Horses of HT #2 Tacoma

nomeanjean · 09-26-2007, 12:08 PM

The second horse that Touche and I would like to profile is Tacoma proudly owned by Leadmare.

Tacoma is a grade half Arab/half Quarter Horse. (Unknown breeding) At 14hands, she is a pony. She is 30 years old. I have always called her a bay. She has many, many mountain trail miles, earned several year end awards at local shows when we lived in TN for cloverleaf barrels, Texas barrels, pole bending, speed, keyhole and pantyhose race. She also was shown in halter and showmanship by young children. She has had people from age 3 months to 75 years old on her back. She has started many children and given rides to very timid adults. She is not perfect, but the closest thing I’ve ever seen to the description “Bombproof.” She is my million dollar lifetime horse that came with no special bloodlines, no papers, no fancy breeding program and a $120 price tag.

1. Where did Tacoma come from?
Tacoma was born in Tennessee. I found her on a farm where an older farmer had her and an Arabian stallion. I went to look at the 2 week old foal she had at her side. I liked the foal and the stallion she was bred back to. So, needless to say she came home with me.

2. How long have you been together as a team?
Tacoma and I have been together for 23 years. Although, her two foals have long since been sold, she remains as a favorite here.

3. What is your best moment together?
I’ve had so many over the years. I’m blessed every moment she with me. I have to say, there is one that stands out like it was yesterday and it was 22 years ago. I was training a colt to smile. Tacoma must not have like him getting all my attention. She started hanging her head over the fence and flipping her lip up for the biggest smiles every time I cued the colt to smile. She still to this day uses this to get a special treat.

4. What is your greatest achievement as a team?
Our greatest achievement as a team has to be mutual respect, trust, and a lifetime of love and companionship.

5. What is the favorite and least favorite thing about Tacoma?
My favorite thing about her is what she teaches me. She gave me the title “Leadmare” and settled for “Leadmare2” after she taught me the ins and outs of being a lead mare. I still learn from watching her daily. My least favorite thing, is knowing her age and wishing I had been able to breed her one last time.

6. What is her favorite treat?
Anything we are willing to share with her. Her most favorite now is just being brought to the barn for brushing, scratching and standing in the cross-ties with the fans blowing on her.

7. What are your plans for the future?
We tried to retire her, but she still loves to tote the kids on the trails too much. She starts calling to us if it’s been more than a week of not riding. So, as long as she wants, she will continue her life as she wants. She will be part of this family and will be laid to rest here when her time comes. She’s earned my loyalty, as I have earned hers.

Now for the lovely pictures!

These are of the foal she bought her for 23 years ago.

These are about 8 months later, she was 8 1/2 months in foal. Yes, even in the barrel racing shots, they won 3 year end awards that year.

This was 3 years ago, practicing at home for barrels at county fair. They came home with two 1st, a 2nd, a 3rd and a 4th. (They also were on the 4H drill team.)

This was last fall.

This spring

That's Tacoma

I want to start by saying that I love this horse! She is stunning Leadmare!

gbarmranch · 09-26-2007, 12:13 PM

What a beautiful heart-warming story and mare... She sure is a keeper.. Look at how well she cares for her young riders...

divinemisselle · 09-26-2007, 12:13 PM

How rare it is to find the horse of a lifetime, and then be able to spend most of that lifetime together! What a blessing!

She has definitely earned her day in the sun! Lovely mare, Leadmare!

roberts617 · 09-26-2007, 12:20 PM

Beautiful mare and wonderful story!

version1955 · 09-26-2007, 12:24 PM

Inspiring and heartwarming. No one could ask for more

ambrey · 09-26-2007, 12:25 PM

She is so lovely! What a lucky find for you, all those years ago!

Orchid · 09-26-2007, 01:32 PM

A once in a lifetime horse, to be sure.

What a lovely girl she is!

Cappysmom · 09-26-2007, 01:40 PM

What a beautiful pony. She sure doesn't look 30, she looks great.

Kahlua_Twist · 09-26-2007, 01:55 PM

She's lovely! I can only hope I can have the same relationship with my pony as you have with her

seerfarm · 09-26-2007, 02:00 PM

How wonderful to have this many years with a jewel of a horse. Sounds like she has taken good care of you, your kids and friends. She truly has earned her place, and I wish you both many more years together!

Stormy's Human · 09-26-2007, 02:13 PM

That is a very touching story. It describes what owning that once in a lifetime horse is all about. Good for you LeadMare and for your LeadMare2!!!!!!

shayla · 09-26-2007, 02:40 PM

I LOVE that last picture! There's something so beautiful in her eyes.

