Geeze-Louise, Mickey: there was your
original letter expressing the wild excitement and joy about soon becoming a
horse owner. I read it and immediately identified with you, remembering
the sublime joy of having my own horse for the first time just two years
ago. You asked for a bit of advice and boy did you get it! Everything
from remaining safe and hiring a professional trainer to questioning whether
you really should be getting a horse that is only a year and a half old.
All good advice and, I am sure, all well-meaning. Still, all this input which
basically questions your choice of horse seems like a hell of a lot of rain on
your parade. Your latest note sounds like you are starting to second-guess
yourself, and little wonder since all this good advice came from veteran
horse owners. Maybe I’m reading too much into your latest response.
But I sort of feel sorry for you. I too got a young horse and a mustang
to boot. Everyone, from my riding instructor to my horsy friends thought
I was nuts. I was a novice rider and didn’t grow up around horses. It was
unanimous, I should have gone out and gotten an old school horse. That
way I would be safe. And that advice is all too correct. Yet, I am so
glad I ignored it. If I had gotten a tame, well-mannered, trained horse I
would have learned only a fraction of what my wild, impetuous, glorious horse
has taught me. Yes, at times it was pretty rocky. I’ve gone
off him no less than seven times. Nothing broken, but a lot of
bruises. And the frustration at times seemed nearly unbearable. He
didn’t want to stay tied. He couldn’t stand the custom saddle
I had made for him. He spooked at everything. There were those days when
I thought I had bitten off much more than I could possibly chew. But he
forced me to learn how to handle him. How to be his leader. Nothing
was easy. Everything had to be earned. But now, we’re
partners, buddies. He’s got a heck of a lot of “go,”
and not much whoa. But it’s controlled “go” now. He
has more than met my goal for this, our first full riding season by becoming a
safe, reliable trail horse. He trusts me when I urge him forward thru
that stream or over that foot-bridge, despite his fears. He’s learning to
stay in the gait I want. He still spooks occasionally, but he spooks in
place. And he is so eager to please. Yeah, it would have been
the wise move to get that old gentle horse. But I’m damned glad I didn’t.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do. If you decide to get that baby,
expect that your work will be cut out for you. But just think of the
rewards in store when you develop that horse you’ve always wanted.
Know what you’re getting into and then follow your heart.
From:
ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Mickey Womack Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2006
2:20 PM To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [RC] Worth question?
So I have been pondering all the input I have received and
one that sticks in my mind is this..............
Is the filly worth 1500$ if she is not yet registered?
If not, does the fact that all board and care is FREE make up for it?
