Monday, May 18, 2020

Horses in Florida


We live in a city that has the distinction of being 'The Horse Capitol of the World'. An article online HERE

And whenever we are out and about we see big horse farms and lots of beautiful horses.



I don't ride horses but I'm glad the horse trails have opened for those around here that do.


This was painted on the side of a horse trailer.



And I know they are happy to have places to park their horse trailers and unload the horses.


When we hike the Florida State Parks and forests, the horses have designated trails so that makes it nice for the hikers too. At the Shangri-La trailhead hikers, bikes and horses all have separate trails. 


(horse trail)


(hiking trail)


I thought this Jeep looked neat at the trailhead.

  
My youngest son knows how much I love the stickers and signs on vehicles so he took this photo for me! 

Do you ride horses? I wish I had learned when I was younger but I don't think I could manage it now. 


It may be hard to tell in this photo but this was the widest horse I've ever seen! 


I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I'm linking with All Seasons at the Jesh Studio too!


43 comments:

Ella said...

The horses are so smart animals ... and beautiful too!
In the summer I also see many horses here in the forest!
Wishing you a nice day and a great week!
Greetings!

Edna B said...

I think horses are really beautiful. I wonder why the ones tied to the trailer are on such a short rope. They can't really graze or anything. Hmmm, just wondering. You have a super day, hugs, Edna B.

Arlene G said...

I always love seeing a well trained horse...so beautiful. I did ride a bit as a youngster but never developed true skills.

Tom said...

...you sure live in horse country!

Creations By Cindy said...

Love all the pictures. So enjoyed this post this morning. Girl, you find the neatest little places to visit. Hope your week is wonderful. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I use to horseback ride a lot when I was a teen. Then as a grown up probably once a year until about 8 years ago. I haven't been since.

EricaSta said...

Horses are such noble animals. Diane, answering your question: between 14-26 my age I was riding with great pleasure.

Indeed nature is wonderful now. Do you have springtime too?

Stay healthy and well.

Happy MosaicMonday

Gillena Cox said...

Happy Monday Diane. Luv your photos. Where the horse is wearing a mask its funny that the rider is not
Stay safe

Much💙love

MadSnapper said...

i have never ridden a horse but always wanted to. now i have friends that have horses and i could ride if i wnated to, but my osteoarthritis would not allow it. at times it is hard to get up on the bed or out of a chair. i have always loved our rides through the ocala area, i have traveled 301 for 75 years, between Bradenton and Savannah.. once bob and i were just north of 326, not quite to Citra and the fog was thick. suddenly running down the middle of 301 out of the fog was a racing horse... he dodged us and ran off into the fog. to me Ocala area is the most beautiful part of central FL

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

I love seeing the horses, they are beautiful animals. A horse farm is a beautiful place to, we have several horse farm in our area. I like all the stickers on the car, "life is better on the trail". Take care, enjoy your day! Wishing you a great new week!

Powell River Books said...

I've always loved horses. I got my first one in junior high school and have had four over my lifetime. All of my horses have been city horses so the trails weren't very interesting, but that never mattered to me. I've been horseless for over twenty years now. Living off the grid in a floating cabin doesn't lend to having one. - Margy

Stevenson Q said...

Hi Diane! Thank you so much for visiting and leaving such a nice comment on my post. Love these horses and the fields you shared. We don;t have much horses here in the Philippines and these that you saw are very beautiful! I do understand though why you think the last one was a bit weird :) But it's got a beautiful shiny coat :)

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

beautiful horses

Maggie said...

There is so much to see and do in Florida other than the obvious attractions of course. Learning to ride was always on my wish list but sadly I don't think I'll manage it now.
Thank for stopping by my new blog, have a great week.

Lowcarb team member said...

I enjoy seeing horses but I've never ridden one.

All the best Jan

Pamela M. Steiner said...

I love horses, and always wanted to have one of my own, but it never happened. I worked one summer at a place that gave trailrides, and I got to ride a couple of times...one time on a DRAFT Horse...talk about a wide horse! But it was very comfortable! I am so happy you are able to get back out to your trails. I know how happy you are!! Enjoy them for me, ok? And take lots of pictures!! I enjoyed these.

Terri D said...

I love driving through Ocala and the surrounding countryside where we see so many beautiful horses and ranches. I love horses and wish I could "really" ride. I do trail rides but that isn't really riding. Trail horses just lumber along, following the path they know. I do love it though! Thanks, always, for taking us along on your adventures!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I have ridden a few horses in my day but to claim to be a rider would be a great stretch.

Julie's Creative Lifestyle said...

Those are such beautiful horses and I love the trees and seeing a lot of green. Hope you have a nice week Diane.

Suzy said...

Beautiful trails for horses and walkers too! Have a great week ♥

Teresa said...

Me encantan los caballos, pero nunca monté en uno. Besitos.

Su-sieee! Mac said...