What a great story and what a fantastic girl! Thanks for sharing her Leadmare!! I can see why she'd be a keeper horse! And, it just goes to show you that you can't ride papers and there are unexpected gems in the least likely of places.

paige5785 · 09-26-2007, 05:07 PM

That's a wonderful story! Great choice guys.

Pony express · 09-26-2007, 05:23 PM

What a special horse and an equally special friendship. Thanks for sharing that touching story!

Touche · 09-26-2007, 05:40 PM

This has been so cool-finding out more about our HT friends' horses.

It is awfully hard to pick horses to spotlight, there are so many of us here.

Beautiful horse Leadmare, I especially loved seeing you ride in barefeet.

What a grand old dame!(the horse

)

Jadesmygirl · 09-26-2007, 06:48 PM

Just beautiful..and what a wonderful horse!

mymaxx · 09-26-2007, 08:30 PM

What a touching story and a beautiful mare.

leadmare · 09-26-2007, 08:50 PM

Thank you all! I'll be sure and tell Tacoma of the many compliments

She likes hearing how pretty she is

Quote:

Originally Posted by Touche

Beautiful horse Leadmare, I especially loved seeing you ride in barefeet.

Younger and dumber then Touche. WAIT, I still do it

Uh, er, do as I say not as I do

You'll notice these days my kids ride with both boots and helmets

snickers · 09-26-2007, 09:28 PM

One in a lifetime mare you have there.
She is a beauty.

Thanks for sharing your story of how you each have touched each others hearts and how you each give of yourself.

foxtrottergal · 09-26-2007, 11:21 PM

Quote:

She is my million dollar lifetime horse

Quote:

4. What is your greatest achievement as a team?
Our greatest achievement as a team has to be mutual respect, trust, and a lifetime of love and companionship.

Quote:

What is your best moment together?
I’ve had so many over the years. I’m blessed every moment she with me.

Leadmare, had to let you know that you summed it up these quotes about your Tacoma. What a lucky horse to have the blessing of a family that adores her so and what a lucky family to be able to enjoy such a beautiful and precious mare. By the way, I love the face shot of her, what expressive, kind eyes she has.

09-26-2007, 12:08 PM
nomeanjean Coming two Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Freezing WV Posts: 1,555	Horses of HT #2 Tacoma The second horse that Touche and I would like to profile is Tacoma proudly owned by Leadmare. Tacoma is a grade half Arab/half Quarter Horse. (Unknown breeding) At 14hands, she is a pony. She is 30 years old. I have always called her a bay. She has many, many mountain trail miles, earned several year end awards at local shows when we lived in TN for cloverleaf barrels, Texas barrels, pole bending, speed, keyhole and pantyhose race. She also was shown in halter and showmanship by young children. She has had people from age 3 months to 75 years old on her back. She has started many children and given rides to very timid adults. She is not perfect, but the closest thing I’ve ever seen to the description “Bombproof.” She is my million dollar lifetime horse that came with no special bloodlines, no papers, no fancy breeding program and a $120 price tag. 1. Where did Tacoma come from? Tacoma was born in Tennessee. I found her on a farm where an older farmer had her and an Arabian stallion. I went to look at the 2 week old foal she had at her side. I liked the foal and the stallion she was bred back to. So, needless to say she came home with me. 2. How long have you been together as a team? Tacoma and I have been together for 23 years. Although, her two foals have long since been sold, she remains as a favorite here. 3. What is your best moment together? I’ve had so many over the years. I’m blessed every moment she with me. I have to say, there is one that stands out like it was yesterday and it was 22 years ago. I was training a colt to smile. Tacoma must not have like him getting all my attention. She started hanging her head over the fence and flipping her lip up for the biggest smiles every time I cued the colt to smile. She still to this day uses this to get a special treat. 4. What is your greatest achievement as a team? Our greatest achievement as a team has to be mutual respect, trust, and a lifetime of love and companionship. 5. What is the favorite and least favorite thing about Tacoma? My favorite thing about her is what she teaches me. She gave me the title “Leadmare” and settled for “Leadmare2” after she taught me the ins and outs of being a lead mare. I still learn from watching her daily. My least favorite thing, is knowing her age and wishing I had been able to breed her one last time. 6. What is her favorite treat? Anything we are willing to share with her. Her most favorite now is just being brought to the barn for brushing, scratching and standing in the cross-ties with the fans blowing on her. 7. What are your plans for the future? We tried to retire her, but she still loves to tote the kids on the trails too much. She starts calling to us if it’s been more than a week of not riding. So, as long as she wants, she will continue her life as she wants. She will be part of this family and will be laid to rest here when her time comes. She’s earned my loyalty, as I have earned hers. Now for the lovely pictures! These are of the foal she bought her for 23 years ago. These are about 8 months later, she was 8 1/2 months in foal. Yes, even in the barrel racing shots, they won 3 year end awards that year. This was 3 years ago, practicing at home for barrels at county fair. They came home with two 1st, a 2nd, a 3rd and a 4th. (They also were on the 4H drill team.) This was last fall. This spring That's Tacoma I want to start by saying that I love this horse! She is stunning Leadmare! __________________ One of the best things to hold onto in this world is a friend.

