Happy Holidays All!
Long time reader of this thread, never posted but I just had to share my Christmas gift this morning! I got to ride my boy for the first time in a month or so and it was the Best. Ride. Ever. We hacked out in the hay field behind our new barn and because Mr. OTTB felt like a racehorse this morning we went for a gallop! It was the first time we have ever done something like this (we have hacked out but never on open terrain where I would feel comfortable letting him do more than trot) and it was AMAZING! He was thrilled to go and felt so good (even a few humpy back crow hops in there) and just excited to be out enjoying a ride. The best part was how easily he came back to me when I asked and how effortlessly FUN it was for both of us! I have always wanted to event, and after this morning I think we might really have it in us. Regardless, I just wanted to share how thrilled I am today with my Christmas present from my big man! Hope everyone is having a great holiday!!!
[QUOTE=SouthernSon;6041144]
I have always wanted to event, and after this morning I think we might really have it in us. Regardless, I just wanted to share how thrilled I am today with my Christmas present from my big man! Hope everyone is having a great holiday!!![/QUOTE]
Welcome, and a big CONGRATS! on the ride. 
Sounds like eventing just might be right up your alley!
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Finally, I’m finally back to lessons tomorrow. It’s supposed to pour down tonight, but hopefully it won’t be too icky out in the morning. If I feel good, if the horse feels good, I’m totally cantering tomorrow. And if I don’t canter tomorrow (out of the saddle for nearly a month), I’m cantering next week, for sure, as part of my new 2012 goals.
God only knows, I’m getting tired of whiny little 10-year-olds out riding me.
Congrats, SouthernSon! Glad to hear that you had a wonderful, fun, inspiring ride on your guy. And welcome to support services. We are here for you.
I’m going to have to talk to the vet to find out for sure, officially, why it’s a “good idea” to handwalk/graze my horse while he’s on stall rest. If it’s for the good of the horse, we will have to find some other way to do it. If it’s just to make me feel better about the situation, we are done. Despite reserpine and a long leather lead shank with effectively positioned chain, he’s not being a gentleman. I can’t blame him, but today he tried to run, I turned him, and he stepped on my foot. So now my big toe is buddy taped to the other toe and I am walking on my heel. Which is making my back feel bad. We had been doing an hour walk/graze a day, with my husband along for backup. The first few days he settled down and started eating right away, but the last three days he’s been more interested in spooking. He feels way too good for a horse that’s supposed to be that badly injured. It’s gonna be a long three months. Sigh.
[QUOTE=SouthernSon;6041144]
the Best. Ride. Ever. We hacked out in the hay field behind our new barn and because Mr. OTTB felt like a racehorse this morning we went for a gallop![/QUOTE]
Happy holidays to you, too! I’d love to let B go, as he often wants to do that as well, but we’re still on a tentative recovery schedule so staying conservative so far.
But what fun! And welcome to the group.
Ouch, pony4me - not so fun…mine acted that way under saddle just trotting in the indoor the other day, my toes weren’t near his feet, but the wall was…:eek: he missed 2 days w/ no turnout due to the mud. Leaving now to see how he’ll be with 1 day in.
Had a great ride this morning. My first in about 3 weeks. Took my lesson horse out into a 4-acre field and did lots of trotting up and and down hills and around a small pond. And, after asking and discussing it with my trainer … Seems I’ll be calling up the new trainer that’s popped up close to where I work to get in a few more rides every week. She’s primarily dressage, although she’s done some eventing in the past. And she’s an ‘r’ judge. I’ll still be working with trainer No. 1 on Mondays, but will be riding with trainer No. 2 1-2 times a week as well. She’s based in the town where I work, which means I can slip in a lesson fairly easy. (I’m a good hour and a half away from my current barn.)
I’m just at the point where I need more saddle time. And my primary trainer knows this all too well. So, I’m getting ready to send Trainer No. 2 a quick e-mail and setting up a lesson for next week.
Glad everyone’s having some good rides. I hope to get out tomorrow, and again at the end of the week.
Pony4me, every horse is different when they’re on stall rest, or coming off it. I had a mare that was on stall rest for 6 months following surgery to pin pastern bones. When she came out , injury or not, she could not be a lady, so she got Ace. My pony, on the other hand, was wonderful and well behaved for walking. But Ace can be your friend if you need to get your horse out and be sure he stays calm, so talk to your vet.
