Introducing my rescue Saddlebred

[add_leg]

Just catching up and have the fullest heart reading this. My very first event horse was a full Saddlebred, who looked a lot like your guy, just about two hands taller! He was the safest lower level XC horse, his steadiness was unmatched. He also trail rode EVERYWHERE. I leased him, but his owner trail rode him through the mountains, beaches, all over and all kinds of terrain and he was so sure footed you just felt comfortable on him. I was a super nervous “I like the arena” rider who decided she wanted to event and he gave me all the confidence to find a love of hacking out, trail rides, XC, field gallops, you name it. He’s the only Saddlebred I’ve ever known, but gave me an absolute love for the breed.

Jingles the lameness is something minor and you have so many fun adventures ahead!

[swmorse]

He was a beauty

[Jackie_Cochran]

You are SMILING in both pictures.

He obviously was a good horse!

[atomicfriday]

Your old ASB is AWESOME. I only hope Cheeto can come close! Of course this fetlock issue has me concerned about his overall suitability or longevity. I’m waiting to get a definitive answer from the vet but I’m hoping sometime this upcoming week. He seemed to have improved a little today, but it’s still noticeably bothering him.

After speaking to his breeder I think he came as a bit of a disappointment. She told me how he came from a beautiful black sire, his dam was also black, and here’s this red horse. She stated she wondered if he’d ever grow into his big head. I didn’t think he did but, after looking hard maybe a little, it is at least not very refined. He’s also short. Oh well! Lol all I really wanted was a fun, spirited trail mount. Endurance is my aspiration but realistically speaking I don’t have the resources to actively compete, I’d be fortunate to attend a couple a year. Which I would be happy with!

It’s been so breezy the flies haven’t really been a problem as much, first time I’ve seen his face in awhile without the mask. And then him and his goat friend chewing on trees together.

[Jenerationx]

I has a very sweet face.

[JBCool]

@atomicfriday

I think he came as a bit of a disappointment. She told me how he came from a beautiful black sire, his dam was also black, and here’s this red horse.

Awww…poor guy! He can’t help the way the genes shook out! But then, maybe he wouldn’t have found his way to you. He was supposed to be red all along.

[ParadoxFarm]

@JBCool

He was supposed to be red all along.

That’s sweet. I think I’m going to agree!!

[IndysMom]

I’ve had several horses who were the “wrong color”. They were all good horses!

[cayuse]

“A good horse is any color.” I have no idea where that quote came from but maybe someone on here does?

[jvanrens]

Maybe you’re thinking of this?

[cayuse]

Could be! Thanks!

[PaddockWood]

Mark Rashid. Wow. I have read nearly every one of his books and talk about a game changer. I still think of him after hearing him say that we want a softness in everything you do. How you put away your dishes for example that applies to me.

I, yes, sometimes am nearly throwing things where they go and think, “Wow, that didn’t break, huh?” I’m feeling so pressured in time and feel irritation creeping up. I’ll think of him and slow it down, and move with fluidity and deep breathe and calm down. A much better way of living and being.

Every horseperson would benefit to read his books.

[luvmyhackney]

@PaddockWood

Mark Rashid. Wow. I have read nearly every one of his books and talk about a game changer. I still think of him after hearing him say that we want a softness in everything you do. How you put away your dishes for example that applies to me.

The podcast he did with Warwick Schiller was fantastic.

[PaddockWood]

Yeah, I need to listen to that again. So so many of Warwick’s interviews are paradigm shifters. My exposure to Rashid has me aware to leave a belly in the lead rope - at least that is the goal. Can I get movement or willingness with the least amount of request? How soft can I be? And it is amazing the response in my horses. They get it. And it all becomes so beautiful. Mostly. There are times of regression where I’m in hurry or feeling pressure. And then I have to catch myself and stop. I’m grateful for that awareness now.

[jvanrens]

The softness thing makes total sense. I have days that I just have to tell myself to put it down and walk away and try another time.

Do you have a link to the podcast?

To be honest, if I read anything by MR, I’ve long since forgotten it, but I do remember a lot of people on the email list I was on back in the day gushing about him.

[luvmyhackney]

@jvanrens

Do you have a link to the podcast?

I have it bookmarked. It is that good.

‎The Journey On Podcast: Mark Rashid on Apple Podcasts

[eightpondfarm]

Thanks for the link! i’ll listen to it today

[eightpondfarm]

i listened to it yesterday and while some of the “soft” descriptions were really good, i thought both those men were a little bit self-inflated. Warwick Schiller still seems very much a blowhard to me. I’m kinda ‘anti-guru’ though…so

[luvmyhackney]

@eightpondfarm

i thought both those men were a little bit self-inflated. Warwick Schiller still seems very much a blowhard to me. I’m kinda ‘anti-guru’ though…so

I think Warwick is changing and starting to drink the magic. Work in progress, as we all are. He does make money from this so I’m always a bit of a skeptic.

I find Mark Rashid more of a blowhard usually, but not in that episode. I found glimmers and just really good moments in it.

[quietann]

I think I may have too much of a problem-solving focus to deal with the woo some of these guys have. I like Warwick Schiller’s shorter videos that focus on a particular problem.

So yeah, problem-solving. Like my old mare who is willing to be led on the trails, but if there’s grass she wants to snatch it. She’s retired, and this is exercise but not work, so how lenient is OK? You give her an inch (2 bites of grass) and she wants a mile (the whole field)! 🫠:upside_down_face: She has an “it’s OK to graze now” signal, but she’s not waiting if I’m not 100% focused on her.