Once upon a time, there was a small, but spunky, little pony named, ironically, Pokey. Pokey was a fuzzy little pinto pony with the creamiest, bushiest mane and tail. Pokey was living a happy pony life at his current farm in the heart of Summerville, SC. There were many, many horses and children to fill his days with lessons, trail rides and grooming sessions.
Unfortunately one day his owner and barn manager got into an irreconcilable argument, and Pokey was moved to a new farm on a road off Highway 61 in Summerville (a very busy road!). This farm was not as much to his liking as it was not as well maintained, some boards were falling apart, and there were no children to spoil him with treats. (Pokey did not realize that his owner was making other plans to move him yet again to her own property – as she was in the process of fencing in her land.)
So Pokey devised a great plan. He would manage to escape and travel the long distance back to his other pony friends and the children who loved him so much. On a cool Wednesday evening Pokey decided it was time to go through with his great escape plans. Finding a board already in the process of collapsing, he threw his entire little pony body weight against it and managed to free himself and the other horses in his field. Freedom never smelled so good – like fresh clover on a sunny day.
So Pokey began his great adventure. His freedom aroused much jealousy from nieghboring horses. Many came running up to the ends of their fields to prance around and whinny to convey their excitement for him. Something like this never happened before. Pokey felt like a movie star.
So onward Pokey trekked and trekked and trekked and trekked. He felt there was almost nothing he couldn’t do.
Meanwhile, the new barn manager convinced he would return to where he was being fed, did not worry. In fact she didn’t even alert his owner of his absence until noon the next day.
Frantic upon hearing of the missing status of her pony, Pokey’s owner began calling everyone she knew that could help. Before long many, many people had hopped on ponies, ATV’s, and helicopters to search through the woods and swamps along Highway 61 for Pokey.
The search continued for two straight days and nights with no avail. Fliers were posted, police were notified, and yet there was still no sign of the pony Pokey. Sorrow and despair began to fill everyone as they came to the notion that perhaps Pokey would never be found. Maybe he was stuck in the swamp; maybe someone had picked him up and decided to keep him. There was just simply no sign of him.
By Saturday evening Pokey’s distressed owner was ready to call off the search. And then…there was a glimmer of hope.
Walking into a gas station to buy a bottle of water, one of the pony searchers was listening to a man at the counter ask about the pony on the posted flyer. He was telling the story of how his elderly father had called him about a pony that had just shown up in his front yard that morning to socialize with his ponies.
Could it be? It was over 15 miles away from the farm that Pokey had left, but how many missing ponies could there be?
Phone numbers were swapped, and a horse trailer was expedited for Pokey's potential retrieval. Excitement began to mount as Pokey’s owner gleefully made the haul to the elderly man’s home. Sure enough, that spunky pony had made it. Over fifteen miles he had traveled, and he was absolutely no worse for the wear. Relieved, she threw her arms around the pony, choking back tears of relief.
Pokey is now temporarily stabled at Traveler’s Crossing where we have determined he shall have a GPS monitor inserted into his halter should he try any of his antics again. However, reacquainted with another family pony and treats, Pokey seems content to stay.
I guess Pokey wasn’t so Pokey after all.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
The One With the Pregnancy Tests
So it's official! We have TWO pregnant Trakehner Mares at the barn. WOooHOoo!!! Spirits and hormones are high these days around the barn. I've never been around for mares to foal, so this is definitely exciting!
More info on pedigree to come...
More info on pedigree to come...
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
The One With The Light Bulb
One of my greatest delights as a horse owner, trainer and rider is watching my horse finally understand what I am asking him to do and doing it. Such excitement falls over him as he does it, then stops to turn and look at me and say, “Did you see that? Wasn’t that great? Aren’t I the best? And don’t I deserve like five treats for that?” It’s as if a light bulb can literally be seen blinking on until it comes around to its full bright potential.
Recently when I was working with Sudi on ground work, I saw this light bulb come on. But let me give you some history as I’ve been very negligent in my blog posting of recent.
After going over some results and judge’s comments from earlier shows this season and doing some research, I began to realize that Sudi was not working his “topline” muscles correctly towards the idea of beginning collection. He simply doesn’t know how to most effectively use the muscles in his back and neck.
To put it in basic terms, when I looked at his form from the poll (the point between the horse’s ears) to his croup (the highest point on his rump), he was in the shape of an upside down rainbow. This is incorrect; he should be in the shape of a normal rainbow to properly learn impulsion from his back end.
