2020 Book Excellence Award!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In December I attended the Equus Film and Arts Festival at the Kentucky Horse park in Lexington, KY. My new book, "PINTO!" was a literary award recipient. Besides the lovely medal and trophy that I was given to honor the book, I was also given a Breyer horse statue of "Latigo Dun It."<br />
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Latigo Dun It, better known as "Hollywood," is a magnificent Quarter Horse stallion owned and exhibited by Charro artist Tomas Garcilazo. He has recently been immortalized by Breyer with his own statue.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2EAaf-bSMkws2HREHu_DOdSMIITIAC-2uweRnmV6vEUr167LRolDEGcA39IVXNEsM22jzWT6sByvLh1CtuAl2CfMmYeMZ6v-lI6NAg8VP-N_QvFjDgyAODfbK89VtXnVyLMGjo9O1pQ/s1600/hollywood+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="167" data-original-width="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2EAaf-bSMkws2HREHu_DOdSMIITIAC-2uweRnmV6vEUr167LRolDEGcA39IVXNEsM22jzWT6sByvLh1CtuAl2CfMmYeMZ6v-lI6NAg8VP-N_QvFjDgyAODfbK89VtXnVyLMGjo9O1pQ/s1600/hollywood+3.jpg" /></a></div>
Tomas' considerable talent as a horseman and Hollywood's beauty made it to the national stage when Hollywood made his debut at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in 2007. Hollywood was five at the time. Since then, they have performed all around the USA, Canada and Mexico. Their performances include rope tricks, reining maneuvers, and traditional Charro Horsemanship. Their performances are often accompanied by loud music, laser shows, and even fireworks.<br />
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A Charro is a Mexican horseman or cowboy. Tomas often appears in traditional dress: an embellished sombrero paired with embroidered pants and jacket, accented with a colorful necktie. Charro's traditionally compete in events similar to American rodeos.<br />
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Here is a video of Tomas riding Hollywood.<br />
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<a href="https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-itm-001&hsimp=yhs-001&hspart=itm&p=latigo+dun+it+stallion#id=1&vid=1c7023acdecc12270b0105dfe8703b7c&action=click">https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-itm-001&hsimp=yhs-001&hspart=itm&p=latigo+dun+it+stallion#id=1&vid=1c7023acdecc12270b0105dfe8703b7c&action=click</a><br />
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I think Breyer should make Pinto into a statue, too!Behind the Mist Trilogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135658430298254364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018440477024256751.post-47529576897395147362019-12-03T09:33:00.000-08:002019-12-04T08:33:16.392-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0zDrvMjVzdFAsav4ultsJ0Y35hyphenhyphencIlmjKTh-EVveOZBM6mxJ7gbFyC0-j1lm7W5jOx5rYFOLU1OMg1VOEpoFxJBY1__Tt-CkeEVZCVhKR3yI-lG968sSv1hmqtSqHbgU1pKbS4bLalo/s1600/equus+film+festival+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="598" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0zDrvMjVzdFAsav4ultsJ0Y35hyphenhyphencIlmjKTh-EVveOZBM6mxJ7gbFyC0-j1lm7W5jOx5rYFOLU1OMg1VOEpoFxJBY1__Tt-CkeEVZCVhKR3yI-lG968sSv1hmqtSqHbgU1pKbS4bLalo/s320/equus+film+festival+2019.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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I am excited to attend the 2019 Equus Film and Arts festival. It will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park from December 5th through the 8th. Authors, artists and filmmakers who focus on the horse as their subject matter will be presenting their works. Lisa Diersen, Diana De Rosa, Carly Kade and Candace Wade have been in charge of getting all of us on the same page as we prepare to come and present our work. I will be presenting my new book: "PINTO!" as well as speaking on two author panels. The first will be on Friday where I will be speaking about turning your book into a screenplay. The second panel will be on Sunday when I will be speaking about researching for your novel.<br />
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Click here for a video about the featured authors and their titles! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQK-S01XqLA&feature=youtu.be">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQK-S01XqLA&feature=youtu.be</a><br />
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Here is a picture of the display that is currently up at the Kentucky Horse Park. Do you see "PINTO!"<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">PINTO! is available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/PINTO-Based-Longest-Horseback-History/dp/1733020411/ref=sr_1_1?crid=31N061TAVM5JC&keywords=pinto+by+m.j.+evans&qid=1575393941&sprefix=PINTO%21+by%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-1">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pinto-m-j-evans/1132984872?ean=9781733020411">Barnes and Noble</a>, and on the website: <a href="http://www.dancinghorsepress.com/">Dancing Horse Press</a></span></div>
