Well, let’s get the bad out of the way because it leads to the good news. My Daughters horse Tanner had an accident on Monday/Tuesday that required a visit from the vet and 17 stitches. He is going to be just fine and it shouldn't even leave a scar. But here is the good news.
While MV was at the barn he wanted to see Sammy. While he was stitching up Tanner's shoulder we discussed her and the fact that she is not gaining weight as I feel she should. She looks 100% better than she did, but she still has some points as you would expect to see on a two or three yr old. Hips and chest, and she is just really narrow. So we talked about her feed, and supplements, worming, and such. He shook his head "Your doing everything you can, but she was starved for so long, she may never come completely out of it. She may always be a very hard keeper" We talked about her Dam (Misty) who had been hard to put weight on (not that you can tell it now) and wondered if that may be part of her genetics. We talked about her exercise routine, and turn out time. Nothing amiss there either. Then he made the suggestion that I go ahead and start breaking her.
We (my daughter and I) had begun that task if you remember back in the fall. I however decided that she hadn't put on enough weight yet and combined with the weather suspended her "training". He suggested that starting her out at 10 min under saddle or so at a time might cause her Metabolism to "kick in" help her to gain weight. It will definitely put muscle on her which she needs.
So there is a new plan. Since we are still in the deep freeze here, I am going to take her to a friend’s walking horse barn. It has a wide long hallway designed to ride in and there will always be someone there with me working other horses. Sammy is going to start working and we are going to start building muscle.
Wow, just thinking about it makes my heart pound from excitement and apprehension. I have never been nervous about breaking a horse, but this little girl. OH, it is like playing the lottery for years and suddenly you win. You have excitement, disbelief, and nervousness, all rolled into one. I suddenly realized that I had become so comfortable just having her home safe with me that, even though I had always planned to, had not really believed the images of me riding her. Now it is time to step up to the plate and take a swing at it. The only thing I can compare this feeling to is pre-wedding cold feet. LOL How silly is that?
So wish me luck. I will of course keep you posted.
4 comments:
I know EXACTLY how you feel. I'm so excited for you. We just had my mare trained last spring, after having her for 4 years and with 2 other trainers, it was a dream come true and I just stared in awe the first time the trainer actually rode on her. I couldn't stop smiling and it wasn't even ME on her!! And wait until YOUR first ride. I was scared to death becauses I knew of some things my mare had pulled, but she was great. Really skittish and would scoot around, but as long as I kept balanced and paid attention, it all went well.
Can't wait to see pictures and updates!! Congratulations.
Wow, what a big step, but like you said, so exciting! I don't blame you for getting the jitters. I don't think I could break a young horse now. I did it (with help) when I was a teen, but for some reason I don't have the confidence that I used to! I think if you just go slow and have lots of support, it will go really well. She is a beautiful mare and we can't wait to see you on her!
Well the funny thing is I break horses also, I put the first ride on my best friends horse last weekend. There have only been a couple that have created the butterflies in my stomach. Those few are usually the ones that pile drive me; and I don't bounce like I used to.
So Sammy is a combination of Oh this is probably going to hurt, and OMG I can't believe I am getting to ride Sammy!
I know how she has reacted to leaving her comfort zone in the past. She has gotten a LOT better but you never know. Maybe she will just go with the flow.
What a milestone this will be! Very cool!
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