Oprah Buys Horse Farm… But Not Horses

Oh, Oprah. You just spent $28 million on a horse farm that any equestrian would die for, and you don’t even want any horses.

Now, let’s get something straight right off the bat: Oprah is an inspiration who has touched untold thousands of lives through television and media as well as philanthropy. She’s been called one of the most influential women in the world and has donated over $400 million to educational causes. She clearly has worked very hard to be where she is today, and deserves to enjoy some of the finer things in life.

Which, apparently, does not included horses. Oprah recently paid a whopping $28 million for the Seamair Farm estate in Montecito, California, in a neighborhood including the likes of Jeff Bridges, Ellen Degeneres and Drew Barrymore. Check this place out — it’s complete with a picture-perfect barn, ample turnout, tons of privacy and a lovely home.

Unfortunately for equestrians everywhere who were hoping that Oprah was touching base with her horse-loving side, the icon has apparently decided not to use the property for equines. Sage Auctions reported in a press release that Oprah “does have an amazing vision for this property.”

Okay, we understand — Oprah has earned the right to do whatever she wants with her money, and who are we to stop her? On the other hand, as space for equestrians and horse-related activities is at a premium all over the country with farmland rapidly disappearing to developers, it’s a huge shame that this pristine farm won’t be used to house horses in the future.

Oprah, if you change your mind and want to buy a horse or two, you’ll have Horse Nation rooting for you every step of the way.

Go riding!

[Oprah Winfrey Buys $28 Million Horse Farm at Auction; See Inside the Picturesque 23-Acre Estate]

The Nickerdoodles Super Bowl Collection

Are you confused by football terminology on the big game day? Melanie Eberhardt and Nickerdoodles are here to help.
Courtesy of Nickerdoodles

Courtesy of Nickerdoodles

Courtesy of Nickerdoodles

Courtesy of Nickerdoodles

Courtesy of Nickerdoodles

Courtesy of Nickerdoodles

Courtesy of Nickerdoodles

Courtesy of Nickerdoodles

Can’t get enough? Check out more Nickerdoodles football definitions here!

About Melanie: I am an artist in Atlanta. When I’m not painting, I’m riding horses.  I started NickerDoodles to document the horsey antics that abound within my world. I hope everyone enjoys NickerDoodles. Please visit nickerdoodlescartoons.com and follow Nickerdoodles on Facebook here.

nickerdoodles

Riding Lessons From Barbie

Candace Wade takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the newest Barbie equestrian toy to hit the market.

Barbie is back in the saddle.

Still a fashion icon in her slithery “dominatrix” schooling tights and matching pink helmet, Barbie is proof that diet, exercise and being plastic will keep you on a horse well into your maturity. At 56, Barbie shows how to perform a standing reverse-flip right into the saddle. She does caution that there is a “choking hazard” — I know I would choke if I attempted that move. Let’s see that one again:

Barbie Saddle 'N Ride Horse from Mattel

However, is Barbie a good role model for mature riders just learning to sit a horse? Evaluate that straight leg position. She doesn’t appear to have a deep seat, vital when riding without stirrups and reins (let along vaulting into the saddle). At least she did opt to wear a helmet, which she’ll certainly need if she’s going to keep riding like this:

Barbie Saddle 'n Ride Horse Toy Unboxing & Review New for 2015 *See Barbie ride on the Beach!

There are also some serious debates about whether or not her mount is a reliable beginner-friendly partner, or a dangerous steed who will try to buck his rider off:

Barbie Saddle 'n Ride Horse Toy Unboxing & Review New for 2015 *See Barbie ride on the Beach!

And his penchant for rolling in water is also a little worrying:

Barbie Saddle 'n Ride Horse Toy Unboxing & Review New for 2015 *See Barbie ride on the Beach!

Barbie, I learn a lot about staying youthful from you, but I will take my riding instructions from Julie Goodnight.

Go riding. Just maybe not like Barbie.

Champion TB Mare Beholder Just Being a Horse

“A lot of people don’t understand how important that is — to just leave ’em be, leave ’em in their natural state. Always good for a horse.”

If you imagined that a Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner and earner of over $4 million in purses would be bubble-wrapped and kept in a padded stall on her R&R layoff, we wouldn’t blame you — after all, that’s a big investment. But as this video reveals, the great stakes mare Beholder actually gets to be a horse with all the associated rights and privileges, such as rolling in sand, splashing around in the water trough, and even being ridden.

Much credit should be given to trainer Richard Mandella’s individualized approach to this lovely mare. How cool would it be to throw a leg over Beholder and just go for a ride?

Go Beholder, and go riding!

Let’s Discuss: Breaking a Mule… Backwards?

Have you ever seen an equine get started quite like this?
Screenshot via Facebook

Screenshot via Facebook

This video is starting to go viral all over the horsey internet, with just about every reaction imaginable. We thought we’d share it with the readers of Horse Nation and see what you all think.

Aside from the totally obnoxious fact that this video was shot sideways (unfortunately, there’s no way for us to turn it, so bear with us) what do you think about this method? (Must be logged in to Facebook to view.)

Got my mule broke to ride yesterday…now this is a cowboy…I hired him on the spot lol

Posted by Gina Funderburg on Saturday, June 21, 2014

Well, that’s a new one on us. There’s no wild whipping or spurring going on, which we can appreciate, but it’s certainly an… unconventional method, to say the least. The video description states that “this mule got broke today,” so we can only assume that the caption speaks the truth and that this mule had never been backed before.

Weigh in, Horse Nation. What do you think?

Go riding! (Maybe facing forward though… )

#ThrowbackThursday: Draft Horses vs. Winter

When you’re stuck in the snow, there’s only one kind of horsepower that can help you–actual horsepower.

Happy #ThrowbackThursday! Each Thursday, we’re sharing a popular piece from the HN archives that’s just too good to be lost to the internet.

Even in today’s technology- and engineering-driven world, there are times that you just have to go back and do things the old-fashioned way. Winter, unfortunately, seems to be one of those times. Horses may have been replaced by the combustion engine a long, long time ago, but I think it’s safe to say that horses are getting the last laugh on us.

This team, named Iceman and Mario, make it look easy:

According to this next video’s description, this is what happens when Floridians drive in the snow. My favorite part is when the guys trying to get the truck out cry “but he doesn’t have a tractor or four wheeler to get it out!” Don’t worry, because these Percherons have got ya covered, and make it look like the truck was hardly stuck in the first place with the speed at which they get it rolling.

In a weirdly full-circle kind of moment, this four-up is pulling its OWN truck and trailer up a snowy incline…maybe just drive the horses there directly next time? Either way, this is really impressive. (Note: must be logged in to Facebook to view.)

These photos were taken in February of 2015 by Amy Snyder, an occupational therapist making a house call to an Amish family in rural Hartfield, New York. Her car got stuck in the unplowed driveway, and the tow truck driver admitted that he wouldn’t be able to make it up to pull her out–so the family hitched up its team and went to work, getting her back on the road in just a few minutes.

amy snyder 1

Photo by Amy Snyder.

amy snyder 2

Photo by Amy Snyder.

The last video in our collection has been making the Internet rounds for a few winters, and is arguably the most impressive horses-saving-trucks video in existence: this four-abreast pulls a dairy tanker out of a snow drift. It’s certainly not easy for the horses (there’s a few scary slips on the slick surface, but everyone keeps their footing) but they get it done.

Draft horses: the best tow truck you could ever ask for.

Horse Nation, have you ever needed a draft horse rescue? Share your stories and photos!

Go Driving!