Behind the Mist Trilogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135658430298254364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018440477024256751.post-65664668512873017312019-11-03T07:09:00.000-08:002019-11-03T07:09:56.394-08:00A FORGOTTEN PIECE OF AMERICANA BROUGHT TO VIVID LIFE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQMElCm6QJDn09NkNMLUMAirgv19-oV92gH5aECjY2zGFeSfGxm6uAbsEKIUA7wbqTJJeBAzg9emzWSotrwHWo4v3ZCVgauM45hItxvj2wBzke6TA6kHSGmu0CQ4JuFYFFdV37Kh13U8/s1600/Pinto+Meme+%25231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQMElCm6QJDn09NkNMLUMAirgv19-oV92gH5aECjY2zGFeSfGxm6uAbsEKIUA7wbqTJJeBAzg9emzWSotrwHWo4v3ZCVgauM45hItxvj2wBzke6TA6kHSGmu0CQ4JuFYFFdV37Kh13U8/s400/Pinto+Meme+%25231.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The longest horseback ride in history has lain forgotten for over one hundred years. My new book is changing all that! "PINTO!-Based Upon the True Story of the Longest Horseback Ride In History," was released on October 15, 2019.<br />
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But the real story began on May 1, 1912 when four men from Bainbridge Island, WA left on a journey that would cover 20,300 miles and take over three years, ending at the San Francisco World's Fair on June 1, 1915. They visited every state capital in the union. Their objective was fame and fortune. The result? Obscurity. Sadly, no one cared.<br />
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Over the course of the three years, the Overland Westerners, as they called themselves, went through seventeen horses. Only one horse made it the whole way. You guessed it! PINTO! This little, fifteen hand, morab completed the entire journey. So, I decided that he deserved to tell the story. After over two years of research, reading the men's journals and old newspaper articles, and visiting both the <a href="https://bainbridgehistory.org/">Bainbridge Island History Museum</a> and the Oklahoma City <a href="https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/">National Cowboy and Western Museum</a>, I put the story into Pinto's words.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_fqtUwDDXEPfvoO_57BjRfw6QGMLlDZ2XbnjYwY53agV9cUu_h7o1-oO1O6K_Y2E0KBF42P49LgvogiRyyFWjrjMnZ-8ljg0yULBWLJMUVGO1EngJJThhEqD2Lw_X_cYCpqMb2Yz8yA/s1600/pinto+%25282%2529B%2526W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="632" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_fqtUwDDXEPfvoO_57BjRfw6QGMLlDZ2XbnjYwY53agV9cUu_h7o1-oO1O6K_Y2E0KBF42P49LgvogiRyyFWjrjMnZ-8ljg0yULBWLJMUVGO1EngJJThhEqD2Lw_X_cYCpqMb2Yz8yA/s320/pinto+%25282%2529B%2526W.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is a picture of Pinto and the leader of the Overland Westerners, George Beck.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfNo_YPv-COowP2KMRHtXqQ9kcW3GFA6ug9QC9mSEL8dDg3tGl7qNgeVBCYKBf12V3X7DCEnwCMKruR_pYuWPL2fP8UTy_b-lln6V9K2-D6JYjf6qmi0XD_TtGi7d-YxnYcR-r8fqsec/s1600/Pinto+in+Colorado.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1297" data-original-width="1600" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfNo_YPv-COowP2KMRHtXqQ9kcW3GFA6ug9QC9mSEL8dDg3tGl7qNgeVBCYKBf12V3X7DCEnwCMKruR_pYuWPL2fP8UTy_b-lln6V9K2-D6JYjf6qmi0XD_TtGi7d-YxnYcR-r8fqsec/s320/Pinto+in+Colorado.tif" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is a picture of the Overland Westerners in front of the Colorado State Capitol, December 1914.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">To learn about the entire journey, read "PINTO!"</span></b> </div>
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Available on the website: </div>
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<a href="http://dancinghorsepress.com/">Dancinghorsepress.com</a></div>
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Or</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/PINTO-Based-Longest-Horseback-History/dp/1733020411/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=">Amazon</a>: </div>
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Or</div>
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<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pinto-m-j-evans/1132984872?ean=9781733020411">Barnes and Noble</a></div>