To help his development and to teach him how to begin to carry himself correctly, I invested in some side reins. Side reins are basically adjustable leather pieces that connect to the horse’s bit and then drops down to connect to the girth so as to gradually teach the horse to lower his head as he moves. They are meant to primarily be used lunging at the trot as they could potentially damage the walk by making it too short, and they should never be used more than in 10-15 minute intervals – especially if the horse is green and in no way in shape. (As a side note: side reins can be very harmful to the horse if used incorrectly, but I have had much supervision from various members of our barn, and I have also looked into a lot of articles written on side rein work. So no worries – Sudi Man is doing just fine)
After discovering that the side reins I previously used on my Thoroughbred mare Charity (who passed away three Thanksgivings ago) were much too long to be of any useful effect, I came to only one conclusion: I needed to make a trip to the tack store! (Poor me, I know :-P)
Once there, I sadly had to talk myself out of all the new spring line merchandise and head straight for the side reins. Through my research and understanding that both of my boys are still young and impressionable, I knew I wanted leather ones that had some elastic-give on them. Leather is preferable over nylon because it is more prone to break should an accident occur. And the elastic is a little calming as it has some give in case the horse freaks out about being constrained. To my delight, I found exactly what I was looking for and was able to make the purchase at what I considered a fairly reasonable price.
So, back I trudged to the barn to nab my horse and guinea pig him. To my delight Sudi had absolutely no resistance to his beginning work with the side reins. They were actually acting as indirect reins, and he began chewing his bit lowering his head. Everytime he stretched his neck low, I would be sure to praise him. Unfortunately, “Good Boy” is also horse code for “It’s ok to stop now.” We’re gradually getting over this, but I’m convinced he just uses it as an excuse to stop and beg for treats. :-)
For the first few training sessions I left the side reins as long as possible just so that he could get used to them. Three or four sessions later, and I am now able to shorten them and in particular, shorten the inside one to teach him to bend to the inside of the circle. Sudi has been picking all of this up, and I could not be more pleased. I am even delighted to report that when I rode him this past weekend, he was beginning to transfer his lunge work to his riding work. We are by no means finished with the side reins, but I am terribly pleased with our progress.
So, after about 10 minutes of side rein work, I take them off and allow him to stretch and work his way over some small cavaletti sized jumps. To my utter amazement he has now figured out what jumps are, heads for them himself, picks up a canter, jumps correctly and after landing turns in to me with that “light bulb on” expression.
The first time I saw him do it, I was dumbfounded. I really thought someone had been working my horse in my absence. There was no more stopping,snorting and pawing of the jumps (nor munching on the potted, fake flowers!) And believe me, I have repeated this practice on several occasions to see if it was just a fluke. I’m guessing it’s not though, because all of a sudden he is moving forward and seems to actually like jumping!
I’m not sure what clicked on in his head, but I was in utter delight as I saw how proud of himself he was. And I know he knew it too – He made sure I understood that he deserved some treats when I brought him back in the barn. He was whinnying at everyone that walked by his stall.
I guess that just goes to show how much heart some horses have. Remembering these days gives me the hope to make it through the rougher ones when I sometimes feel I am moving backwards and forward is only a glimmer of a thought. For now the lightbulb is still on, and I plan to use as much of the light it provides as possible. However, it’s still good to remember that fuel for the light very well comes from rewards and days off that include one on one time grooming and grazing him.
Recently when I was working with Sudi on ground work, I saw this light bulb come on. But let me give you some history as I’ve been very negligent in my blog posting of recent.
After going over some results and judge’s comments from earlier shows this season and doing some research, I began to realize that Sudi was not working his “topline” muscles correctly towards the idea of beginning collection. He simply doesn’t know how to most effectively use the muscles in his back and neck.
To put it in basic terms, when I looked at his form from the poll (the point between the horse’s ears) to his croup (the highest point on his rump), he was in the shape of an upside down rainbow. This is incorrect; he should be in the shape of a normal rainbow to properly learn impulsion from his back end.
To help his development and to teach him how to begin to carry himself correctly, I invested in some side reins. Side reins are basically adjustable leather pieces that connect to the horse’s bit and then drops down to connect to the girth so as to gradually teach the horse to lower his head as he moves. They are meant to primarily be used lunging at the trot as they could potentially damage the walk by making it too short, and they should never be used more than in 10-15 minute intervals – especially if the horse is green and in no way in shape. (As a side note: side reins can be very harmful to the horse if used incorrectly, but I have had much supervision from various members of our barn, and I have also looked into a lot of articles written on side rein work. So no worries – Sudi Man is doing just fine)
After discovering that the side reins I previously used on my Thoroughbred mare Charity (who passed away three Thanksgivings ago) were much too long to be of any useful effect, I came to only one conclusion: I needed to make a trip to the tack store! (Poor me, I know :-P)
Once there, I sadly had to talk myself out of all the new spring line merchandise and head straight for the side reins. Through my research and understanding that both of my boys are still young and impressionable, I knew I wanted leather ones that had some elastic-give on them. Leather is preferable over nylon because it is more prone to break should an accident occur. And the elastic is a little calming as it has some give in case the horse freaks out about being constrained. To my delight, I found exactly what I was looking for and was able to make the purchase at what I considered a fairly reasonable price.
