My daughter’s name is Aoife–she is small but fierce (though blonde rather than red)
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Heck nope! Had a wee ride on her this morning and she’s like a wiggly worm. I need me some mane for the “oh s…t” moments!
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Everyone is asking how to pronounce it!
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Well, my coach rode her this morning. The first ten minutes were… a bit scary. Discovered why she’d been booted off the track: she balks up. Mini rear, kicking, running backwards … holy crap, I’ve bought one of those. Coach just put more leg on… and off they went. She was like, “oh, ok”.
She knows NOTHING. No mouth, no steering, no balance, no brakes. They were literally bouncing off the fence, and at one point a tree.
But she’s smart, and kind. And she gave it a go, and damn… when she gets it, she’s a picture. Her walk is ragged, she’s so untogether she actually paces. But when she softened, she walked.
I expected my coach to say, “nah, send her back” but he likes her! Says she’s sound, despite her poor feet, and that he feels there is no real dirt, just learned behaviour.
So she’s off to Coach Bootcamp for some remouthing, a job I am not keen on myself as I have no roundyard and hate lunging.
Stay tuned!
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I think that’s a great update! Knowing nothing, but being willing to give it it a try is a PERFECT starting point. And you can develop her muscles and strength the way you want.
And I just have to say—I lover her soft expression! As the owner of two chestnut mares that generally looked at me like I was something that crawled out from under a rock, I think you’ve got a winner. 
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I am sorry the first ride didn’t go how you hoped. I bet it is all still so new to her - even the best minded horses can be a bit balky being in a new situation, new people, new job and things asked. I have the best (no bias) TB in the world - he gets every winter off and the first ride back is always a cat circus - but he settles in a week and goes back to being perfect. Here is what I tell myself about all my TBs off the track. “It is always darkest before dawn”. She probably just needs a refresher, and those TBs are quick studies - especially red headed mares. Knowing nothing but being willing to give it a go means you have a good partner and partnership ahead of you - this horse will try to do whatever you ask. I can’t wait to hear how bootcamp goes and see more updates on Aoifa.
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So… I have a Real First World problem.
Aoife’s forelock is so long and luscious that it gets tangled in the rhinestones of her browband.
She has the most adorable habit of getting hay in it, and often comes up for a treat with these long strands of hay all over her face.
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Hey, I get it!
I don’t know if you can see it in the photo in my avatar, but that’s Bo (Bo’s Typhoon, a US OTTB). She has a Shetland-pony forelock and I have the same issue. Unfortunately, I was at the barn yesterday and saw that she managed to find some burdocks left over from last year and tie her forelock up into one big thorny mass. Hopefully I won’t have to give her a bowl haircut to remedy it!
I love this. Thank you. I think I have been given a gift, but I’m superstitious and if I get as excited as I want to be about what a rough diamond she might be, I’m afraid I’ll discover that she’s really screwed up. Kind of the real reason she’s going to boot camp now - if it’s not to be, break my heart now so I can recover and move on, or give me the green light to start planning for a beautiful future.
Starting with as much grass hay as she can fit in her belly, a session with the bodyworker (who is magic), and a turnout buddy.
Oh and teeth, feet, and ulcers.
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Put a fancy bonnet on her and this won’t be a problem 
Elmo has the same issue…
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