Sunday, December 29, 2019

Hiatus 16

Gracie!
I'd like you to meet Gracie, aka The Princess. 

The Princess pointed out to me that 1200-pound pets are greatly under-represented on the blog, and suggested I do something about that. 

I welcomed Gracie into the world on Valentine's Day 2008 on behalf of her owners/breeders. She was a tiny newborn, and from day one was in your pocket – I always said she thought she should live in the house. Now she's 16-3 hands (67 inches at the base of her neck, for those who don't know horse speak).

Due to various setbacks, by the time she was three, her owners decided not to pursue a racing career with her. I adopted her for the grand sum of one dollar (Canadian). She does let me ride her, but mostly I just wait on her. 

She can make friends with anyone, loves peppermints and licorice (red and black), and if you scratch her withers, she'll reciprocate with a back rub. And no, I've never actually brought her in the house!

--Linda S             

20 comments:

LynnRodz said...

She's lovely. And anyone who likes red licorice is a friend of mine.

CynthiaMc said...

Beautiful girl. Makes me remember good times horseback riding with my friends and cousins. Good times.

E.M. Goldsmith said...

She is lovely. What a gorgeous horse.

JulieWeathers said...

Oh, Linda. Gracie is so nice. My Shetland pony Bimbo used to love licorice. Our mare Skidboot loved peppermint. If you'd just brushed your teeth, she simply wouldn't leave you alone for smelling your face.

Horses are pretty awesome. Isn't Gracie in the perfect home? Thank you for taking her in.

Carolynnwith2Ns said...

Born on Valentine's Day makes for magical companions...in the house or in the barn.

nightsmusic said...

Oh, she's just beautiful! I love horses. I miss having horses :(

Lennon Faris said...

Gracie, you can have all my licorice and peppermint. Very glad you live in luxury!

Megan V said...

What a lovely horse! May she have lots of licorice and peppermint in the coming year.

Claire Bobrow said...

Gracie is glorious! Sending virtual peppermint and licorice her way.

Cecilia Ortiz Luna said...

Horses and peppermints and licorice. Love it!

KariV said...

She's beautiful.

I grew up around horses and was available avid rider and aficionado in my youth. When I turned 16, I developed HORRIBLE allergies to horses. We're talking anaphylactic reaction type horrible. I haven't ridden in years and it's the saddest thing. My dream is to own my own horse one day AND be able to ride again. Until then I'll enjoy beauties like Gracie through the allergy-free safety of the Internet.

Thanks for sharing.

Linda Shantz said...

Awww, Gracie. Thanks, everyone. She'll be so excited she made it on the blog!

It's a cold, rainy day here at Bog End, so naturally, she's in her stall, because Thoroughbreds melt in the rain, don't you know? She starts yelling as soon as it starts falling. Definitely a princess!

AJ Blythe said...

She even looks like she's posing for the camera, although having read the comments I suspect she's really giving you the eye and asking when she can be taken indoors.

Melanie Sue Bowles said...

From all of us at Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary... Hi Gracie!

Katja said...

Oh man, Gracie, I don't like either peppermint (except for in the toothpaste) or liquorice but, hey, that means you could have it ALL. :D

I'm sure you are a great friend and thanks for teaching me 'withers' - I just looked it up.
Yes, please rub my back in reciprocation.

Alyssa R said...

Oh, another horse person! Gracie is almost as beautiful as my Kiss (to be fair, Kissie's an incredibly beautiful chocolate-colored Chincoteague). She was born in summer 2011, about a month before my family went for Pony Penning, at the Chincoteague Pony Centre. She's also very much a people pony.

Gracie's Camera Look is perfect. Tell her happy (rather early, but whatever) 12th birthday from a complete stranger who thinks she's pretty, please? (Let me guess-- she doesn't care who says happy birthday or when so long as she gets her carrots?)

Fearless Reider said...

I've been on a blog hiatus of my own, but I have thoroughly enjoyed catching up on all the posts I missed. Thanks to everyone who shared pictures of your beloved pets, places, and projects!

Beth Carpenter said...

Hello, Princess Grace. You are lovely.

When I was about ten, I had this conversation with my Dad.

Dad: I took Trixie (his Shetland pony) into the house once.
Me: Then what did you do?
Dad: I turned around and took her outside.
Me: What did your mother say? (My grandmother didn't even approve of cats or dogs in the house.)
Him: Why do you think I turned around and took her outside?

Sunnygoetze said...

Oh, be a doll and let her in the house.

Panda in Chief said...

Gracie is beautiful! If I got to meet her, I would give her whatever she wanted.