Horses are in my blood; my mom, my dad, my grandfather and beyond. Suffice it to say and if you know me at all: I’m a passionate, lifelong equestrian. I’ve been riding and have had horses since I was a child. My little girls — Kate and Isla — were on horseback long before they could walk and now at ages 10 and 6 are dipping their toes into the show arena. I’m positive the kid version of my husband definitely did not see himself marrying a horse-girl and having horse-girl babies and spending all of his money on the horses that his three horse-girls have collected. {I’m also positive that All 3 GrayGirls and their horses WEAR HIM OUT.}

I’ve had so many different horses over the years; some long term and some for just a short while. I currently love 4 of them {earthside} on our farm in Bretzville: Suzy, Dash, Troubadour, and Ginger. My husband, a Chicago boy, was forced into learning how to ride THE MOMENT I first brought him home on a visit from college. I’m pretty sure he was physically trembling as he looked up at Suzy from the ground, but he channeled his inner Little Joe (‘Bonanza’, anyone?) and cowboy’d up on that big red mare. If he ever decides that he doesn’t also love horses, well … the horses and I will be so happy together.

Suffice it to say, over the last year+ I’ve had questions about the Fire Horse Yoga name. Is it because of my love of horses? That would certainly seem to fit — especially given my penchant for fiery red mares that my husband and parents are sure will kill me some day {If you know, you know}.

Fire Horse Yoga is actually 21 years old, and I’m the 5th owner. The name has been around since the beginning. Most people know that in the ownership chain I follow Lydia and she follows Tina. Tina followed Phil and he took over from the original owner, Amar. It was Amar who gave us the ‘Fire Horse Yoga’ name. While the name has come somewhat full circle in terms of ‘fit’, it was even more personal to our founder: she was born under the fire sign in the year of the horse.

So, there you have it — the secret to our sauce, if you will. While I definitely have a couple of my own fire horses at home (looking at you Ginger and Dash), the name actually has no relation to my equestrian background — even if it does fit spectacularly well!

Did you know the history of our name or has this come as a pleasant surprise?

Want to follow along with the little GrayGirls and their horsin’ around? You can find them on my personal Insta account @samanthagrayyoga