So, back I trudged to the barn to nab my horse and guinea pig him. To my delight Sudi had absolutely no resistance to his beginning work with the side reins. They were actually acting as indirect reins, and he began chewing his bit lowering his head. Everytime he stretched his neck low, I would be sure to praise him. Unfortunately, “Good Boy” is also horse code for “It’s ok to stop now.” We’re gradually getting over this, but I’m convinced he just uses it as an excuse to stop and beg for treats. :-)
For the first few training sessions I left the side reins as long as possible just so that he could get used to them. Three or four sessions later, and I am now able to shorten them and in particular, shorten the inside one to teach him to bend to the inside of the circle. Sudi has been picking all of this up, and I could not be more pleased. I am even delighted to report that when I rode him this past weekend, he was beginning to transfer his lunge work to his riding work. We are by no means finished with the side reins, but I am terribly pleased with our progress.
So, after about 10 minutes of side rein work, I take them off and allow him to stretch and work his way over some small cavaletti sized jumps. To my utter amazement he has now figured out what jumps are, heads for them himself, picks up a canter, jumps correctly and after landing turns in to me with that “light bulb on” expression.
The first time I saw him do it, I was dumbfounded. I really thought someone had been working my horse in my absence. There was no more stopping,snorting and pawing of the jumps (nor munching on the potted, fake flowers!) And believe me, I have repeated this practice on several occasions to see if it was just a fluke. I’m guessing it’s not though, because all of a sudden he is moving forward and seems to actually like jumping!
I’m not sure what clicked on in his head, but I was in utter delight as I saw how proud of himself he was. And I know he knew it too – He made sure I understood that he deserved some treats when I brought him back in the barn. He was whinnying at everyone that walked by his stall.
I guess that just goes to show how much heart some horses have. Remembering these days gives me the hope to make it through the rougher ones when I sometimes feel I am moving backwards and forward is only a glimmer of a thought. For now the lightbulb is still on, and I plan to use as much of the light it provides as possible. However, it’s still good to remember that fuel for the light very well comes from rewards and days off that include one on one time grooming and grazing him.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The One With My Letter to the USEF/USEA Safety Committee
In light of the most recent tradgedies and fatalities at the 2008 Kentucky Rolex Event, I was spurred to finally express my thoughts in writing to the USEF/USEA Safetey committee. Even more poignent, this letter was sent just days before the magnificent filly Eight Belles gave her life while running the Kentucky Derby. I can only hope that we ALL as equestrians take a look at our sports and a moment to examine and hold ourselves responsible for the actions we choose to take with our equine partners.
Hello,
At 24 years of age, I am completely new to joining the eventing community (I basically grew up riding hunters and some dressage). However, as a younger girl, I had big dreams of growing up to be a “Karen O’Connor.” My career path has definitely not gone in that direction, but my underlying dream is still quite alive, albeit only recreationally.
I currently own two young Arabians who I know have the athletic capabilities to take me as far as I ever thought I wanted to go in eventing (most likely novice or thereabouts). But now I wonder if I’ll ever want to leave the “safety” of Beginner Novice or schooling horse trials that are not completely maxed out at height and width. There’s nothing like several fatalities on both the part of horse and rider to make one realize their mortality. I simply can’t help but wonder, “What/Who am I really risking to play in this sport I love so much?" and "What is it exactly that we are riding for?”
I keep coming across the same theme: horses and riders pushed to upper levels before they are really prepared. While the news is full of stories like Darren’s, this also became apparent to me in a recent FEH/YEH competition I attended at Sporting Days Farm in Aiken, SC.
While I really like the premise of the FEH/YEH competitions, I began to question, “Are we pushing the horses we hope to one day be phenomenal eventers too hard, too fast?” With all the literature out on developmental structure and time lines of a horse’s development, what is the point of so quickly cramming my horse into a dressage test and hunter/xc course (both of which require some degree of collection and extensions of stride) at the very young age of 4 (even allowably 3 if the horse hasn’t even turned 4 yet that year!). And beyond the physical part, what are we doing to these horses mentally? If our point is to find the “greats to be,” are we maybe sacrificing some of their potential greatness by pushing them too early? After all, what really is pushing us to ride them like this so early?
Ours is a sport different than others in the fact that we are the ones responsible for another party: the safety of the horses we choose to be riding. This safety comes on the course as well as time spent training before we are even on them. Lets just take some time to ask ourselves, “Am I really putting the good of the horse above my own personal desires?”
