I am back in the horse hunt again. Tonight I went down to the Craig's and tried two horses out. The first was a paint mare that was 6 years old and had cutting training. She just weaned her first foal about 6 weeks ago. She was a nice looking mare around 15.1 and a red and white tobiano. Sorry I forgot the camera. She was obviously well trained just a bit rusty from having a year off. She was extremely gentle and well mannered. She just didn't make me go wow!
The second horse was a 3 year old perlino gelding AQHA. I know, I know 3??
Well let me tell you, he was as gentle and broke a 3 year old that I every saw.
Mike rode him bridle less around the arena. At first I was not crazy about his looks, then when I saddled him he looked kinda flashy. He was very sweet and wanted to crawl in my pocket. He moves beautiful! I rode him for awhile and though he is not "finished" he was very responsive and calm! His lope is to die for.
Just not sure about the color.
Is that silly? I mean a good horse is a good horse right?
He has greenish eyes as well.
I decided that I would go back next week and ride them both again although I think I have ruled out the mare. She is priced at 6 and the gelding at 3. Gonna take some time with this and do some more looking around.
As for Harley, yes I am going to disclose his aggressive stall behavior to potential buyers. No way do I want any bad karma or anything on my conscience if he should hurt someone or their kid. Mike thinks he has a guy interested in trying him as a heel horse. That would probably suit the little firecracker.
Will keep ya posted.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Here we go again....
I'm torn.....
I feel as if I am on this crazy roller coaster ride from hell with Harley. One minute I am enjoying the ride and the next I just want to puke! You all know the saga of Harley, keep him, sell him, keep him etc etc.
Well, I know we have made tremendous progress this year and I have learned so much from this crazy little horse that it even impresses me. He is going quite well and we are placing in every class. I can honestly say he is just getting better and better each show. Except....... oh yeah, there is always the except part.
He is stall aggressive. Yes, a charging gnashing monster to put it mildly. He has never been aggressive with me but he has charged my kids more times than I care to admit and this weekend he was charging folks at the show. How embarrassing.
I was saddling him for the lead line class and Thank the Lord Jesus I had him tied because when my son walked in the open stall door he lunged at him again.....
I lashed out at him and called him some really colorful names at that moment. I was unaware that the President of the national organization was in the stall behind me.
Talk about double embarrassment.....
I explained the situation and apologized for my truck driver expletives at once.
He was gracious and told me he understood.
I really don't get it, he is fine in the field, on the cross ties anywhere else but the dang stall. I know his past and it is not an abuse issue, maybe territorial but why not with me and other adults?
I have had it, I had nightmares about it last night. I cannot take the chance he may hurt one of my kids. He is officially up for sale.
Carson is showing such interest in horses now that I really want to get a well broke safe one he can learn to ride on. I am going to the Craig's tomorrow evening to try two horses. I found a mare that fits the bill perfectly, but they really cannot trade with me. Since Harley is most of what I have to spend it either has to be a trade situation or sell him first.
Not an easy decision but I think it is the best one.
Sigh......
Here we go again.....
I feel as if I am on this crazy roller coaster ride from hell with Harley. One minute I am enjoying the ride and the next I just want to puke! You all know the saga of Harley, keep him, sell him, keep him etc etc.
Well, I know we have made tremendous progress this year and I have learned so much from this crazy little horse that it even impresses me. He is going quite well and we are placing in every class. I can honestly say he is just getting better and better each show. Except....... oh yeah, there is always the except part.
He is stall aggressive. Yes, a charging gnashing monster to put it mildly. He has never been aggressive with me but he has charged my kids more times than I care to admit and this weekend he was charging folks at the show. How embarrassing.
I was saddling him for the lead line class and Thank the Lord Jesus I had him tied because when my son walked in the open stall door he lunged at him again.....
I lashed out at him and called him some really colorful names at that moment. I was unaware that the President of the national organization was in the stall behind me.
Talk about double embarrassment.....
I explained the situation and apologized for my truck driver expletives at once.
He was gracious and told me he understood.
I really don't get it, he is fine in the field, on the cross ties anywhere else but the dang stall. I know his past and it is not an abuse issue, maybe territorial but why not with me and other adults?
I have had it, I had nightmares about it last night. I cannot take the chance he may hurt one of my kids. He is officially up for sale.
Carson is showing such interest in horses now that I really want to get a well broke safe one he can learn to ride on. I am going to the Craig's tomorrow evening to try two horses. I found a mare that fits the bill perfectly, but they really cannot trade with me. Since Harley is most of what I have to spend it either has to be a trade situation or sell him first.
Not an easy decision but I think it is the best one.
Sigh......
Here we go again.....
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Back from the show
I survived another show... somehow. I have come to the conclusion that I wear too many hats. Between showing a horse, helping run the office and putting out fires all over it is exhausting.
