I loved my horse

I had wanted a horse from the time I was four. The main reason I learned to draw was because my parents could not give me a horse so I drew them. When I began working, I invested in some English riding lessons. It was wonderful. In 1981, my husband bought me an appaloosa mare. She looks a bit dozy in this photo but she had a very high action trot, a smooth ride and could turn on a dime. She also dumped me on a couple of occasions when she was spooked by sage brush. But for a brief while, she was mine and I enjoyed her greatly.

Negrita

I wanted a pony from the time I was old enough to know what a horse was. For a few blissful years, I owned a high stepping appaloosa named Negrita. She had an unfortunate tendency to shy occasionally and left me to walk home on rough roads in my stupid cowboy boots. But she also helped me fearlessly attack a coyote that was intent on eating my little sheltie (we charged him and scared him off). I had some wonderful rides on her and still miss her. And thankfully, I did finally get my "pony". So keep your fingers crossed, Aunt Peaches.