All Blog Posts (66)

We Made It

I think back to May when I was first going to show JC and how I wasn't sure he was ready for an amateur. Boy was I wrong. That horse does whatever you ask of him. He has come thru for me in the shows whenever I have needed him to be there. Yes, we have had our ups and downs, but, mostly, ups. He has been reserve grand champion twice and has always been in the ribbons for me. He has never quit on me or given up even when he had reason to. I remember our second show. I arrived and JC's leg was sw… Continue

Added by Nina Kraus on August 27, 2009 at 9:09am — No Comments

Wanted:A Free Horse Perferably A QH But will look at other breeds

i am looking for a free horse perfurably a QH but it doesnt really matter what breed. hopefully Close To or in Nebraska Or Iowa. Thanks katie mail me if you have one Continue

Added by Katie on August 10, 2009 at 10:01am — No Comments

Share Parelli

Share Parelli, the community movement of Parelli, is a collaboration tool for like minded people to share ideas, start projects and take action together to come up with new and exciting ways we can get the word out to show how Parelli is the ultimate way to train your horse! Continue

Added by 7HL on May 25, 2009 at 4:30am — No Comments

Jet and The Mannequin

It is funny how horses get so set in what they are doing that they forget how to be a horse. We recently retired a mare we had bred years ago. My sister has been showing her for the past 10 years. Jet (New York's Best M&N) started showing at the age of three in 3 year old fine harness. She also showed in 4 year old fine harness and my sister began showing her at the age of 5. Jet turned 13 last year and we decided she had done enough and would take over for her mother, who passed away years… Continue

Added by Nina Kraus on May 15, 2009 at 7:50am — 3 Comments

What a Journey it Has Been!

As I read back through my many posts about JC (Buck Almighty), I began to think about our entire journey together and what a journey it has been. JC came to Winsome farms in August of 2006 when he was a yearling. I had only seen him a few times at his previous home. We have been breeding a long time and, from the day he arrived at Winsome, I knew I had to have him. He was the one baby that just touched my heart. He was big and lanky with this wonderfully chiseled face and a flaxen mane and tail… Continue

Added by Nina Kraus on April 3, 2009 at 8:30pm — No Comments

4 Weeks and Counting

I remember a year ago, we were wondering if JC would make it into the show ring as a 3 year old. He did and he did us proud. Six months ago we were debating whether or not I would learn to ride him well enough to be able to show him as a 4 year old. It was questionable as my leg was broken at the time. Well, here we are 4 weeks from our first show and he is an angel. He tries to please every second from the moment you go to get on him. I am vertically challenged so it takes me time to get on. I… Continue

Added by Nina Kraus on April 3, 2009 at 8:25pm — No Comments

can you all vote for me and leo?

A photo of Leo and I was selected by the photographer to be in a photo contest in a national publication! It would be so great if you would take a moment to vote for us....I promise to let you know the results! Follow the link and vote for #5! Thanks so much! http://www.tnh1865.com/photo-contest-vote.html Continue

Added by Susan on April 1, 2009 at 7:00pm — No Comments

Raquel-the Filly

It is so much fun to watch the new babies come in each year. This year Raquel, our now 2 year old, came in. What a different personality she is from her brother. Raquel definitely has attitude. She is a mare and doesn't let anyone forget it. She tries hard, but gets confused, and then gets upset. It really is not fair to her that we keep comparing her to her brother. We have to remember that we have been breeding for over 25 years and she is still one of the best ones we have bred. It is hard t… Continue

Added by Nina Kraus on February 22, 2009 at 9:31pm — No Comments

We're Getting There!

Wow, it's been 4 years since he was born, but I am finally riding JC. He has exceeding some of my expectations and didn't rise up to others. He is beautiful, but is not gaited. I can forgive him that. He is a gentle giant of a boy. Everything he is in his stall; he is when you ride him. He doesn't get angry or confused. He doesn't hold it against me that it takes time for me to get on him and end up hitting him with the step stool. He doesn't get upset that I hang on his mouth every now and then… Continue

Added by Nina Kraus on February 10, 2009 at 9:57pm — 2 Comments

Where Does Time Go?

