Rest in Peace, Peace Maker aka "Crabby"

I just got word that one of my all time favorite horses was put to sleep today. I rode him in high school and college, he actually went to college with me my sophomore year, and made that year the best year I had in college.

He was just the sweetest horse in the world - absolute beginners could ride him, and he'd take great care of them. Then, he'd make himself harder as your riding abilities progressed. He was an absolute blast to ride, and jumped the moon. On the ground, he was the sweetest horse I've ever met. When he went to college with me everyone adored him! While he was great on the ground, as soon as you'd get on him, or curry him, his ears would go flat back and he'd give the most crabby expressions, but no other part of his body would get crabby. At home, he was much harder to ride than at horse shows, but the moment you'd step in the show ring, his ears would be perked forward and he was always a saint, winning numerous championships at horse shows all over the country (some with me, some with the other lucky girls who rode him in his lifetime). His show name was Peace Maker, and it suited him perfectly. I remember when I first took him to college and rode him in many lessons the director of the riding program seemed a bit put off with me bringing Crabby, because Crabby would race at top speed around courses of jumps during our lessons (when, as a hunter, he was supposed to go slow and gracefully over the jumps). When I signed up to go to a huge horse show the trainer seemed nervous, but I assured him Crabby would be perfect. Sure enough, Crabby was an absolute saint. I walked out of the ring and the director of the program was begging me to stay at college during the summer and show with them! He certainly had made his peace.


A couple of years ago he decided it was time to retire from showing and jumping, and a little girl with Williams Syndrome took over the ride. She even learned to trot while having him! Crabby would follow her everywhere, and took such great care of her, as they prepared for the Special Olympics.

Unfortunately, every time we were champion there was no photographer at those shows. So here are a couple of pictures from my first adult medal finals with him - he was perfect - I made a nervous mistakes, so we ended up 8th out of 18 riders. In fact, most of these pictures are terrible from a horse show/jumping point of view, but to me, they'll always be special, because they're the only ones I've got of Crabby.


He was the most incredible horse, and I will miss him dearly. I am so glad that I have a bracelet made from his tail hair to always remember him by.

DOG HAIR BRACELETS!!!

Recently, I found out one of my favorite companies, Kate's Equine, is now making custom bracelets out of dog hair! I know, if you didn't read the first post, you are probably thinking this sounds creepy and gross. But, you'll be surprised out how fabulous these bracelets really are. I did a post quite some time ago about making fashions out of fur, and have spiffed it up for you all! If you missed the original post be sure to check it out, as there are many more ways to make items out of your pet's fur - from purses to sweaters there's something for everyone!

A dear friend of mine over at Kate’s Equine has been creating bracelets from horse’s tail hair, and now she's making ornaments and key chains, too. No animals are harmed in the creation of this fashionable jewelry. I am actually wearing one of her bracelets as I write this. My bracelet is made from a horse I rode and showed in high school and college named Crabby. Crabby was recently retired, and donated to a young woman with Williams Syndrome, and is currently being used as a therapeutic riding horse. He’s the type of horse that loves having a job, but in his old age needed to step down from competition. He is miserable when he is not being ridden, groomed and loved and this is the perfect retirement situation for him. His new “mother” is hoping to compete in the Special Olympics this summer, and I am so proud of both her and Crabby!

I love this bracelet so much, and wear it all the time. Kate knows this, and for Christmas she gave me a beautiful ornament made out of another very special horse's tail. My ornament is like this, but with black hair.

Between my bracelet and ornament you'd think I'd be set, but now there's another item I'm dying for! A bracelet made from Milly's hair... I could easily collect it while grooming her, and that way it would be clean. Isn't this bracelet lovely? The fixtures and charms are all sterling silver, and 3-4 pencil sized amounts of hair are needed to make one. Check out the detail work on this dog hair bracelet!



I think the heart charm is a perfect tribute to your special heart dog. I don't think anyone would ever guess this bracelet is made of dog hair, do you? It looks beautiful, and really neat and unique, too. I am now absolutely dying for one! You can order one on her website, www.KatesEquine.com.



I'm also thinking about getting a horse hair key chain made. What do you think of this? I love the crystal detailing, don't you?