Tails to be Told . . .A treasure chest of memories .

We want you to look back, reflect, recollect, and share your photos and memories with us. This is not a contest - it is your moment to share with our readers anything from days gone by. The older the story (and photo), the more fascinating. Could be from 20 years ago, 50 years, or a story your grandfather shared with you.

READERS Tell us stories!

Love of Horses

My father read “Black Beauty” to me when I was 3 and I was hooked! Real live horses were rare in our mill town, but I longed for horses. Dad made a stick horse so I could “ride,” who lived on the porch, and provided many imaginary adventures. Growing up, prairie stories with his brothers often involved horses. One uncle in Saskatchewan still had horses, including a mare rumoured to be from the famous harness horse “Dan Patch,” with stories of her beauty and natural ability. True? Who knows now, but oh the source of many childhood dreams!

As I grew up, I held that dream of one day having my horse. In my 50’s, a couple of lovely saddle horses came to me. My old dad loved to come to see them too, and listen to my stories. Then tragedy struck and one died. On my next visit, the local ‘Buy, Sell and Trade’ paper was open to the ‘horses for sale’ page, with one ad circled. Dad said, “You should go look at this one.” I had already seen that ad… but the Morgan gelding was too expensive. Dad pulled out a stack of cash to buy that horse, if he was good. I went to see Shilo, fell in love, and he is still with me years later, retired in the pasture. My dad passed away years ago, but he is always in my heart, with gratitude for the gift of a lifetime love of horses.

- Kerry Marcus, Gabriola BC

Send Saddle Up one or two photos and your memoirs (up to 250 words maximum please). Memoirs will be printed as space allows each month. Please include your phone number and location for our files and verification if needed. We would like to print your name (or initials) and location with your submission. You are welcome to send one or more in the months ahead as well. This will be a regular monthly feature... So start looking through those photo albums and share your stories with us. Photos will only be returned if you provide a self-addressed stamped envelope. See page 4 for contact information.