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Behind the Mist Trilogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135658430298254364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018440477024256751.post-17272605696323575252019-09-18T13:14:00.000-07:002019-09-18T13:14:54.818-07:00LOSING MY NOBLE AND GREAT HORSE!In my fantasy series, "The Mist Trilogy," I made up a story about the noble and great horses who are chosen to be unicorns when they die.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslY-oF6Q2RRjhUXkd_A__Zx8FdwK4ypAowOjy7_dZCgwj9g0-44ZQi6KjgcKdraQvOljfMSZGeFWu-hbrikntub0AYZoWie9wdh0fNwkruK4xdwUj1j5hCUxszDzryZA-XJtrZ4wZFRY/s1600/new+cover+only+Behind+the+Mist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="859" data-original-width="555" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslY-oF6Q2RRjhUXkd_A__Zx8FdwK4ypAowOjy7_dZCgwj9g0-44ZQi6KjgcKdraQvOljfMSZGeFWu-hbrikntub0AYZoWie9wdh0fNwkruK4xdwUj1j5hCUxszDzryZA-XJtrZ4wZFRY/s320/new+cover+only+Behind+the+Mist.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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I now have sent a second "noble and great" horse to Celestia, the unicorn kingdom in the afterlife.<br />
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On Sunday, Oct. 15th, my beautiful Kit left this earth life. Kit was an amazing horse that I had the privilege of owning for twenty-two years. He was almost twenty-nine when he died which is old for a thoroughbred. His health was not great. He had already lived through a surgery to remove a tumor around his optic nerve. He also had to have daily medication for cushings. Cushings is a common desease in older horses though it has been diagnosed on rare occasions in younger horses. The symptoms include: 1. Excessive thirst and urination. Normally, a horse drinks 5 to 8 gallons of water a day. A horse with cushings drinks 20 gallons of water a day. 2. His coat gets long and doesn't shed in the summer. 3. He looses muscle tone and weight and his eyes get dull. They often develop a hay belly. <br />
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Your vet can do a blood test to determine if your horse has cushings. It can not be cured but can be managed with medication. I was giving Kit daily Prascend pills by hand. They made a world of difference.<br />
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However, even with the best of care that I was giving Kit, I can't stop time.<br />
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Kit was the leader of my band of horses at my house. Yet he was always the gentleman. The other horses respected him and deferred to him but he was never unkind to any of them. I called him my "benevolent dictator!"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4filukqD_rzjubx4v6wdoKwtZbaM9p0eOGJrXo9j7BfPUWZenv5voYCyOXS3xvYtx4jzeWp60FFigI6l1PChJmrLnxq67R0sSetowBf0myZJ7FhqzdtOz9-vfgeY2NuuKFISe9H0V-lc/s1600/Kit+showing+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="1600" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4filukqD_rzjubx4v6wdoKwtZbaM9p0eOGJrXo9j7BfPUWZenv5voYCyOXS3xvYtx4jzeWp60FFigI6l1PChJmrLnxq67R0sSetowBf0myZJ7FhqzdtOz9-vfgeY2NuuKFISe9H0V-lc/s320/Kit+showing+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Kit was the RMDS Dressage Champion at First Level and First Level Freestyle. He was also the cover boy for all my trail guide books titled: "Riding Colorado." I bought him as an untrained six year old and trained him to compete in Dressage and ride the trails in the Colorado mountains. We shared some amazing adventures together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1xFE_zwimdPP0Yk_mPY5kbDMWhK-UijiNil5S72IOa27k4ur0DULKVpfRJ7gTvbSb8xG4_bCw4qE4XF31zteVTdjbVEz2g-tPsbr5p9KFr2B_p5tStDIVlabCeUW2d6UCXhlO_HL8mQ/s1600/Riding+colorado+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1xFE_zwimdPP0Yk_mPY5kbDMWhK-UijiNil5S72IOa27k4ur0DULKVpfRJ7gTvbSb8xG4_bCw4qE4XF31zteVTdjbVEz2g-tPsbr5p9KFr2B_p5tStDIVlabCeUW2d6UCXhlO_HL8mQ/s1600/Riding+colorado+II.jpg" /></a></div>
I am so grateful that I had the privileged of owning and loving this amazing horse.<br />
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Here is a beautiful poem that a friend sent to me. Maybe it will make you feel better if you've lost a horse, too.<br />
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<div id="dont-cry-for-the-horses" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans";">
<span class="ct-underline" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: underline;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;">Don't Cry For The Horses<em style="box-sizing: border-box;"> by Brenda Riley-Seymore</em></span></span></div>
