Everything equates to dating.
Yesterday, a woman from Milwaukee drove up to ride one of my sale horses (Ashton, the one who just is not a good match for my riding/personality type). A trial ride is something like a blind date. You may have seen photos and/or video footage of the horse, have spoken with trainer/owner/rider, but you really have no idea what to expect until you meet the horse face to face.
Ashton put on quite a show before I arrived at Malinda’s barn… he ate a pair of reins, which had to be quickly replaced before he could be ridden. He also decided that he should take a fast lap around the field sans personal attendant. His buddies in the adjacent pasture did the same, so there was some excitement all around. Fortunately, Ashton came over to Malinda after his romp and was beautifully behaved under saddle.
When the prospective buyer climbed aboard, Ashton did his very best to listen to her direction and she had quite a lovely ride. We pulled out some 55 gallon barrels to use as a jump in addition to several regular fences, and he quietly went over everything in his path in a most gentlemanly fashion. What a character this horse is.
All went well, and the woman will be back in a couple of weeks for a second ride. If all continues to go well, the next step will be a pre-purchase exam (this means the horse is subjected to all sorts of flexion tests, a score or so of x-rays are taken of the various joints, and an overall check-up is done by the vet).
Buying a horse really is like attempting to find a life partner. We spend a great deal of time and energy, in addition to copious amounts of money on our equine companions so decisions such as this are not made lightly. Plus, they cost about as much as a car… it really is a huge decision to make.
I will be sad if Ashton is sold, but since I don’t enjoy riding him (too boring for me) and have loaned him out for my friend to ride over the past couple of years, it won’t be too big of a personal loss. I have a couple of other horses that Malinda can ride and continue to learn on, so she won’t be too disappointed either.
The other horses are in the clear for now. Actually, Mirelle is on my naughty list as she has learned how to escape from her new paddock. Last night, before feeding time, she was out wandering around the property eating grass. Fortunately for her, she came to me when called (so I didn’t get too bent out of shape) and I moved her to yet another pasture in the hope of containing her properly. The fence gives a powerful zap, so I am optimisitic that she will stay in for a day or two. I just don’t know how she continues to escape, she must have a special gift.
Today entailed running all kinds of errands. The Lad and I spent a couple of minutes together today, sharing a pizza and catching up. Since he has returned to town, we have spent a ridiculous amount of time on the phone. The teenage phase has clearly not passed me by as I had hoped.
The dogs and I played hard in the yard when I returned home, then they helped me to feed the horses. Interior work on the house was on hold today as I am getting burned out again - at least I have finished pulling up all of the carpeting in the dressing room and hallway. It took several hours to pull all of the dumb staples out of the hardwood floor yesterday, but I like the tangible evidence of a job properly completed.
Anonymous said:
I know nothing about horses, absolutely nothing. But, I find myself fascinated by the life you lead. I used to know a little lady named Sharon over in Western Wisconsin who’s memory you bring back every story.
Then you had to throw in The Lad - now it’s pure addiction.
Thanks
May 29th, 2008 at 6:54 am #
Billie said:
Here I think I am the most boring person on the face of the earth… thanks for the kind words!
May 30th, 2008 at 10:54 am #