I thought I would start us off with a little discussion on where we found our beloved paints.
It will be four years ago in June that I found my mare, Cisco. My best friend and I went on a road trip out west to Saskatchewan, invited by a horse breeder to come and stay at their farm and do a cattle drive with them. Man, what a trip it was! I have never met such warm, welcoming people, and the horses and cattle were gorgeous! We rode out every day and had a wonderful time. The very last day we were there, I saw Cisco. I had never owned a horse before and on the long drive back to Ontario, made the decision that she had to be mine. The breeder and his lovely wife brought Cisco and a few other horses that my best friend had bought to my best friend's farm up near Sudbury in February. I drove up for the big arrival and we even went out for a ride in minus 30 degree weather (Brrrrrr). That April, my best friend's hubby drove Cisco down to me and I am so lucky that my very dear friend down the road was able to take Cisco in and take me on as a boarder.
That June I was diagnosed with breast cancer, which kinda put a dent in my riding (and in my boob, since I had a lumpectomy!). But I was so lucky because there was another boarder at the barn besides me, and even though I really didn't know her, she helped out with Cisco, grooming her and helping when the farrier came, etc. After I got back to normal from my surgery I had to have radiation. So, basically that summer I didn't get to ride very much. But I enjoyed just going to the farm and sitting and looking at my beautiful paint. It was very therapeutic. I am happy to report that I am completely cured, I have been on Tamoxifen for the last 3 years and have 2 more years to go, then I'm done! I am a very lucky girl, indeed!
Yes, I am so lucky.... the other boarder and I became very good friends. We are riding buddies and go trail riding (or hacking) together almost every weekend. There is quite an age difference between us, she is quite young at 36 and I just turned 54, but it really makes no difference to us at all. She rides English and I ride western, but hey, who cares? For me, it is all about being out on the trail, enjoying the day, riding along on a very pretty paint mare.
So, how about you? Where did you find your paint?
;)
M