Why I fell in love with my horse. :-)

The Literary Horse and a few other bloggers have written about their love for horses lately. (oh yeah, it's Valentine's Day. duh). I'm lovin' the stories, so I'll share mine. Plus I think perhaps some of my newer followers don't know how I got Hampton and why.

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In June 2009, I sold my Morgan gelding, T-Bone, who I had had for 5 years. I started him as a 2 year old and when I sold him, he was tinkering on third level dressage. Don't get me wrong, I loved T-Bone. He was a super horse, very friendly, sane, never bucked and was quite intelligent.

However, dressage was a battle with him most days. Looking back, he would have made a much better eventer or jumper. He loved to jump and was quite game.

T-Bone and I. (my awesome horse-show dad shines my shoes!)

I invested thousands of dollars taking lessons, going to clinics (including names such as Tom Poulin, J. Ashton Moore and Christpher Taylor) ... a few helped a little, but not really. Horse shows became hellish  since at every. single. one. he would scream and scream (in warmup and the test). Despite hours of lunging, he would still be tense. I tried ulcer meds. Calming supplements. Massages. Chiro. More lunging. The fact remained that the horse was not fun to show. His underneck muscle was embarrassing and just made the work that much more difficult. It became obvious to me that the upper level work was just not going to happen. And it was not fair to me to keep asking him to do it. I was struggling financially as well. So, I sold him - to a great lady who spoils him. And he is back to a training level horse.

Yeah this is pretty much our relationship.

Not more than a month after I bid T-Bone farewell, my friend and mentor calls me up to ask me if I knew anyone who wanted a 2 year old colt, unbroke, warmblood cross, bay. This is the same lady who bred T-Bone and sold him to me, so I decided "just to go look." She said that if she couldn't find him a home soon, she would "send him down the road." I'm not sure what exactly that meant.

She warned me that the colt "hadn't been handled much" and led him from his stall to the indoor so I could see him move. He was barely halter broke - leading much like a drunken sailor.

The day I met him

She turned him loose and he went haulin' ass around the ring, snorting, bucking, passaging around.

And after he got the sillies out, he came right back up to us to be caught. Good boy.

I spent a little more time with him in his stall and despite his limited handling, he let me scritch him all over. He quietly stood there - watching me intently. I told his owner that I would go home and sleep on it - knowing full well he was already mine. I just knew.

Once I got him home, I began working with him on basic "how to be a horse in a human's world" stuff. He was big as a 2 year old (just over 16 hands), but was never rude. He trusted me right off the bat and within a week was wearing a surcingle.

2009 as a 2 year old babeh

Throughout the process of starting him, he rarely caused me a problem. We had such an instant bond and trust between each other that it was so easy. By fall 2009, I sat on him for the first time.

The first ride.

It seemed like everyday, he improved. He was so pleasant that at times I was nervous that one day he would just explode. Well he never did. Still not yet. :-)

First time trotting under saddle.

As 2009 came to a close, I decided to basically let him have the winter off to grow. Every once in a while I'd take him out for a light lunge, or even an easy ride under saddle. But we didn't really "officially" ride off the lunge line until March 2010. 

About 20 rides under saddle 

It was then when our progress started to just blow me away. When I started taking lessons with my dressage instructor in April 2010, we went from a wobbly greenie, to training level dressage horse in a matter of weeks. Yes, we face some normal and typical young horse issues but that's ok. He is "the one" I have been waiting for since I was 7 years old. 

He is the only horse I have owned that comes up to me every day in the field when I call for him. Some days he will even whinny at me. His personality cracks me up. The BO had to change all of the locks on the gates because SOMEONE learned how to unlatch them. He always tries to please me and will be a fancy dressage horse one day, and the next I can hop on him in just a halter and lead rope and take a trail ride. He is a total flirt and wins over everyone that comes in contact with him. He has one of those cute faces that makes you felt. He is curious, friendly and such a kind soul. 

He is why I fight so hard with finances. I'd rather be broke and have this horse, than not worry so much about money but not have him. I really cannot think of any other time I am so happy as I am with Hampton. I put him before my own needs (this why he eats Triple Crown Complete and I eat Ramen noodles, lol). 

Sometimes I think it might be a little unhealthy that my life literally revolves around horses. I mean, I do like other things in life but nothing comes close to the equines. Should I maybe back off the horse world and expand my interests?

Nah.

