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Why I Gotta Trot

302K views 4K replies 52 participants last post by  egrogan 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)

Probably my first horse ride ever, circa late '70s.



"To understand just one life you have to swallow the world..." Salman Rushdie


It seems a little difficult to explain where I’m at in my horse life.
For sure I’ve found a horse life to be a dynamic thing, shifting and changing in ways a person may not expect.

First I should explain that whatever may change about me, a constant is that I need to have horses in my life. I’m human, female, and just as deep as both of those things I’m a horse person. In the times of my life where I could not have my own horses, I still thought about them, read about them, obsessed about them. Throughout the long years of childhood and as a teen, when my mother remained convinced I would outgrow this phase, my thoughts revolved around learning, preparing, and planning for when I would own a horse. Any chance I had to meet a horse, touch a horse, ride a horse, and I was there.

When I was in college, they asked me why I chose my career as a nurse. Others around me said they’d always dreamed of helping people or been interested in health care. I truthfully said I wanted to have a career that would help me have a good income so I could always have horses.

Although I did not own a horse until my early twenties, my obsession with horses meant that before I bought a horse I had ridden many horses, taken different types of lessons, studied many different trainers, knew a lot about various types of tack and riding styles, horse breeds, and how to assess horses for soundness and conformation.

As always with horses, and something I learned long before I owned a horse, is that even if you study horses your entire life, you can only know a fraction of what there is to know.

Over the years I’ve found horse people to be opinionated, stubborn, emotional, dramatic, and helpful, tough, caring, loyal. Most of them are loyal to their horses first, and that’s not a bad thing. It’s hard sometimes to call them “my people,” yet they are. They’re the only ones who can understand the deep-seated need “we people” have to talk about horses. Co-workers’ eyes glaze over, spouses try to care but get bored, family members have heard it for far too many years. Strangers won’t stick around long enough. Even when horse people get frustrating, they’re still good to have around to listen to the stories.

I’ve had the chance my horse life to study some different disciplines and different theories whole-heartedly. I’ve had the opportunity to be disillusioned by the difference between dreams and reality, and to learn again and again that horses are amazing animals, just animals, but animals worth spending years and dollars and dreams on. Horses have been teaching me about myself, about humanity, about beauty, and about life. There’s more to learn.

Where I’ve landed is somewhere far away from those that use horses for profit and ego and their own goals. It’s also some distance from those that use horses to fulfill purely emotional needs, or those that believe horses sense our purposes and bond with us with some form of blind parent/child trust. I’ve learned that absolutes such as never, or always do not apply to horses. No horse will “always.” No horse will “never.” In the right situation, any horse will, and can hurt you. I’ve learned that you can’t take anything personal with an animal, and to stay far away from anthropomorphizing. The more I understand that horses are individuals with their own, strong motivations, the more I appreciate them.

These philosophies help explain why I have the two horses I own, and may give insight into what I write about them. In the next post I’ll introduce my horses.
 
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#1,720 ·
Such wonderful words, and I thank you all.

I am not terribly sad today, just feeling full of fond memories.

How odd it was that so many times I felt as though Halla was just short of being too much for me, but yet she always stayed just below that threshold. So many times I thought, "If she gets any hotter or more explosive, I am going to fly off." But somehow she would stay in that moment just barely manageable, and so we continued on our way.

For the last few years, it was strange how I could take her out with a beginner on an easy trail ride, and I would know that we could still manage the ride and keep that other person safe on their horse. Many experiences with Halla taught me that when she needed to be manageable, she would be. And when she didn't need to be manageable, she would be just manageable enough.

Of course, there were those rare times when something unexpected would happen, and we'd lose it. But it was a very rare thing for me to come off Valhalla, even when she was green as grass. She never was trying to get me off. Coming off her was due to something spooking her violently, or her tripping. She never was scooting out from under me or dropping a shoulder or twisting away from my seat (aka Amore).

So many things made her the most fun horse to ride. When I only had Amore, if someone else wanted to ride my horse so I could ride another bigger, faster horse, I was always happy about that. After I had Halla, my horse was always my first pick, because she was the most fun to ride.

