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Previous threads closely related here:
http://www.horseforum.com/horse-riding/mias-last-day-bsms-580473/#post7464529
http://www.horseforum.com/member-journals/branded-brandy-final-name-bandit-mias-581034/
This post on the second thread got me thinking:
But Bandit is his own horse. He can get nervous and light on the front and want to move enough to create some buffer space, but he isn't likely to explode out of total calmness. He isn't perfect (and neither am I), but he has a good 'try' in him. He trusts people to do good things for horses. He deserves to be respected for who he is, and not be "Mia's replacement"! Besides...Mia will never be replaced. I made the mistake of looking at the pictures in the thread of her leaving, and danged if I didn't get some sand in my eye again...
I also got a third ride in today on Cowboy. He's 13 hands, gets uncomfortable at times but I cannot imagine him losing his mind. He puts a smile on my face, which is the most important thing a horse can do.
So this thread will be my journal of trying to ride Bandit and Cowboy. Cowboy, for the next week or two. Bandit banged his knee in the middle of the night about a week ago, and his knee is still tender. The next day he managed to cut it in a couple of places and they are still healing. He puts weight on his leg, but there is a slight limp at times. If I was on him and he decided to spin and dance, I'm pretty sure it would re-injure the knee. So he is on corral rest now.
Folks sometimes talk about a good training program. None of my horses have had a "good training program". Never will, now that they are with me. I'm not interested in a dressage horse, reining horse, cutting horse, jumping horse, western pleasure horse or any kind of judged horse.
What I'm after is more of what Barry Godden called (IIRC) a Gentleman's Riding Horse:
http://www.horseforum.com/horse-training/anger-matter-carrot-stick-41675/#post477391
Another thread long gone by with food for thought:
http://www.horseforum.com/horse-articles/post-traumatic-fall-disorder-fear-riding-49041/#post565611
And: http://www.horseforum.com/horse-memorials/joe-very-special-horse-one-kind-183233/#post2365017
Anyways...I'll never get a horse to a Gentleman's Riding Horse status, but it pretty well sets out my goals. The idea of Cowboy or Bandit being a Gentleman's Horse would probably shock the average Gentleman, who might find them both a bit lacking in appearance:
But then, let's face it - I'm not overly endowed in the looks department either!
So having said goodby to Mia, and then having found her hard to say goodby to, let me try to focus on Bandit and Cowboy & I learning things together - muddling through, since none of us are particularly proper!
http://www.horseforum.com/horse-riding/mias-last-day-bsms-580473/#post7464529
http://www.horseforum.com/member-journals/branded-brandy-final-name-bandit-mias-581034/
This post on the second thread got me thinking:
Saying goodby to Mia has been like a grieving process. It has taken a long time for me to stop comparing Bandit to Mia...and I probably will at times always, since Mia was the center of my horse riding world for 7 years.It may be time to start a thread for Bandit.
Rather than for Mia's replacement.
I'm not suggesting to cease caring and thinking about Mia, or forgetting, or even 'moving on'.
Only to look at Bandit on his own merit. Not holding him up to another.
I grew up across the street from a family with 9 children. The Mother was asked how she managed to divide her love between all of them. Her reply was that she did not divide her love, she multiplied it.
But Bandit is his own horse. He can get nervous and light on the front and want to move enough to create some buffer space, but he isn't likely to explode out of total calmness. He isn't perfect (and neither am I), but he has a good 'try' in him. He trusts people to do good things for horses. He deserves to be respected for who he is, and not be "Mia's replacement"! Besides...Mia will never be replaced. I made the mistake of looking at the pictures in the thread of her leaving, and danged if I didn't get some sand in my eye again...
I also got a third ride in today on Cowboy. He's 13 hands, gets uncomfortable at times but I cannot imagine him losing his mind. He puts a smile on my face, which is the most important thing a horse can do.
So this thread will be my journal of trying to ride Bandit and Cowboy. Cowboy, for the next week or two. Bandit banged his knee in the middle of the night about a week ago, and his knee is still tender. The next day he managed to cut it in a couple of places and they are still healing. He puts weight on his leg, but there is a slight limp at times. If I was on him and he decided to spin and dance, I'm pretty sure it would re-injure the knee. So he is on corral rest now.
