If Wishes Were Horses……..

On By cindy knokeIn Conservation, HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS

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these horses would be mine! (Please click to enlarge).

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I was one of those young girls who loved horses more than boys……for awhile at least! And they still have the power over me.

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Beauty is indeed truth, and truth for me has always been horses.

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The Holler has a history of housing some pretty incredible horses. Check out these beauties for example.

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Seabiscuit, Seattle Slew and Secretariat all had foals here and the multi-National Champion Khemosabi lived here. Seabiscuit had 108 foals, only one of which had a successful racing career. That thoroughbred was Sea Orbit, nicknamed Baby Biscuit who was a Hollerite. Blanco the Andalusian named Shadowfax in the Lord of the Rings movies lives here too.

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Holler town is horse town.

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I’ve seen some pretty amazing horses around the world.

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The free ranging horses of Patagonia for example and the peerless Lipzzaner stallions in Vienna.
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I think though, more than any other, I like this little rescued miniature donkey the best!
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He so wanted to come out and play with me and I so wanted to take him home!

Cheers to you from Holler-Horse… and Donkey Town!

175 thoughts on “If Wishes Were Horses……..”

    1. Isn’t he a beauty! Lots of spunk too……When I take photos of horses at The Holler, the owners will often come out suspiscous…….Bark at me, “What are you doing?”
      When I say, taking photos of your gorgeous horse, they say, “wait a minute…let me come and tell you about him or her…..”
      Laughing…..the language of horse lovers!

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  4. I have loved horses all my life. I think they have got to be one of the, if not the, grandest animal on the planet! Not to mention what mankind owes to the horses (farming, transportation, etc.)! And that little donkey is so adorable! These are beautiful pictures, Cindy.

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  13. These are gorgeous, handsome horses. I’ve learned a little bit about horses from a couple who have a couple horses in Wyoming, and that’s where they spend their vacation time…
    Thank you for sharing your story, Cindy!

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  15. I am with everyone else. I’m horse crazy too! And truth be told I would give up all men for a horse – even more so if it were of Khemosabi’s bloodline. He was an incredible Arabian stallion. You are very fortunate to live in such a horse-rich place. I’m VERY envious!

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    1. And you saw the free range horses in Patagonia. I have never in my life seen such wild, free and gorgeous horses! I should repost them! I want to look at them again! Are you back or still in SA?

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      1. No! We never saw any free range horses in Patagonia! How did we miss them? Please repost so I can imagine I’m seeing them back there. We’re in Peru until mid Feb then Ecuador then . . . . .?

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  18. gorgeous horses, my uncle used to raise/board/ride/show horses, when I was very young I was fortunate to be around them as we lived close by, but we move when I was 10 and that was that…yes the donkey is very cute!

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    1. He really thought he could walk out of the corral! Laughing……I fell in love with him. Plus he was hell on the coyotes…..went after them like a banshee!!! It was hilarious. Laughing! He would be perfect for The Holler if only I didn’t travel all the time!

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    1. I know, I know, I want him too!!! Looking at the pics brings it back. I can adopt him, but it always come back to I travel too much!! He went after the dogs (and the coyotes too apparently) like nobody’s business. The dogs played tag with him. It was hilarious! He is so friendly and cuddly……Sigh~

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  24. “If wishes were horses,…..then beggars would ride” ! That was one of my grandmothers favorite retorts when she would hear me say “I wish…”
    “A horse, a horse.., my kingdom for a horse!” …and I want one of those dappled silvers in the top pictures !!! They’re all just beautiful, Cindy. After you’ve been owned by a horse, you’re hooked for life. They’re just the most wonderful animals ever. The little donkey does steal your heart doesn’t it ? Hugs !
    Paul

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  25. Beautiful Blog and photos. I have always loved horses and their beauty. Here in Reno, NV we have beautiful wild horses that roam into the city streets at times and it angers me that people are so cruel to them. Yet on the flip side we also have bears that people think are cute to continuously feed. Would love to adopt a wild horse or two or three!

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    1. WOW!!! I am rather stunned! Wild horses that roam into the streets!!!
      Heaven!
      In Reno? I had no idea.
      I’ve seen them in the wilds of Nevada! What a total thrill they are to see so free!
      Feeding bears??? What’s wrong with some people………

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      1. The horses are beautiful. They are causing NO harm. Those wild horses you have seen in the wilds of Nevada come down into the City streets. And it is a thrill. I usually pull over and watch them losing myself in their beauty. That is the new issue with bears people feed them and are not afraid of them. Can you imagine?

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      2. I’m still stunned about the wild horses in the city……I would LOVE to see this!!
        The bears is just pathetic really. They will turn them into problem bears and then someone will shoot them.
        I can’t imagine…….

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  26. They are so beautiful!! I too was one of those young girls who thought horses were better than boys for a time. I had a beautiful little quarter horse. And she was so sweet. Horses have so much heart. I love to just watch them.

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  35. Liebe Cindy das sind ja wirkich wunderschöne prachtvolle Pferde da hätte ich mich auch sofort drin verliebtsie sind einfach nur schön danke dir für diese schönen Fotos einen schönen Dienstag wünsche dir Klaus in Freundschaft Klaus

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  44. The dappled grays are beautiful, but the whites are just stunning. And I cannot forget the little donkey. BTW, the amazing Lipizzaners will play a role in my next novel. Stay tuned!

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  48. Great photos, and I say that as someone who was surprised to learn as a boy, that I couldn’t grow up to be Roy Rogers! I didn’t know you couldn’t have more than one singing cowboy named Roy Rogers with a horse named Trigger. The world’s loss… ha ha ha.

