your horse life?

[maximum]

what has it been?
Given that I am quite obviously ancient it would take ages to tell all but i shall do a condensed version!

started riding about 7/8 year old and got my first pony Sabu at 9 was obviously spoiled child!!!He was a welsh B and he was a right b!! he taught me so much as he was far from perfect but I learned so much from him and he stayed mine until he was pts 20 years later

Left school(and home) at 16 went to work in showjumpers yard which was a total shock!! I had never even seen tendon boots or mucked out! worked very very hard and learned lots, then a spell in event yard which I adored but a broken heart moved me on lol!

went to breaking and schooling yard and eventually became Head Girl. Did lots of competing on some very nice horses for owners. The problem horse side gave me independant seat and some broken bones!

decided was time to get a proper job so I joined the police and started to own my own horses at last.

First was solly who I got from a one legged irishman as she was supposed to be a rearer but she was fine and we had great fun together.

the day after this show where she won show champion I noticed some swollen lumps on her tummy, they turned out to be odema from fluid leaking from somwhere. 5 days later she lay down and despite her little shettie friend pawing her she could not get up.
she was PTS an hour later. she had ovarion cancer which caused peritonitous. broken hearted does even start to tell the story. she was 7

so I went and bought a totally unsuitable dutch warmblood 3 y.o gelding - I think because he was so different!

backed Mac at 4 and he was a devil!! still we were getting there and I was really looking forward to coming to Skye with him where I felt we could get going (we were in Lewis).
2 weeks before the move he broke a leg in the field. total spiral break( post mortem) so was nothing we could have done. probably due to trying to turn round in wet ground- foot stays and upper leg turns. so PTS second one in 2 years he was 5


So moved to skye and there was no way I was going to get another horse.

was riding stevie in my lessons at local riding school and he was for sale but too small, and wayyyyy to much money.



so of course I bought him!!!

we had soooo much fun, he did it all! when i got preggers I put him on loan to one of my best friends and she did BE and BD with him. then he had an accident in the field and severly damaged a tendon. Despite a years box rest scans showed little or no improvment and he was miserable so we decided we had to do what was right for him. We sedated him turned him out for a day and then allowed him to be PTS.

i didnt get anything else for ages and threw myself into doing my BHS qualifications until one day I saw a picture on a forum of a 17hh 12 yo american standardbred with melting eyes..........
I was going to do a heap of photos but they are all on my video in the vids section! ' my life in horses'

over to you guys

came

[fimacg]

I don't remember the 1st time I sat on a horse, but one of my earliest memories is at the age of 5 pony trekking up the himalayan mountains (my parents were a bit hippy-ish and it was the 70's) and I insisted I could ride, kicked my pony into a trot and left all the sherpa's running behind, continued to have lessons at a riding school working for rides etc,
discovered other interests at the agae of 13/14 and all but gave up apart from the odd ride.

Started to ride again at 24 after having a s**t time at work and needing something.

Got my 1st pony on loan from the riding school to see if I could fit horse ownership into my life. She failed the vet and the riding school found Figaro for me, told me he was a well schooled 7 year old, turns out he was 4 and just broken, but he was so genuine, I couldn't have asked for a better 1st horse.

Bought Chompy for the OH to learn on and then... well guys know the rest.

[danielsmom]

Arh what a nice thread.
I was lucky enough to be born in to horses, my father had a livery yard as a hobby!! He was a newspaper editior for his real job. I didnt have a pram I had a basket saddle on a white donkey called Freddy. When I was about 5 I was given a "pink pony" he was the smallest devil on earth, a strawberry roan mini shetland, I could never sit on him longer than 5 mins before I got hoofed off. When I was a bit bigger I was given a Welsh section A a dapple grey gelding called Rocky, he was fabulous. I learnt a lot, my next bigger pony was another grey pony called Yoyo, he was a section B. I then prgressed to a 14.2 piebald mare called Cloud, she was fabulous. When I was 16 it was time for me to have a horse
My father took me to look but didnt like anything, he however bought a stunning TB mare, she produced my soul mate. That was Peggy a beautiful brown mare.
I grew up with Peggy, she was there for me throughout all the terrible and great times in life, we competed in eventing and she even qualified for Babmington, she was fabulous, two years ago I had to say goodbye to her, she was 30 years old. My rock, my best friend, the only stable thing in my life. My heart shattered and I will never ever stop crying for her. She was my whole world. I miss her so very very much.
Last year a very handsome, very cheeky Andalusian dapple grey gleding wormed his way into my heart, right next to the hole Pegg left. That is Daniel, I will grow old with Daniel

