We all strive to have that one special bond between horse and human, for Ashlee and her horse April, that is exactly what it was. I have always mentioned how April looks like a ‘Barbie Horse’, she is such a beautiful, elegant girl that I had the opportunity to capture in an artistic way!
While Ashlee often lives a busy and sometimes hectic lifestyle, she is perfectly balanced out by April’s calm and willing nature with a hint of spunk! Of course, when I had asked Ashlee what her perfect weekend would be like, it included April:
“A nice, long trail ride and a picnic. I did this with some friends from the barn on my birthday this past year. We went to Hard Labor Creek Park and all rode our horses 12 miles and then stopped briefly for a picnic lunch. It was an awesome birthday!”
While Ashlee originally had Lita, her Icelandic horse, she knew she wanted something with a bit more endurance than what Lita wanted to give. Then enters a 3.5-year-old Rocky Mountain Horse; after learning about how they were the Labradors of the horse world, super sweet and willing to please, and were great on trails and for endurance, Ashlee had to give her a shot. April had originally been owned by Luis Candelario who had bought April for his wife. He sent April off to be trained by Davy and Jennifer Brothers at Horse of Your Dreams in Kentucky. After training, he didn’t feel like April was a good fit for his wife. She needed something a little more relaxed and April has energy that just goes and goes. Turns out, April was exactly what Ashlee was looking for. They felt comfortable around each other and it felt like the perfect match.
April currently resides at Southern Cross Ranch in Madison, Georgia, and will hopefully join Ashlee in Tennessee soon! She has become well known for her hugs and her sweet, calm eyes. She is so delicate in the way she does things and is always interested in saying hello to everyone. She is the perfect combination of sweet and spunky! When in doubt, carrots and treats are the way to April’s heart!
You can also follow the incredible life Ashlee lives on her YouTube Channel Honeysuckle Homestead Retreat. She is documenting the process of building her homestead with a tiny house! Follow along as she figures out how to do things – like building storage sheds, figuring out what crops to plant and what animals she feels are best suited for her little farm! She is doing most of the work alone!
Check out April’s portraits in Desiree’s tiny home in the Appalachian mountains! 👇
Do you have upcoming portraits with me or want to schedule to have black background artwork created with your horses? Visit us HERE to schedule your portraits today and don’t forget the check out our blog on Preparing Your Horse for Black Background Portraits to set your horse up for success!