I can count on one hand how many times I've been on a horse. Once, one decided to gallop me all the way home. That wasn't so bad. What I feared most was falling off and not being able to pull my fat body back up on it. Maybe in my next life I'll be a horse rider. Cheers, Diane!

Vee said...

Do I look like a woman who rides horses?! Course, I've always thought it would be fun except that after getting thrown from a horse into the horse pucky, it didn't seem like so much fun anymore.

Himawan Sant said...

I am glad to see the photos here, I am amazed by the horse farm near your house ..., reminiscent of the memory of my late father who also owned a horse riding.

Greetings from me in Indonesia

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I've ridden horses a few times over the years but I always request a "slow" horse...lol I think the horse in your last photo was wearing that hood to keep the mosquitos out of his eyes. Love his white coat!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

We see a ton of “hippie” cars with lots of stickers (sometimes they look like the stickers hold them together). I don’t ride horses either, but I enjoy seeing them and don’t Even mind sharing one trail I like to walk here in Eugene. I wonder what that Psalm is about? (Obviously I’m confessing to my ignorance in a certain subject here).

Angie said...

Diane - for reasons that might be obvious, I think it's a superb idea to have separate trails for the horses! I took a horse-back riding class in my early 20s, and I like to go on trail rides, something we did several times when the kids were younger. I can imagine in the future, when I am not as ambulatory as I am now, I would like to get back into it! Thanks for linking up to Mosaic Monday with these pretty horsey pictures!

stardust said...

No experiences of horse-riding but I love seeing horses. They are so beautiful and have gentle eyes. Nice to know that bikes, horses, and hikers have different trail. You have a spacious place.

Yoko

Lea said...

Beautiful horses!
I have the Psalms verse printed on a tee-shirt, "He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge."
Have a wonderful day!

BeachGypsy said...

love all these pictures! That horse trail is absolutely GORGEOUS!! Nice horses too....I have ridden, up in the mountains when I was young. some of those trails were pretty scary and steep....actually I can't believe I even did that! ha ha I haven't been on a horse in years. I do remember getting so saddle sore I could hardly walk, ha ha!!

italiafinlandia said...

Horses galore! :)

Jenn Jilks said...

What a lovely post! Get it?! Hah!
I'd love to go horseback riding, but that isn't going to happen.

living from glory to glory said...

Good Morning, Lovely horse trails in your area, the majestic horse, fast and smart also. I am amazed how they can sense a person's fear!
They also require a lot of work, but they are worth it for so many that were born to ride. I no longer care to ride, but love to stop and look at them in the many pastures here.
Blessings, Roxy

SImple and Serene Living said...

As I am a native of Lexington Kentucky I would have to argue that horse capital of the world designation :) Looks like a beautiful area. xo Laura

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Such beautiful photos! And the horses are just as beautiful. And the reminder of James Taylor's song caused me to call it up on Alexa! Thank you and have a grand day!

Jeannie said...

We have rented our land to a trainer and he has boarded some of them here. Being able to watch them daily through my windows has been educational. Each one has a different personality and they really eat quite a bit. They stripped our land down to the dirt. Now they are at someone else's land while ours recovers. I'm looking forward to them returning.
Jeannie@GetMetoTheCountry

Barbara said...

We drove past Sholom Park on our way home today and saw that it has opened!! Finally!

Lady Fi said...

Lovely shots of the horses.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

That breed of horse is called a Fjord! They are lovely and very stout. You could absolutely ride a horse now. My Aunt is 74 and still rides. You would just need to make an appointment at a stable that gives beginner lessons. They should have a quiet, sturdy, small horse that you could at least plop around the riding ring on to get a feel for sitting atop a horse. You don't have to do more than that if you choose not to.. and at least you had the experience! Explain to them that that's all you are looking to do - a bucket list item. And if you decide you love it.. keep going! Helmet is a must. They all have them. - If you lived near me I could give you that experience with one of ours.

Carla from The River said...

Hi Friend,
I like stickers on cars too. I actually have the Keep Calm and Hike On sticker on my car. :-)
I always enjoy your posts my friend.
Have a blessed day.
Carla

Laurel Wood said...

These are such pretty pictures. The horses are lovely. Maybe once when I was a young girl, I rode a horse but never again. We live on a street that dead ends at the Saddle Club for our city. It's always fun when they have shows; we enjoy all the horses, riders and trailers. Mildred in Georgia

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh Diane, the horses are beautiful, and the Psalm verse is so special. I just looked it up and read what it says. It really hit me, as I have a story that I will share soon that happened during my move, and this verse reminded me of that. Wow, that must be delightful to see horses while you're out. At first, I thought that was you on the white horse at the end hehehe.

~Sheri

Dawn said...

I used to ride when I was younger, now however I'd need a clydesdale to carry my big butt LOL
Happy Hiking
Spatulas On Parade