There's obviously the compost connection, but clearly that couldn't have anything to do with motivation. One doesn't buy a horse to have fresh compost (well, at least I don't think so).

I have 14 horses now. Used to have up to 45 when we were doing it as a full time breeding business, but downsized due to the economy, and went back to a steady pay check.

So - was curious. How many people here really do have horses? And what do you think the connections are between horse people and rose people?

Our all-time high was 28, which was ridiculous considering we weren't "in the business." We were endurance and competitive trail riders for years, now I just pleasure ride. My husband no longer rides due to health issues.

I think rose people in general tend to be animal people--or maybe it's just gardeners in general. I do notice there are several of us horse people on the rose forums, though. I didn't get into roses until long after horses, but the manure is a wonderful thing to have. Although my six can't begin to keep up with my demand. I go and get more from friends who have a boarding stable.

Had a working hoss, several pet steers, rabbits & numerous auxiliary pets. Now down to a couple of dozen birds, a dog, & a few unofficial guys like the possums, jackrabbits & deer we throw scraps to--until the next little critter needs a home:)

Yeah, I think it's a general love of living things.

For me personally, I think the connection is being drawn to things that appeal to my obsessiveness and interest in subjects with lots of detail and minutia--O.K. so I'm probably NOT going to convince the DH I'm not crazy, but I suspect I have a lot of company in both the horse world and the rose world!! ;-)

I've gardened for years in yards 1/2 acre or less. It wasn't until I moved out with the horses on 40+ acres that I added roses to the mix. So maybe a connection with horses needing acreage and the garden space available calling out to have roses.

And the compost. In fact I recently changed my stall bedding from a sawdust base material to a straw base material because I'm thinking the straw will produce higher quality compost. We'll see.

Coyotes picked off over 300 chickens here, at the rate of one or two a day. I finally gave up on chickens. The coyotes don't come near the house, though, so at least I don't have to worry about my cats. They don't bother the horses or the calves, but some local farmers say they have had calves killed by them.

I tend to agree with the thought that with acreage comes a desire to beautify it. Horse people (at least in my circles) are outdoorsy, OCD types, which is also a common trait with rose people.

And completely agree with those of you mentioning that rose lovers tend to naturally share a common love of animals and nature. Perhaps its just that the more land you have, the bigger animals you put on it to fill it up?!

Harmony, I hope your mare manages to stay well. It's heartbreaking to have to put one down. The mare we just lost used to eat the leaves off all the roses and blooms she could reach over the fence and taught the minis to do so as well. I used to get so angry. Now, if I had her back, she could strip every rosé I've got and I wouldn't say a word.

Floridarose.....so sorry about your loss. I have buried so many beloved horses [dogs, cats too] and understand your loss. I recall the last lines of a poem I have stashed somewhere that says....."dont cry for the horses, love the ones who are here."
Merry Christmas to all......
Judith

I think the main correlation is the outdoorsy personality, my Mom always said I'd rather clean 10 stalls than 1 bedroom! I'd still rather work in my gardens than clean the house.

I'm just getting into roses - thanks to a friend from the barn, of course.

Kippy, I love mules and always wanted to own a gaited one. My horses don't like them, probably because they've never been around them. I was riding my stallion one time in a parade, and he almost backed us into a retention pond with a ten foot drop off when he encountered two mules. You never saw such jumping around as he was doing.

We happened on the Bishop, CA Mules Days event one year. Never knew mules came in such different colors, patterns and sizes. My guy always wanted to get mules over horses for the ranch, I can see how having them would be a better pick.