09-26-2007, 12:13 PM
gbarmranch Pasture Pet Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mayberry Posts: 32,634	What a beautiful heart-warming story and mare... She sure is a keeper.. Look at how well she cares for her young riders... __________________ http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann Quality Foundation Quarter Horses If you believe what you like in the Gospel, and reject what you don't like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself." Augustine of Hippo

09-26-2007, 12:13 PM
divinemisselle Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: At the bar... Posts: 8,359	How rare it is to find the horse of a lifetime, and then be able to spend most of that lifetime together! What a blessing! She has definitely earned her day in the sun! Lovely mare, Leadmare! __________________ . Lead me not into temptation..... I can find it just fine on my own.....

09-26-2007, 12:20 PM
roberts617 Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Central Oklahoma Posts: 6,189	Beautiful mare and wonderful story! __________________ "The only way to have a friend is to be one."

09-26-2007, 12:24 PM
version1955 Bombproof Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: northern MN Posts: 9,086	Inspiring and heartwarming. No one could ask for more __________________ God gave us the drive to quit as a gift

09-26-2007, 12:25 PM
ambrey Started Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,167	She is so lovely! What a lucky find for you, all those years ago!

09-26-2007, 01:32 PM
Orchid Bombproof Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 11,071	A once in a lifetime horse, to be sure. What a lovely girl she is! __________________ Careful what you wish; Careful what you say; Careful what you wish; You may regret it; Careful what you wish; You just might get it. ~ Metallica, King Nothing

09-26-2007, 01:40 PM
Cappysmom Coming two Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Georgian Bay Ontario Posts: 1,652	What a beautiful pony. She sure doesn't look 30, she looks great.

09-26-2007, 01:55 PM
Kahlua_Twist Started Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sudbury area, ON Posts: 2,895	She's lovely! I can only hope I can have the same relationship with my pony as you have with her __________________ Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.

09-26-2007, 02:00 PM
seerfarm Bombproof Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Out with the Herd! Posts: 9,635	How wonderful to have this many years with a jewel of a horse. Sounds like she has taken good care of you, your kids and friends. She truly has earned her place, and I wish you both many more years together! __________________ "One must be a god to be able to tell successes from failures without making a mistake".

09-26-2007, 02:13 PM
Stormy's Human Started Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Seville, Florida Posts: 2,031	That is a very touching story. It describes what owning that once in a lifetime horse is all about. Good for you LeadMare and for your LeadMare2!!!!!!

09-26-2007, 02:40 PM
shayla Coming two Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 1,870	I LOVE that last picture! There's something so beautiful in her eyes. What a great story and what a fantastic girl! Thanks for sharing her Leadmare!! I can see why she'd be a keeper horse! And, it just goes to show you that you can't ride papers and there are unexpected gems in the least likely of places. __________________ "Oftentime, the notion of "Following one's heart" is used as an excuse to avoid doing what is best because it's to hard or to complicated." ~David Hopkins

09-26-2007, 05:07 PM
paige5785 Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 5,257	That's a wonderful story! Great choice guys.

09-26-2007, 05:23 PM
Pony express Started Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mid Michigan Posts: 2,636	What a special horse and an equally special friendship. Thanks for sharing that touching story! __________________ I don't regret the things I've done. I regret the things I didn't do when I had the chance.

09-26-2007, 05:40 PM
Touche Started Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 2,029	This has been so cool-finding out more about our HT friends' horses. It is awfully hard to pick horses to spotlight, there are so many of us here. Beautiful horse Leadmare, I especially loved seeing you ride in barefeet. What a grand old dame!(the horse) __________________ Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. W.C.Fields

09-26-2007, 06:48 PM
Jadesmygirl Started Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,544	Just beautiful..and what a wonderful horse!

09-26-2007, 08:30 PM
mymaxx Greenbroke Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hastings, FLA Posts: 3,345	What a touching story and a beautiful mare. __________________ http://www.freewebs.com/rpmaxx/

09-26-2007, 09:28 PM
snickers Bombproof Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Twilight Zone Posts: 9,811	One in a lifetime mare you have there. She is a beauty. Thanks for sharing your story of how you each have touched each others hearts and how you each give of yourself. __________________ The "real" FACE of white trash is not here. http://diamondpfarm.webs.com/