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Good morning I'll write something later today

A horse that touched my life was named Liza. I helped out at a wildlife sanctuary and Liza was given to them because she was blinded in one eye by a tree branch and the owner didn't want to show her anymore. She quickly bonded to me and followed me around the sanctuary. The sanctuary backed up to a 500 acre nature preserve and had access to the land with a key. That summer, I started riding her and we spent hours a day, from sun up to sundown, getting lost out in the nature preserve. I was about 12 so the hours and hours of freedom from adults with just Liza was really transformative for me. I learned a lot about myself, gained so much confidence and really developed my love for horses.

I didn't understand at the time how incredibly lucky I was. Liza was an older show horse and was the most gentle, patient, and soundproof horse I've ever come into contact with. She never spooked and always knew the way back home when I didn't. I would not be the person that I am today if I hadn't had those months with Liza and it is something that I think about with so much fondness.

Happy birthday! 30 was a rough year for me, I hope it's better for you.
I grew up in a big city on the east coast, but I always loved horses. My first drawing, age 3, was of a horse.
Fast forward to age 18, when I fled to Idaho, and by the time I was 19 ihad bought my first horse.
Freckles was a "12" year old ring sour, barn sour ex barrel racer. She was also supposedly half arab, a flea bitten grey. Oh, also, she was "maybe" pregnant.
A reputable person would not have sold me this horse.
Freckles taught me a lot. How to "catch" a horse in the pasture; how to sit a trot; well you know, what could go wrong. Everything did, because I was just learning. She was honest, she was catty, and she could stop on a dime..but, I couldn't and I found this all out by flying over her head. I will never forget the look she gave me ás I landed on the ground in front of her!
Together with a girlfriend who grew up on horses, we rode every day, through fields, streams and dirt roads which today are completely developed. I'd be lying if i didn't mention i also learned a lot from my friend, but it was on the saddle with Freckles underneath me that i learned the most.
As Freckles started to actually look pregnant that winter, I realized I couldn't keep her, pasture was cheap in those days but not safe for a foal.. so full of regret, I sold her to a young couple with property and soon after, they sent me a picture of their jet black (probably homozygous grey) colt.
Freckles was a dream come true. Year after year, " a pony" was the first thing on my Christmas list, and there she was, smart, sound, and ready to go all day.
I hope she lived a long life and had the chance to teach another green horn.. but I'll never forget her.
I don't have a chinchilla license. I have SWM .

@blessedbybrigid, what a wonderful story! I never knew a female farrier back in my horsey days, I'm so happy to hear you are one

Thank you all for the best wishes! So far, 30 doesn't seem so bad :))

First place winner is @BlessedByBrigid ! What a cool story, and I have so much respect for your profession! I learned barefoot trimming to do my own horses, and I am so impressed by people who do it professionally. If you have a chat, I'd love to put your new stallion in there for you!

I loved everyone's submissions though, and will be sending everyone some straws! If @RG1234 and @Mensie would list your licenses, I'll make sure to pick out some good ones you can use!

ETA @Cherobird I would love a couple straws from this boy! Thank you! Please post pictures when you get your new sports car lol

OCR Solanaceae

Do you have any i can use?

Oooo thank you!

@witchwateracres I sent ya some! I was gonna send 30 but i felt like you'd get annoyed with so many, but i still can if you want :))

My sports car might have to wait till 31... My dad sold his 70 'cuda to a friend who professionally restores classics for a living, and they both agreed to sell it back to me when it's complete. It's basically a part of my childhood (which i never forgave dad for selling LOL) and i literally cried when he called his friend up to make plans to sell it back to me. Yeah I'll have to take out a personal loan, but it's TOTALLY worth it. I will totally post when I get it, because it's all I'll be able to talk about for a while :))

I'm still scared of 30 but I'm glad you aren't having a hard time of it, it gives me hope :p hope you had a good one!

As someone closer to leaving their 30's behind, I can confidently say 30's is better than 20's, except for you want to spend more time in your jammies than out partying. ;-)