Though I'm a TERRIBLE commenter (meaning I hardly ever do it), I've been reading horse blogs for years. And I don't think I've read ONE SINGLE BLOG where they said "my horse is perfect and has been from day one and narry a problem in the last 15 years." Maybe there's one out there, but it's pretty rare.
Instead, there is the bumpy transition of getting to know one another. Of finding out if they leave the toilet seat up or down. Can I sleep with that snoring? Just like with people, this can take some time. It may be a year before I know what's really lurking under the adorable face of my trial pony.
Anyways, for those of you who ARE decent commenters, I'd love to hear stories (or just put links back to your blogs!) of what you went through with your new horse as you got to know them.
I love that I'm not the only one with this problem. I've been fostering a horse since January and have finally made up my mind to just go ahead and adopt him already! It's been driving me crazy going back and forth ;)
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I bought Bridget because she was logically the best choice in my price range after months of shopping. Bad things: pushy/rude, lazy, hard to catch, basically unstarted under saddle. Good things: sound, sensible, cute. If I had a longer trial I may have given her back...in fact during one memorable clinic I was advised to do just that and find something more cooperative/with a better work ethic! Now, I like to think we have a great partnership and I don't think I could ever part with her. It just took time to build up some mutual respect and affection. That being said, I dont mind a bit if a challenge. If I had at any point felt unsafe or woke up dreading barn time she would have been sold :)
ReplyDeleteSo: I leased for several years before the pony was gifted to me. Maybe a month into the lease, she spooked at the water pump, bolted, maybe bucked? and dumped me. Oops. It's been a lot of learning curves, and it really was a year or two before we had eachother figured out. I still come off once every year or so, but her spooks are so, so much smaller and better-controlled than they used to be, and things are workable!
ReplyDeleteIve found the best horses I've had have just given me this gut feeling. Sometimes it's just an immediate trust, sometimes they just give me this warm tingly feeling. I think you just have to go with your gut. I really think horses picky their people as much as their people pick them.
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