This is Clipper, my retired paint jumper. I love him because he never said no, just asked what more can he do. We always got to the other side of the jump. But, he is spooky and needs his hand held on the ground, was always a bit hot to flat, but is a lovey dovey type. Gentle, a teacher of how to jump to many and many he puts on his competitive shoes and rocks it. His ears pin back when you jig into the ring and point straight ahead as soon as the whistle blows— off you go, hold on and steer, he will take you around. I miss riding him so badly. Such a confidence booster!
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How kind he is. No matter how nervous he is, how inexperienced he is with something, even if he’s having some sort of pain/discomfort, he is ALWAYS kind and he is ALWAYS willing, even when he has every right not to be. No matter how poorly I ride, he is always forgiving and sweet.
(photo credit to Centerline Photography for the orange jump photo)
5yo shortly after I bought him (and this was with some weight gain…) to 13yo a few weeks ago.
I don’t know how I got so lucky.
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This thread is so sweet!
My girl is in the 28-30 range, have had her for a little over 20 years (since I was a preteen!)
She is retired on my farm now aside from the occasional pony ride for a kid or a student from my school. Would never hurt a fly and has the kindest soul.
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I got my guy as a 3 year old off the track during my early mid-life crisis 
. I started a thread back then about him, and got good input from you awesome COTH folks. We’ve had lots of two-steps-forward-one-step-back but he has taught me SO MUCH. Bringing him along has been slow but so rewarding, and such an important key to me being able to juggle kids, a job, a pandemic. It was something I did just for me, which was rare during those early years when my kids were little.
He’s 10 now and while he still has a sassy streak, my favorite thing about him is his boldness and how reliable and confident he is over jumps. I’ve always loved jumping, but have gotten a serious case of the AA/mom/middle-aged weenies. All the naughty ponies and greenies I rode as a kid gave me a solid leg and taught me to never get in front of the motion lol, but they also gave me trust issues! He has given me more confidence over jumps, which was not an easy task. For the first time in a looooong time, I KNOW we’re getting to the other side of the jump safely. Oh, and I think he’s gorgeous 
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I’ve owned my mare, Paige, her entire life. We’ve had our ups and downs, but I adore her. We have experienced some incredible things together. But apart from the shows and adventures, one of the most amazing has been me becoming a mother. From the moment I became pregnant, it was like Paige “knew.” She was the only horse who acted differently around me during my pregnancy- if a horse could dote, she was definitely doting on me. And she just loves my son now, which is completely surprising because this mare has never much cared for kids or small things. It’s been so rewarding to watch a horse I raised bond with my son.
My favorite thing about my other mare, Abby, is that she has let down her guard and let me in. Abby had been a broodmare her whole life and while she always had excellent care, I don’t think she ever had anything but a transactional relationship with humans. I actually was thinking about my favorite moments with horses in my lifetime recently (a book posed the question) and one of them was because of Abby. The horses were grazing at the far end of my pasture and I had walked out there to check on something. I was just hanging out watching them graze when something in the woods spooked the herd. They took off for the barn. I started walking back that direction as well when Abby turned around and started running back towards the woods. I stopped and was thinking, “this dumb horse is running back towards whatever is scaring her,” when she circled behind me and started snaking her neck. She wasn’t being dumb, she was herding and protecting me. Abby is an odd bird for sure, but it is such a cool feeling how she values me like her herdmates. She doesn’t treat every person that way. It’s kind of like having a neurotic, expensive, accident prone dog who just adores you and boosts your self esteem when you need it most.
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She’s not technically ours, but I adore her so! The Go Go Pony in her full Arabian glory, & quite possibly my favorite pic of my child ever:
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That’s how kids should look when they are riding. hell, it’s how we should all look - the pure joy. From both of them.
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I am LOVING all of these pictures and replies… With names included!! Keep 'em coming!
P.s @ThreeWishes I had to laugh at that picture of your boy’s tail – he’s like “Mum, stop taking pictures of my butt!!” 
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Not to be that person but is this photo purchased? Most photogs dont like their watermark copies being shared without purchase.
Love this thread!
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they’re gorgeous…especially Candy!
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My mare is like a missing piece of me. I can’t explain it any other way. We just connect. I am her human, no doubt about it. She is quirky. She is opinionated. She is everything a good mare should be, and then some. She keeps me on my toes, keeps me honest as a horseperson. She is funny too, she loves to gallop around and play, and then she’ll come up to me as if “what’s next Mom?”
She has a temper, and if she were human you’d see her eyeballs rolling “fine! If I have to!” She’s a drama queen - and a lot of that is of her own making. Because what’s more fun than finding things to get off track with? LOL.
And she’s crazy athletic. Her long legs, I am surprised she doesn’t get tangled up and go down in a heap.