I know you all have been berated with negative comments, so I don’t want this letter to be a complete “downer.” I want you to know that I really, really do appreciate all that you guys are doing to make this beloved sport safer. I just thought I would share some thoughts that I’ve been having over the past few months. Thank you so much for your time. I am really looking forward to a safer, but still thrilling future of eventing. I have no doubt that this can be attained.
Best Regards,
Jessica
Hello,
At 24 years of age, I am completely new to joining the eventing community (I basically grew up riding hunters and some dressage). However, as a younger girl, I had big dreams of growing up to be a “Karen O’Connor.” My career path has definitely not gone in that direction, but my underlying dream is still quite alive, albeit only recreationally.
I currently own two young Arabians who I know have the athletic capabilities to take me as far as I ever thought I wanted to go in eventing (most likely novice or thereabouts). But now I wonder if I’ll ever want to leave the “safety” of Beginner Novice or schooling horse trials that are not completely maxed out at height and width. There’s nothing like several fatalities on both the part of horse and rider to make one realize their mortality. I simply can’t help but wonder, “What/Who am I really risking to play in this sport I love so much?" and "What is it exactly that we are riding for?”
I keep coming across the same theme: horses and riders pushed to upper levels before they are really prepared. While the news is full of stories like Darren’s, this also became apparent to me in a recent FEH/YEH competition I attended at Sporting Days Farm in Aiken, SC.
While I really like the premise of the FEH/YEH competitions, I began to question, “Are we pushing the horses we hope to one day be phenomenal eventers too hard, too fast?” With all the literature out on developmental structure and time lines of a horse’s development, what is the point of so quickly cramming my horse into a dressage test and hunter/xc course (both of which require some degree of collection and extensions of stride) at the very young age of 4 (even allowably 3 if the horse hasn’t even turned 4 yet that year!). And beyond the physical part, what are we doing to these horses mentally? If our point is to find the “greats to be,” are we maybe sacrificing some of their potential greatness by pushing them too early? After all, what really is pushing us to ride them like this so early?
Ours is a sport different than others in the fact that we are the ones responsible for another party: the safety of the horses we choose to be riding. This safety comes on the course as well as time spent training before we are even on them. Lets just take some time to ask ourselves, “Am I really putting the good of the horse above my own personal desires?”
I know you all have been berated with negative comments, so I don’t want this letter to be a complete “downer.” I want you to know that I really, really do appreciate all that you guys are doing to make this beloved sport safer. I just thought I would share some thoughts that I’ve been having over the past few months. Thank you so much for your time. I am really looking forward to a safer, but still thrilling future of eventing. I have no doubt that this can be attained.
Best Regards,
Jessica
Monday, April 21, 2008
The One about Kehbir
I saw it from my car: The first sign of life springing back: a hope growing. A fiery copper color was radiating it’s way over and along his now thick body, mane and tail. His watery brown eyes peered at me from under his long, bushy, strikingly black forelock. His head raised high above his Arabian arched neck, he emanated his signature deep, long “moo” as his greeting to my arrival in the barn. "My precious cow," I thought, "How far you’ve come. You’re surely a different horse now." Standing proudly, head high before me was a calm, confidant, bay Arabian in the picture of health where once a terrified literal bag of bones and peach fuzz had. I opened his door, and he lunged forward greedily guzzling the apple he knew I had brought specifically for him. He knew he was special to me. I moved his forelock to the side so I could see his white star, and kissed it. He shook his head in approval as I patted his neck before retreating to get his brushes. Kehbir is proof to me that God brings even animals and humans together for a purpose. Kehbir needed healing love; and looking back, so did I.
Truthfully Sudi was the horse that caught my eye on the internet website. And for some reason, my mother insisted on getting a foal from the same farm. In retrospect, it was good we bought them together because they were able to travel the long haul of 48 hours from Missouri to South Carolina together.
However, when I saw the two boys in the trailer when they arrived my heart sank. They looked NOTHING like their photographs. Both foals had lost half their manes and tails (maybe in the stress of transport, but then again, maybe not) and their coats looked dull and malnourished – most definitely from worms. Terror was blazing in their eyes, and while they did not want to stay on the trailer, they were not sure they wanted to get off either.
My first thought was “Oh dear Lord, what have we done?!” I could see the exact question blatantly expressed in my mother’s eyes. My two friends, who were helping as the welcoming committee, obviously looked bewildered as well.
Kehbir was the first to come off the trailer. His curiosity had definitely gotten the better of him, and he came wobbling off the trailer. He could not have even been 14 hands yet (and of course he was said to have been over 15). He looked like a yearling – not anywhere near his promised 18 months. I could see his ribs rippling beneath the remnants of his wooly brown baby hair. Had this horse been neglected his entire young life? Had he ever been groomed? The condition of his coat led me to believe that he probably had never been stalled, and dinner was probably a “free for all” where only the lucky dominant horses had a shot of eating any feed or good hay.
