I have owned my own horse for 20 years now.  My precious Arabian mare, Melika, will be 30 next year, and I can't express enough the amount of pleasure I have being her horse owner.  I don't even ride my girl anymore -- she's officially retired, is shoeless and happy in a lovely pasture with friends in Rockmart.  But I still love the feeling I get just being around my horse at the barn --grooming her and cleaning her stall.  All my troubles just melt away once I get out there.  I love the smells, the sounds (especially the loud nickering I get in greeting), the sights and the feel of everything about and associated with my horse and her barn.  It's quite an experience in so many ways, and you know exactly what I mean if you're a horse owner yourself. 

I took a wonderful trip last week.  I had lunch at a place I've just learned about called Paradise Arabians near Dalton. It's less than 90 minutes away from the city, and it was certainly paradise to me as it's a beautiful, 450-acre Arabian horse farm.  'Paradise' is owned by the Kenworthy family, who have shared their extraordinary family property with their clients for 10 years. What makes Arabian horses so special is that they are the oldest breed that survive today.  Nearly every modern breed of riding horse has Arabian bloodlines as Arabs were used to improve other breeds with their qualities of speed, endurance, intelligence, beauty, and strength.  The Kenworthy's board, train, show and breed Egyptian Arabians, the rarest Arabs, and they specialize in helping others find success in the horse business.  You really have to take a visit out to their farm on one of these beautful fall weekends coming up.  Anyone is encouraged to visit, and Wanda and Gary, their son Matt and his wife Misty, and the terrific folks that work on the property will make you feel welcome at their gorgeous, huge barn with a covered arena.  The cats, dogs, and parrot are all very friendly, too.  The landscape is breath-taking, but the stars of this paradise are the amazing Arabian horses.  It's a lovely opportunity for you and your family to experience some incredible Georgia mountain scenery, and to meet a family that has made a great business raising their stunning horses.  You'll be hearing me talking more about them on the radio soon, but check out their website now if you're interested in visiting - www.paradisearabians.com!