Barbara is an avid dressage rider. In 2012, after a lifetime of riding she decided to express her love of the horse in her paintings. Her admiration for the horse is expressed in this statement:

God made the magnificent horse...so beautiful, graceful, powerful, and yet vulnerable at the same time. The horse was created to help man... as a beast of burdon, transportation, and today as a partner in sports. The horse willingly submits to man's care: feeding grooming, and providing medical care. The horse totally depends and trusts man. He surely could resist, yet he submits and trusts...leaves his food to be with us...and shows his delight in work and play.