Hello everyone. Margaret and I have three horses. Warpaint, Dakota and Gunner.

For years these boys have written letters and children’s books and are now going to be published.

How did this come about? Well, the three boys were originally owned by a wonderful lady, Sherry Van Wagoner. In 2007 Sherry learned she had leukemia. Right then Sherry asked me if I would keep her “three babies together.” I said I would, absolutely! In 2009 Sherry passed away. I moved the boys from Arizona to Minnesota where they now live on a beautiful farm, 52 acres of tall, lush grass and plenty of pasture mates. Sherry has two sisters, Lois and Elaine. Knowing how much Sherry loved her horses I wrote to the sisters every few months with updates on how the horses were doing. Then I began writing to them in the “voices” of the horses. The sisters shared the stories with many people who enjoyed the letters so much that many said we should get published. I called the letters, “Pasture Talk.” The horses would write to Auntie Lois and Auntie Elaine about things like their health, what they were up to, new games, things like that. And people were sharing these letters with young people who liked the letters very much. So I decided to have the horses write about things that young people could benefit from. So I began, or should I say, the horses began, writing letters with life lessons, history, educational material and humor.

All that led to the horses’ first book, “Let’s Talk About Heroes!” In this book the horses are identifying real life heroes like police men and women, fire men and women, military men and women, teachers and other real life individuals who make our lives happier and safer. These three horses have their own very distinct personalities. In the books they profile themselves.—those profiles are listed below so you can really get a feel for those personalities.

Warpaint started his own Facebook page, visit Warpaint Wagoner on Facebook. Warpaint is a comedian and you can see some of his antics on his page. And you will learn about Gunner and Dakota as well.

The first book is scheduled to be released this coming December. In the meantime, we will be posting a few  previews on our website and on Warpaint’s Facebook page. The cover has been released on Warpaint’s Facebook page and also shown below along with the horses’ profiles.

“Let’s Talk About Heroes” contains history, education, life lessons and lots of humor. It is my hope young people will embrace the lessons these three wonderful horses have to offer.

Sincerely,
Uncle Daryl

PS: A word from Mr. Gunner!
Hay! Mr. Gunner here. We want everyone to know funds from our book sales are going to help our equine brothers and sisters who have been neglected or mistreated! Yippee Skippee!

 

Hi everyone, I’m Gunner.

I’m a big, black thoroughbred and I’m 31 years old. Uncle Daryl calls me the old man, but wait. That guy is pushing 72 so who’s the oldie here? Anyway, I used to be a race horse. Then I got sold to some people who eventually took me to an auction where people can buy horses. That’s where Mama Sherry comes in. Oh yeah, Dakota, Warpaint and I refer to her as Mama Sherry because she was kind, gentle and very loving. So yes, she was our Mama Sherry. And we call Daryl uncle and Margaret auntie. Have to get all that straight for you. Back on track…..haha, that’s a funny. Remember, I’m a race horse so I made my living on a track.

You will read many funny things like that ‘cause I’m a smart, witty thoroughbred. Mama Sherry brought me to Arizona and that’s when I met Dakota and Warpaint. We have been good friends ever since. We play together and have all kinds of fun. Now, I can be serious and kind of stuck up. Thoroughbreds can be like that because we are very, very smart, very fast and very strong. We tend to test our humans. I can be a bit naughty when I want to. But all in all, I am a good horse and I know I am loved by a lot people.
Love! That’s what counts!
Gunner

Hay there! My name is Dakota.

I’m a brown quarter horse. Did you know quarter horses are the smartest horses in the whole world? Gunner thinks thoroughbreds are and I let him believe that ‘cause he’s my good buddy and I don’t want to hurt his feelings. Okay, you are going to hear how much I like to eat. And I will admit to it. There is nothing else in the world, is there, than great food? Yeah, I get teased because sometimes, well almost all the time, my belly tends to be, shall we say, quite round? I get teased by Warpie and Gun Gun. They call me, “Belly Boy!” Does that hurt my feelings? No, because I don’t have time to worry about that stuff because I’m busy eating. And Uncle Daryl calls me, “Little D with the big bellEE!”

You are going to find out that he thinks he’s funny. Other than the way he looks when he gets up in the morning, he’s not funny! LOL! Now, Auntie Margaret. What a lady. Her and I are best buddies. I love being with her. She treats me so wonderfully. Down side? Yup! She works my butt off. We do a thing called dressage. Man, does she work me. It wouldn’t be so bad except it takes a lot of time and that’s time I could be eating. So that’s a little about me. You’ll learn a lot more reading about our adventures as we tell them to Auntie Elaine and Auntie Lois. Oh oh! Gotta’ run. I see the hay truck coming!
Sincerely,
Dakota

 

Hi everyone! I’m Warpaint.

I’m a comedian. I pull pranks all the time and get into lots of trouble. I’ve been known to open stall doors, eat people’s flowers, get into places I’m not supposed to and knock things over. Yes, I do lots of things like these, and much more, and it’s why Uncle Daryl calls me, ‘Paint in the butt! Haha! I have to admit, that’s pretty clever on his part.What kind of horse am I? I’m a quarter paint. I’m very handsome, quite smart and lovable. All the mares love to look at me. They refer to me as “The Brad Pitt of the Horse World.”

As you can tell, I like to have fun. I know you will have fun reading about our adventures and that will make me happy. I love to see horses and humans happy. Oh my! I just thought of a great idea. Dakota is excited to see the hay truck coming. I’m going to get behind the truck and glue the swinging gate shut. That will delay the hay people from getting the hay out and that will drive Little D crazy. Better get going. Have to stop at the barn to get the glue.
Love to everyone!
Warpaint
PS. Yes, I can smile. I hope I will make you smile too!