[RC] Badar and Mary's first ride story - Maggie Mieske
Better late than never. :) Here it is, folks. And we are
very, very proud of this mare and her rider! They have come a long way
together and we can't wait to see the adventures they will have and are
having! Bravo, Mary and Badar!!!
Badar is the hidden dream of my heart all of my life. She is the daughter of
my sister's beautiful Arab stallion Malik, out of my grade TWH mare, Dallas.
Originally I bred Dallas to Malik because she tends to be such a hussy and I
hoped it would calm her down. We didn't really think she was with foal until the
fall and early winter. From then on my dream actually began to awaken. I was
determined to have a colt to geld and hoped for a different color than black or
gray. Maybe even a gaited ½ Arab. I began to dote on Dallas with the bond of
understanding only known to the females of any species. Her pregnancy and
foaling were the experience of a lifetime for me. I wanted to get all this on
video tape. My brother laughed at that idea (as did most others) and assured me
Dallas would not foal until the full moon (our Dad's traditional claim). I even
went as far as to sleep, well, camp in the doorway of her stall several times.
Sure enough, I did get that birth on tape which I just treasure now. And indeed
she was born on the full moon in April. I phoned my next-door sister, Maggie and
niece, Jenny so they could come watch too and share in our joy. Dallas was calm,
had no problems and had a long legged, long- eared bay filly with a "full moon"
on her forehead. Hence, the name Badar; Mahawa's Dancin' Badar. From the
1st day she gaited though not consistently. Filly or colt no longer
mattered. I was totally head over heels in love! A love like no other in my
entire life.
Now 4 years later love and training come to a new beginning. Each new trail
is a world of discovery and comprehension. She and I growing together. We had
been extending our little trips gradually from just a couple miles to 6, 8, 11,
15. We rode with her Mom, alone, with Maggie and her ½ sister Luna. We had new
experiences each time we went out, bikes, dogs, tractors, traffic, other horses
in pastures, bridges, water, etc. When she was about two I had an equine dentist
check her out and after that I was never able to get a bit back in her mouth.
But she did just fine in a hackamore. I forgot about syringes and capillary
refill checks. So, we are still working on that with my brother-in-law's
suggestion that I try a little syrup on my fingers. Of course, 2 weeks before
our 1st ride at the Little Manistee she panicked while being loaded (
actually got her neck turned around before I got her head tied). She got a few
cuts and bruises out of that one, but nothing serious. Except now she tends to
be difficult to load. So thanks to Jan & Butch Kennedy, for the opportunity
to purchase a larger trailer which will be safer for everyone and much easier
for me.
So our 1st 25 mile LD at Little Manistee was our debut. At the Vet
in they were very patient with her inexperience and each time after when they
had to check her. Thanks for the patience, guys. We were both anxious and
excited. Camping out with so many others went well. Maggie and Jenny were to
ride Sat. 50 E, and so they did in spite of the cold, rain, mud, etc. I woke up
Sat. morning and could see my breath! I began to question my own sanity as well
as theirs. Nelson talked to me later that day on whether or not to ride Sun. But
we had come so far, prepared so hard and were determined to ride. So they stayed
over to crew for me the next day (gluttons for punishment, huh) Bless your
hearts and thank you so much!!! Sun. morning the rain held off and we got ready.
Badar just knew that something new was up and she was literally "rearing" to go.
I had to ride to the back of the field away from the others (to settle her
down?). A 4-wheeler started up and so did she. She reared with a bend to see
what was behind her (she's seen 4-wheelers before) and I chose to bail off
rather than take a chance of her landing on me. I was fine, though embarrassed,
and rather put out with her. Needless to say we were 4 min. late getting on the
trail. But, then she settled in like an old pro. I was concerned how she'd do
with the mud, rocks and water holes. But, she went along with little or no
hesitation, weaving through trees, up and down hilly areas. She caught on
quickly about "pick up" for the rocks and roots, and soon recognized her pit
crew ahead. She rode behind other riders, close up with them, and was willing to
go on ahead. She reached out well covering ground easily, and though I'm still
working on my "post" she is moving smoothly. She maintains good scores,
recovering quickly. We watched her hydration as electrolytes (syringes) were
still a problem. But she did fine. She drank from mud puddles, peed and pooped
well. She continued sound and seemed to bloom before my eyes. I am so proud of
her. A new bond and understanding is developing for us and I think even she
feels this partnership Though we still have some issues to work on and lots of
slow conditioning to do, I think we're in the same dream now. So as finances
permit, look for us at the rides. If we don't get there as much as we'd like, be
sure to know that we're on the trail somewhere conditioning or just relaxing
together. Who knows what unrealized dreams may yet
unfold?..