Any human movement was cause for a tremendous reaction of spinning backwards with loud snorts and huge, questioning eyes. My heart was in my stomach. How could a breeder have let this happen? This horse was acting as if he had never been handled. I wasn’t sure whether I was sad, disappointed, angry, or maybe a combination of all of them.
However, underneath the craze of this horse I saw a look that said “I want to trust you. I want to know that you love me.” Now this look didn’t come about all the time. But it was as if I could physically see the argument going through his brain. His ears were all the time busily moving looking for the slightest inclination that we were out to harm him. The whites of his eyes would flicker in and out as if glancing at the evil and good fairy on each shoulder.
As time progressed Kehbir began to make a turn around. While the condition of his coat was still lacking (it didn’t help that it was still winter!), his attitude began to show considerable improvement. Within the first two weeks we had him, he learned to be tied, groomed, have hooves cleaned, and be blanketed. The only really bad situation had to do with the farrier – and I am SURE he had never had his hooves trimmed before coming to us. He was absolutely terrified of the farrier. As we continue to analyze the farrier situation, we have come to realize that it is not the farrier in general but a type of body and mental frame of particular men that scare him. However, through much positive reinforcement (and feed!) we are working to help him realize that everything is Ok.
Unfortunately, at the time, everything internally for him was not Ok. We began to notice an increase in aggressive behavior, and also very stud like qualities that should definitely NOT be appearing in a gelding.
In one humorous instance, we left him alone in a field a significant distance from our barn. I began to worry as we were walking off. He began pinning his ears back flat against his head, throwing his head down, striking out with his front hooves and galloping fiercely up and down the side of the fence. Very cautiously I began to slow down my walk back to the barn, stilling keeping a CLOSE eye on him.
He was making a dash up to the front of the fence again, and I saw the look in his eye. It was a look that said “I can’t stop in time…but maybe I can.” He attempted to slow down slightly, but that only served to help him collect before he took a gigantic leap up and over the fence. As he landed, the recognition of freedom began to dawn over his face, and he took off bucking and leaping in the direction of the barn.
I thought at first he would just meander over to some other horses in a nearby field who had caught wind of his magnificent escape. But, as he was making his way over, he caught sight of something even more fantastic than playing with his buddies. It was the palomino mare Malibu.
Her blonde main and tail were flowing in the breeze, and she had a nice glisten to her golden coat as my friend Amber was just dismounting from a ride. Kehbir’s eyes sparkled as he abruptly produced a flying change and began a full out gallop in the direction of the blonde beauty.
Through my struggle to hold on to Sudi (who by the way was VERY dismayed that he was not allowed to be running out and about with Kehbir), I tried to yell back to the barn that Kehbir was headed their way. Unfortunately, the pounding of his hooves covered my desperate warnings, but acted as the sound of his triumphant entrance.
He fell back into a beautiful passage as he began to prance around the bewildered and unassuming Malibu. And then he hopped. That’s right, like a bunny. He reared and attempted to mount Malibu without a thought of what she might think. Suddenly awoken and very aware of her impending rape, Malibu leaped forward in circles as Amber desperately tried to hold on to her mare and ward of the incensed gelding.
Malibu, defending herself, threw out a couple kicks and the impact echoed through the distance to my ears where I was desperately trying to run through my laughter to help. Unfortunately, even upon my arrival I was clueless as to how to help as the two horses were still madly dashing in circles around Amber and Sudi was beginning to dance around me. In a true act of bravery, her fiancé Daniel leaped into the two horses managing to grab a hold to Kehbir’s halter and pull him out of the chase.
It was then an there that we knew for sure the problem we had for so long been wanting to deny: Kehbir was a crypt orchid. When he was gelded as a younger colt, the vet had only managed to get one testicle – leaving the other to fully grow and produce mass hormones. He was going to need to be gelded again.
Well Kehbir survived the second gelding, and he has been much merrier since then. Unfortunately after the gelding was completed, he also threw two huge splints on his front legs and developed an extreme coat allergy. My mother and I were at our wits end as to how to help this horse, but slowly and surely he has made it through all these trials. And through all of this, he began to understand that we were there to help him. And maybe that’s what it took to begin the forging of our relationship together. Perhaps that was God’s plan all along.
Currently Kehbir is beginning his work under saddle. He is still very “child-like” in his antics, so I am in no rush to hurry his schooling. A little bit of discipline is all he needs right now. I cannot express how proud of him I was at his show of bravery during the last dressage show. And I truly believe even the judge saw through his fear to his willing attitude – a far cry from a year and a half ago! How far love can go to break even the poorest of beginnings.
