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Name: Tammy Bloome

Location: Merritt Island, Florida

What’s your typical day like?
5 am - the horses are calling for their breakfast, clean stalls, and most days I have to go to my "real" world job. When I get off work it's back to the barn, grooming, exercising, maybe a little training with the yearling. I am learning a new skill ... jumping. It's a far cry from the rodeo, so I try to put in at least an hour a day practicing. Feed the horses their dinner, and then feed my daughter hers. All in all it can get hectic, but I wouldn't trade my life for anything. I am working on my degree in equine management at Northeast Florida Equine College. When I’m done, I’d like to move somewhere that I can put my degree to practical use.

How did you first find horses … or did they find you?
I grew up with horses, but hadn’t had my own for 10 years until I came across a rescue case that just captured my heart. BJ was a 9 year old Arab mare who was abused because she was supposedly "untrainable.” Something about her, I don't know. I had to have her. It’s four years later; she's the best horse I've ever owned. And she gave me my baby, Willow, my yearling Quarab. The rest is probably like everyone else. Horses are like potato chips. You can't have just one and now I have 5 in my herd. My daughter bought me a shirt that says, “One horse away from being the crazy horse lady!” Probably true!

Favorite horse story?
The day that BJ foaled Willow. The most beautiful thing I have ever had the honor to witness and knowing that our little mare had enough trust in me to allow me to be there! We had been through a really scary time. Tropical Storm Fay had flooded our barn and we had to evacuate the horses. BJ was weeks away from giving birth, and I was scared to death that the stress would cause complications. We lived in a county barn for three weeks. It was crazy. The news media heard about us and we were swamped with reporters almost every day. I had my vet out like 6 times to check on BJ and the foal, but he said everything was fine. At this point BJ was officially pregnant for 12 months and still nothing.

Well, the water finally went down and we went home. Exactly one week later I went out to feed and I couldn't find BJ. She was way up in a corner of the pasture under the pine trees and I knew it was time. I sat with her all night. Finally around 4 in the morning, I saw Willow's front hoof make an appearance. I sat next to my little mare who previously used to kick anyone who came close to her and watched Willow come into the world. Words can never describe how it felt to witness this event. Since then Willow and I have shared a very special bond. She is my best friend.

If you could change one thing within the horse industry, what would that be?
The notion that horses are disposable - a means to an end. It's B.S! These magnificent creatures aren't something to be used up and then tossed away, slaughtered or neglected. I wish there were tougher laws on horse ownership … guidelines, stiffer penalties for abuse. Working with rescues, I have witnessed atrocities that would turn your stomach and it seems to me that there aren't really any consequences.

Other than horses, what else do you enjoy doing for fun?
Absolutely anything that takes me to the great outdoors! We love to go camping, fishing, and boating. And we even combine our passions and take the horses camping. That is the absolute best!

Is there a special significance to your avatar?
That is my baby girl - my Willow. I snapped that picture and it has always been my favorite photo of her.

Anything else we should know about you?
I am a pretty laid back kinda person. I believe in a live and let live philosophy except when it comes to animal abuse. Then I get as riled as an old wet hen! I believe that everyone should find a passion in life, and do it! This is our one chance. Why spend it miserable? Live, laugh, love and ... RIDE!

Thanks for listening to me, and thanks for letting me tell a little bit about me. I think that as a community horse people should stick together, share their knowledge, and get to know one another. We might live right around the corner or half way across the country from one another, but it's always really nice to come together with others that speak the same language, and share the same fears, victories, and sometimes sorrows. I am glad to know each and every one of you!

Happy trails and safe rides to all,

Tammy, Allura, BJ, Willow, Risha, Julie and Bond