FROZEN'S FANTASTIC FJORDS

In December Tom and I had the fun opportunity to take several of our grandchildren to the new animated movie "Frozen." I loved it! I loved everything about it, especially the music. The animation was spectacular and the story was...well, it was a fantasy and you all know  how much I love fantasies! The Disney movies so often include horses. Usually the horses are big and white and carry a handsome prince. Their breed is unidentifiable. But this time, the horses were actually a fairly accurate portrayal of a true Scandinavian breed of horse: The Norwegian Fjord.

Fjords have long been bred throughout Scandinavia but principally in Norway. They were the favorite of the vikings and were taken to Scotland and Ireland in their longboats. You can read more about the Vikings in my new fantasy entitled "North Mystic." (North Mystic is a fun parody of the Revolutionary War but with Trolls and Leprechauns!) 

The Fjords are short and stocky, technically a pony. Ponies, by definition, are 14.2 hands high or less when measured at the withers. That is the one error Disney made. Their Fjords were much too big. But, regardless of their compact size, these ponies are powerful. They have long been used to pull farm equipment in place of the tractor on mountain fields. 

I first became acquainted with the fjord at a dressage show.

With the traditional black and white attire of a dressage rider, the fjords, with their unique markings, looked so darling! They have a pronounced dorsal stripe that runs the length of their mane, along their back and down their tail.

I remember seeing one pony with his mane trimmed like this:

I thought it was so cool! There is one short scene in the movie Frozen where you see an army of soldiers leaving the village to search for the queen and their manes are trimmed like the one above.

Fjord lovers will brag about their versatility. These ponies are used not only for working as plow horses and pack horses but they will drive and jump and perform in dressage.

Not only are all of those things true but they are also very easy keeps...that means they are easy to keep nice and round...unlike my thoroughbred!

To enjoy more fantasies: check out The Mist Trilogy books-the horse-lover's fantasy for ages 9 and up.

Behind the Mist, Mists of Darkness and The Rising Mist (the latter currently out only in ebook at the moment.)

Or if you want another fun reading adventure, check out North Mystic.

Click here: 

www.behindthemist.com

or

www.northmystic.com

"Like" them on facebook: Behind the Mist and North Mystic

THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS JOKE GIFT FOR UNICORN LOVERS!

My son Chris is quite a jokester! Last Christmas he gave me the can you see pictured above. The label is hilarious so I thought I would share it with you. I especially loved the % of daily requirements:
Magic        100%
Hopes and Dreams      100%
Giggles      100%
Smiles       100%
Rainbows  100%
Stars         100%
Happiness  100%
Kisses and Hugs         100%
Sunshine    100%
Superglue  1000% (That's kind of mean!)
Love         All you need
Surprises   You'll see

Below that it lists the ingredients: 100% organic, free-range, care-free unicorn meat.
(I love that!)

Lest you be concerned that unicorns are being slaughtered for their meat, read on:
"At Radiant Farms we guarantee that the geriatric unicorns in our care are treated with the utmost love and respect until they go over the double rainbow bridge. That's what makes Radiant Farms Unicorn Meat so delicious. The secret ingredient is love. And sparkles."

Now, dear readers, while I think this is hilarious, all my readers KNOW that unicorns are immortal!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU!

Visit my website to see what I am writing 

and read excerpts from my books.

www.northmystic.com

WINTER WONDERLAND????

Fall is my favorite season. Summer is second. Spring is third.....Yes...Winter comes in Dead LAST! As charming and romantic as all the winter scene pictures of sleigh rides may be, remember someone had to harness those horses and hitch up the sleigh! I thought about that this morning as I was feeding and cleaning stalls in -8 degree weather....YES! That's MINUS EIGHT! My nostrils were breathing in biting cold air, making my nose hairs freeze. My horses's eye lashes had tiny ice cycles on them! Now, I firmly believe that our ancestors were much, much tougher than we are but that doesn't mean they enjoyed freezing nearly to death.

So here is my "Rocky Mountain Horse Girl's Wish List!"
1. Manure that doesn't freeze to the ground
2. Gate latches that don't freeze closed
3. Gloves that actually keep your hands warm
4. Water heaters that don't pop the circuits
5. Blanket straps that don't break
6. It's only December 6th and I am already wishing for spring. I'm in trouble!
7. Oh...and enough money to have a heated barn and an indoor heated arena. (Yeah right...like that's going to happen!)

Guess I'll just go read a book!

Send me your Winter wish list!

Christmas shopping?

Order Behind the Mist (Print or ebook,) Mists of Darkness (Print or ebook,) The Rising Mist (currently in ebook only,) or North Mystic (Print or ebook) either on the website www.behindthemist.com or wherever books are sold. 

BLIND DRESSAGE HORSE A UNICORN NOW!

Valiant, an upper level dressage horse lost his life on Nov. 15th to an infection on the innermost lining of the heart. He was twenty seven years old. That is not the remarkable part of this story, however. The remarkable part of the story began when he was six years old. At that time he stepped on a nail and developed an infection that resulted in total blindness. His owner, Jeannette Sassoon, refused to give up on him. Slowly and lovingly, she trained him to follow her aides as she took him around his dark world...a dark world that included the dressage show rings of Florida. She competed with him clear up to the Pres St. Georges level! 