Last time I looked it was the end of October and JC was being let down for the winter. We had just finished the last show of the season. Now, we are planning shows for this upcoming season, JC is back to work and everyone is discussing how they will fit into their riding suits. As for me, I have ridden JC once and I have to learn to ride him in order to show him. Riding him was wonderful. He is the most honest horse I have ever ridden. He tries to please every step of the way. You tell him what… Continue

Added by Nina Kraus on January 24, 2009 at 5:16pm — No Comments

Horsey Aerobics

I have been pretty much laid up since September of 2007 when I got beat up in a fight at work. By the end of January, I had had two shoulder surgeries. I rode after my surgeries if you could call it that. When I got to the point that my shoulders were as healed as they could get, I broke my leg. That left me with another 10 weeks of not riding. My arms will never improve; they are what they are. My leg has almost healed. I do have to get on and off with a 3 step stool. I am trying to ride as mu… Continue

Added by Nina Kraus on January 6, 2009 at 7:00pm — 4 Comments

Horse in the Snow

My husband was able to come to the barn today to see his "boy". JC has been on vacation since the middle of October and gets to spend his mornings running outside. I never get to see him do it as, by the time I get to the barn, he is inside. Today, we got to the barn and JC was still outside--as beautiful as ever. We went outside and called him. He came running. The first thing Brian said was, "where is the camera?" Well, it was at home. What a wonderful picture watching this beautiful liver che… Continue

Added by Nina Kraus on December 20, 2008 at 9:52pm — 3 Comments

Thanks to the trainers and grooms

It is the time of the year where we need to remember and thank all of the people who help our horses look and be the best they can. For some of us, it is our trainers who spend countless hours and a lot of patience to help our horses become the best they can. Not to mention the hours they spend on us as riders and probably more patience to make us the best we can be. It is no wonder we have so many trainers who are either grey or bald. These trainers also care for our horses when they are sick b… Continue

Added by Nina Kraus on December 4, 2008 at 8:00am — No Comments

Sad news...

...I heard that one of my old show horses, Marcel Marceau, was put down today. He was such a special animal that came along at just the right time in my life. He was solid and trustworthy and always took care of me. I won my very first blue ribbon in saddle seat with him at Tanbark in '96, which was only one of the many great rides he game me. Due to his coloring and presence he was always a crowd favorite and many people remember him fondly. He lived out his golden years being spoiled and loved… Continue

Added by Susan on November 16, 2008 at 9:49pm — 4 Comments

New York's Best Retires

One of our babies, who is obviously no longer a baby, was retired at the age of 14 after her last class at the Mane Event charity horse show. New York's Best a/k/a Jet retired after a great career and will join Lady Skybuck in the broodmare ranks. Jet was out of our first mare Best Loved and by New York Times. My mother had always wanted a black horse. Best Loved was by Status Symbol so we knew she had a chance of producing a black baby. My sister and I bred lady (Best Loved) as a present to my… Continue

Added by Nina Kraus on October 27, 2008 at 9:08pm — No Comments

Wow, time does fly

It was one year ago that we were watching JC drive. That's all he did for months was drive. There was never any thought of showing him. He was a lanky 2 year old who could barely lift his legs and was really good at tripping over them. In February, I finally said it would be interesting to see him under saddle once again. Terri Anne (my trainer) said fine and rode him. Jimmy (who had been training him) said there would be no more thought of him showing in harness as he was much prettier under s… Continue

Added by Nina Kraus on October 27, 2008 at 1:47pm — 5 Comments

Christmas Shopping

We are getting close to the holiday season. Check out our companion store all things horsey for all your stocking stuffers and gift needs. Almost all the merchants are having sales right now. We have gifts and items for everybody and every room in your house. Remember, each merchant does carry non-horsey items also. The carousel at the top of each shop are from Amazon. If you buy from Amazon, and click through the carousel, whatever you order will be… Continue

Added by Nina Kraus on October 19, 2008 at 7:24pm — No Comments

When Do I Need a Professional Horse Trainer?

Each day I read questions from people asking what to do about their horse's behavior, training or general care. These are from people who have limited experience with horses, but want to train these horses themselves. It is really not as simple as these questions make it out to be. You must consider your knowledge of horses and the horse you own when deciding whether or not to hire a professional. I have been raising horses for 25 years now and riding and showing them for over 35 years and I do… Continue

Added by Nina Kraus on September 25, 2008 at 8:25pm — No Comments

Sam's Pride!

Horse Seizures I lost a 2-year-old filly, Sam’s Pride in February 2008, to seizures. I've had horses for 45 years and I had never heard of a horse taking seizures before. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one. I had asked the vet about the strange behaviors that this young filly was having and then the horse owners at the local race track, including her previous owner, if they could identify the actions. Mostly the men said "no", gave me a weird look,… Continue

Added by Gimme A Dream on September 18, 2008 at 11:00am — 5 Comments

Ha! Spotted this while avoiding work...

You know you show Saddlebreds if: -Your horse cost more than your car...and your proud of it! -You try to get all your partying done on the weekdays because you're off at shows on the weekend -You try to figure out a way to eat massive amounts of food and still fit into your suit -Fair food is why you get fat in the summer -You miss school/work functions to go to shows -your main goal is Louisville...the end -Your hot and you know it! as is your horse -Your show suit cost more than your entire r… Continue

Added by Susan on September 11, 2008 at 2:07pm — 3 Comments