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    1. What a lovely story and what a beautiful post! I left you some comments. Doesn’t surprise me that we share this love of horses one bit! But your story took me back in time to your childhood and I enjoyed it immensely.
      One note, it is beyond remarkable, that people from your past in the UK keep finding you on your blog, and reach out to you. You must have left such positive impressions!
      Cheers to you my friend and to the memories of beautiful Pandora~

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      1. Thank you Cindy for taking a look at my past. I was amazed that some one from the past found my blog. I never did find out how she came across it…But she did contact my friend in UK and they compared photos and stories.

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  53. After lo these many years I am still enamored of horses. Yours in the Holler are spectacularly beautiful and so very healthy looking. The little donkey is a charmer though. Thanks for sharing these smile-producing photos. 🙂

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  55. Awesome pics! I love horses too! That donkey is so darn cute!! On my way home I get to see horses and Shetland ponies! Ahhh to be rich and be able to have them too!! Hugz Lisa and Bear

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    1. My friends had Shetlands when I was young. Quite adorable! The donkey was a big surprise because I don’t know much about them and was enchanted by his personality, spunk and affectionate nature. Just an adorable little guy~

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  56. Oh! I’m so very jealous! Horses! What can I say? I love them with a passion and I cannot explain it since I have had very little to do with any. My Bucket List mentions horses, a lot, I want tone, or many more and ti travel the world, before I have them, and see all the different horses I can.
    I am so grateful you visited my blog, Thank yu for these beautiful photos.
    Bless, Susan x

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    1. Yes, this is where I am. I travel too much now to have one, but I get my horse quota by seeking them out wherever I go! Thank you so much Susan for your appreciation and I look forward to you following your dream~

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  58. Your photos would make perfect wallpapers for my computer (since the year of the horse will arrive in less than a month).
    I hope you don’t mind me downloading them for personal use, Cindy. 😀

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  59. This is the Year of the Horse: (for entertainment purposes)

    Characteristics of the people born in the year of horse, people who would turn 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96 or 108…
    The spirit of the horse is recognized to be the Chinese people’s ethos – making unremitting efforts to improve themselves. It is energetic, bright, warm-hearted, intelligent and able. Ancient people liked to designate an able person as ‘Qianli Ma’, a horse that covers a thousand li a day (one li equals 500 meters).

    Strengths
    People born in the year of the horse have ingenious communicating techniques and in their community they always want to be in the limelight. They are clever, kind to others, and like to join in a venture career. Although they sometimes talk too much, they are cheerful, perceptive, talented, earthy but stubborn. They like entertainment and large crowds. They are popular among friends, active at work and refuse to be reconciled to failure, although their endeavor cannot last indefinitely.

    Weaknesses
    They cannot bear too much constraint. However their interest may be only superficial and lacking real substance. They are usually impatient and hot blooded about everything other than their daily work. They are independent and rarely listen to advice. Failure may result in pessimism. They usually have strong endurance but with bad temper. Flamboyant by nature, they are wasteful since they are not good with matters of finance due to a lack of budgetary efficiency. Some of those who are born in the horse like to move in glamorous circles while pursuing high profile careers. They tend to interfere in many things and frequently fail to finish projects of their own.
    😀

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    1. So interesting! You have an encyclopedic knowledge of things Fae. Most impressive! I hope this will be a great year for you my dear and thank you for this! Should be an most engaging year!!! Cheers Fae~

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  60. There’s time to still take in the National Western Stock Show in Denver. You’ll see plenty of horses there along with cows, pigs and other livestock. 🙂

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  61. Once again, I am so taken with these gorgeous images and your writing! I too am a horse lover & grew up with them. My grandfather, who bred Quarter Horses, used to talk about Seabiscuit and going to watch him race. There is something about a horse…they are so intuitive, so spiritual. You should go on a horseback safari in S.A. There are some good ones around Kruger! Thank you for this beautiful post.

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    1. Oh my gosh! A horseback safari in SA? This I had never heard of and it sounds divine….Wouldn’t the horse spook when encountering a lion or wild dogs or such? Now you’ve got me intrigued! Cheers to you and thanks too!

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  62. Ooooh!! They’d be mine too! Especially the grey! Beautiful photos and I was just like you re horses and boys 😉 The little donkey is cute and I love the colouring. Not seen one like that before 🙂

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    1. I hadn’t seen a donkey like this either and he was 100% personality…apparently gives coyotes no quarter and dogs either……they constantly chased each other and it was a hoot! Cheers to you & Wolf child~

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    1. Well as long as she cleans out the stables!!!! LOL! I can’t get a horse now because we travel too much…..the little donkey was awfully tempting too though! Cheers to you~

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    1. You have good taste! That horse is a Lippanzzer Stallion in Vienna. I have more photos of these gorgeous horses that I should post. Yes Warhouse was distressing and very many horses have been killed in combat which is depressing~

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  66. The donkey with those markings is a sweety,
    but the dapple grey was my pick.
    Also those herds of wild horses in your other post looked free as the wind.
    I am know nothing about horses, Paulin is the horses lover.

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    1. The dapple grey is a stunner with a feisty personality to match. The donkey was just out of this world with natural charm. Pauline is just a very exceptional person who I am so pleased to have met here in blogdom. Cheers to you both~

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  67. I thought the next post was fabulous, but Cindy, this has so much charm. I’m not really a horsey person- a little timid of them in fact, but these are stunning shots. 🙂

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  70. Cindy, I love all your photos, but horses are a particular love of mine too. I rode as a girl and loved horses more than boys, but only till about 15. 😉

    Lovely shots! I would love to see the Lippizaners again. I was able to see them as a young girl.

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