[duckles]

Maximum - that is so sad, really moving and sad. What lovely horses you have had but such short lives. Here's hoping Max will be like Sabu. You must have got some experiences in the those yards eventing, show jumping and schooling- no wonder you have such good answers to problems.
FmcG- I love the himalayan treck at 5- that is pretty cool
Danielsmom- Peggy sounds wonderful, I am not surprised you miss her so much-

[kateflashy]

i started off from about age 2 on mt grandads donkey called eeyore
ialways rode him bare back cos he didnt have a saddle
i started having lessons at 6 and learnt to ride properly
at 10 i got a horse on loan called beaulieu she was 18 years old and a bit of a had full kept her for 2 years but had a falling out with her owner so we bought polly , she was a 14hh anglo arab bit lively but hadnt done much turned out to be a jumping machine would win bsja nearly every time out


then a farmer friend had just had an orphan foal born so my dad bought her for us to grow together as she would be 4 as i was 16
she was flashy

at 16 i went away to do my AI and took flash with me
my sister was gonna have polly to ride
i worked in various riding schools for the next coup^le of years
then our farmer friend told us of another foal he was selling
so along came star

then in 1988 polly had a heartattack and died while my sister was hacking out so we went to the pony sales and bought muffet who later became known as ponie

i was working in racing yards at this point travelling all over the country which was where i discovered thorobreds
i then found out about this poor half starved creature that was being neglected and was gonna be sold to the meatman
so i got masha that was 1992
then flash had her foal harvey

the next purchase was pelly she was an ex pointer my sister had outgrown ponie and star wasnt doing anything yet so she wanted somthing to compete on

nothing really changed till 2000 when pelly died she also had a heart attack galloping round the field
our friends told us about a horse he knew for sale really cheap so we bought candi for £100 she was really nervous and had had a good beating at some time

next was pika chu i was at the sales to buy some tack but went into the horse sale ring and out bid the meatman she cost £12
then we got fredric we were told about a horse that was gonna be shot if he was gone by christmas so we gave £25 for him

i was now doing breaking and schooling both ali and river came to me for work both owners didnt want them back so gave them to me


then in 2004 rocket was born


ive also worked as a proffessional show jumper somtime
i lost masha in dec 2006 to a twisted gut she just died in the night

[aimee]

Well...My mums sister, Auntie Diane, Has always been horsey. I have been horse mad since before I can remember like smuggling my toy horses into school, insisting on wearing my oversized, grubby pony t-shirt every single day, scribbling ponies onto every bit of paper (or wall) I could find...But I didn't actually get to ride properly until I was about 8.

First, with Diane, I just used to go to the yard with her, help her poo pick and stuff in return for a little sit on whichever horse was there at the time! Usually one of her friends that had just come back from a ride I would have a little wander up and down the yard before they untacked. Dianes horse is a TB x connemara, and totally crazy. The most unsuitable horse for a novice I think I have ever came across! So he was a no go. About a year after I had started going to stables with her she found a lovely old woman with a gorgeous 13.+hh palimino pony! She was obviously too big for him and her niece had recently outgrown him. So he was loaned to me! Oh I loved him so much. Champagne was my best friend. He was a typical pony, greedy and always on a diet due to lami but he taught me so much! He would refuse to move in the school even if chased with a lunge whip he still would not move so all my learning was out hacking! He taught me so much bless him! Had my first rising trot, first canter, first jump, first gallop, everything on him! While out hacking he would always bomb off with me as soon as we got to a clearing while the rest of the hack would just stand there and watch us fighting with eachother mid-gallop! little sod! lol

About 2 years later, I was about 11, My lanky legs had let me down and I outgrew him and stopped riding him. He is still enjoying his retirement now, stuffing his face in a field, I drive up to him every now and again and stop for a cuddle!

