RIDING COLORADO III--Day AND Overnight Trips With Your Horse

ANNOUNCING! ANNOUNCING!! 

I have just released my third equestrian trail guide book for Colorado. What's different and unique about this book? This book is perfect for you even if you aren't lucky enough to live in Colorado. If you have a  horse and a horse trailer and a dream to ride in the beautiful Colorado mountains, then you need this book. It has 17 destinations throughout the mountains where you can go and bring your own horse. Whether your tastes lean toward the cozy comfort of a Bed & Breakfast, the variety found at a resort, or camping in the rustic wilderness, Colorado's mountains have a place for you and your horse! I made a careful evaluation of both the human and the horse accommodations as well as descriptions of some of the trails found in the area that you might want to explore.

The cover picture was taken of me on my thoroughbred (future unicorn) Kit. He is now 23 years old and has been my constant companion since he was six. I love that guy, as I have said in previous posts. In this picture, we are seen riding in the Dolores River Canyon in the southwest corner of Colorado.

 Here we are at a resort in the northern area of Colorado called Beaver Meadows.

Here is one of my test riders, Tia on her horse Rain, in Big Meadow in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Here is Larry, another test rider, and me on Kit, at Fooses Creek in the middle of the state. 

So, no matter what part of the state you go to, you will have a fabulous time!!!

It will be available on the website soon. If you can't wait, email me at:

mjevansbtm@gmail.com and I can arrange to have one mailed to you.

Just $19.95!

While you are driving to Colorado with your horse, listen to the audio version of Behind the Mist! 

It is fabulous!

 Available NOW on the website or on Amazon:
www.behindthemist.com

JOE CODY: CREATING A REINING DYNASTY IN CELESTIA

Not all noble and great horses are thoroughbred race horses or movie/t.v. stars. Take Joe Cody for example. He is arguably the most famous and influential American Quarter Horse ever! Little Joe was born on Tom Cochran's ranch in Buckholt, TX in 1952. As a yearling, he was purchased by Robert F. Roberts of Tyler, TX. With Doc Spence in the saddle, he earned the AQHA Championship in reining in 1955...just a 3 year old! 

He was eventually purchased by the well-known breeder, photographer, magazine publisher (Practical Horseman and Performance Horseman) and movie producer (The Horse America Made,) C.T. "Tom" Fuller of Catasauqua, PA. In 1964, Tom moved the stallion to Willow Brook Farms where he became the basis for his quarter horse breeding operation. This was all thanks to his daughter's love of horses I might add and a groom who brought two of Joe's daughters to the ranch. Tom decided he loved the mares so much, he might as well own their father.

Joe Cody is considered the founding sire of Reining horses even though he won championships in both reining and cutting. A little side note, just before Tom bought him, he was invited by the government of Bermuda to perform reining and cutting at their agricultural fair and he stunned everyone with his performance.

Both Joe Cody and C.T Fuller have been inducted in the AQHA Hall of Fame. Joe Cody died in 1989 at the age of 37 and is buried on Willow Brook Farm. 

A little commentary: Tom Fuller's father had purchased the land for the farm in an effort to keep the area rural and to stop development and industrial encroachment. Currently, much of the farm is now under the airport when the land was taken (stolen) by the government claiming eminent domain! 

GREAT NEWS! I have just finished writing my third equestrian trail guide book for Colorado: Riding Colorado III - Day Trips and Over-Night Trips With Your Horse.  YES- Over-Night Trips! So, all you Colorado wanna-be's who have always dreamed of riding your horse in the Colorado Mountains can find out where to come! I'll let you know when it is published. For a sneak preview, here is the picture for the cover: 

Start planning a summer trip to Colorado!

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!