Truthfully Sudi was the horse that caught my eye on the internet website. And for some reason, my mother insisted on getting a foal from the same farm. In retrospect, it was good we bought them together because they were able to travel the long haul of 48 hours from Missouri to South Carolina together.
However, when I saw the two boys in the trailer when they arrived my heart sank. They looked NOTHING like their photographs. Both foals had lost half their manes and tails (maybe in the stress of transport, but then again, maybe not) and their coats looked dull and malnourished – most definitely from worms. Terror was blazing in their eyes, and while they did not want to stay on the trailer, they were not sure they wanted to get off either.
My first thought was “Oh dear Lord, what have we done?!” I could see the exact question blatantly expressed in my mother’s eyes. My two friends, who were helping as the welcoming committee, obviously looked bewildered as well.
Kehbir was the first to come off the trailer. His curiosity had definitely gotten the better of him, and he came wobbling off the trailer. He could not have even been 14 hands yet (and of course he was said to have been over 15). He looked like a yearling – not anywhere near his promised 18 months. I could see his ribs rippling beneath the remnants of his wooly brown baby hair. Had this horse been neglected his entire young life? Had he ever been groomed? The condition of his coat led me to believe that he probably had never been stalled, and dinner was probably a “free for all” where only the lucky dominant horses had a shot of eating any feed or good hay.
Any human movement was cause for a tremendous reaction of spinning backwards with loud snorts and huge, questioning eyes. My heart was in my stomach. How could a breeder have let this happen? This horse was acting as if he had never been handled. I wasn’t sure whether I was sad, disappointed, angry, or maybe a combination of all of them.
However, underneath the craze of this horse I saw a look that said “I want to trust you. I want to know that you love me.” Now this look didn’t come about all the time. But it was as if I could physically see the argument going through his brain. His ears were all the time busily moving looking for the slightest inclination that we were out to harm him. The whites of his eyes would flicker in and out as if glancing at the evil and good fairy on each shoulder.
As time progressed Kehbir began to make a turn around. While the condition of his coat was still lacking (it didn’t help that it was still winter!), his attitude began to show considerable improvement. Within the first two weeks we had him, he learned to be tied, groomed, have hooves cleaned, and be blanketed. The only really bad situation had to do with the farrier – and I am SURE he had never had his hooves trimmed before coming to us. He was absolutely terrified of the farrier. As we continue to analyze the farrier situation, we have come to realize that it is not the farrier in general but a type of body and mental frame of particular men that scare him. However, through much positive reinforcement (and feed!) we are working to help him realize that everything is Ok.
Unfortunately, at the time, everything internally for him was not Ok. We began to notice an increase in aggressive behavior, and also very stud like qualities that should definitely NOT be appearing in a gelding.
In one humorous instance, we left him alone in a field a significant distance from our barn. I began to worry as we were walking off. He began pinning his ears back flat against his head, throwing his head down, striking out with his front hooves and galloping fiercely up and down the side of the fence. Very cautiously I began to slow down my walk back to the barn, stilling keeping a CLOSE eye on him.
He was making a dash up to the front of the fence again, and I saw the look in his eye. It was a look that said “I can’t stop in time…but maybe I can.” He attempted to slow down slightly, but that only served to help him collect before he took a gigantic leap up and over the fence. As he landed, the recognition of freedom began to dawn over his face, and he took off bucking and leaping in the direction of the barn.
I thought at first he would just meander over to some other horses in a nearby field who had caught wind of his magnificent escape. But, as he was making his way over, he caught sight of something even more fantastic than playing with his buddies. It was the palomino mare Malibu.
Her blonde main and tail were flowing in the breeze, and she had a nice glisten to her golden coat as my friend Amber was just dismounting from a ride. Kehbir’s eyes sparkled as he abruptly produced a flying change and began a full out gallop in the direction of the blonde beauty.
Through my struggle to hold on to Sudi (who by the way was VERY dismayed that he was not allowed to be running out and about with Kehbir), I tried to yell back to the barn that Kehbir was headed their way. Unfortunately, the pounding of his hooves covered my desperate warnings, but acted as the sound of his triumphant entrance.
He fell back into a beautiful passage as he began to prance around the bewildered and unassuming Malibu. And then he hopped. That’s right, like a bunny. He reared and attempted to mount Malibu without a thought of what she might think. Suddenly awoken and very aware of her impending rape, Malibu leaped forward in circles as Amber desperately tried to hold on to her mare and ward of the incensed gelding.
Malibu, defending herself, threw out a couple kicks and the impact echoed through the distance to my ears where I was desperately trying to run through my laughter to help. Unfortunately, even upon my arrival I was clueless as to how to help as the two horses were still madly dashing in circles around Amber and Sudi was beginning to dance around me. In a true act of bravery, her fiancé Daniel leaped into the two horses managing to grab a hold to Kehbir’s halter and pull him out of the chase.
