Animal farm

Happy early New Year to all of you reading this blog! Have you sent in your Paint markings yet? If you add it to your list of resolutions, I bet you'll be able to check it off! And for those of you with mares expecting a visit from the stork this year, feel free to email (mlarson@apha.com) or mail (Megan Larson, 2800 Meacham, Fort Worth TX 76137) photos of the new bundle of joy and it's fancy markings!

Until I receive those wonderful pictures of yours, I'll share a page full of markings fit to fill a zoo!

First up is Noti, Oregon, resident Christabeth Voss' 2006 chestnut tobiano mare Zips Two Chess, with her best friend tagging right along her side! "I was delighted to see the puppy on [Jewel Of Chex's] filly when she was born," writes breeder Kay Pynch. "We named her Zip Two Chess, but thought it should have been Doggie In The Window."

Maybe it's not only a man's best friend after all!

Now for an animal that spends a little more of its time in frigid temperatures. Here is Miss Gorgeous In Gold, a 2007 black tobiano mare. Can you tell what animal she hangs out with?

" 'Gorgeous' has a penguin on her face," writes owner Cheryl Birch of Aldergrove, British Columbia, Canada. "The tail is by her nose, the head is up by her eye and the beak is over Gorgeous' eye. Everyone said I should have named her Happy Feet after the penguin movie!"

Another cool fact about this mare: Several months later she was on the set of the TV show "Smallville."

If you're looking for a Paint Horse with some international appeal, check out Sonnys King, owned by Alexandra Giacalone of Haunwang, Germany! "My Paint Horse gelding 'King' has a puma on his left side, I found!" writes Alexandra of her 1998 sorrel tobiano gelding.

I don't know if there are large puma populations in Europe, but I know I can find at least one!

Have you ever heard of the 'bunny hop,' or maybe you've done it yourself? I'm thinking this little tyke hasn't, but he sure has a friend to teach him how! This is Tabus Classy Rab, a 2008 chestnut tobiano gelding owned by Kathy Callahan of Medford, Oregon. Kathy writes, "The marking on his hip and flank area looks like a rabbit sitting down."

Of course, we can't forget this little field mouse! See if you can find it on Lady Billing NFB, a 2004 sorrel overo mare owned by Kimberly Mallmann of Montello, Wisonsin.

Give up?

" 'Bella' has a mouse under the brand on her hip," writes Kimberly. "The barn cats sleep in her stall all night. I think it may have something to do with the fact that she always has a mouse on her!"

For the love of Paint Horses!

Since today is Christmas Eve and earlier this week was the beginning of Chanukah,  I have some great holiday Paint Markings for you! They're just not the current holiday. Oh well. Enjoy!

First to show his colors is Cowboys Son Deebar, a 2005 chestnut tobiano stallion owned by Tammy and Stacia Elliott of Springfield, West Virginia. Tammy writes, " 'Sonny' has two hearts on his left side, one on his neck and one on his side. We never noticed it until we took a picture of him. I guess the hearts stand for love, because he is the most lovable horse that I have ever owned!"

Next up is Shes Inviting. Elizabeth Roberts of Urbana, Ohio, owns the 2004 bay tobiano mare, and says, "The marking on her side looks like a heart to us. We always say that heart on her side means 'From [HF Skipa Tizzy, her dam], with love.' " That's certainly a great message to receive!

This next one reminds me of those little Hershey's kisses that come in so many different flavors now (including candy cane!). It's a 1999 bay overo mare named Hearts N Kisses. Yvonne Sabato of Westlake Village, California, owns this sweetheart, and writes "Here is my horse, 'Sweetie.' She has a big heart on her side!"

Is anyone else thinking the same lyrics? How sweet it is to be loved by you...

And last but not least, this little girl wears her heart on a more obvious place—her forehead! " 'Sunshine' has a perfectly shaped heart on her head," writes Terrie Jasper of Sullivan, Missouri, about her 2005 black tobiano mare, Aprils Little Bandit. "This horse was orphaned shortly after birth. She truly is a sweetheart!"

Boo!

Halloween may have passed, but these ghosts stick around all year long! Check out Tru Timin Dirt, a 2005 sorrel overo gelding owned by Brianna Slager of Zeeland, Michigan. Brianna writes, "The dark spots in the middle of the ghost are the eyes, and the white spreading are the arms."

Can you see it?

What about the ghost on Lees Cool Colours, a 2008 black tobiano stallion? "We can make out three different markings on our foal," writes Shaun Croft of Celle, Germany, who owns the colt. "The marking on his head is Casper the ghost, rising from his mouth up to his forehead."

It's a horse, of course

Thanks to everyone who sent me your Paint markings recently! I've had fun reading through all your stories, and I've compiled a few collections that you're sure to enjoy. And as always, if you haven't sent your Paint marking in but would like to, send it to mlarson@apha.com or APHA Connection, Attn: Megan Larson, 2800 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

Here is Susies Apache Summer, a 2002 bay tobiano gelding owned by Dennis and Danelle Cottrell of Berlin, Michigan. Danelle writes, "He has what looks like a horse's head on his right side."

"I think the image looks like a horse, but others have said a dragon or reindeer. What do you think?" asks Cherie Feldpausch of South Lyon, Michigan, about her 1997 sorrel overo gelding WF Cinnamon Toa Te.

Justarockin Sensation also has a horse on his side, but he's got something else too! "I think his spot looks like the side view of a horse with a rider aboard," writes Hays, Kansas, resident Karen Howland of her 2006 sorrel overo gelding.

Updates!

In case you haven't been checking, some additional Paint markings have been included on previous posts.

Check out these Native American chiefs and a little bit of the alphabet!

Keep your eye out for lots more this week. A little filly tells me there will be lots and lots of love to come, as well as a bunch of animals and maybe a horse or two!