I remember the first time I galloped on Halla. She was only 15 hands. I've galloped on big horses and fast horses and powerful horses. Pony sized horses with legs that moved staccato fast. Big, round, lurching movers and flat, smooth ones. Halla had the most wonderful gallop I've ridden. Before her knee injuries, she was very fast because she could stretch out so far. She could almost keep up with the big Thoroughbreds. But what made her gallop special was how she used her entire body to gallop.
She didn't gallop like this:


She galloped like this:

I would see her hooves coming up in front of us, and her whole body would feel like it was going to burst apart with the effort she gave. She loved galloping, and put her whole heart and soul into it.

The first time I galloped on Halla, I thought I was going to be flung off into the bushes. Her muscles seemed to rotate around underneath me, almost like being on a merry-go-round in the wrong spot where you feel like you're going to get thrown off rather than held in by the centrifugal forces. But the forces did hold me on, and it was like sitting on a washing machine on top of a motorcycle. Mad-crazy-legs churning up the ground.

All her life, in order to gallop all you had to do was think about galloping and you'd be doing it. To gallop was her default mode, her happy place. All the rest of the time spent riding was basically telling her it wasn't time to gallop yet. The one 25 mile limited distance ride we did, I spent most of 25 miles telling her not to gallop. Most days I just had to remind her gently every minute or so that it wasn't time to gallop yet. That day, in a new place and very exciting, I had to spend all the energy I had in my body telling her she couldn't gallop today.

The next day, I remember standing on my concrete porch pad which was about four inches high, and thinking it was a long ways down and that it would hurt very much to take the step. Every part of me felt like it had been run over by a cement truck.
I also remember that ride as being one of the most beautiful rides I've ever had. Views of mount Rainier, green woods, sunshine, flowers. Gorgeous trails.
 
#1,721 ·
Saw a funny picture on FB today - these moose were bottle fed and used for deliveries by their owner. There is a mark on the photo but from what I've read, photos this old are not really copyrightable. So the name is to give credit to the person who shared it.


Good barn day today. Nala and Amore seem to be doing fine, and I put some beautiful flowers on Halla's grave. We had a light dusting of snow last night, so patches were still on the ground and highlighting the mountains surrounding the area.

We took Nala and Rascal out for a ride. Surprisingly, even though the temperature was in the high 30s there was barely any wind on the beach, and it was quite comfortable with a jacket on.

I've been reading about some of Rascal's possible body issues and am feeling convinced he has some sacroiliac issues from his track career. Quite common from what I've learned. I believe this is probably why he kicks up and bucks, he might just be tight or sore in the hind.
Before the ride, I stretched his hind legs up and forward, and also up and back. He had a lot of difficulty stretching back, worse on the right. For some reason, from what I've read, the SI issues are often worse on the right side with OTTBs.

On the ride, Rascal picked up the first several canters with no bucking. This made me feel like the stretching helped. He didn't actually buck until we turned around toward home and there was a bit of wind in our faces. He was a bit persistent in throwing in the bucks, so we went up into the deeper sand and I made him canter and keep cantering, which was so much work that he had to focus his energy and there was no more bucking.

At the top of the dune, Honey the herding dog raced off toward the huge elk herd sitting about 100 yards away from where we came over the top. She got them all running off, and we worried she might get kicked but she quickly raced back to us. Then they were stampeding all over in the posh, gated neighborhood just off the beach, we could see them leaping around in the distance.
This gave us some excited horses for a little while, and I told Rascal he shouldn't try to prance like an Arab because he was not that graceful and it just looked silly.

I keep getting more impressed about how he is coming along, and I was thinking about how the easiest way to train a horse is to just ride and ride them.
Looking at his body back at the barn, I think it has already changed quite a bit. Nala's rider says he looks like a "real horse" now.
Here he is when we went to look at him the first time:


And today after the ride:

I think his topline looks a lot stronger, what do you think?
 
#1,723 ·
For some reason, from what I've read, the SI issues are often worse on the right side with OTTBs.
This is because they race counter clockwise.

In theory, racehorses are on their left lead going around turns and their right lead on the straights. If you think about the footfall patterns of a canter/gallop, that means they are striking off with the outside hind leg around the turn - the right. That is a lot of right-sided stress as the torque force is greater in a turn than in a straight.

I would assume the opposite is true of horses in the UK and other places they race clockwise, but haven't been lucky enough to work with any off-track horses from those places.


Love seeing the physical changes in Rascal - keep up the good work!
 
#1,722 ·
Yes, a lot stronger, the backend as well. Good job!

"and I was thinking about how the easiest way to train a horse is to just ride and ride them."
I so agree with this.