It was then an there that we knew for sure the problem we had for so long been wanting to deny: Kehbir was a crypt orchid. When he was gelded as a younger colt, the vet had only managed to get one testicle – leaving the other to fully grow and produce mass hormones. He was going to need to be gelded again.
Well Kehbir survived the second gelding, and he has been much merrier since then. Unfortunately after the gelding was completed, he also threw two huge splints on his front legs and developed an extreme coat allergy. My mother and I were at our wits end as to how to help this horse, but slowly and surely he has made it through all these trials. And through all of this, he began to understand that we were there to help him. And maybe that’s what it took to begin the forging of our relationship together. Perhaps that was God’s plan all along.
Currently Kehbir is beginning his work under saddle. He is still very “child-like” in his antics, so I am in no rush to hurry his schooling. A little bit of discipline is all he needs right now. I cannot express how proud of him I was at his show of bravery during the last dressage show. And I truly believe even the judge saw through his fear to his willing attitude – a far cry from a year and a half ago! How far love can go to break even the poorest of beginnings.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
The One Where We ALL Got Soggy
I know I know. I'm SO ridiculously late on this blog. It's awful. I have no good excuses except to say that I've been INSANELY busy. Don't you feel sorry for me? ;-)
But - Yay! We made it through the dressage show, and everyone completed their tests without anything disastrous happening. Oh wait - the RAIN was disastrous. Really disastrous. We're talking about rain that Noah could build an ark for. But despite all that, I really really had a great time.
Friday was probably the best day of the weekend (especially 'cause I got off work super early haha). The weather seriously could NOT have been more perfect - We were incredibly blessed to have mild, sunny 70's with a slight breeze.
Tammy, Hailey and I ended up getting to Full Gallop farm around 3ish - so that gave us plenty of time to get the horses situated and play around the stadium jumps, spiffy dressage ring, and fantastic cross country course. Sudi actually got to play in the water complex (Thanks to T-Rex and Hailey for their patience!) - which he loved. We were all pleasantly surprised at his adaptation to water. He's a veritable otter. I was also really impressed with his bravery in trekking across the cross-country course all by himself too. He was just really moving forward and taking in everything. My baby is growing up.
Several others that were joining us later were quite a bit late, so that caused some stress. We also realized that we left several important things at home such as hooks, clips and you know - FEED. :-) Maintaining the style of the day, the Limehouse's had some major catastrophes trying to get out of Charleston and up to Aiken (including the slicing Liza's cornea, flooding of bathrooms and complete air-conditioning overhaul), but everyone ended up getting there on time, and we were all able to relax over dinner at Applebea's and a glass of wine (well - fruit smoothies and chocolate cake for Liza and Hailey).
Saturday morning started out hopeful, but alas, as soon as we got all the horses out of the trailer, the rain came POURING down. It wasn't a very cold rain, but needless to say, we were all drenched, and I now own a very ugly pair of white breeches with RED and BLACK leather coloring ALL over the BUTT.
With the rain making the fields rather soggy, I decided to take Sud out of the combined training class and just do Intro Test A and B, and for Kehbir, just do Intro Test A. Kehbir was the first of my boys to brave the puddles. I have to commend both of them - they both had amazing center lines and halts. In fact, Sudi got a 7 on his very first center line!! Kehbir's 7 came from movement.
Sud's moment of glory (haha) came from his tremendous bolt from M to X. He glimpsed his reflection in the corner mirror and mistook himself for the Lock Ness Monster. This escapade garnered the judge's response "Way to Stick!!!" for which I was very proud. :-)
Forward movement was no one's forte though as neither were excited about traipsing through mud. Both got comments such as "wrong bend." Of course they were bending wrong! - The silly Arabs were arching their necks to get a better look at their reflections in the water!! Oh - and another comment was "Teach horse to bend for better balance." Ha. My horses have GREAT balance - they tiptoed through the whole test!
So, in spite of the absolutely HORRID conditions, we really did have a good time. All the babies ended up with comparably bad scores - but none of us minded in the end. As we all swam home, we definitely couldn't quit laughing and reminiscing and plotting future show experiences. It's going to take a lot of perseverance, but with perseverance, even snails made it on to the Ark!
But - Yay! We made it through the dressage show, and everyone completed their tests without anything disastrous happening. Oh wait - the RAIN was disastrous. Really disastrous. We're talking about rain that Noah could build an ark for. But despite all that, I really really had a great time.
Friday was probably the best day of the weekend (especially 'cause I got off work super early haha). The weather seriously could NOT have been more perfect - We were incredibly blessed to have mild, sunny 70's with a slight breeze.