I am so sorry that Jeannette has lost her beloved companion but he was one lucky horse to have had her for his owner. Now, as one of the noble and great horses, he is undoubtedly working toward earning his unicorn horn and, just think, now he can see all the beauty of Celestia around him.  

Here is a news story about him from Youtube:

Christmas is coming and the best thing you can get your horse lover is a great book!

Behind the Mist, Mists of Darkness and The Rising Mist are ready and waiting. (The Rising Mist is just available on ebook format at the moment and Behind the Mist is also available as an audio book.)

THE AFFORDABLE HORSE ACT OF 2013

In  honor of the health insurance debacle that we are all suffering through right now, I had to post this great article sent to me by a friend. If anyone knows the clever author of this piece, please send it to me so I can give much deserved credit! BTW: This must be designed to cut down on the use of carbon fuels! (Opps...don't give this idea to Al Gore!)

THE AFFORDABLE HORSE ACT OF 2013

The U.S. government has just passed a new law called: "The Affordable Horse Act" declaring that every citizen MUST purchase a horse by April 2014.

These "affordable" horses will cost an average of $54,000-$155,000 each. This does not include taxes, training, trailering, feed and farrier fees, boarding, show and transportation fees, veterinarian bills or the occasional hospitalization.

This law has been passed because until now, only wealthy and financially responsible people have been able to purchase horses. This new law ensures that every American can now have an "affordable" horse of their own, because everyone is "entitled" to a horse. If you purchase your horse before the end of the year, you will receive 4 "free" saddle pads, not including monthly usage fees.

In order to make sure everyone purchases an affordable horse, the costs of owning a horse will increase an average of 250-400% per year. This way, wealthy people will pay more for something that other people don't want or can't afford to maintain. But to be fair, people who can't afford to maintain their horse will be regularly fined and children (under the age of 26) can ride their parent's horse in shows on or until they turn 27. Then they must purchase their own horse.

-If you already have a horse, you can keep yours. (Just kidding---no you can't!)
-If you don't want or don't need a horse, you are required to buy one anyhow.
-If you refuse to buy a horse or can't afford one, you will be regularly fined $800 until you purchase one or face imprisonment.

Failure to ride your horse will also result in fines. People living in the inner city, low-desert, or who live in cities or areas with no access to stables or show-rings are not exempt. Age, fear of falling, no equestrian experience, neither horsemanship skills nor inability to ride are acceptable excuses for not using your horse.

A government review board (that doesn't know the difference between the withers, fetlock or tail of a horse) will decide everything, including: when, where, how often and for what purposes you can use your horse...along with how many people can ride your horse...and determine if one is too old or  not healthy enough to be able to ride their horse. They will also decide if your horse has out-lived it usefulness or if you must purchase specific accessories, (like a $5,000.00 saddle) or a newer and more expensive green Warmblood from Europe. Those that can afford Fancy Hunters will be required to do so...it's only fair.

The government will also decide the name for each horse. Failure to comply with these rules will result in fines and possible imprisonment.

Government officials are exempt from this new law. If they want a horse, they and their families can obtain a horse for free, at the expense of the taxpayers.

Unions, bankers and mega companies with large political affiliations ($$$) are also exempt.

I was going to order a new horse today, but the website was down. I am sure they will fix it. I will try again tomorrow!!!

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU!

ABANDONED FOAL FINDS A HAPPY HOME

A friend sent me this wonderful story about a little foal who was abandoned by his mother right after birth. That does happen on rare occasions. Thank goodness, this situation had a happy ending. Here is the story she sent me.

Hours after his birth, Breeze was found stumbling around by a farmer. The newborn foal was abandoned by his mother. That's when the farmer took him to Devon-based Mare and Foal Sanctuary where they instantly started caring for him. What happened next is both adorable and heartwarming. Staff put a 4-foot giant teddy bear in with Breeze. The bear's name is Buttons and Breeze quickly warmed up to him. Without his mother, Breeze has found an adorable replacement. The two have been inseparable and they expect Breeze to be just fine. Thanks to the rescuers and those who cared enough to take in this little cutie. And thanks, of course, to Button.

I think I need to rewrite Behind the Mist, Mists of Darkness and The Rising Mist (just released on ebook format) to include a teddy bear!

If you know a horse-lover age 9 and up, be sure to get them Behind the Mist, Mists of Darkness and The Rising Mist. They make great Birthday and Christmas presents!

Just click here:

  www.behindthemist.com

THE MIST TRILOGY READERS ARE ARTISTS, TOO!

I love getting letters from the kids that read Behind the Mist and Mists of Darkness. Once in a while, they include a picture they have drawn that illustrates a character or a scene in the book.

This picture was drawn by Kylie to illustrate Gloforia, the eagle that Nick heals in Behind the Mist. She continues to be a part of the story in Mists of Darkness as well.

This drawing is done by Benjamin. It is his rendition of the cottage that Nick and Jazz built once they learned to control the elements.

I love their creativity and imagination!

Great News! The Rising Mist - The Final Book of the Mist Trilogy was just released in ebook format! So, you can get it on your kindles or nooks!
For Kindle, click here:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Rising-Mist-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00FN1WUHC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1381506052&sr=8-2&keywords=the+rising+mist+in+Kindle

For Nooks, Click here:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/The-Rising-Mist-The-Final-Book-of-the-Mist-Trilogy?keyword=The+Rising+Mist-The+Final+Book+of+the+Mist+Trilogy&store=nookstore