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Don't cry for the horses that life has set free.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />A million white horses, forever to be.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Don't cry for the horses now in God's hands.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />As they dance and prance to a heavenly band.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />They were ours as a gift, but never to keep<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />As they close their eyes, forever to sleep.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Their spirits unbound, forever to fly.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />A million white horses, against the blue sky.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Look up into Heaven. You will see them above.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The horse we lost, the horse we loved.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Manes and tails flying, they gallop through time.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />They were never yours, they were never mine.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Don't cry for the horses, they will be back someday.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />When our time has come, they will show us the way.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Do you hear that soft nicker close to your ear?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Don't cry for the horses, love the ones that are here.</div>
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If you would like an autographed copy of "The Mist Trilogy," go to the website: </div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans"; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">www.dancinghorsepress.com</span></b></div>
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<b>The series is also available in print and ebook wherever books are sold.</b></div>
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<br />Behind the Mist Trilogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135658430298254364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018440477024256751.post-55605938535849392692019-07-28T09:02:00.002-07:002019-07-28T14:56:20.921-07:00Congress Strengthens Law against SoringCongress has finally done something good! On July 25th, the U.S. House of representatives passed an act designed to prevent all Soring methods.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24BXLlTvRsipBtOUanTBjOYdGgWXv2ineflPhPw2f_cgQRQsbu9VRYk17iN4H-MHl2UNc2a31gvxJaN2caG2M3YpjvD_yXVASyeWywGSyH9zFCR3Wmj2sy2M6E2wGLg_MCiuJzRECljQ/s1600/soring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="534" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24BXLlTvRsipBtOUanTBjOYdGgWXv2ineflPhPw2f_cgQRQsbu9VRYk17iN4H-MHl2UNc2a31gvxJaN2caG2M3YpjvD_yXVASyeWywGSyH9zFCR3Wmj2sy2M6E2wGLg_MCiuJzRECljQ/s320/soring.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Soring is the cruel, inhumane practice of inflicting pain to a horse's front limbs by applying caustic chemicals such as mustard oil or kerosene to their pasterns and then they wrap chains around the sores. Or, these evil people insert sharp objects into their hooves to get them to lift their front hooves high to avoid the pain. This is done in the Tennessee Walking, Racking and Spotted Saddle Horse world.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQalh5cmYT0j7msRutQIM9Yx9uClZx-bLATZkTZkM3scPqF-R0GhzT5MWVwU1SjtMBVSyKkV5rSVelxywqaikqJTHfE6Mis-znAhPDO2yTC9MK1LgB0oQ-5VMWQOQMQFXteF0cRhULro/s1600/soring+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQalh5cmYT0j7msRutQIM9Yx9uClZx-bLATZkTZkM3scPqF-R0GhzT5MWVwU1SjtMBVSyKkV5rSVelxywqaikqJTHfE6Mis-znAhPDO2yTC9MK1LgB0oQ-5VMWQOQMQFXteF0cRhULro/s1600/soring+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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It is an evil practice and I find it hard to believe that anyone would do such a thing but it is quite common, believe it or not. It is ridiculous that the federal government has to get involved to stop it. You'd think that people's own sense of right and wrong would stop it!<br />
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I compete in dressage. In my world, our goal is to develop the natural, beautiful gates of a horse with the minimum of interference by the tack or rider. I look at that top picture, at the UNnatual movement of that horse and I am sickened. They call that high lift, the "Big Lick." All I see is big pain.<br />
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Last November, two of my books were honored in New York City, by the Equus Film Festival. While at the awards ceremony, I met the director of a short called "Awesome Gal," that is a story about a horse that escapes from his cruel owners who were using soring on her. If you get a chance to see the movie, do so! Here is their FB link: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/chancesawesomegal"><span id="yui_3_10_0_1_1564329683510_139" style="color: #007542; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">www.facebook.com</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #007542; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">/chances</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #007542; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">awesomegal</span></a>Behind the Mist Trilogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135658430298254364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018440477024256751.post-67428363051015045792019-02-05T11:34:00.001-08:002019-02-05T11:34:43.646-08:00Learning to Sit the Trot Effectively<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: open-sans, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 30px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;">
