The Weekly Buzz with Bee
Introducing Wise Market herd’s founding member, Bee
Date Published: February 9, 2025
Meet Bee! A dream come true. 🐴✨
Bee is officially registered with the American Paint Horse Association and comes with a story as beautiful as she is. At 12 years old, she carries the name No Valde Bee Smart, passed down from her Sire, Nu Valde Gay, and her Dam, Honey Bee Smart—a legacy of strength, intelligence, and heart.
Before joining us, Bee spent years with just one owner, who even won the APHA Worlds on her a few years back! Now, she’s adjusting to her new home and her new mom (me!), and let’s just say… she’s teaching me as much as I’m teaching her.
Herd Life
Bee already found a boyfriend: Sinjari, her charming neighbor to the left.
She has a love-hate relationship with the gelding (jury's still out on whether they’ll be besties or frenemies).
She’s been here just two weeks, and she’s already making sure I know who’s boss (hint: it’s not me).
Overcoming Fears
Bee came with a few quirks—water crossings and shadows were no-go zones. But yesterday, we had a breakthrough:
She calmly crossed the scary no-water creek THREE times (and with me on her back)! No jumping, no hesitation, just pure confidence.
She’s settling in, learning, and growing as am I, and I’m beyond grateful to have her as the first of many in the Wise Market herd, thanks to patrons, collectors, and friends like you! 💛
May 1, 2026: Why Some Horses Stay
This week’s Buzz is about choosing heart over easy answers, why Bee is staying in training, and the barn family that makes horse life so meaningful.
April 24, 2026: Progress Has Many Forms
This week’s Buzz covers progress in many forms: riding breakthroughs, Bee’s early dapples, a rainy-day spa session, and the hard choices that come with training.
April 17, 2026: Learning the Language
This week’s training focused on rein management, softness, and refining communication. A closer look at how small adjustments create better connection, consistency, and progress with your horse.
April 10, 2026: Trainer Life, Week Two
Bee takes over this week’s Weekly Buzz to share her training progress, reduced anxiety, and what it takes to train both horse and rider at the same time.
April 2, 2026: Lessons in Letting Go
This week’s Weekly Buzz shares Bee’s first days in training, a humbling riding lesson, and what it really means to improve your seat and trust your horse.
March 27, 2026: Improving My Seat and Letting Go
This week’s Weekly Buzz shares a successful first trail ride back, the emotions of sending Bee to training, and why improving your seat is essential for confidence and communication.
March 20, 2026: Bath Time, Clippers, and Real-Life Horse Hair
Bathing, grooming routines, and real-life mane decisions are all part of thoughtful horse care. This week’s Weekly Buzz shares practical tips and a little humor from Bee herself.
Bonus Buzz: Thirteen Looks Good on You Bee!
Bee turns thirteen today. This birthday reflection looks at where we are in our partnership, what age really means for a horse, and why this confident, opinionated mare continues to keep me learning and laughing.
March 13, 2026: Choosing the Next Right Step
After a fall and an overwhelming amount of advice, I’ve made a decision about Bee’s future. This week’s Weekly Buzz is about training, growth, and choosing the next right step for both of us.
March 6, 2026: Bee Did Just Fine Without Me
I left town for the weekend. Bee stayed home. Between herd life, healing ribs, and photo updates from the barn, this week’s Weekly Buzz is about steady relationships and quiet reassurance.
February 27, 2026: Bonus Buzz - When Tightening a Saddle Hurts
Most people have never tightened a saddle, but what happens in that moment can explain a lot about horse behavior. In this Bonus Buzz, we talk about ulcers, discomfort, and why what looks like sass might actually be pain.
February 27, 2026: Recalibrating - Training the Dragon
After the fall, three experienced riders took Bee in both arenas. The verdict? Athletic. Powerful. Trainable. This week’s Weekly Buzz explores accountability, leadership, and the decision to train intentionally month by month before deciding whether we stay together.
February 20, 2026: God’s Got Me
A calm trail ride turned into 21 seconds at 20.9 mph and a hard fall. This week’s Weekly Buzz shares what happened, what I learned, and why faith, helmets, and closing the gate matter more than ever.
February 13, 2026: Needles, Teeth, and Medieval Equipment
Bee’s annual exam included vaccinations and a much-needed dental float. Learn how equine teeth erupt, why sharp points form, and what a thorough dental exam really involves.
February 6, 2026: Apparently Jealousy Is a Hydration Strategy
A warm mash, a stubborn horse, and an unexpected pasturemate reveal how herd dynamics, winter hydration, and a little jealousy can change everything.
January 30, 2026: When Winter Shows Up Uninvited
Bee reports back after a sudden winter freeze, sharing how horses stay warm, why hay and water matter, gratitude for barn staff, and lessons learned in cold weather care.
January 23, 2026: Shoes, Stretchy Tendons, and Blanket Crimes
Bee had a week. New shoe mechanics, sore tendons, winter hydration battles, blanket destruction, and the first two training sessions that reminded us learning never stops.
January 16, 2026: One Year In
One year ago, Bee became mine. What followed was a year of lessons in patience, trust, mare logic, and growth. A look back at how far we have come together, and how much this horse has taught me.
January 9, 2026: Emergency Dismounts, Spooks, and Riding Through the Scary Stuff
Horse spooks come in many forms, from a subtle skin flinch to a full-body reaction that demands fast decisions from the rider. This week’s Weekly Buzz with Bee dives into what spooks really feel like, why emergency dismounts matter, and how daily exposure builds confidence and safety for both horse and rider.
January 2, 2026: A New Year, Same Horse
A New Year at the barn brings fresh goals and familiar routines. This Weekly Buzz with Bee reflects on riding progress, desensitizing, obstacle work, and the small wins that build trust, confidence, and partnership one ride at a time.