Tag: Secret Lives of Horses

April-May 2026

Our April-May edition is out! Read here online or find your issue around town! Click the cover image or here to be directed to our online edition!

Tortuga, a 16-hand bay gelding, has a sweet expression and an unassuming appearance. He is a breeding stock Paint, which means that he is registered with the American Paint Horse Association, but did not inherit paint coloring from his sire or dam. (Even his registered name makes reference to this: “OBG No Chic No Spot.”) He is mild-mannered, and although he is very friendly, at 20 years old, he does not seem to demand too much attention. But he attracted plenty of it during his former career as a national champion show horse.

Our February-March edition features stories about racing, the Grand-Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field, Mindy Peters Arabians and much more. Click the cover image or here to be directed to our online edition!

Our December-January issue features driving, new adventures at Stable View, a major horse rescue in Aiken and so much more.

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Margie was always on the lookout for special horses, and she knew that Indigo was one. The horse had plenty of Thoroughbred in him, and at David’s barn, spent a lot of time outside, perhaps, as was often the case in Australia, even lived outside. For Indigo, that would have been particularly appropriate. “He has more energy than any horse I ever had; he never runs out of energy,” laughed Margie.

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Although Jubilee played polo into her 20s, she retired sound with legs that are remarkably clean. She is still energetic enough to canter around with her friends, and she still has enough mischief in her to nudge open the gate and escape if I forget to fasten the latch. She loves to go visit other horses on the farm, especially to flirt with my 7-year-old, 17.2 hand grey Thoroughbred, Bullwinkle. He likes her too: they sniff noses over the fence and squeal, and Jubilee tosses her long mane like a filly. For Jubilee, age is only a number.

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At 27, Designed to Dazzle, a Palomino gelding, still dazzles in appearance and action. His owner, Kathie Rindge, describes the double registered Quarter Horse/Palomino as the color of butterscotch. “He’s just beautiful all the way around,” she says.

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Tammy notes that Angel is perfect for local events because she is good with kids. “She’s not an ‘in your pocket’ kind of horse, but rather is a bit more standoffish. Some of the horses in our group tend to push themselves right into people’s faces for attention, which can scare people. Angel just stands back and waits until they approach her.”

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“At age 32, Brighton Heartbreak Run, a Welsh/Thoroughbred pony owned by the Holik family, loves her life of leisure in Aiken. Katie Cardalico Bailey, who cares for the pony at her farm, Silver Bluff Equestrian, has known “Louise” since she was a youngster just starting a show career.

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“We love having him here. Shammy is just the most polite horse,” Gretchen says. “A lot of really great horses are quirky, but not him. He stands in the crossties, is easy to clip, and just has perfect manners.” He prefers to be turned out alone and loves just hanging out in the paddock. But Gretchen smiles as she notes that he hates to get wet and pouts if made to come