An Intro to Me and Cleo

I have loved horses as far back as I can remember. From before I was born we owned horses so I grew up around them. There is a picture of me approximate age two and I'm sitting on top of one of our mares just loving every second of it. While I was growing up we never owned less then four horses. My favorite and own personal mount was a large, round pony named Patch. Patch was the best horse a girl could have growing up. I trusted him with everything I had and had a ton of fun on him. I never took lessons as we never could afford them for both myself and my sister but she taught me what she knew and I learned from reading and watching.

I rode Patch until my teens and by then even I was getting a bit too long in the leg for him. My father found a new horse for me to ride. He was a palomino and he was very green and slightly crazy. I just didn't click with him nor did i have the time or the desire to work with him. We sold him soon after to someone who wo

uld. I was also becoming focused on other things such as school, boys, and friends. When I moved away to attend college my parents sold all out horses in one weekend. At the time I was slightly upset but I was in a very demanding program and had no time to think about anything else but making the grade.

About two years ago I started getting into horses and I started getting the "itch". For several months I was online combing through various horse classifieds looking for a new horse to call my own. At the end of August 2008 I found a promising looking ad for a big chestnut thoroughbred. I called the girl to talk about him. She informed me that his price had gone up about 1500 so I said I had a price limit and that was bey

ond it. She told me to come down and look at a few other horse that were within my price range.

The day came to go visit. After arriving there I was told that most the horses were way out in the field but they had one mare inside for me to look at. A dark bay thoroughbred with no markings. She was rode in front of me and then I hopped on for a test ride. This was the first time in the saddle in several years and she wasa huge step (I mean much taller then Patch). But she was very quiet, she didn't spook at cars or big noises so that was it for me. I called later that night to say that I would take her. A week later Cleo came home.

She stepped off the trailer took a look around and then proceeded to put her head down and nibble the grass. She was settled in already.

Here is a picture of her the day she came home: yes her neck is VERY skinny

but she looks much better now.

So I have had Cleo for over a year now and I know her and her habits now and I like to think she loves me like I love her...or more so she loves me because I bring with me food and treats. WE've worked on her ground manners so she will lead better and her new biggest accomplishment is that she will let me pick up all four feet without a fuss or without her being super stubborn about it. Yay!

So that is the brief history of me and Cleo. Stay tuned for more updates about what we are up to.