"For some reason, from what I've read, the SI issues are often worse on the right side with OTTBs."
Could that be because they race them only in one direction at the track? Can't remember what direction it is.

Good that you are stretching him. It does a big change even within a short period of time.
 
#1,725 ·
My first thought was the direction they race, as well.

I wanted to say, firstly, that I am so, so sorry for your loss, gottatrot. Words cannot convey the grief of losing a best friend.

I'm glad to hear you've got plenty to keep you busy and that, on the whole, your ride was good. Nala is looking great; I can definitely see an improvement <3
 
#1,726 ·
Thanks for that info, @phantomhorse13. I found this picture that seems to back it up:


On a sad note, Halla's friend Rebel is getting ready to join her on Monday. I told her owner I will be there for support. Rebel has been in very bad shape for a long time, and going downhill for a couple of years. My decision with Halla has helped her make this difficult decision herself.


I'm having some serious issues with Rascal. I've been looking at photos of beautiful Arabian mares to try to help.

The problem is, he is here and we are becoming friends already.

I can't help thinking about how he is not a very good match for his owner. And I strongly suspect that his owner would rather find himself a horse that was less challenging. Or he might rather borrow him on a rare occasion rather than riding very often.

The ownership thing is very casual, because no one really wanted to claim Rascal, but someone had to in order to be somewhat official with the barn owner. So "officially" Nala's rider owns him. But she has said he is her BF's horse because she would like him to ride with her. And at first she tried to get me to say he was mine, but I told her I could not possibly commit to a horse when I had two already, with both being older, health-compromised ones. So I have been helping with costs since I've been the one riding him.

I am telling myself strongly that when I get back from my trip in April I will start looking at supremely athletic Arabian mares. Very beautiful ones.
Then Rascal looks at me and he just looks like a horse who wants someone to cherish him.

So today I did a few things to sort of prove to myself that I wouldn't want him. First, I thought about how he and Nala pin their ears at each other and sometimes kick so we have to tie them separated. I decided to take Amore and Rascal down to the lower barn together and tie them if they seemed to get along. That would certainly be something to avoid, two horses that didn't get along.

When I tied Amore and Rascal together they snuggled up close and neither one made a sound. They looked at each other amiably while I messed around and brushed them. Then I took them for a walk, thinking they probably would not lead together well or give me trouble. Rascal followed on Amore's tail like she was his little old mother. Then she followed him, and he didn't make a single face or lift a hoof, even when she sniffed his rump.

Rascal seemed to enjoy the "adventure" walk with Amore, it was like old times with Halla.

For interest's sake, I tried Halla's Renegade Viper boots on Rascal and they fit perfectly. He has very small hooves, but they are steep and have a lot of concavity. So I would already have boots to ride him on gravel if I took him somewhere. And two saddles that fit him.

The biggest fault I find with his conformation is that his front legs are not perfectly straight. It has taken me awhile to figure out the exact reason, but it looks like the knees rotate slightly to the outside. This makes him toe out. He walks with his front legs coming close to each other but not plaiting. This is less pronounced now and I think his hooves are getting balanced better and perhaps his chest is a bit wider. I need to evaluate him more at faster gaits, but we haven't seen him interfere.
The trick is that his small hooves help keep him from interfering, even if he steps close.

I've read that if horses have knees that are offset at all, they will often show signs of stress by popping splints. Especially if used on the track. So I felt his legs again tonight, but they are very clean, his joints are not large and his knees are flat.

Why would I want a homely-ish gelding that may or may not hold up to hard work? But then I tell myself it could be temporary, I could just try him for awhile and then find him another home if it didn't work out...
He just happens to be a very good size for me. And I think he is starting to like me...He's a pretty color too...Something about him feels good, like we might need each other.

Anyone want to talk some sense into me?
 
#1,729 ·
Interesting picture to start; I wonder if any articles have been written on the subject.

Poor Rebel. It's really been a tough couple weeks, but it's so kind of you to be there for your friend in this difficult time. Making decisions for our beloved animals is never easy.

The heart wants what the heart wants, and it isn't always logical. Take some time and really consider your options <3 No immediate decisions need to be made, right?
 