I have a lovely new little (15.1 hands) horse named Amara. She is an American Warmblood.</div>
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She is training at first and second level in Dressage, but I am also getting her out of the arena and introducing her to trails. She has a lovely, forward trot and as we move from first level to second level, I have to sit that trot. I found this great article in <a href="https://dressagetoday.com/instruction/secret-following-horses-motion-sitting-trot?utm_source=DressageTodayNL&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_FXG30In5B6mfWWZpi8sgWV5eYpkpwLgjCRrtcAWoI_VmjexcbLC-d6yBtBDdtU4jsWvElTMHkXEpBvSoegTXpAbtADQ&_hsmi=69179922">Dressage Today</a> I like the emphasis on not just following the trot (which may be your goal to start with,) but learning to influence the trot. Enjoy!</div>
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Learning to sit the trot effectively and to appear relaxed and in harmony with the horse is perhaps one of the biggest challenges in the world of dressage. Many of today’s dressage horses have big, bouncy trots that can be daunting for even experienced riders with supple seats. It is, however, very important that every rider develop her ability to sit the trot in order to influence the horse effectively during the trot work. So think of sitting trot as proactive rather than reactive.</div>
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An open angle between the hip and thigh also will lead to the softly draped long leg that is advantageous in many ways. In this position, the rider is correctly balanced and properly aligned to ride the sitting trot. (Photo by Amy K. Dragoo) </div>
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The first step a rider must accomplish is the correct position in the saddle. You want a tall, correctly aligned body position, a supple waist and strong abdominal muscles. The upper body must be very straight and placed directly over the hips. A viewer should be able to draw a straight line from the rider’s ear through the shoulder and hip to the heel, and that line should be exactly perpendicular to the ground.</div>
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The pelvis should be centered in the deepest part of the saddle and balanced between the two seat bones and the pubic bone. (If too much weight is placed on the seat bones, the rider will be behind the motion and behind the vertical with her upper body; if too much weight is placed on the pubic bone, the rider will be perched on her crotch and tipped forward.) Sit as tall as possible. While lightly balanced on the seat bones and pubic bone. Your back should be close to flat and your head carried over nicely squared shoulders and a raised an open chest.</div>
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Once the seat is balanced, the rider needs to open the angle between the hip and thigh allowing the legs to drop down almost vertically from the hip. It is the open angle between the hip and thigh that will enable the rider to use her hips to influence the trot. This open angle also will lead to the softly draped long leg that is advantageous in many ways. In this position, the rider is correctly balanced and properly aligned to ride the sitting trot.</div>
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To ride the sitting trot, the rider must make her waist supple—not loose and floppy, but elastic and supple. The very slight pelvic motion involves pushing the pelvis down and toward the hands through relaxation of the waist and abdominal muscles. The timing of the motion is critical—the rider must straighten as the horse begins the stride and then push down and slightly forward just before the completion of the stride. In this way, you can “bounce” the next stride with your seat, just by allowing yourself to relax down into the saddle.</div>
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You can get the feeling of the pelvic motion while dismounted: Stand against a straight wall with your heels, hips and shoulders touching the wall, and your knees slightly bent. Place your hands over your tummy, just below your navel. Using your abdominal muscles, push your back toward the wall—this is the “straightening” phase of the sitting trot. Relax your abdominal muscles toward your hands and allow your back to fall away from the wall—this is the relaxing or “pushing down” phase of the sitting trot. At no time should you grind your seat bones into the saddle to try to sit more “into” the horse—this is uncomfortable for the horse and counter productive.</div>
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Once a rider has the timing and strength to follow the motion of the gait, she will be able to change the trot strides wit just a little more emphasis on the pelvic motion—straighter and taller for a shorter, bouncier stride and more down and forward for lengthening the stride. Influencing the trot involves “riding the stride,” rather than going with the motion. The rider must be balanced and poised in the saddle and able to anticipate the stride. When this is done correctly, she is very slightly ahead of the motion of the trot, and by being slightly ahead, has a good opportunity to influence the size and shape of the next stride. So, rather than following the motion of the trot, a rider can lead the motion of the trot, thereby staying in balance and harmony with the horse.</div>
Behind the Mist Trilogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135658430298254364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018440477024256751.post-65312737211920432362019-01-09T08:46:00.002-08:002019-01-09T08:54:33.724-08:00Two New Releases in December<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMLC3Fps31NNLW2lQC7RPAXfO4vMf_WoQdtn8nQW8Ky5NDbqcu6e6Zga9VIafwCl2_gOvLdB22ORobIde40kVXDmYlWHx4clZa2D7Ox6dMLRg652qHpkUPcxNT1i7Jff279fqFlksLkc/s1600/The+Stone+of+Wisdom+Final+Front+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1036" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMLC3Fps31NNLW2lQC7RPAXfO4vMf_WoQdtn8nQW8Ky5NDbqcu6e6Zga9VIafwCl2_gOvLdB22ORobIde40kVXDmYlWHx4clZa2D7Ox6dMLRg652qHpkUPcxNT1i7Jff279fqFlksLkc/s320/The+Stone+of+Wisdom+Final+Front+-+Copy.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUXzVp6Rb6CqNPfOmIOxcvNMqaAWALCE5iAWgBg6kVQDzwmJs436eUDXSnTb1hqbujKd-DjAGx_Cp_PsSJ6ms3BjKFF4OrCDd6MC24_77aF0J9epBVLkJHzX06NQyo2Vw-JG8Mo4eb8E/s1600/Percy-Front-Cover+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1247" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUXzVp6Rb6CqNPfOmIOxcvNMqaAWALCE5iAWgBg6kVQDzwmJs436eUDXSnTb1hqbujKd-DjAGx_Cp_PsSJ6ms3BjKFF4OrCDd6MC24_77aF0J9epBVLkJHzX06NQyo2Vw-JG8Mo4eb8E/s320/Percy-Front-Cover+2.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
I have been very busy the last few months getting two new books ready for publication. It actually takes a lot of work finalizing covers, getting professional reviews, setting up distribution, and on and on. And now it is done! YAY!<br />
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"The Stone of Wisdom" is the fourth and final book of "The Centaur Chronicles." This series, about a land filled with Centaurs, Ogres, Cyclops, and a tiny race called the Duende, has won numerous national and international literary awards. That is great when the critics like my work, but it is even greater when my middle-grade and YA readers love it! It is so fun getting emails from them. It makes all the hard work worth it when they write to me to say they love the books.<br />
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"PERCY - The Racehorse Who Didn't Like to Run" is my first-ever picture book for 3 to 7 year-olds. The Industry Standard for a picture book is 30 pages and 1,000 words. That is hard for a novelist like me that usually writes about 65,000 words! But I had fun working on it and working with an illustrator. I had strong opinions about what I wanted the illustrations to look like. I don't like picture books where the horses have big buck teeth and oversized hooves. I want the horses to be beautiful. This story is about a little, thoroughbred colt who was supposed to grow up to become a great racehorse. However, he doesn't like to run! The wise, old mare in the pasture advises him to find his true purpose. This he does as he becomes a therapy horse and becomes the feet for disabled children. I am excited for little children to get to enjoy this book.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">All of my books are available on my website:</span><br />
<a href="http://www.dancinghorsepress.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">www.dancinghorsepress.com</span></a><br />
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Or here are the links to Amazon:<br />