Folks sometimes talk about a good training program. None of my horses have had a "good training program". Never will, now that they are with me. I'm not interested in a dressage horse, reining horse, cutting horse, jumping horse, western pleasure horse or any kind of judged horse.
What I'm after is more of what Barry Godden called (IIRC) a Gentleman's Riding Horse:
(Post #1 on the thread is also a good read)GENTLEMAN’S RIDING HORSE.
The horse should :
go anywhere its rider asks:,
at any pace over any terrain alone or in company,
The full description might read:
The horse should readily respond to all of the rider’s instructions.
and to actively pass: over highway, along a road a lane a path or a track
at: ground level or along the top of a ridge, through woodland or open countryside
at any pace: Walk: active or extended;
rhythmic or fast trot: medium or extended
Canter: collected or extended
Gallop : fast or flat out
on any surface ie : tarmac, grass, stoney path, cobble stones or rock,
through puddle, flood water or wadeable stream
alone or in company of: other riders of every ability from novice to expert;
at the front of the line, in the middle of the line or at the end of the line
amongst pedestrians, cars, motor cycles, push bikes, lorries, tractors
under birds, kites, balloons, aircraft or helicopters
in wind and rain or thunderstorm despite plastic bags, umbrellas, road signs, footballs
in the presence of barking & aggressive dogs, goats, pigs, donkeys & mule
The horse should show neither fear nor aggression to any human, be they male, female, child or adult.
The horse , whilst under saddle, should permit the touch of any human
whether male, female, adult or child.
The horse must stand on the kerb, awaiting instruction to cross a busy and fast arterial road.
It must pass over a narrow bridge across a motorway
It must pass through a tunnel laid underneath a motorway
It should hold its line of march down a high street or a country lane with passing places
It must wait upon command at traffic lights or other stops signs.
It must stand attentively whilst its rider converses with passers by
It should move forward and move backwards to permit the opening of field gates
It should never ever, whirl or bolt in fright, in fear or as an evasion.
It should hop over ditches, streams and fallen trees.
It must submit to being tied to a hitching point without pulling back whilst patiently awaiting the return of its master.
It must stand to be mounted.
It must ride on or off the bit.
If the rider loses his/her balance, it must pick it up and compensate.
The rider‘s job is to set the route, the horse’s job is to carry safely both itself and the rider over the terrain, whatsoever that may prove to be.
If asked to trot, then the horse should trot, uphill or downhill until asked to change the pace.
If asked to halt, the horse should come to a halt and then stand awaiting it’s master’s pleasure
Never should it evade the bit nor jerk the reins from the rider’s hands.
If the reins are dropped onto the horse’s neck and no further instruction is given, then the horse should make its way at the walk back to the stable by the shortest.
Under no circumstance must the horse, balk, rear, buck or swerve for any reason - except in circumstances when the horse might realize that the way ahead is unsafe for example in land prone to bogs. Neither should the horse snatch succulent plants from the hedgerow however tempting.
All in all, the horse should be judged to be well mannered.
Sadly in the XX1st century , horses truly warranting the title
“A Gentleman’s Riding Horse” are very hard to find.
Invariably they have to be created,
BG
http://www.horseforum.com/horse-training/anger-matter-carrot-stick-41675/#post477391
Another thread long gone by with food for thought:
http://www.horseforum.com/horse-articles/post-traumatic-fall-disorder-fear-riding-49041/#post565611
And: http://www.horseforum.com/horse-memorials/joe-very-special-horse-one-kind-183233/#post2365017
Anyways...I'll never get a horse to a Gentleman's Riding Horse status, but it pretty well sets out my goals. The idea of Cowboy or Bandit being a Gentleman's Horse would probably shock the average Gentleman, who might find them both a bit lacking in appearance:


But then, let's face it - I'm not overly endowed in the looks department either!
So having said goodby to Mia, and then having found her hard to say goodby to, let me try to focus on Bandit and Cowboy & I learning things together - muddling through, since none of us are particularly proper!
:cheers:
:riding:
:riding: