The 4-H club had a special treat tonight - a couple of local horsewomen who are successful in the show ring gave them pointers on showmanship. They spent 2 hours learning what it takes to take a horse to a world-level show, plus the girls got to try out their own skills on a horse who has recently qualified for the world appy breed show.
And poor E, I think every ride night has to include tears. As she was working with one of these fabulously trained horses, the animal reached over and bit her. Hard. She tried to play it down but finally admitted that it did hurt. The horse's owner spent more time with her so that she'd end on a good note, seeing that she could control this animal (naughty though he was!). The owner also helped E with leading Monte. E was so excited that she was able to get him to trot along beside her.
As the girls were loading up I went to say thank you for helping E and for making sure she had a positive experience. I said something about E's "bad karma" with horses lately and the trainer replied, "No, it's not her karma. It's that she's a kind spirit and the horses sense that. And they will take advantage of her."
But can I fault the child for having a kind spirit? That is part of what is so wonderful about her!
Now to find a way to maintain that kindness while still being assertive and tough....
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Decision made
Okay, it's been an eventful horse-life around our house lately. And there was more to add to all our drama on Monday evening.
G'pa J has wanted to ride Curly for quite a while now and I must admit to being hesitant to having him out to the barn to do so. My trust level in Curly is not all that great and while I seem to be willing to risk my own neck and my daughter's on him, I haven't wanted to be responsible for anything that might happen to someone else.
I should'a stuck with that gut feeling.
G'pa J came out with us on Monday and had his first ride on Curly. As I anticipated, Curly was a bit frisky and stubborn. He was not too sure about having someone new on his back - especially a 6'7" someone! But they were managing together okay. G'pa J took some time to help teach Curly more about neck reining, but mainly they just walked and trotted around the arena.
I didn't see what started the bucking, but I turned away for a few moments and when I looked back Curly was trying his best to rid himself of his rider. G'pa J did what I probably would have done - grabbed the horn to hang on! (A better response is to grab his reins and turn him into a tight circle or stop him. Hard to remember when all you can think about is that hard dirt looming before you!) After bucking down a good 25' of the arena, G'pa J finally came out of the saddle, landing hard on his side. Curly bolted out of the arena (a section of fence was down) - I had to send E out to catch him and then work him hard in the round pen (since none of us were willing/able to get into the saddle to ride him).
Long story short, G'pa J broke his pelvis in 3 places and will not be moving around much for the next 6 weeks. And Curly is now officially for sale.
E and I talked about our feelings of fear when we ride Curly and how he is learning that he can successfully rid himself of unwanted riders by bucking. Neither of us is a strong enough rider to handle what he may potentially dish out. So he needs a new home. With a more experienced rider.
I'm going to miss the big guy.
G'pa J has wanted to ride Curly for quite a while now and I must admit to being hesitant to having him out to the barn to do so. My trust level in Curly is not all that great and while I seem to be willing to risk my own neck and my daughter's on him, I haven't wanted to be responsible for anything that might happen to someone else.
I should'a stuck with that gut feeling.
G'pa J came out with us on Monday and had his first ride on Curly. As I anticipated, Curly was a bit frisky and stubborn. He was not too sure about having someone new on his back - especially a 6'7" someone! But they were managing together okay. G'pa J took some time to help teach Curly more about neck reining, but mainly they just walked and trotted around the arena.
I didn't see what started the bucking, but I turned away for a few moments and when I looked back Curly was trying his best to rid himself of his rider. G'pa J did what I probably would have done - grabbed the horn to hang on! (A better response is to grab his reins and turn him into a tight circle or stop him. Hard to remember when all you can think about is that hard dirt looming before you!) After bucking down a good 25' of the arena, G'pa J finally came out of the saddle, landing hard on his side. Curly bolted out of the arena (a section of fence was down) - I had to send E out to catch him and then work him hard in the round pen (since none of us were willing/able to get into the saddle to ride him).
Long story short, G'pa J broke his pelvis in 3 places and will not be moving around much for the next 6 weeks. And Curly is now officially for sale.
E and I talked about our feelings of fear when we ride Curly and how he is learning that he can successfully rid himself of unwanted riders by bucking. Neither of us is a strong enough rider to handle what he may potentially dish out. So he needs a new home. With a more experienced rider.
I'm going to miss the big guy.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Pasture pests
Curly and Monte are spending quite a bit of time out in their little pasture these days - Curly almost full time and Monte most nights. The back edge of the field is bordered by a river...very beautiful to look at but also the source of many mosquitoes. And poor Curly seems to be the meal of choice for those little bloodsuckers! I have to be pretty religious about spraying him these days; I missed a few days a week ago and found him covered in mosquito bites. Sure hope the West Nile shot he got this spring keeps him protected.
Monte, strangely enough, does not seem to be bothered by the mosquitoes. And flies appear to leave him alone for the most part as well.
Yesterday evening, as I was standing at the pasture fence watching the boys graze, five large wild turkeys decided to cross through the field. Neither horse even looked up from their eating even though these big birds were within 10 feet of them. I think this is a clear sign that Monte is fully settled in at the barn now.
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