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I love Penny for so many reasons, but although she is not and never was an easy ride or easy horse in the barn, she never said no. She has given me nearly a decade of experience and memories that are invaluable. She is THE boss mare, she is her own horse…she will not be swayed by anything or anyone but she will also never, ever, let you down. She is my ROCK. Reliable and of course stunning 
This is one of my fav pics of Penny…feeling like we are on cloud 9 ripping around a very tough course and finishing 4th in a huge class. For the first time we were competitive in our classes last year after taking time off for a few years to learn and improve dressage.
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No worries! It is. Went crazy fan mom & bought all of them 
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How could you not 
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I LOVE this picture!
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@Jealoushe
What’s not to love about a chestnut mare?! I’ve had a few over the years and each one was special. On a separate note, I LOVE your XC colors! Sharp and so good on a bright red mare.
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This is my pretty boy. I love him for his oversized personality and desire to work with me. I giggle every time I see a video of him going away with a Marilyn Monroe swing of his long thick silver tail. He turned out to have quite a talent for dressage and we dont argue near as much about who is in charge. He has made my retirement so much fun!
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I have a total of 4 horses now, a far smaller number since retiring my breeding program, selling stallion and all the mares, a very, very hard thing to do. I have not known a day without owning a horse; so, I’m pathologically addicted to them, particularly the ones I own.
This is Junior, (Annwylid Dare to Dream) my 7 year-old homebred welsh cob gelding. I absolutely adore him. He is very bonded to me as I was the first he saw at birth. We’ve not been separated since. He is too smart and has been the easiest to start and train. He is now competing at third level. He is the best blend of his parents who I also adore(d). I have absolute trust in this guy especially when I’m on his back. He is pictured at 3 months and 7 years.
This is Ace, my 10 year-old Navajo mustang who I acquired after he (stallion) and his band of mares with foals wandered off the reservation due to starvation. I met him after I watched him get sold to a girl 3 days after seizure. She had him for 30 days and didn’t have the money to geld or feed him. He was in pretty poor shape health-wise; but, he had the kindest eye and was very, very sensible though apprehensive. That was in 2016. After putting weight on him, gelding him and putting some time in the saddle he has become the best of trail horses. I can put anyone on him. He is extremely safe. Hanging out at the barn he is the Bassett hound of horses. He’s kind, loves attention, doesn’t get excited about anything except maybe food. Excitement to him is locking eyes on his target and willing it towards him LOL. He’s the quintessential mustang/survivor - Do NOT expend any energy that you do not have to
This is Brandon (HTBF Colonel Brandon) a 4 year old Morgan gelding. He’s three in the picture. I purchased him from his breeder last year when Covid was in high gear and though I never missed a day of work as an essential employee I still had too much time on my hands. I saw his advertisement, struck up a conversation with his breeder (who I knew), went to see him after it sounded like he was/is exactly my type - bold, curious, very cheeky and people oriented. I brought him home exactly one year ago. He’s been easy to start/back and just a total clown. He’s definitely bonded to us and is always wanting to be involved…in…everything. I realize I need to get an update photo of him because he’s filled out a bit more and looking more true Morgan now.
Finally, this is my retired stinker pony. He is currently on loan to a colleague as a babysitter to her retired Clydesdale gelding. They are a true mutt and jeff pair. I owe so much to this little stinker. He was given to me when he was 7 as an alternative to euthanasia. His previous owner was at her wits end and had spent a significant amount of money on him. He was dangerous per all the trainers that had worked with him on her behalf. His breeder called me in tears begging me to take him; so, I went to look at him and brought him home. He is a section C welsh cob that measure 13 hands on his tippy toes. Though he threw me at least 6 times in our years together (including once at a show) I was able to compete successfully with him through Prix St. George. He has been my confidante, buddy, stabilizing force, and raised the majority of the babies I put on the ground, etc. When I went through a difficult divorce and was forced to sell most of my livestock, rehome most of my dogs and cats, he signed up to help and was/is so easy to handle. Through the toughest years he behaved perfectly going everywhere. He is now 19 and still the prettiest pony I’ve ever seen. This is Gallod Morgan Henry, otherwise known as Morgan or “The Stinker Pony”. He will always have a safe landing with me; but, for now he has a very important job to do.
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Thank you!
@exvet I love your Brandon and Stinker!
I have a soft spot in my heart for Morgans. Years ago I had a Morgan mare, she kind of fell into my lap as she didn’t take to driving at all and her breeder couldn’t show her the way he wanted to.
She really was my “horse of a lifetime”. So kind, smart, willing, not a mean bone in her body. We did so much over the 8 years we were together, foxhunting, eventing, swimming in local ponds, hunter paces, parades, cutting cows…I loved her to pieces and was inconsolable for the longest time when I lost her to colic. She was only 14. I still miss her so much, I have missed her for the past 20 years.
I still think that a Morgan is in the stars for me, in my old age
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