Tammy, Hailey and I ended up getting to Full Gallop farm around 3ish - so that gave us plenty of time to get the horses situated and play around the stadium jumps, spiffy dressage ring, and fantastic cross country course. Sudi actually got to play in the water complex (Thanks to T-Rex and Hailey for their patience!) - which he loved. We were all pleasantly surprised at his adaptation to water. He's a veritable otter. I was also really impressed with his bravery in trekking across the cross-country course all by himself too. He was just really moving forward and taking in everything. My baby is growing up.
Several others that were joining us later were quite a bit late, so that caused some stress. We also realized that we left several important things at home such as hooks, clips and you know - FEED. :-) Maintaining the style of the day, the Limehouse's had some major catastrophes trying to get out of Charleston and up to Aiken (including the slicing Liza's cornea, flooding of bathrooms and complete air-conditioning overhaul), but everyone ended up getting there on time, and we were all able to relax over dinner at Applebea's and a glass of wine (well - fruit smoothies and chocolate cake for Liza and Hailey).
Saturday morning started out hopeful, but alas, as soon as we got all the horses out of the trailer, the rain came POURING down. It wasn't a very cold rain, but needless to say, we were all drenched, and I now own a very ugly pair of white breeches with RED and BLACK leather coloring ALL over the BUTT.
With the rain making the fields rather soggy, I decided to take Sud out of the combined training class and just do Intro Test A and B, and for Kehbir, just do Intro Test A. Kehbir was the first of my boys to brave the puddles. I have to commend both of them - they both had amazing center lines and halts. In fact, Sudi got a 7 on his very first center line!! Kehbir's 7 came from movement.
Sud's moment of glory (haha) came from his tremendous bolt from M to X. He glimpsed his reflection in the corner mirror and mistook himself for the Lock Ness Monster. This escapade garnered the judge's response "Way to Stick!!!" for which I was very proud. :-)
Forward movement was no one's forte though as neither were excited about traipsing through mud. Both got comments such as "wrong bend." Of course they were bending wrong! - The silly Arabs were arching their necks to get a better look at their reflections in the water!! Oh - and another comment was "Teach horse to bend for better balance." Ha. My horses have GREAT balance - they tiptoed through the whole test!
So, in spite of the absolutely HORRID conditions, we really did have a good time. All the babies ended up with comparably bad scores - but none of us minded in the end. As we all swam home, we definitely couldn't quit laughing and reminiscing and plotting future show experiences. It's going to take a lot of perseverance, but with perseverance, even snails made it on to the Ark!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
The One With the Splints
I recall reading somewhere that Arabians are tough. After all, haven’t Arabians or Arab crosses been winning the Tevis Cup for like…forever?? That’s not some easy feat after all. It takes bravado, and endurability, and good bone structure.
On second thought. Have you ever been to an Arabian breeders farm? Most of the horses over the age of 2, are relegated to single 1/8 acre lots. “Why?” you ask. I’ll tell you why. Because Arabians are crazy horses. There. I said it. *whew* (I feel like a weight has been lifted now.)
Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE my Arabians. But they are not the brightest. They have a love of running – which I thoroughly can appreciate. However, my three year old Sudi was feeling particularly spunky over the weekend when the temperatures dropped unprecedentedly low for a Charleston Spring. He ended up spending the day running, spinning, jumping, galloping, leaping – you name it.
Sunday night when I was beginning my normal grooming process I found
them. There they were; two tiny, but unmistakable, bumps on the insides of his two front legs. He was sound as could be, but they obviously hurt him because when I squeezed on them, he actually lifted his leg up!
I ended up slathering his front legs with DMSO and wrapping them. He is now spending his days with two front wrapped legs in the ring with fellow invalid, baby Thor. I’ll probably leave him that way until we leave on Friday for the show.
So lesson learned here: Arabs are only as tough as their pastures.
On second thought. Have you ever been to an Arabian breeders farm? Most of the horses over the age of 2, are relegated to single 1/8 acre lots. “Why?” you ask. I’ll tell you why. Because Arabians are crazy horses. There. I said it. *whew* (I feel like a weight has been lifted now.)
Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE my Arabians. But they are not the brightest. They have a love of running – which I thoroughly can appreciate. However, my three year old Sudi was feeling particularly spunky over the weekend when the temperatures dropped unprecedentedly low for a Charleston Spring. He ended up spending the day running, spinning, jumping, galloping, leaping – you name it.
Sunday night when I was beginning my normal grooming process I found
them. There they were; two tiny, but unmistakable, bumps on the insides of his two front legs. He was sound as could be, but they obviously hurt him because when I squeezed on them, he actually lifted his leg up!I ended up slathering his front legs with DMSO and wrapping them. He is now spending his days with two front wrapped legs in the ring with fellow invalid, baby Thor. I’ll probably leave him that way until we leave on Friday for the show.
So lesson learned here: Arabs are only as tough as their pastures.
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