I think I may have come to the conclusion that Dublin needs to find a new home. Not that he’s being a bad boy, but I’m just not sure that he is really a good fit for a timid weekend warrior. He’s an AWESOME horse but maybe with someone else? Given my health, I don’t know. The cards aren’t falling in our favor. He’s been healthy and thats GREAT. But I think he really would do well in a structured program, vs being a glorified pasture puff at my little farm.
Oh. You edited. (I was getting ready to reply, then did a quick errand.)
But basically:
Life’s too short. This horse sounds like he’d be a good match for someone younger, with ample amounts of time and energy to put the work into him.
Depending on your showing ambitions, I’m sure there’s a talented horse out there that can win you a few ribbons and not need constant rides.
Back in the first post, you mention that you have a young child, a day job, another horse and a husband. Girl, you have A LOT going on! Something’s probably gotta give, and maybe it would be for the best to find Dublin a new home. Look at it this way, you have two greenies; your child and your horse. Most recreational riders can only handle one greenie at best.
Good luck and best wishes to you as you work your way through this.
Spacytracy, as long as I’m typing on the iPad, I’m going to have to shorten you to just ST
Finding the right horse for you is essential. If Dublin is basically a good, talented horse that just needs more rides, and someone with more confidence, I’m sure you can help him find that. Having a horse that you can ride with confidence makes all the difference. Maybe you can locate a school horse who’s ready for a person of his own? I wish you the best of luck. When I went from the wrong horse to the right one, it made all the difference in the way I was able to enjoy my riding.
Today I took my pony to an indoor for the first time in two years, and she was a rock star! OK, maybe i’m exagerrating a little, but she was great. She was a little fast & snorty for the first tne. Inutes, but then she settled down. And when we started jumping she was SO HAPPY! Because her favorite thing of all is GO FAST & JUMP STUFF! And her usually cowardly Mom did pretty well, even finishing the session with a 6 jump little course. Only 2 feet, but still a big improvement for moi.
Yea,sorry for the edit. I didn’t want to put him in a bad light, he is a really nice horse…for someone ELSE. I wish it was me, but I have to face reality that right now, its not me.
I called the guy I bought him from. He’s going to take him back for me. I am fine with that. I think I’m ready to just be relieved of the burden and just relax and concentrate on getting better. Right now I’m off researching, and doing this and that and the other, and I should just be relaxing.
The guy we got him from is really nice, said “The right horse will come along, I’ll help you find something when the time is right”. And I really like this guy. He actually gave my friend a horse for free when her horse had to be put down. He felt terrible for what happened and had an OTTB come in and he sent him over to her.
And I think I’ve been fighting that little voice, saying “its not right”. This is just forcing me to do what I’ve been feeling all along.
SouthernSon - let me add my welcome to the group and congrats on your Christmas ride!
Hinderella - WTG on your course!
SpacyTracy - it sounds like you are making the right decision for you and Dublin - hugs to you.
My last 3 rides on Finn have been truly great - he is calm, paying attention and willing to do what I ask. Well, up until we, a group of 6 decided to go on a trail ride on Monday. There is a tree farm next to the farm that we can ride in. However, to get to it, we had to cross a ditch (no biggy), pass an OMG flapping flag and deal with a swinging metal door and the wind was blowing. He heard the door, I saw the flag and that was it - I couldn’t relax enough to even think about asking him to go past it. But we will get there - I have trail ridden him before - he is good, but wants to be in front. Just not the right day.
Thanks all, the guys coming in about an hour, I’m ok, I’m sure I’ll cry but I feel almost relieved. I know he’ll find his match.
Spacytracy, it sounds as if you know you made the right decision. I’m glad for you even though I know you also feel bad. If it helps at all, I did not ride at all when my kids were little–I did not even think about horses during that time. It is OK to put your kids first. You will not forget how to ride!
Here’s hoping Dublin finds the right match–sounds as though the guy you bought him from is a conscientious person who will make that happen. Best wishes!!
Thanks, he just left. I really feel more relief than anything. I don’t have to worry about him, I don’t have to be worried when dealing with him, and my other two horses are so low-maintanance that I can leave them out 24/7 without worry. And, my feed bills will be slashed by about 75%. That horse was costing me a fortune to try to fatten up. When you’re used to a haffie and a mini, this is really a culture shock.
In my head, my dream horse is a 15.1, drafty type with a little athleticism, easy going personality, easy keeper, barefoot, and just chill. Basically, my large pony in a slightly larger package. Oh, and a paint that stays clean ALL the time, and doesn’t seek out every bit of mud to smear on its white spots.
