Rain and Violet

Rain and Violet... they are both so gentle and kind... both gifts from Willow.  ♥  From Mississippi and Florida, I found them while not even looking for horses.  And I bought them both site unseen, because I knew in my heart that they were perfect for me. And since Willow died, I trust my heart. They are the two horses I ride now, exclusively...  They take care of me, and I feel safe with them.  Yes, I trust my heart because I feel that Willow is somehow guiding me.  But when I really think about it, I still don't feel worthy of all that God has blessed me with, especially Willow's undying love and guidance...

Thank you God.

Mirabella & Violet

I think Violet still thinks Mirabella is her baby... she still shares her food. ♥

Riding Violet

She's such a good girl... she takes good care of me. ♥

Good Morning Girls

Violet is the first one to come greet me in the morning. And mornings are glorious when you have horses... ♥ Of course the morning sun always reminds me of Willow.

Violet's History

After Violet was all settled in, I decided to go through the folder of paperwork that was sent on the trailer with her.  Violet's birthday is May 20, 2004 (just one week before the day Sophie was born)!  So she just recently turned 9 years old.  I noticed that her dam and sire were not registered as Quarter Horses, rather they were registered Paint Horses! Violet's original name was "Louise", and she was born in Perry, Georgia. She was sold at some point to a cowboy who then sold her to another cowboy who sold her to an auction house. Sometime during those three ownerships, Violet was "cowboyed" and likely mistreated.  She has a terrible deep scar on one side of her belly that may have been from spurs and/or an accident.  She also has some bad scars on her left hind leg and an injury to her front right hoof.   While it's clear that she had a hard life for several years, in 2010 she was purchased by a woman who kept her for about 9 months before selling her to a lady named Lisa in Pennsylvania.  Lisa owned Violet for two years.... and Lisa sold her to Danielle in Florida just 4 months ago.  Then of course, I just bought her from Danielle.   From what I can surmise, Violet has lived in three states, and I am her 7th owner in 9 years...

Knowing that Danielle had only had Violet a short while, I asked if I could get in touch with her previous owner Lisa.  Danielle has been so kind and helpful ... she gave me Lisa's phone number and Facebook information.  It was neat to see photos of Violet with her beloved pasture mate, "Willow".  I still can't believe that connection.   It was so wonderful talking to Lisa... she told me so much about Violet... most importantly that Violet had had a rough life and had some trust issues.  I think it was probably for that reason that she was perhaps hard to bond with for some of her previous owners.  Lisa told me that Violet wasn't very affectionate, had a hard time trusting and bonding with Lisa's family... but then one day something amazing happened... 

She started telling me the story, "Willow started to choke..."  I had to interrupt her, "Willow started to CHOKE?  Is that what you said, Lisa?"   Lisa confirmed it, and then I just had to tell her about my Willow (who choked every day, etc. and all about how Willow led me to Violet).   I already had goosebumps.   Lisa went on to tell me that she had to call a vet to come save Willow during her choking incident.   She and her family were so scared... and because Violet and Willow were so close, Violet just stood close by watching the entire time.  After the vet finished and Lisa was catching her breath, she felt something behind her and then over her shoulder.... it was Violet gently resting her head on Lisa's left shoulder.  Lisa reached up with her left arm around Violet's head, and they shared their first hug.  Lisa said from that moment on, Violet was a different horse... she loved them and bonded with them... she trusted them.

Of course, the story made me cry... I am so grateful that Lisa shared it with me.  And I am so happy to know that Violet was loved for part of her life and has been taken care of for the past few years.  When I see her scars, instead of imagining her being mistreated at the auction house or those cowboy ranches, I will remember the story Lisa shared with me...  and I will work toward creating trust and forming a deep, loving bond with her. <3

Violet is her name...

So I finally decided to name our new mare Violet. She has had several names through the years, and her name has been Bella for the last 3 months... But because I already have a Mirabella and a business named Florabella... I thought it was Bella overload. And Violet really suits her... It will be her name now and forever...   And the meaning is just so perfect...

From my research on the name "Violet": Violet has a variety of meanings: Love; Modesty; Virtue; Affection; Faithfulness ("I'll always be true") and a Good Luck symbol for women. People with this name have a deep inner desire for love and companionship, and want to work with others to achieve peace and harmony.

I couldn't think of a better way to describe this mare...

Violette is so so sweet, and particularly so with Mirabella.  The morning after Violet arrived, I still can't believe what happened when we went to feed them.  We did what we usually do and fed Paloma in her stall and Mirabella in hers.  We have a round pen which is open to the barn stall doors on one side. We put Violet's bowl of food there.  Mirabella and Paloma ate like usual, but Violet wouldn't eat.  Instead she put her head over Mirabella's stall door and watched her finish her food.  After a while, we let Mirabella out with Violet thinking that maybe Violet would eat then...  well not only did she eat, but she shared her food with Mirabella. They took turns eating from the same bowl...  I've never seen horses do this before.  I know Violet would never hurt Mirabella... but I didn't quite expect her to share.

I think Violet thinks Mirabella is her baby... it is so so sweet... <3

Martha came to see Violet later that day, and as I expected, she loved her.  She said I did good. :)  I know that Martha truly believes that Willow led me to her, but it makes me feel good to know that Martha thinks Violet is good for me...  and for Mirabella.  Martha and I talked about how bonded they are already.  Perhaps, Willow led me to her for Mirabella.  Afterall, how will I ever be able to take Violet out for a trail ride and with Michael and Paloma?  Violet will not want to leave Mirabella.  And I hadn't thought about this before, but we would never leave Mirabella all alone.  hmmm....    I wondered how this would all play out, but I knew for sure that Violet was meant to be with us.

"I'm a Baby!!"

This is one of the most beautiful things I've ever witnessed... These are the first moments after Violet arrived. Mirabella immediately started telling her, "I'm a baby". Mirabella is a young filly (still a baby) and communicated this to Violet by clacking her mouth up and down over and over again. From what I know this means, "I'm a baby... please don't hurt me... please watch over me..." And that is exactly was Violet has been doing in the days since. She absolutely won't leave Mirabella's side...


I never tire of watching this... horses are so so amazing.