So, the grand step up from pony to horse! Ra, my aunts friends horse. He is lovely and laid back. Had lessons on him in the school which I had never had up until then. He was such a nice horse and I loved riding him! After a few months of adjusting to a horse, I was presented with Sam, my aunts lunatic TB x Connie, unbelieveable but he was about 25 yrs old. He is such a sod! Inbetween me riding Ra I had a few tries on Sam. By tries, I mean let my bum touch the sadde and then hit the deck. It was literally that quick. He was such a scary horse, bearing in mind I was only about 12, but being able to ride Ra straight after being bucked off yet again somehow kept my confidence and determination! This is no exaggeration but it was well over a year until he let me stay on him long enough to actually call it a ride! To cut a long story short, I started to ride him more often and it was well worth the wait and he was the best horse ever! I loved him like mad! I was still getting thrown off on a regular basis but inbetween his mad bronco moments he was the sweetest horse ever! Soon I started to learn about the world of competing! My first show on him was a hacking distance clear round. I fell off twice as he napped after every fence yet the woman still gave me a rosette as after a few tries I actually managed to get him round clear! lol And I loved it! A few years passed, I was about 14 and I started proper competing/ I loved dressage and he was great at it! So had a few ODE's and some showing, hunter, veteran and best ridden classes. Got placed every time! Stopped riding him about 3 years ago as I was too worked up in school, Diane had just had a baby, and it just fazzled out. Still got to ride him but only every couple of months.

He is now in his thirties and retired. Love seeing him as I have so many memories with him. He gave me so much and I will love him forever!





Sam about 2 months ago!


So, after a little break, about 3 years ago I met my OH Richard. Typical me had to find one who had horses lol! Started to ride his cob Harvey for a few months until he got sold


After he was sold, I had yet another break of about a year. I was craving horses and realised that I should stop kidding myself, so jacked in my childcare apprenticship job and started horse care at college! At last I could ride again every week and loved the course! I'm in my glory! lol Not long after that me and OH started talking about buying a horse. We had always discussed the idea but this time it was serious. He had started a new job and was earning good money, I had just come in to some inheritance...so it was decided! About a week later, last November his mum told us about a lovely 5yo Irish draught mare for sale at her riding school where she worked...went to view her on a Wednesday and by the Sunday she was happily munching her haynet in our stable! Talk about love at first sight!

And yes as they say, the rest is history!


Wow, talk about essay! whoever reads all that will get a cookie! lol

[maximum]

I demand my cookie!!!

this is great to read everyones stories!

[duckles]

Don't know what a cookie is but will give you a karma, its a great thread!

[abi]

kateflashy, have you loast your stirrup in your first picture?! big fence with no sirrup!!

Aimee, love the coloured fluffy!

my story is a bit boring, moved to a farm, rented out stables and fields to people, and became very very interested in the whole horse care and riding, had many many more lessons and BHS courses and persuaded my parents to let me have a pony (although i def do not take it all for granted, i do all the work myself, and have a job to pay for feed and bedding and extras!)
and two years later its still the same! xx

[racaille]

Mine's story about a lonely little girl who had lots of patience .... (all say ahhhhh! ;D)
My father was a flier in the Royal Navy so we lived all over. My mother was a tad flighty so I got sent back to the UK to boarding school when I was six. No one in my family was 'into' animals but I had a passion for dogs and horses. My dad was a lovely man and despite not being around much he tried hard. He eventually bought me a dog (which must have been a bit of a blow for my mum, since neither of us were at home to look after it...) One exeat I came home from school to find my mum had given my dog away. Now, I don't think she meant to be cruel but at the time I was devastated and did eventually get the dog back. This is just to demonstrate why she never 'got' my passion for horses. I so wanted to just hang out with horses that I used to cycle to a club miles away and just lurk .....
Years came and went and I found career ambition and then lost it. I finally began riding in my early 30s in France but had to return to UK a year later. More years passed. I came back to France finally when I 'retired' and finally bought my first horse, Paco, when I was 49. How's that for patience? Worse: when I was 18 I took out a savings plan and every month put a few quid in....
30 years later it paid for Paco and there was a little bit left for Racaille, a year or so later.
I'm not sure I will ever ride Racaille. He's a bit small and dainty for me. But I love him very much and would like to keep him forever. (Crossing fingers!)
In terms of riding, I'm not up to much. I trained as a equestrian guide a couple of years ago and I'm quite good at that but I think I've missed the point at which I could have really become a good rider. I'm a bit stiff and old. But that doesn't stop me having a go!!
;D

[Maes Seren]

Started riding when i was 14. Late into riding i know, but it took 14 years to persuade my parents to let me! Started at a riding school on a pony called Snowey, looked Welshy. Then i progressed on to Ted and Tizer who i rode for 6 months or so before moving onto Molly ... and finally Bertha! ;D
Snowey

Ted

Tizer

Molly

Bertha


After riding Bertha a while i got my first horse, kept him on that yard.
Snip, a 16.2hh 9yo tbxwb who took the mick with me, so moved him a few times from yard to yard.



