I started the horse crazy streak at years old. My parents thought I'd out grow it. AHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHA!
I started riding when I was 9, a lady just down the rode had a bunch or arabs, I cleaned corral, fed, ect. for riding time. Most of her horses were crazy untrained idiots. She had one mare the I was in love with, grey mare, about 15hh, so well broke, and the same age as me. She promised she would sell her to me, and that I could work her off, well I got screwed, after working for that lady for several years.

Finally at age 13 my parents said I could buy a horse with my own money, (I was in an accident when I was little and had some money in the bank) BUT< since I was homeschooled there were going to make it into a school project. I had to find 10 horses, in my price range, that I liked, and I had to write an essay on each one, about the horse, were its breed came from ect. ect. I was SOOOOO excited. MY dream horse was one with 4 legs, that I could ride.

So, I looked at a bunch of horses, at that time I started going to the local dairy with a friend to help her with her 4-H dairy project, I ended up getting my own calf. They had a horse staked out in the grassy area next to the road and parking lot. (no fence anywere) He was soooo pretty, bay appy with a blanket. I started talking to the Mexican that rode him, they used him for herding heifers, and roping. Now I know he was whats called Charro trained BAD BAD BAD!! I fell in love with that horse the moment I saw him. I would spend hours grooming him and petting him. I was told by every one he was crazy. a dog killer, and hated men (he did, and he was a killer)
I literally saw the guy beat the crap out of that horse, jerk him, whip him, punch him, ect. more than once.

So I kept on my search, tried out a really cool arab gelding, sweet, broke. A big old red roan mare, ugly, ugly ugly, but very nice, and a few others, but I dont remember them. One day diving me to the dairy to see my heifer, my mom told me, "we found the horse your going to buy" talked to the owner its a done deal. I was excited, but heartbroke at the same time. I wanted the appy sooooo bad. I asked what horse? she made me guess. I finnaly said the appy?? She nodded! I about had a heart attack then and there!

I got him for $600, and they didnt make me pay. I worked him off at $3.00 an hour. So here I am advanced beginner/ maybey intermideate rider, with a 10 yr old abused horse with mental issues. yay! I was so happy. I think I will continue his story in another thread. Oh, and 13 years late I still have him!