Horsey Stuff

I am a serious lover of the Appaloosa horse. I have a 24 year old black and white blanket gelding named Domino. He is very special to me, because we grew up together. I can't remember a time when Domino wasn't around. He was professionally trained to cut cattle back in the day, and now and again he'll go after a stray calf and almost knock you out of the saddle. He doesn't do much of that anymore due to arthritic hocks. But even in his old age, he still gives great trail rides.

I also own a (for lack of a better color description) tri-colored roan snowcap gelding named Rockin' Zamalzain. Zane is my first young, training project. He has his own page where you can see pictures of him and learn about our exploits, trials and tribulations as we (hopefully) progress.

The best, hands-down, source of information on Appaloosas (and horses in general for that matter) are through the various email lists on the internet. You can find several lists of this type at Onelist. Go Here to find out how to join. Just search for Appaloosa (or Horse) and you can choose which of the several lists to join - or all of them if you like.

Also visit the Central Alabama Appaloosa Horse Association. We have information on how to find other Appaloosa lovers in AL, as well as links to some good general Appaloosa sites.

Domino and 4 other horses live on my Dad's cattle ranch (Southern Breeze Ranch), which is about an hour east of Montgomery, AL in the wonderful metropolis of Enon, AL. ;) The closest real town is Union Springs. Union Springs is best known for being the field trial capitol of the world, and they've got the statue to prove it:

And yes, Union Springs made the front page of The Birmingahm News on Sunday, October 3, 1999. I may reprint the article here in the future allowing permission and such.

Being near the field trial capitol of the world, we have to have our requisite Tennesse Walker. Actually, we have 2. One is named Trivia and she belongs to my sister Ginger Kay. She is also a brood mare, and she had our first foal almost two years ago. The resultant filly is named Twister, and belongs to my sister Breanna. I don't have any recent pictures of them, but I'll get some soon.

Being a cattle ranch, I suppose we had to have a Quarter Horse, so we bought Buckshot. Formerly used as a roping horse, he had some trouble adjusting to the slow pace of just walking behind the cows instead of running up on them, but he's doing well now. He's our current youngster at 8 years old.

Bandit is a no-nonsense Spotted Saddle Horse. He goes where you want, does what you ask. Hard working and reliable, at 13 he's going strong. This is the horse that most of the younger kids in the family learned to ride on. Which means we have some great riders. :) Not an easy, Sunday drive type of horse, but the smoothest ride and the smallest (at 14.3hh) nominated him for this job early.

Horse Links:

Sites with horses for sale:

Agdirect Horse page
This is the best place to start if you're looking for a horse to buy or lease. They have tons of ads, and you can place a wanted ad (or a for sale ad) for free. Also a handy searchable database so you don't have to look at ads that you have no interest in.

Stablemates Marketplace
This is the online version of the free magazine available at tack shops in the South. It covers AL, GA, TN, SC and NC.

Some horsey catalogs I like:

State Line Tack is an excellent company. I think their prices are fairly reasonable, and the service is quick and courteous. They have a western catalog and an english catalog that includes tack for miniature horses. Get either or both by calling: 1-800-228-9208.

Tack in the Box is geared for dressage enthusiasts. The catalog is real cute, and they have some great gifts and t-shirts. I love the kitty who gives his paw print of approval to certain items. You can call them at: 1-800-456-8225

Libertyville Saddle Shop is another good company. Their prices are less than State Line, but their service is not as good. Not to say it's bad, just not as good. They have a good selection of products, and the stuff they can monogram and personalize is enormous. Call them at: 1-800-872-3353

That's it for the horsey stuff. If you have any other companies you like, or you just want to talk horse, drop me an email.