Bought Bertha in 2004, a 15.1hh grey percheron x cob mare. Couldnt catch her for about 3 months as she was so nervous, shes the complete opposite now, and really loving.




Sold Snip in 2005 and bought Paddy, a 15.1hh coloured irish cob.



Then sold Paddy in 2006 and got Gem, and later in the year we got Eddie.




Gem, story will continue next week in another thread. Its long.

Around 2004 i think it was, i went to a college to do my stage 1, inc a saturday morning course. Enjoyed it and so went back as a full time college student in 2005. Did my ND in horse management, and also my stage 2. Gained lots of experience, and in the mean time i did some work with the mounted section and other yards.

After leaving that college in 2007, i came to hartpury to do a BSc (Hons) Equine Science which so far im loving ... minus a few glitches.

[Blonde Donkey]

my first memory is being sat on a huge(15hh, i was about 18months) bay horse with my mum holding me on one side and my dad on the other, i sat/rode on him until i was five and my mum got us an amazing pony called toby, he rode drove and did RDA, he was 26 when he came to use and he was the first pony i trotted and the first i fell off - he fell in a hole - he was a star and i will never forget him, he was put down near crimbo aged 29 and i was devastated i never wanted to ride again but that didn't last. then my mum was ringing round riding schools to see if they had a nice little pony. we found one about 2 hours away, he was called freedom, and he was great so he came home, although for a week we weren't allowed to ride him for a week as he was taking time to settle in. we had him for four years and we only sold him because he was way too small for any of us to ride, he is dearly missed and will be bought back when he retires. then i moved onto bracken who my mum used to ride for her owner she was bought as a third pony for me - two years too early but when the chance came she was amazing, she hated pony club but she taught me to gallop out hacking but she was never really the right pony for me. a year after we bought Freedom another pony came up for sale at the same place he came from and a few days later savvy walked into my life with the intention never to leave me. i took her on four years ago and we have never looked back she is a dream pony and we have done allsorts together. i feel she is the equine equivalent of me, cheeky hyper and very happy. she winds me up and i wind her up but we are a team and we beat the people that said she wasn't a kids pony and i would never get anywhere with her she is my angel and the only time we will be parted is when she goes for a gallop and a buck in the massive field in the sky

[dannyboy]

I adore horses always have - collected all the horsey mags when young - just never got bougt the real thing unfortuately . My dad used to take me as a special treat to horse riding - but only now and again as it was expensive. About 11yrs old I would hang around with my brothers OH who had a wee pony and I would get a go now and again on that - loved every moment (even the falling) but then they sold it .

Went with a friend to her riding school when I was about 16yrs old and they were going on a hack - I was extremely rusty & was advised to hold back when the rest of the ride cantered - Unfortunately for me my little pony didn't want to stay back with slow coach me and decided to gallop up the field to catch up. He jumped a ditch and I was threw off and the poor wee pony broke his leg and unfortunately was PTS very soon after. It gave me the shock of my life and hence I didn't return to horse-riding until approx 15yrs later.
My uncle owns Danny & Nemo and I would go up and groom them over the last year - & have become very attached. I went back to lessons last year to hopefully ride Danny in the future but life sorta just happened - I moved to a new house in the country, we had a couple of deaths in our immediate family etc etc (the list goes on). Anyway enough of sadness ;D I'm back!!!!!! Rearing to go - back at the lessons now for a few weeks. I really just want to fulfil my lifetime wish to own my own horsey. Sorry I can go on when I get started. Loved all you stories by the way!!!

[haffyfan]

I started out as soon as I could sit up at the local riding school, mainly on this little fellow taffy, who was an absolute horror and not your average riding school plod but he taught you how to ride and most importantly stick on!

Finally showed parents I was responsible enough for my own and Sunny arrived when i was about 11 I think. The most perfect pony anyone could wish for. Sadly we lost at the millenium at only 17, but he was one in a million.





During my time with sunny I also rode on and off Cally who was a grumpy old toad but another cracker. He is 30ish now and still going strong.


