When I saw the fabulous photos taken by astaryth of the Andalusian stallion Ricoo, featured on her journal, Adventures of an Eclectic Mind, it was love at first sight.

For the past three years, Rocky, a 20 year-old gelding and former roping horse is a treasured equine companion belonging to Ceci, aka HappyHouseHunter.


Rocky has received some Western pleasure horse training and now thoroughly enjoys being ridden not only by his owner, but also gives Rosi, aka Damsel4You a delightful turn in the saddle.

Lenny, her husband Arthur and their very lucky horse NonaMe, rescued from a feed lot at 6 months of- age, all wish everyone the best of Holiday greetings. I think that is very neighborly!

Doesn't NonaMe look spiffy in her holiday "gittyup?"

JArnold's equine photography and way with words beautifully capture their spirit and essence.

"Much like a child enjoys playing in the snow, this foal when led into the sale ring with his dam, could not resist playing in the shavings. He most likely was pasture raised and had little experience with shavings"

J'Arnold's insightful description of this adorable foal brings the photograph to life, don't you think? Leave a comment and let us know.

Some horses we meet in our lifetime leave hoof prints on our hearts and will never forgotten.

I was surprised the other day when I opened my email to find a photograph of me taken many years ago, while I was having a riding lesson on one of these very special horses. Frisbee was a very well mannered and schooled gentle horse who gave me a great deal of fun, confidence, and who taught me a lot about riding.

You are about to enter the world of miniature horses to view a charming video of one special equine competing at an American Miniature Horse Association show, the 2007 Silver Jubilee, in Ohio.Your eyes aren't deceiving you. There is nothing wrong with your computer screen.These horses are tiny.

It takes a special touch and a passion for animals in order to capture their essence in artwork. Laura J. Smith embodies these two requisites in a way that truly honors them.

I had the pleasure of discovering The Artwork of Laura J. Smith through our mutual love of Barbaro, the great race horse. Obviously being an animal lover myself, I love her wonderful sketches, her greeting cards, and holiday ornaments.

While there is no guarantee that these items will be delivered in time for the holidays, they make wonderful gifts for any time of the year. 25% of the proceeds from these prints, 100% of the proceeds from her greeting cards and $5.00 per ornament will be donated to the Fund to Fight Laminitis at The New Bolton Center in PA.

Visit Laura's tips page to get fabulous ideas for taking great photographs of your pets and send us a link to them for our viewing pleasure.

Traditionally the holidays are a time when we gather together with friends and family. We often reminisce about the good times we shared over the years.

I have made some wonderful friends through our loving connection with Barbaro, the courageous and magnificent racehorse champion, who stole the hearts of people around the world.

I like to remember him with awe and joy. This is a time to celebrate his life, his beauty, his love of racing and the countless horses that have been rescued in his memory. His contributions in the service of equines continue to grow and thrive. The Barbaro effect is powerful.

Watch the superlative video, A BARBARO CHRISTMAS created by my good friend Pamela, aka phutc7274. It embraces his spirit, strength and his joie de vivre.

I was thrilled to read the wonderful news shared by Pure Thoughts, Inc. a nonprofit horse and foal rescue organization located in Loxahatchee, Florida, regarding their recent Thanksgiving rescue mission called, "Horses Give Thanks 2007."

This event was scheduled to save the lives of as many horses, yearlings and foals as possible at the well-known "slaughter" auctions. This effort by Pure Thoughts, Inc may be one of the biggest (if not the biggest) rescues ever. Jennifer Swanson, founder of Pure Thoughts, Inc, had planned to save 17 to 18 horses from slaughter at the Sugarcreek, Ohio horse auction, and she was not able to say,"no" to all the horses that called out to them for help. They rescued a total of 82 needy horses directly from the "kill buyers" (this total includes unborn foals and a few donkeys), and prevented them from going to slaughter. This rescue organization gave the majority of these horses a new lease on life with a future in forever loving, adoptive homes.

One of the best things about being on the Internet so frequently is meeting folks with whom I would otherwise not connect, who love animals as much as I do.

Several years ago when I began my journey into journal land, I had the good fortune to discover Astaryth's magnificent animal photography and soon found out that she is an avid horse lover.

She owns a magnificent black bay Arabian, Boo, whose beauty she captured in this photo. Now 18, Boo has been a part of her family since he was a baby.

The other horses in her life are owned by one of her dear friends who lives right across the road from her. They are all gray and are either Arabians, Andalusians, or an Andalusian cross. This lucky gal has the opportunity to spend time caring for and playing with the ones who remain at home while their owner is away competing at shows. How much better can it get?

I have to admit I am a little jealous, as I miss being around horses. I long to be with them again in real life, but I feel blessed to do so virtually with the many wonderful horse lovers I have met online.

You can visit Adventures of an Eclectic Mind to view her eye-catching photography.

Do you photograph your pets? Leave a comment and tell us about it, and if you have a public photo album online, include the URL.

My good online buddy Kim, aka RenegadeCowgirl, is happy to announce that Raven the Horse is on the mend, and is doing great.

Raven is a little grouchy, however, since Kim is insisting on dressing her up for the holidays. She left a little message for her "mommy" on the stall door:

Are you looking for an unusual gift to share with that special animal lover on your holiday list?

I found a delightfully unique one that also offers an opportunity to support a worthwhile charity devoted to horse welfare and rescue. Angels Acres Horse Haven Rescue is offering beautifully decorated horseshoes, which of course, bring good luck to your friends.

There is a wide variety of horseshoes from which to choose, and if you order by December 22 they will arrive in time for the holidays.

Visit the Angels Acres Shoe Store to view them.

While "Touching Wild Horses" was released five years ago, its charm and allegorical message are timeless. Its basic theme highlights how tragedy and challenging life situations can become an inspiration by which we are able to rise above grief and anger to find our passion. It talks about the need to feel and express our emotions so that we may become stronger and wiser as we recognize them as opportunities for personal change.

Calling all horse lovers! Here is an opportunity to help support the National Horse Protection League's vital mission to "protect horses and help owners who can no longer care for their animals find a humane and loving alternative to cruel death or abandonment."

My "adopted" horse Mattie (left) approves of the NHPL's first-ever gift offering, sheets of beautiful first-class, USPS-approved 41-cent postage stamps featuring Sir Wimborne, a former champion thorougbred who was undefeated in three career starts then retired at stud, producing winners of over $9 million.

Every time you use one of these stamps, you will be helping to protect our magnificent horses and at the same time letting people know how much you love them. What an excellent gift for your horse-loving friends and an exquisite equine addition to your holiday cards! Visit National Horse Protection League: Horse Stamps for more info.

Don't you agree that GoldDust48's palomino pony Rudy looks pooped from a hard day of "horseplay"? Isn't he a cutie pie?