In which I sort of acquire another horse ...

This morning I woke up depressed and defeated. I literally do not have a cent to my name and my truck is out of gas. This means no going to the barn today to see Hampton. It means I am going to have to pawn something to eat until Friday - payday. I work so hard and for what? The horse show I was planning on going to ... I kept thinking maybe I shouldn't go. I will be able to afford it come Friday, but gosh if I'm so poor that I can't afford to EAT - am I stupid for wanting to go to a small schooling show? Maybe I don't deserve to ... maybe I'm a fool for thinking I should even have a horse when I can't afford to eat!

Toxic, toxic thoughts.

Then early afternoon my friend (the one with the TWH) called up and offered to come pick me up! Annnd it was 45 degrees. Day = made.

February 2010 zoomins'

The small arena was wet and sloppy, but the footing was good. Hampton felt uphill and reasonably strong. I tried left lead canter and it was egg-beaterish but this may be because we had to canter on straight lines due to the mountain of snow in the middle of the ring which made circles impossible. So I said forget the canter and worked on shoulder-in, leg yield, transitions and just finding a nice rhythm in general.

There was some moments of bracing in the neck and uncharacteristic nervous chomping on the bit. Hmmm, I just sent him forward and flexed his neck a bit and he softened and then took contact back. Not sure what that was about but I need to be careful to not let it become a habit. My previous horse, T-Bone, was the KING of bracing the neck and dipping behind the contact. I want to be careful not to make the same mistakes. I sort of wonder if it's Hampton's teeth might be causing him discomfort, or if he just wanted to duck behind because it's a strength issue. Anyway, I was glad that I was able to get him back in front of vertical and taking a nice contact. Woot.

I am sure you are wondering why I named this post what I did.

Well, at the moment this is a BIG BIG maybe but ... the BO and I may be taking on a little project together. And by project I mean a certain equine who is trained through 3rd level, piaffe, passage and is a Regional Champion.

Here is a clue to who he is:

... to be continued!

Back to my roots

So, unless another blizzard or severe arctic blast comes our way, I am entering Hampton in the Feb. 26 dressage show at Come Again Farm.

We are going to attempt Training Level Test 1, and Training Level Test 3.

Both of these tests are well within his abilities. Yes, we will both be a bit rusty and out of practice (unless the weather really does a turnaround and I can get in some serious riding time before then), but I am sort of one to wing things, especially for little fun shows. Hampton has been off the farm twice now, so I know he isn't likely to flip out at this new place. He will have a stall to hang out in (no standing next to a trailer) and plenty of hay to eat. Plus, these shows tend to be laid back and are run well so I see it as an opportunity to have a fun, relaxing day with my horse. And get some feedback on our progress ... derr, how badly we came out of the winter. haha.

Plus, this particular farm means a lot to me. I literally grew up there - back in the day when it was a Morgan training and breeding farm. My show horses Doc, Wilson and Sparkle were all in training there. My previous horse, T-Bone, was born there. I have spent hours and hours riding on that property (and around the country roads). Saw many foals born, had many laughs and good memories. Chased numerous loose horses down the lane. Cleaned those stalls hundreds of times.

I just love that the current trainer has turned it into an eventing and equestrian haven.

It is the farm that built me.

Some memories

Me on T-Bone, visiting Sparkles and Corinne.

T-Bone at 2 years old. 

Riding on the 1/4-mile track

Shaq walks down the lane at Triple Creek

The hill-jack adventures of Karen

Yeah so today gets 2 posts because this morning was just too funny.

I drive out to the barn to feed Hampton and when I walked into the barn, I notice that a trash can is toppled over and trash is everywhere. My first thought was a stupid raccoon had a good time.

Larry the donkey

Then I hear hooves. Like, a lot of them.

Around the corner come the 3 donkeys and Hershey - a 30 year old pony. I capture Hershey easily and then tried to get one of the donkeys, thinking if I had two animals the others would follow me back to their own pen. Um, no. Little did I know, the donkeys are not halter broke. Although one is wearing a halter, so yeah for that. I decided to try and grab him.

After shoo-ing the donkeys into a stall, I get a hold of the one with a halter. He is not pleased with this and drags me out of the stall and down the aisle. By then, the other two donkeys are out of sight so he stops. I try to lead him forward, his throws his head every which way and drags me a little more.