The Stone of Wisdom: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Stone-Wisdom-Centaur-Chronicles/dp/1948543575/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1547052701&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Stone+of+wisdom">https://www.amazon.com/Stone-Wisdom-Centaur-Chronicles/dp/1948543575/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1547052701&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Stone+of+wisdom</a><br />
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PERCY-The Racehorse Who Didn't Like to Run<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Percy-Racehorse-Who-Didnt-Like-dp-0996661778/dp/0996661778/ref=mt_hardcover?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=1547052771"> https://www.amazon.com/Percy-Racehorse-Who-Didnt-Like-dp-0996661778/dp/0996661778/ref=mt_hardcover?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=1547052771</a>Behind the Mist Trilogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135658430298254364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018440477024256751.post-66003758808087559482018-10-07T06:15:00.002-07:002018-10-07T06:15:44.585-07:00A NEW UNICORN IN HEAVENHere 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.<br />
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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 <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100000525772424&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARCYYNjudcN2eXIGqcUP8KjKRfOSJ2A7WvKfI8X_ANbpjg9T6_2xFtl6QXKOZ-NecOsvBbSB4r8r1DP0%22%2C%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/jcombs277?__tn__=%2CdK-R-R&eid=ARCYYNjudcN2eXIGqcUP8KjKRfOSJ2A7WvKfI8X_ANbpjg9T6_2xFtl6QXKOZ-NecOsvBbSB4r8r1DP0&fref=mentions" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Julia Combs</a> 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.</div>
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RIP Denim buddy-you were the best!</div>
Behind the Mist Trilogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135658430298254364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018440477024256751.post-25840128402010697562018-09-24T09:44:00.000-07:002018-09-24T09:48:43.103-07:00A TRIBUTE TO KNICKEEWhen 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.<br />
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This tribute comes from Asako Jackson, a volunteer at <a href="https://www.prtr.org/">Promise Ranch Therapy Riding Center</a> in Franktown, Colorado. (If you have read, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Mustang-M-J-Evans/dp/1946229679/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=">"In the Heart of a Mustang,"</a> you will recognize the name!) </div>
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For Celebrating Amazing Knickee's Life</div>
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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.</div>
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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 <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">very horse encountered with for the first time, but funny, it felt like she was a long lost friend of mine.</span></div>
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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.</div>
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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.</div>
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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.</div>
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Behind the Mist Trilogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135658430298254364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018440477024256751.post-38828730332424197182018-08-26T14:10:00.001-07:002018-08-26T14:10:24.346-07:00Training Your Arena Horse to Go on Trails<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjji20o3gaDiaNm9Zc8niPCwXROWoQqEk0Tf0UXciAYevp9kZTQmnCfAnFcYY6A3JLlLc6Rhs623i5Zd9Pab5T3bWRwBKkxqgW27t67ZU6RV7gn_EsJGcBccvihduK3lyDqdxTGi59RBEI/s1600/riding+Colorado+III+Front+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="343" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjji20o3gaDiaNm9Zc8niPCwXROWoQqEk0Tf0UXciAYevp9kZTQmnCfAnFcYY6A3JLlLc6Rhs623i5Zd9Pab5T3bWRwBKkxqgW27t67ZU6RV7gn_EsJGcBccvihduK3lyDqdxTGi59RBEI/s200/riding+Colorado+III+Front+cover.jpg" width="126" /></a><br />
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!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQhskc02-50Yhapt7_tfFE7gG92NK-KV2u47-omPgjdTcxW5S-fk2_I98mpUpzBA1dKC_9X9AXMLDToI0URMgQVVAIGgm6zWMVQ0EmOM6l3qLo3zOoy9vZylXDt29TxNmzjpImrss_4Y/s1600/Riding+Colorado.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="188" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQhskc02-50Yhapt7_tfFE7gG92NK-KV2u47-omPgjdTcxW5S-fk2_I98mpUpzBA1dKC_9X9AXMLDToI0URMgQVVAIGgm6zWMVQ0EmOM6l3qLo3zOoy9vZylXDt29TxNmzjpImrss_4Y/s200/Riding+Colorado.jpg" width="140" /></a> 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.<br />
