Sometimes It’s Best To Walk Away

Last week we had a new washing machine delivered. In the end, the old machine was gone and the new one was in its place. However, the process was not smooth. There was a serious lack of spacio-logistic planning, the correct parts were not included, attitudes were more Eeyore than Pooh, and so on. By the time it was over, I was not filled with the milk of human kindness. I still tipped the delivery fellows as it wasn’t their fault – mostly – but I was not a happy camper.

Once they were finally down the driveway, I went to feed lunch. Rodney took one look at me and wouldn’t come anywhere near me to get his meds. He’s usually quite amenable about this, despite the bitter taste. I wasn’t mad at him, but my feathers were ruffled, and he wasn’t having any part of it. I achieved lunch, but decided to skip his afternoon exercise.

He was probably right. Even once I calmed down, if the slightest thing had gone wrong I would have started foaming and gibbering, thereby setting everything back a month. In an ideal world, I would be in control of my emotions. In this fallen world, the best thing we can do is recognize when we are vulnerable to malfunctions.

Normandie, Non

The horse world is preparing for the FEI Alltech Jeux Equestres Mondiaux 2014 in Normandy, August 23 to September 07, 2014. Of course I’ve thought about going, how can one not, but I’ll most likely be livestreaming from home.

Why does one attend the big events? The obvious reasons are to compete or to officiate. For us normal mortals, there are a variety of reasons, mostly of which mean I’m not going:

a) Getting Away. As currently constituted, our farm needs four hands. None of the work is hard, just endless. Without another person to share the load, the chores pile up like broomsticks conjured by the the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Slipping out for horse shows this spring has meant driving home late at night to minimize my time away. I’m happy to do so. I’ve even been able to sneak in an extra show. However, two+ weeks in France is just not happening.

b) Trip of a Lifetime. I’ve been fortunate attend three big equestrian happenings: two in my backyard (Atlanta 1996 & Kentucky 2010) and one abroad (Rome 1998). Of course I love to seen more, but I certainly won’t feel that my life has been deprived if I don’t.

c) Amusement. You would think I would be happy when surrounded by beautiful scenery, fabulous horses, and like-minded people. In truth, I make a terrible spectator. Sitting is not my forte. I need something to DO. At all three of the above, I both volunteered and wrote. Sadly, 16 days in France without gainful employment would be my idea of hell.

Therefore, until a media outlet dangles a press pass and lucrative assignment in front of me, I’m out of the high-end horse game. Who am I kidding, the assignment doesn’t even have to be lucrative. Just hand me a press pass and a license to ask questions. Otherwise, I’ll be at the barn burning up my data plan.

Are you going? Would you if you could?

Horse Hunt, 2 of 2

The second Quarter Horse was older, less fancy, but full of can-do spirit. He didn’t have pin-up conformation but moved better than he stood. He could trot out briskly or shuffle along at a jog. We asked the rider to take him over a pole. He a) was able to adjust and b) seemed to look forward to a challenge. Probably would enjoy jumping, at least to the extent one can extrapolate a course of fences from a pole on the ground. Not the type to set the world on fire, but would motor happily around the lower levels of dressage, eventing. and local hunters.

Except.

He had the most enormous hunter’s bump. It looked as if a chestnut weasel was taking a nap on the top of his butt. The lump was so large that the line from the point of the croup to the top of the tail was almost concave. It didn’t appear to affect his way of going, although it was more pronounced at the jog than at the trot.

I flagged it as Do Not Pass Go but don’t know that much about the condition. I’ve heard that it is conformational, muscle strain, and/or a problem/not a problem. I figure why start with an issue?

Still, this horse and yesterday’s horse [1 of 2] were both priced sensibly and I would have given either one stall space if fate had sent them trotting up our driveway. That’s an improvement from some. We have seen trop cher horses that I would not have touched for free. I don’t understand horse selling, I truly don’t.

What think you, did I make the right call re the hunter’s bump?

Horse Hunt, 1 of 2

Went to look at two horses. Activity if not progress. Didn’t ride either one. Why ride once I’ve seen a deal-breaker?

The first horse was a gorgeous palomino Quarter Horse. Not just yellow but a beautiful gold with flashy chrome. Not that I’m influenced by color, not in the slightest. Long legs. Nice build. Lots of Thoroughbred influence.

He was billed as a hunter. He was a fabulous hunter for Palomino Hunter Under Saddle. He had forward reach with his front feet, a lovely rounded neck/head carriage, and the hind end of a peanut roller. He will go to his National Show and beat all comers. As for the “real” hunter ring, not as suitable.

I’ve seen the same thing in saddlebreds. Initially, I though ASB Hunter Country Pleasure would be a fun niche for me. Now that I’ve seen several HCP classes, I realize that they do not want a hunter rider nor do they want a hunter horse. They want a saddleseat rider in long boots and a ASB in hunter tack. There is a slight change in head position from a full-on, three-gaited horse, but a far cry from the daisy-cutting feet and forward head carriage of a classic Thoroughbred hunter. The only place my specialized knowledge would come in handy is to organize a neckful of hunter braids without cutting the flowing three-gaited mane. I’ve braided worse.

On one hand, Breed Hunter Under Saddle. On the other hand, Hunter/Jumper Hunter Under Saddle. Both fine and lovely. Not at all the same thing.

Any experience with hunters in non-hunter venues that you would care to share?

Tomorrow, Horse #2.

Foto Friday Furlough

Foto Friday will return when I repair/replace my camera(s).

There’s one advantage to writing. In a pinch, you can use a crayon and a grocery bag. For photography, you really need the gear.

Plus, I’m too beat from my lesson to come up with an alternative. It hurts to sit down. Unlike hunters/dressage, a fundamental part of saddleseat riding is driving your knees into the saddle. My lateral [leg-on-the-horse] muscles are strong and solid; my rotational [twist-the-knee-in] muscles, not so much.

Booie

Booie
Another one from the archives. Circa 1979, or thereabouts.

This was at my first off-the-property show. I was 16 years old. I was leasing my second horse. I thought I was the cat’s meow. Since Booie could be strong, I spent most of my class galloping in a small circle around the judge. I may have been less slick than I thought.

Red Flags

Seller: He’s never done that before.
Buyer: Thank you for your time.

My horse shopping adventures continue. Why is it that the only horse trainer who has shown ongoing enthusiasm for my horse hunt is involved with a breed that isn’t popular for jumping? I refer of course to the saddleseat lady. If I had been absorbed by the collective and had decided to go three-gaited, I’d have a horse by now. Or, I certainly would have looked at dozens in the last few months. Unfortunately, I still want to jump. At least, I think I like jumping. It’s been a while.

What red flags have you encountered, with horses or in life?