Tag: Arabian Horses

The Red Filly Continues

On By Carla ConorinoIn Arabian Horses, CC On Writing, Dreaming of Arabians, The Red FillyLeave a comment

It’s been a rough year, maybe two. I have done virtually no writing. A few months ago, I re-read the chapters of The Red Filly I had written so far and was not impressed…so, of course, my first instinct was to give up. Believing in oneself is one of the hardest things for many people to do. I’m aware that this is not the greatest blog post. It fails even at achieving mediocrity. But I’m writing, so there’s that.

I’ve struggled with this novel because it started out as a story that pays homage to books like, The Black Stallion by Walter Farley or For Love of a Horse by Patricia Leitch. At its heart it is still about the love for a horse and specifically an Arabian horse like in the books I mentioned above which helped inspire this story.

But a lot has happened since I was just a girl who loved horses, especially Arabian ones. Because of my life experiences this book has evolved and it’s still evolving. That also stopped me in my tracks. I’m not sure how the finished story will be received and that scares me. I spend way too much time worrying about what other people think. I have many flaws and that may be the biggest among them. So, because I am flawed, this story is as well.

The Red Filly continues…

Why Arabs, Indeed?!

On By Carla ConorinoIn Dreaming of Arabians, Dreams, Guest Blog Posts, Just Fun Horsey Stuff, The Black Stallion, The Jinny at Finmory Series1 Comment

I can so relate to this post! I too was horseless as a kid and read every horse centered book, I could get my hands on. I also watched many boring Westerns just to see the horses. I too fell in love with Arabian Horses because of books, but for me it was The Black Stallion Series. A kind elementary school librarian noticed I was always checking out horse books, so one day she took me by the hand and led me to The Black, who I am still in love with to this day! Librarians are the best!!! I came to the Jinny and Shantih books late in life and wish I had known about them early on. Jinny is definitely someone I would have related to!

For love of A BOok

The Island Stallion Races-First Edition

On By Carla ConorinoIn Arabian Horses, Dreams, Just Fun Horsey Stuff, Ruminations and Such, The Island Stallion1 Comment

This was gifted to me by my good friend, Sharon Miesen. It’s a first edition, printed in 1955. I love old books like this one. Love the way they smell, feel, and the way they make me feel. It’s books like this that remind me why I want to be a writer.

This book has seen a lot in its time. It’s been handled and read by many people over the years, mainly young girls most likely. Girls who dream of having their own wild Arabian stallion who loves them the way Flame loves Steve Duncan. I’ll bet this book has heard laughter, tears, and everything in between.

Books can take us to any time and place. Books like this helped me to continue to dream of possibilities in spite of the often-dark circumstances in which I found myself as a young girl. Hope truly is a powerful thing.

My very own Flame (gelding though). Dreams can come true!

Classic Arabian Horse Books

On By Carla ConorinoIn Arabian Horse History, Arabian Horses, Just Fun Horsey Stuff1 Comment

I haven’t posted in a while, so just wanted to check in with a quick just for fun post. I picked up these two books at a Half Price Books in Dallas and they are filled with cool Arabian horse history. I shall add them to my growing stack of Arabian horse books which one day I will read and post articles from things learned from said stack of books. Was that a run-on sentence? It seems kind of long. Run on sentences and misplaced, commas are among my greatest writing skills. 😀

Anyhoo…here are some pics from inside these books. Hope everyone is having an awesome Saturday! It’s a little chilly here in north Texas, so I’m reading and writing today. 🙂

The Black Stallion and the Shape-shifter by Steven Farley

On By Carla ConorinoIn Arabian Horses, Book Reviews, The Black StallionLeave a comment

So, I picked up this little lovely awhile back at Half Price Books and finally got around to reading it. It was a nice little find. It’s a first edition even.

As you all know, I have loved The Black Stallion series all my life, so I wasn’t sure about reading a story about the Black not written by Walter Farley. Well, it turns out his son, Steven, has taken up the mantle and handled it well. I loved this story! I’m partial to stories with a supernatural bent too, so I was enamored even more with this book.

Alec Ramsay and the Black head to Ireland so the stallion can exhibit his racing talents to a new audience. The Black is injured in the race, so Alec and his horse end up at a farm near the shore for recuperation. At first their visit is quiet and relaxing, but soon Alec begins to witness sights that can’t be easily explained. There is a long mystical history in this ancient place and Steven Farley has written the story in a believable way.