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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!<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyHFxEzIz53hkNxEHfzEIyZWp7NXIhrUHnu8A-dI__j7KkgHCDmt-8C8o5EZfOczO9QMwGBwovalFziZuii5PIi-tXQvSCYNhxJoEfhmT1svaMOP5q-l3YW9OfaWPbjxp3oKVS9hPHUg/s1600/Riding+colorado+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="189" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyHFxEzIz53hkNxEHfzEIyZWp7NXIhrUHnu8A-dI__j7KkgHCDmt-8C8o5EZfOczO9QMwGBwovalFziZuii5PIi-tXQvSCYNhxJoEfhmT1svaMOP5q-l3YW9OfaWPbjxp3oKVS9hPHUg/s200/Riding+colorado+II.jpg" width="141" /></a>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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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STEP 8: Play Leapfrog. Take turns with the other rider(s) being in front, middle and back.<br />
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STEP 9: As your horse gets more experienced, add short sections of trot when the footing is good.<br />
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STEP 10: Go to the same trail a couple of times then start adding new ones.<br />
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STEP 11: Bikers - Stop and face them if they come up from behind.<br />
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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.<br />
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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!<br />
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VISIT MY WEBSITE TO SEE ALL MY AWARD-WINNING FICTION AND NON-FICTION BOOKS THAT HORSE-LOVERS LOVE!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.dancinghorsepress.com/">www.dancinghorsepress.com</a></span></div>
Behind the Mist Trilogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135658430298254364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018440477024256751.post-56209752616182364922018-07-06T13:22:00.000-07:002018-07-06T13:22:22.725-07:00YETTI IS IN CELESTIA EARNING HIS UNICORN HORNI 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 <a href="https://www.pathintl.org/">PATH, Intl</a> certified therapeutic riding center. They are mourning the loss of Yetti, who passed away this week at only 20 years of age.<br />
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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!</div>
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-Carol Crisp-</div>
Behind the Mist Trilogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135658430298254364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018440477024256751.post-12778507050295869362018-06-20T12:49:00.002-07:002018-06-20T12:49:23.606-07:00THE AMAZING JUSTIFY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpRse8ki-WlLUH9Uw2Ctlo64NyfbzfaiTVu1w40Dc7vxZou8rhafA3s6m4NRFyM3jpT2xjf4FsIaof9kXKuEmagCXy7Zmgh8nCK_tJ2BjzrHOjFTBRF4bKw-1q6ZOOmrsgxrC1mes5Hs/s1600/justify.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="743" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpRse8ki-WlLUH9Uw2Ctlo64NyfbzfaiTVu1w40Dc7vxZou8rhafA3s6m4NRFyM3jpT2xjf4FsIaof9kXKuEmagCXy7Zmgh8nCK_tJ2BjzrHOjFTBRF4bKw-1q6ZOOmrsgxrC1mes5Hs/s320/justify.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
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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.<br />
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In case you missed it, here is the video of the final race of the Triple Crown:<br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/hZDbn9P6NqU">https://youtu.be/hZDbn9P6NqU</a><br />
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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 <a href="http://www.glennwoodfarm.com/">Glennwood Farm</a>.<br />
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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!</div>
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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. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPOUgjTs8aOLXgu6-ZZMH5KyaLKVDXORibaSMRl84lQqnKJiqR8hF91i0VfhWfywgg-We4WVsVkm0Xo5XceQFoff0OQSl_q4v9tkjUIMA-JXG8O4e3P1IYyEMdsPGdleXZzuYrdI9Wbk/s1600/justify+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="828" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPOUgjTs8aOLXgu6-ZZMH5KyaLKVDXORibaSMRl84lQqnKJiqR8hF91i0VfhWfywgg-We4WVsVkm0Xo5XceQFoff0OQSl_q4v9tkjUIMA-JXG8O4e3P1IYyEMdsPGdleXZzuYrdI9Wbk/s320/justify+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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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. </div>
Behind the Mist Trilogyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16135658430298254364noreply@blogger.com0