We left Friday just after noon in the rain and cold. Poor Harley looked like the abominable snow horse in all his hoods and blankets. I had to bundle him up as it was 39 degrees and raining and the trailer is open at the top. It did stop raining about 20 minutes from the showgrounds. We found the facility with no problems, you can check it out here . We were greeted by the owner of the facility and told where to park, not something I am used to. Upon entering the building (it is an all enclosed facility) I found a very unhappy president of our association. She informed me that the owners were trying to not honor the contract we had with them and were trying to charge differently for stalls and camping. After settling Harley in his stall and nominally setting up camp I went in search of said owner with a copy of the contract in hand. After a session of posturing and trying to intimidate me (which did not work!) we came to an agreement which suited me. Still, it left a bad taste in my mouth. I mean if people cannot honor their word or in this case contract, do we really want to do business with them? It all did work out fine in the end.....
Friday night we did the costume contest and the kids and I were pirates. Hubby did snap a few shots before my camera crapped out on us. Here is one of me and the kiddos plus Betty dog.
We did not have too many people participate which is a bummer but the kids had a ball and me well I won the mounted costume contest with this get up.
Here is a shot of some of my other friends, Wendy from the Wendy's restaurant
Dorothy and the wicked witch , me and pirate Harley and the headless horseman.
After being judged on our costumes we participated in bobbing for apples and the streamer race. I had the darnedest time getting an apple, even with my big mouth!
Harley did not appreciate the streamer race either so we bombed. The premise is to get another rider and you hold one end and the other rider holds the other and you travel together down the arena around a barrel without breaking the streamer.
Much fun anyway!
My favorite costume of the evening was the smallest Chihuahua I have ever seen wearing a saddle with a man riding him. This is the best pic hubby got of him.
My oldest son Carson got brave and did show Harley in lead line for the first time ever. He got a rainbow ribbon and was so proud that he wore it all day on his jacket and even slept with it that night. Too cute!
I did show in five classes and placed in all around the middle of the road. Not our best effort but certainly not the worst. Harley was amped up as usual and hard to rate. Sunday I just helped in the office and hung out to watch some of the cattle classes. All in all a great weekend, we had a nice turnout with around 111 horses from 5 states. A nice facility and looking forward to the next show in December.
For now I am catching up around here and on the mountain of laundry we created this weekend. Going to the Craig's this weekend to work Harley on a mechanical cow and to try a horse again. I know, I just can't leave it alone. Never hurts to ride just one more.
We left Friday just after noon in the rain and cold. Poor Harley looked like the abominable snow horse in all his hoods and blankets. I had to bundle him up as it was 39 degrees and raining and the trailer is open at the top. It did stop raining about 20 minutes from the showgrounds. We found the facility with no problems, you can check it out here . We were greeted by the owner of the facility and told where to park, not something I am used to. Upon entering the building (it is an all enclosed facility) I found a very unhappy president of our association. She informed me that the owners were trying to not honor the contract we had with them and were trying to charge differently for stalls and camping. After settling Harley in his stall and nominally setting up camp I went in search of said owner with a copy of the contract in hand. After a session of posturing and trying to intimidate me (which did not work!) we came to an agreement which suited me. Still, it left a bad taste in my mouth. I mean if people cannot honor their word or in this case contract, do we really want to do business with them? It all did work out fine in the end.....
Friday night we did the costume contest and the kids and I were pirates. Hubby did snap a few shots before my camera crapped out on us. Here is one of me and the kiddos plus Betty dog.
We did not have too many people participate which is a bummer but the kids had a ball and me well I won the mounted costume contest with this get up.
Here is a shot of some of my other friends, Wendy from the Wendy's restaurant
Dorothy and the wicked witch , me and pirate Harley and the headless horseman.
After being judged on our costumes we participated in bobbing for apples and the streamer race. I had the darnedest time getting an apple, even with my big mouth!
Harley did not appreciate the streamer race either so we bombed. The premise is to get another rider and you hold one end and the other rider holds the other and you travel together down the arena around a barrel without breaking the streamer.
Much fun anyway!
My favorite costume of the evening was the smallest Chihuahua I have ever seen wearing a saddle with a man riding him. This is the best pic hubby got of him.
My oldest son Carson got brave and did show Harley in lead line for the first time ever. He got a rainbow ribbon and was so proud that he wore it all day on his jacket and even slept with it that night. Too cute!
I did show in five classes and placed in all around the middle of the road. Not our best effort but certainly not the worst. Harley was amped up as usual and hard to rate. Sunday I just helped in the office and hung out to watch some of the cattle classes. All in all a great weekend, we had a nice turnout with around 111 horses from 5 states. A nice facility and looking forward to the next show in December.
For now I am catching up around here and on the mountain of laundry we created this weekend. Going to the Craig's this weekend to work Harley on a mechanical cow and to try a horse again. I know, I just can't leave it alone. Never hurts to ride just one more.
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