I also had on loan the most beautiful chestnut mare Khara, such a talented horse but sadly ripped inside of her hock open in field. Amazingly she recovered and was able to hack still. If it had not been for having Khara I am not sure if after losing sunny I would ahve had another but she kept me going. About 18 months later I was busy with work, her owner moved an dhad more time for her so I made the desicion to give her up. I went to see her most weeks at first but after we moved to Notts I lost touch altogether. Last known of in Broadbottom at livery.... If anyone recognises her I would love to get back in touch with Claire.


I had four months without one and they were the most miserable months of my life so far....and thats how Murph came about. It was love at first sight...and have regulary regreated it ever since but there you go! I went to look at a young warmblood to make 16.3, came back with a runty ISH who is barely 15hh on tiptoes but it was fate...he choose us by sticking his head in window as we drove around 100's of acres up above hathersage looking at the guys horses after the young warmblood refused to acknowledge us.


While Murph grew up I got my riding fix via a very good friend Anita who allowed me free rein over her beautiful ex racer Addy. Another amazing horse. The pic does not do him justice at all.


Then when we moved to Notts, Harry came into our lives and most of you know his story so I will finish here with him garroting himself!.

As for the future....who knows but 2 more would be nice

[gingerruby]

This is so brilliant to read everyone's stories, and I love the way we all remember all of the ponies in our lives, and have pony soulmates!

Started riding when I was six, at the local riding school, then as I got older spent every waking moment there, with my favourites Champ, a grey Section B, Jimmy, a strawberry roan who would jmp the sky and then Charlie, an angel! Moved to London to study so had to give up the horses, came to Edinburgh, kept riding on and off, on holiday etc., but never had the cash for one of my own. I am now lucky enough to be sharing a 17 hh IDxTB and have been for nearly a year, who I just adore, not the most straightforward horse, but I am constantly learning.

Sorry no pictures! Lovin' all of your work! ;D

[FirenLady]

Other than sitting on beach ponies my first proper sit on a horse was on a TB racer! when i was about 6 or 7. I was sat on him at my uncles yard, his name was Speedy Bear I thought he was awesome.

I never had lessons, my family bought me a pony when i was 8 to have lessons on. He was good on lead rein but a terror off! He was childrens pony who didn't like children. a cremello gelding called joker. Anyway after he terrified me he went to live a riding school, where he is much loved and has lots of work.

After riding at riding schools for the next few years (having been told if i wanted another pony i had to save and buy my own). It took me two years of making hanging baskets at 50p basket to save up enough!

I bought Fire, a 5yo rescued arab/welsh gelding. I'd never fallen off till i bought him and it was a fine line between whether i'd cope or not. Just in the nick of time though we found an excellent instructor who helped me beyond belief. Anyways he is my equine soulmate and my world revolves around him.





Few years later my grandad was diagnosed with lung cancer and I took on the care of Lady an elderly broodmare/ex-racehorse/ex hack. Me and my instructor rebroke her and rode her for a while.



Then my mother decided it'd be good for my brothers to learn to ride and bought them a pony dad just happened to say " jack sits nicely" whilst riding a beach pony, so she buys him a pony! I had to plead for years for them to let me have one. Anyways thats Tiggy he is perfect



Next naggy is Luna came to me in Nov from my uncle. Not quite as well handled as he told me but she is becoming a lovely little horse.

[aimee]

Ahh I really love everyones stories!

Some gorgeous horses and ponies on here! What a proud, lucky lot we all are!

[mandybean from OZ]

OMG Maximum, your story had me in tears, here's mine when I was 10yrs old my Dad brought me this 13hhs Black arab called blacky, we kept him in some stables with race horses (they used to pick on him) I think he got a bit of a sore spot because he used to give me HELL, bite kick, buck what next, one day I came home from school and dad said to me I sold your horse today. Even though I was scared of him I was starting to love him. (Mum was so Peeeeeed) any way I was so in love with horses it's all I could think of (mum and dadsplit up). Then one day mum when I was in year 9 at school mum told me she had a present for me (what could it be) It was a lovely 13yr old Taffy mare called Candy who became the love of my life I never dated at school My diary was full of stories on Candy and me, she to wanted to be loved as she had been beaten and neglected over her life I think she loved me just as much, I had her put down at 28yrs as she had artherits and could'nt walk far (SADEST day of my life ) then many years later I moved to my mums farm we went to some SALES and I liked this one horse there next thing They brought him Zorro he wouldn't stop bucking people off so that's how I got him on my birthday they said Happy Birthday your pressy is in the paddock I love him dearly I still look at him and think wow he's really mine ;D I'm so lucky and so is he to be loved so much

[maximum]

great story mandy well sad but good you know what I mean.

whats a 'taffy'?

