We arrived yesterday after a long drive, and his owner (we'll call her M) was waiting with Brian for our arrival. I liked her instantly, and Brian was very social and wanted to meet us right away, too. I said I'd like to see her ride him first, and then we could switch and I'd try him out. It turns out she works for a local "hippie" pet store that's pretty well known in the area, so we got to chat about our feelings about the new advances in pet foods. M put him through the gears and he performed beautifully--you can tell she has really put in a lot of time on him. He gives to the bit quite nicely and listens very well. You could see he loved all of it, too.
Then I hopped on. One of the main things I was looking for was a horse I could connect with, and I felt a connection instantly. I've ridden only a handful of horses like this and had just about given up hope of ever owning one. He's the type that could do really stupid stuff with me aboard and it wouldn't phase me. It's hard to describe--I just felt really in sync with him. He's got a nice, smooth walk and an awesome trot, and he listens really well and will click into "frame" when asked. He's naturally not a high-headed beast, so that's really good.
I haven't voluntarily cantered on a horse in probably 5 years. It's just not a gait I feel comfortable, especially if I feel the least bit out of control. Luckily, it's not a gait that is used very frequently in endurance, unless one is top-tenning or giving their horse a trot break while maintaining speed. I felt so comfortable on Brian, I asked for a canter. He was so good, and I remembered how much fun it can be.
After I got off (and stopped smiling), we did all the business things associated with buying a horse. I measured his cannons, which were an astounding 8.75"--yay for big bone! I measured his feet, which I think will be a size 2 Easyboot fairly easily, but they're nice and big and healthy-looking, despite the fact she said he was due for a trim. He's definitely, as the ad said, 15.2-3hh. We taped him and he fell between the two--I had thought it was silly she didn't know the exact height of her horse and now I understand her nomenclature. I listened to his RHR, which was a nice 32 bpm. Then Kristen and I did flexion tests on him, for which he was an absolute champ. He seemed really fluid and flexible and M said she was surprised I could pull his hind legs up so far, as she said she had to work with him a LOT on even letting her pick up his hind feet. He trotted out completely sound, albeit a little confused on why we were asking him to trot up and down the driveway over and over again.
Oy, I'm so in love. She's delivering him soon, I just have to decide which weekend I'm least busy. I can't stop smiling! I'm so happy I can look at next year's ride calendar and start planning--I'll need to plan my fourth year schedule around it! Eeeeeee! :)
2 comments:
Congratulations! He looks just fabulous and now I can't stop smiling for your sake, lol! What breed is he?
Greetings from West Africa,
Esther
He's a National Show Horse cross, I'm thinking probably with Thoroughbred or something bigger. Who knows--it means he's 1/4 Saddlebred, 1/4 Arab and 1/2 mystery horse. He's a bit of a mutt, but put together so nicely! She says he never gets tired, so we'll have to see out on the trail! I'm just so happy to have something I can do all the fun fancy English stuff on, too!
Elly
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