#1,730 · (Edited)




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I have to say that the active horse lives and conversations on the forum along with the horses in my life that continue living and having needs (scratch my neck, put thrush buster on my frogs, take my blanket off, give me a treat) have been helping me so very much.
As my DH says, take time to feel very sad and cry, don't repress anything. It comes and goes. But whenever that isn't crowding in, the best thing is to enjoy life and horses and keep healing.

My very good friend has told me in the past that her favorite horses have been the ones that she didn't choose. She says that she has decided the best horses are the ones that just show up in your life, and those are the ones that are meant to be.
 
#1,731 ·
I can play devils advocate :wink:

What would change if you decided to “technically own” him? How would that be different from what you do with him now, which seems to give you the best of both worlds-you work with him as you want, but if your dreamy cover girl pops up later this year, you could add her to the mix as well...
 
#1,733 ·
For what very little it is worth:

I often debate what to do with Bandit. I'm weeks away from turning 60, and my wife and I would like to do more traveling - which is tough to do when you need to find someone to take care of your horses. Dogs too, but it is easier to find someone to take care of the dogs.

Cowboy is probably around 20+, and Trooper is 19. They'll have a home with us, but neither is bothered if not ridden regularly, and both ride the exact same after a month as after a day. I doubt it would break either of their hearts if they spent the rest of their lives in the corral with regular food and water.

Part of me thinks I should sell Bandit (10 this year) to someone who would do a lot of trail riding. We could still ride Trooper & Cowboy at times, but there would be no pressure to ride NOW.

But...Bandit is an odd horse. I've been working sunrise to sunset for a while now & my son and wife have been doing the horse care. And even just feeding, watering and cleaning the corrals...all their stories are about Bandit. Once in a while, Cowboy. But mostly about Bandit's antics, just living in the corral.

He has ample faults. He is way too narrow, and came here accustomed to using his feet within inches of each other. He probably has damage in his legs due to the very hard riding he once did, although he doesn't show any outward signs. He plans to live forever, and every ride involves his high awareness of what is going on around him and what HE thinks he needs to do to stay alive. He likes people well enough, but he isn't 1/10th as outwardly affectionate as Mia was.

But...he has lots of personality, and I really thinks he needs a rider who gives him freedom and the chance to make some of the decisions.

I haven't posted much on HF for a while. I feel alienated from much of the riding world. So much - at least on the Internet - seems focused on competition, or showing, and the right look, and 'how do I get my horse to obey my every whim' style of riding. And the "Get a bigger whip" school of training is still far too common where I live.

I chose Mia. I wanted her the moment I met her. I think she needed me, and oddly enough, I needed to learn a lot of things she taught me. I think she is happier now, but when we met...she needed someone like me, even if I knew nothing about riding or horses.

Bandit? If I had met him before I got him, I'd never have chosen him. Not at all. He's not as ugly as he used to be, but no one would EVER describe him as a sweetheart. I'd love another Arabian mare.

But he came into my life. And he is an interesting horse in his own right. Nothing like the emotional attachment I had with Mia.

"She says that she has decided the best horses are the ones that just show up in your life, and those are the ones that are meant to be."

The Baptist in me sometimes thinks God puts horses in my life. Heck, I didn't even WANT horses! I was strongly opposed to getting horses. Absolutely not! But Mia came into my life at a time I really needed her and she needed me. She moved on almost by accident - a farrier we used two times really liked her, offered a trade - and the trade has worked out very well for Mia, and arguably for me as well. And Bandit? He is NOT the horse I would have chosen, but my pastor might argue someone else made the choice for me.

That doesn't mean I might not sell him this summer. Maybe there are seasons in our lives, and particular horses meet a particular season. Don't know if that makes sense to anyone. Don't know if Bandit & I are 'in season', so to speak. But I also believe many of the 'accidents of life' are not accidents at all.




 
#1,735 ·
I'm sorry about Halla. You gave her a great life, and a happy, peaceful end. That's more than anyone could ask for. She will always be with you. My heart and prayers are with you and your family.

As for Rascal, why don't you lease him? Then you can help with costs of ownership and be his primary rider, but you won't have any obligation. There's no reason you have to jump into ownership of another horse right away. Nala's rider can remain the owner, you become the leaser. I think giving yourself a few months to figure out what you really want to do is not a bad idea.

FWIW, I agree that maybe its time to take on a different breed, than the same breed same gender again. Rascal is plenty forward for you, is a nice easy going guy, and seems to be growing on you quickly.

Lease him, and make decisions later. :)
 
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