[Becca]

Aww i like this thread, so nice to read all the stories)

Started riding lessons when i was 4, did everything, swimming gymnastics, 100 types of dance (ok not 100 but you know) Got to about 7 and stopped everything! not sure why, parent probably stopped my for school.

Then one day when i was about 10 i randomly decided I wanted to start riding again. I remember looking up the local riding schools in the yellow pages and plonking it down in front of my mum. then crying because they couldn't fit me in till the Wednesday (it was like a Monday haha).

moved up their classes quite quickly. and was soon in one of the higher classes (bearing in mind non of the instructors were qualified, it was all working knowledge so nothing amazing) This is where i met my best friend

When i was about, wow could only have been 12!! the yard owner approaches me and my friend (and a couple of others) and asks if we would like to break in the NF ponies she brought at the sales. I got frostie as he was the tallest. Iron grey with the prettiest little face. Literally scared of his own shadow but so loving. he was practically mine. Then there was Chelsea! The only mare i have ever clicked with. She was the foal of one of the riding school horses and i was asked to back her too. she is still there to this day, still beautiful and an absolute angel. Anyway took them to local shows won quite a few showing classes with both of them. Frostie unfortunately was wasted at the riding school. I turned up one day and he had been sold never said goodbye and have no idea where he is.

Finally after years of begging i was allowed my own horse. Tried loads, fell in love with the first on i saw, 16hh mw cob, think his name was panda, beautiful paces jumped like a dream. I would have been doing completely different things if i had bought him that day! We were always told don't fall in love with the first one you see so we walked away (thinking back we didn't have a clue and shouldn't have been buying without help). Enter Carrie. The devil re-incarnate and the reason i lost 90% of my confidence. 3/4 tb mare. CHESTNUT 4 WHITE SOCKS! An angel when i tried her out. then went to pick her up and she changed! (i swear to this day she was drugged when we tried her out) got her back to the yard and for two whole weeks i ended up on the floor daily! she wouldn't stop till i hit the deck! but was good as gold for my mum to hack out. i would cry my eyes out on the way to the yard knowing she needed to be ridden, and got back on every time i came off. then one day had a call while i was at school, mum mum had been thrown off into the bridle path fence and was unconscious in hospital! luckily no damage but she has never ridden properly again, is just petrified. So we called up the dealer, luckily she was on a two week trial. we kept her till the call saying he had something we could swap her for.

Turned up to find this little fat cob with no muscle except the the one bulging on the underneath of his neck. My friend rode him first as I was still scared. Stina rode him in a field nest to the menage where a 17hh stallion was being lose schooled, the cob didn't bat an eyelid. instant love! He was safe!

That cob was Bernie. and the story with him is a whole other tale. (plus i really need to do some work haha)

[Maes Seren]

May 21, 2008 7:47:14 GMT maximum said:

great story mandy well sad but good you know what I mean.

whats a 'taffy'?

Think its a welshy. But, will stand corrected?

[haffyfan]

Taffy has always been the old Australian word for what is universally known these days as silver bay/silver dapple. Now that there is an official silver registry, most Australians are calling it silver bay/dapple.

Some groups of Australian brumbies have a high incidence of the silver gene -
- click on the gunnadorrah album to see some "taffies" and also to see the gorgeous colours some brumby groups have
gallery.wildhorses-wa.com/main.php

Scroll down to the second stallion on this page to see one of the Gunnadorrah chocolate taffy brumbies all scrubbed up for a show!
www.wildhorses-wa.com/stallions.htm

[haffyfan]

Haven't you read Elyne Mitchell Maxie?

[maximum]

nope!! thanks for that haffy I thought it must be an aussie thing!

[FirenLady]

Silver Brumby books are awesome. even if your are a bit older than 12, I have read them all (apart from the last it was sad) about 3 times each. i still re read them now when im struggling to sleep. (can't read anything to exciting cos im the sort of person who will sit up till the early hours reading!). They dont cost too much on ebay.