Spirit is my amazing 1/2 Arab, 1/2 Appaloosa (the Arab side is definitely predominant!). He has been my "bud" for over 14 years now! Even in his early 20s, he's still fiery and wants to go! Spirit has mostly been trail ridden and done some contest classes at local shows, most recently the 2008 county fair. He can run barrels and poles great, it's just now he's old and has slowed down considerably (but still wants to run!). He is an affectionate, friendly horse, dominates the farm (but he is having trouble with my new horse, Venus!). And, you know Spirit is around because he lets out a loud, shrill whinny! He's very vocal! I love him to death!
Comment By Sarah Clark
on September 10, 2009, 8:14 pm
Hey Colleen, I was just reading your thread here. Spirit sounds very similar to my Obi 1 who is also a chestnut arabian-full though but he too is now just 22 years old. I got him when I was 16 and he 9 years old. Unfortunately I do not really see him anymore since I am now currently living in Germany and he still in the states with my former riding instructor. He and I had many adventures together that is for sure. I and I used to do a lot of trail riding and he too would always want to go, go, go and even after a few hour trail ride-he could still go. He was like riding a train engine-full of such energy. He was a real sweety and very friendly and affectionate. I miss him a lot sometimes but I cant really think about it too much or I will be sad. I read your profile where you went for 10 years without horses-well right now I am in my non horse phase at least since the end of last year. In my past I went for about 2 years without horses, but I hope this period I am right now will not be for too long! I would like to have horses on my own property someday. That is why I couldnt really keep Obi anymore-because I honestly couldnt afford his board bill anymore. But fortunately he has been on a "long term" free lease with my former riding instructor-where he is living out his days letting little girls ride him and having the time of his life. I also read how you love to do natural horsemanship. I too and really got into doing Pat Parelli work in 2007. It is not as popular here in Germany so I hope to find a place that does it and get back into it- or at least find a horse I can work with to train this with. :) Anyways it is good to see someone who is so passionate about their horses and riding. Talk to you soon.
~Sarah
on January 15, 2009, 2:01 pm
on September 10, 2009, 8:14 pm
Hey Colleen, I was just reading your thread here. Spirit sounds very similar to my Obi 1 who is also a chestnut arabian-full though but he too is now just 22 years old. I got him when I was 16 and he 9 years old. Unfortunately I do not really see him anymore since I am now currently living in Germany and he still in the states with my former riding instructor. He and I had many adventures together that is for sure. I and I used to do a lot of trail riding and he too would always want to go, go, go and even after a few hour trail ride-he could still go. He was like riding a train engine-full of such energy. He was a real sweety and very friendly and affectionate. I miss him a lot sometimes but I cant really think about it too much or I will be sad. I read your profile where you went for 10 years without horses-well right now I am in my non horse phase at least since the end of last year. In my past I went for about 2 years without horses, but I hope this period I am right now will not be for too long! I would like to have horses on my own property someday. That is why I couldnt really keep Obi anymore-because I honestly couldnt afford his board bill anymore. But fortunately he has been on a "long term" free lease with my former riding instructor-where he is living out his days letting little girls ride him and having the time of his life. I also read how you love to do natural horsemanship. I too and really got into doing Pat Parelli work in 2007. It is not as popular here in Germany so I hope to find a place that does it and get back into it- or at least find a horse I can work with to train this with. :) Anyways it is good to see someone who is so passionate about their horses and riding. Talk to you soon.
~Sarah