Ok, I said it was a DREAM.
[QUOTE=spacytracy;6047090]
Thanks, he just left. I really feel more relief than anything. I don’t have to worry about him, I don’t have to be worried when dealing with him, and my other two horses are so low-maintanance that I can leave them out 24/7 without worry. And, my feed bills will be slashed by about 75%. That horse was costing me a fortune to try to fatten up. When you’re used to a haffie and a mini, this is really a culture shock.
In my head, my dream horse is a 15.1, drafty type with a little athleticism, easy going personality, easy keeper, barefoot, and just chill. Basically, my large pony in a slightly larger package. Oh, and a paint that stays clean ALL the time, and doesn’t seek out every bit of mud to smear on its white spots.
Ok, I said it was a DREAM.[/QUOTE]
It sounds like you absolutely know you did the right thing, letting Dublin go to find a new person who can give him more attention right now. It also seems like the person you got him from is a conscientious guy who will make sure Dublin gets to the right home, so you don’t need to worry about him.
And I bet you’ll find your “dream” horse in 2012!
So glad to hear about everyone’s great rides! I’m looking forward to having some of those myself when I can get back to the barn the first weekend of January.
I have a cold right now (got it the day before Christmas) and it speaks volumes re: my addiction that all I can think of is: “I better be all recovered by January 7, because come hell or high water, I’ll be at the barn that day.” No thougts about work, etc. Just about being well so I can enjoy being back in the saddle!
It’s windy out there!
Well, bottom line is we had a half way decent ride this morning - but I need to check the weather report!
Barn is only 7 miles from the house - directly parallel with my place - just a couple of hills over. My house is peaceful and quiet. Outside there’s a bare covering of snow.
Get to the barn - it’s a bit gusty. The door next to B’s stall is difficult to close -propped it open w/ the mounting block they leave outside for that purpose - and wham! Figure out how to close it so the wind doesn’t send us all 20’ in the air again, however once it’s closed, it’s very hard to reopen. After getting tacked up we go out the back slider. Speaking of which, we are slipping and sliding everywhere. And the weather isn’t that bad here yet for the winter. Hate how they don’t keep their grounds graded - ever - and don’t put down anything to keep you from sliding. If I get hurt this year, it will not be from riding, it will be on the slippery slopes around this barn.
Make it safely into the indoor. One pony is the lone occupant at one end of the attached stalls. Snow is flying everywhere coming in through their open windows, wind is gusting like crazy, the metal roof in the indoor is shakin’ away. The doorway to the stall area is open and we can see pony having heart failure. The horses at the other end were relatively quiet, although when we came and went, each time one poor guy acted like he wanted to come with us.
But B was very, very good considering it all. Love my “I’ve seen it all” OTTB. Frankly the ride was very quiet the first 15 minutes, and just when he was starting to get the blood flowing and feeling very good, the winds really started to pick up. So we eventually stayed away from the pony end where all the wind monsters were - the same ones who now were making every dark spot and device around the ring come alive. 
Worked on patterns (again!) and lateral movements, and then ended it - because we couldn’t do any work at the trot with all the extra wind activity happening. I’ve not been able to have a simple couple of times around at the trot in two weeks now. Even when we safely made it down the slippery slope back to the barn, one gust actually had him backing away from the crossties - not typical for him.:eek:
But now I’m back home, and once again can’t even notice the weather, although I’m reading the forecast, and it says gusts to 30mph. I frankly think they’re increased at the barn’s locale. I’ve never been in such a cold & gusty barn before, and I rode in college and spent my last two undergrad years at Oswego - look that town up!
Have to say, despite it not having cable or high speed internet, if I can’t sell just the land, and have to sell the whole parcel, I’m going to miss this house!
Even though it’s been relatively mild, this is going to be a long winter, and not sure I’ll be staying at this barn through to the next one…place makes me nervous.
SpacyTracy - you did the right thing. And just wait until you get that one that was meant to be. Know it will be a sad day, and will be thinking of you, but can’t wait to hear how it turns out down the road! (And if I see any Paint out standing in his muddy field with a pristine coat, will e-mail you immediately!)
Had a pleasant ride on the mare yesterday. Daughter is home from college, and she went to the barn with me. She rode her favorite horse, a sweet guy almost nineteen years old who doesn’t look a day over twelve. She has ridden him since her crossrail days. My brother accompanied us and took lots of pics.
Weather was very nice, and mare was a good girl.
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