I really enjoyed this story because as always, a beautiful Arabian horse is at its center, but also a magical shapeshifting horse and lonely horse loving girl who Alec befriends and helps. These are all elements that I love, so I was very happy I came across this book. I highly recommend it to all lovers of horses and the mystical!

The Black Stallion and the Shape-shifter on Amazon

Cute Horsey Christmas Pics (Behind the Scenes)

On By Carla ConorinoIn Arabian Horses, Just Fun Horsey StuffLeave a comment

So, making these cute Christmas pics of horses is not as easy as one might think. A lot of bribing and coaxing is involved as you will see by the photos and videos below. I wish I had gotten a video of when Flame first walked into the stall and started snorting and stamping because he had never seen a window in the back of a stall before, but alas, I was not prepared.

I haven’t posted in a while so I’m warming back up with this little Christmas themed post. Hope you all enjoy! I hope everyone has the Happiest of Holidays!

Timmy the Lonely Pony-Spotlight: Fyrestorm

On By Carla ConorinoIn Dreams, The Franch, Timmy Tales, Timmy the Lonely PonyLeave a comment

Fyrestorm is Chanel’s plucky little sidekick in, Timmy the Lonely Pony. Real life Fyrestorm is also quite plucky, but she prefers to be called by her nickname, Honey or Honey Boo. Like Chanel, she is a daughter of the resident Franch black stallion, Spirit (AV Olympic Spirit). Honey Boo’s registered name is, Spirits Fyrestorm. Honey was a surprise because one day her mom, Fyrelite, had a little red baby by her side even though as far as anyone knew, she hadn’t been bred. After DNA testing, it turns out that Spirit is officially Honey’s sire, so like Chanel she is a pure Franch bred Arabian.

Baby Fyrestorm with her mom, Fyrelite Bynite:

Fyrestorm aka Honey Boo all grown up:

Honey and me:

AV Olympic Spirit aka Spirit (resident black stallion at The Franch and father of Chanel and Fyrestorm):

Fyrestorm and Chanel:

Don’t forget to check out these social media links for Veronica Stanley-Hooper, the wonderful illustrator who is making my dream a reality!

Purchase Timmy the Lonely Pony on Amazon!

Timmy the Lonely Pony-A Timmy Tale Picture Book

On By Carla ConorinoIn Timmy Tales, Timmy the Lonely PonyLeave a comment

Timmy the Lonely Pony is the first book in the Timmy Tales picture book series which follow the adventures of Timmy the rescue pony!

Timmy is rescued from a ranch that couldn’t care for him. He really likes his new owner and the kind way she takes care of him, but the other horses on the ranch notice Timmy looks and behaves differently. When Chanel, an Arabian horse who isn’t kind to Timmy, finds herself in trouble by the pond, Timmy is the only one that can help. Can the horses work together to save Chanel?

This exciting story of Timmy the Lonely Pony was inspired by a real pony who now lives on a 200-acre ranch in Texas.

Buy Now on Amazon!

Timmy the Lonely Pony-Spotlight: Chanel

On By Carla ConorinoIn Dreams, Horse Rescue, Rescue Works, The Franch, Timmy the Lonely PonyLeave a comment

Chanel is a cute character with an attitude in, Timmy the Lonely Pony. Real life Chanel is a sweet Arabian horse owned by my good friend, Stephanie Young, who runs The Franch. It’s an over 200-acre horse paradise where all three characters in the story live very happy horsey lives. Chanel’s real name is, Spirits Chanel No V. Number V (five) because she’s the fifth offspring of the resident stallion, AV Olympic Spirit aka Spirit.

Baby Chanel with her mom, NH Hungary Eyes aka Sera:

“First Kiss”

More Baby Chanel Pics:

Stephanie with her love, Chanel:

AV Olympic Spirit aka Spirit (resident black stallion at The Franch and father of Chanel and Fyrestorm):

Lastly, Fyrestorm aka Honey, half-sister to Chanel and the third character in, Timmy the Lonely Pony (she’ll be featured in my next post):

Don’t forget to check out these social media links for Veronica Stanley-Hooper, the wonderful illustrator who is making my dream a reality!