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Re: [RC] What did your horse teach you??? - Barbara McCraryEleven months ago I bought Banners Flying, a 6 year old Arab gelding from eastern Montana. I bought him without having seen or ridden him, my only judgment based on a 10-minute video of him moving, being mounted and dismounted, etc. I decided to take the chance on him, especially since our daughter had bought a horse from the same ranch and really liked him. I had corresponded via e-mail with the breeders for some time and felt reasonably acquainted with, and considerably trusting of them. I was told that this horse was timid, lacked self-confidence, and needed a confident rider to help him. I wondered if I was the right person for the job, as I've had numerous experiences over the years with horses that have trashed my own self-confidence. Fortunately, a subsequent horse of quality had always managed to restore that confidence. So Banner came into my life on June 30th, 2002, and the process of getting acquainted began. He spent several days in pasture, close to the house and my attentions, simply to recover from the trailer trip from eastern Montana. That alone must have been quite a trauma for a horse uprooted from his birthplace and residence for the first 6 years of his life. I kept a record of each ride, each experience, for several months. There were a few good days and a fair number of disappointing ones. I kept constant e-mail contact with his breeder-trainer. I would ask questions about the man's previous experiences: Had Banner done this or that before? How would you handle this or that? What sort of bit is he used to? Banner tested me numerous ways; I believe he was just trying to find out whether I was worthy to be "his person". One day, after about 9 months, I walked out one morning to feed and to communicate with him, and I saw a different look in his eye. Gone was the wary look, present was a soft accepting look. It was the most incredible feeling to see that look. Ever since then, it's been getting better and better. He still is suspicious of some things, but I don't have to worry about his reactions to them. He spooks, but stays in place on the trail. Often he will just slam on the brakes, but he doesn't jump 10 feet sideways and off the trail, as I have had in past experiences with a different horse. It has taken Banner nearly a year now to build the muscle to tackle our mountains, the confidence to try something new, and the trust that I will not ask him to do something dangerous to us both. He is very intelligent, more so than any other horse I ever ridden. He learns by the third try of the same obstacle, and on the fourth he says, "I can do THAT!" He taught me to be relaxed, to be more confident myself, and he has given me the gift of a special bond with a special horse, earned the hard way....by time and patience. I used to love all horses, just because they were horses. Now I reserve that love for the special ones, and they have to earn it. I've found it takes about a year to become well-acquainted with any individual horse, but Banner began to earn my love sooner, because I could see how hard he was trying. And when I saw that soft look in his eye replace the wary one, my heart was undone. I'm taking my time getting him ready for his first endurance experience. My biggest goal is to assure that he will be a quiet horse to start. I've ridden my share of loaded cannons and hysterical idiots. I want Banner to be quiet, mannerly, and start as if he were going on a Sunday picnic. He's never had any experience that I know of starting a ride in the presence of large groups of other horses. I know he learns in just a few tries. I realize that he could learn something bad in a few tries as easily as he could learn something good. The responsibility is mine alone, not to make any bad mistakes. The burden of responsibility weighs heavily, but I think I can do it. I just need to be the kind of rider Banner can trust. Barbara McCrary ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tamara Taylor" <tam319@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: "Ridecamp" <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Saturday, May 31, 2003 4:53 PM Subject: [RC] What did your horse teach you??? Hi List, I am interested to hear what you all have to say about this topic. How did that one special horse in your life touch you, and what did you learn from it? My first horse, Spook, was a real rotter. He was a 17 year old grade gelding that my parents bought for me when I was 11. None of us knew what we were looking for in a horse. We bought Spook because he was old which we though = experienced. Note to self: Sometimes old doesn't = experienced but rather crotchey and mean! Yikes! He learned that by rearing up and hitting me with his giant head I would come off. He taught me a lot about sticking to my guns, being tough and getting back on when I felt like running home crying. He was a nasty old beast but I think I am a better rider because of him. My second (and current) horse, Magnum, taught me a lot about trust and confidence. We got him when he was a green 4 year old Arab x QH. After riding Spook I was afraid to relax when riding and was tense the whole time. Magnum taught me that there are horses out there that are gentle and forgiving. He made riding fun for me. He is a great friend and we are still going strong 10 years later. He's been there for me thru my teen years, a car accident 4 years ago where I broke my pelvis and still cannot ride normally, my graduation, the dating years, the challenges of university and my wedding. I consider him my oldest, most loyal, trusted friend. He has taught me so much about love and life. So who is your special horse and what has he/she taught you? Tamara Taylor Saskatoon, SK Naturally Reared Boxers and Versatile Sporthorses http://www.angelfire.com/blues/redhorse/index.html =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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