(keep in mind the whole time I am hanging on this damn donkey, Hershey the pony is following me obediently, even tho the halter I grabbed for him was too big and was now around his neck)

After a few minutes of rasslin' the donkey, I figure out that he WILL back away from me. So yes, ladies and gents, I made the donkey back all the way to the other barn where his pen is. So here I am, one donkey in front of me backing and a pony behind me. I get to the barn doorway and the donkey turns around and bolts - I let go and he went back to his pen. HA! Score. Pony goes back in easily.

Now back to get the other two donkeys.

Amazingly, I was able to get a halter on one of them. Maybe he leads? Eh, sort of. Enough that I get him to the other barn and the other donkey followed. However, neither one wanted to go back in their pen. When I tried to get Donkey #2 through the gate, he planted his front feet. So I stepped to his side and gave him two big smacks on the ass (heh heh get it), prayed he wouldn't kick me and in he went. One donkey left!!

He was standing in the aisle, eyeing me. I had to leave the gate open so I just hoped the others wouldn't come back out, and slowly walked over to Donkey #3's other side and clapped and spooked him back into the gate. Success!!!

:-)

**

And in other news, I bought Hampton a new medium weight blanket. Ya know, since he shredded his other one. I hope this lasts at least until the end of winter.

Snow picture! (what a novelty these days)

Here's a photo from our snowy ride yesterday. That's 4 out of the 6 if us that were riding. I just love our little crew: 2 tobiano Paints, 1 chestnut/sabino QH, 1 appy, 1 black Walker mare ... and big old bay Hampton. :-) (on the far right)

Snow poneh

35 degrees means I actually got to ride in boots and beaches and NOT my coveralls! You know you are in the dead of winter when THAT makes your day. :-)

When I got to the barn, it was like a riding party as 4 other people were also getting ready to ride. The big arena was plenty large enough for all of us and I really like riding Hampton around other horses as much as I can. He has never had a problem with it, but it's always a good experience.

The footing was decent, it was a bit deep but still solid enough for trotting and cantering. I only cantered one direction because Hampton started to get a little sweaty and I figured that working in the deep snow might make him muscle sore so I backed off. But he was brilliant. Forward, connected. We had some mild issues with bulging through the outside shoulder .. but I know it had to do with avoiding a deeper snow drift and nothing else. He also was a bit cranky about backing. Again, deep snow and I suspect he was getting tired at this point and it was just too. much. work. :-) He is just so freaking pleasant to ride. No lunging required. He will stop and stand. He will leave the group. I got him to stretch nicely while also trotting through the snow so his back got really swingy. He did everything I asked.

And now of course temps are going to plummet again so who knows when I'll get to ride again. I do think I am still going to aim for the dressage show later this month and pray the weather holds up. I think we can wing training level and I don't feel like it will be a disaster.

Famous last words?

A little too much fun in the snow

This Morgan belongs to a friend of mine.

Sunday a good friend and I decided to try and sneak in another ride before the "Historic Snow Storm of February 2011" hits Indiana. *gag*. She leases a 5 year old Tennessee Walker mare, who is quite green but sweet and willing to learn.

After some time working in the arena (walk, trot only. The snowy footing was decent but I didn't trust it for cantering), I decided we should take a trail ride. I specifically had an area in mind that is basically a huge ditch in  between two corn fields. It is about 3 horses wide and long enough to have a good canter/gallop. And because it is between two cornfields (and it set below them, like a big ditch), it also has about 3 feet of snow. That means the horses will get a good workout.

We walked and trotted some. Both horses were being good. So I decided to try some cantering. It was SO. MUCH. FUN. Hampton was bounding through the snow - snorting and blowing and picking up some serious enthusiasm. I was laughing and had a really good hold of my running martingale strap.

We reached the end of the path and I stopped and turned around. Then I see my friend with her horse cantering at us. They look lovely ... and then ... the mare sort of leaps out of the path, up the small hill and into the cornfield. A stride after that she bucks. And I mean her rear end was far above her little head type of buck. My friend tumbled into the snow. Then the mare sort of trots off in front of us and I realize Hampton thinks this is great fun and does a little mini-leap which doesn't get far because I have him in a one-rein stop before he realizes what has happened. We get the naughty mare caught and return to the ring for more work.

We end on a good note. :-) Good times, good times.

And now, more snow. I did put a warm liner blanket under Hampton's turnout sheet so he should be nice and bundled up now. But of course the horses always handle it better than we do.