I got a horse today
I contacted one of the local rescues last week, and found out they had two rideable horses available. So, I filled out their form, and called today. Since the gal is going out of town soon, and I am busy all day tomorrow, we met today.
There were two horses; a 14yo mare, and an 18yo gelding. And, even though he has an annoying habit of sucking his tongue-probably developed when he was a competition (barrel?) horse when he was younger-I chose the gelding. But, he hasn't taught any other horse that and he'd been there since March. He was starved, but is in good flesh now, and doesn't have food aggression (which, apparently, most starved horses get). I rode him in their round pen bareback with a halter. (and a helmet) He has this little sway right where your butt goes, so it's like a comfy chair. ;)
The mare was kind of an attention seeker, and probably wouldn't do well with being second string. Also, she was reported to be broke, but they hadn't gotten around to riding her, so didn't know how true that was. She wasn't quite as friendly as the gelding, either - not that she was mean. She had apparently been ignored, but not starved.
So now Manny is here as of 7:30pm. He walked into his stall, and immediately started eating the grass growing in the run. I hope he works out. Elle whinnied at first, but was looking at him suspiciously when I went back into the house. They're a stall apart because Zolar's stall is in the middle.
And now I'm doing my usual freaking out about the changing and having a new critter to keep happy. Also, since he's an adoption, they occasionally come and check on him. Pressure. ;)
My friend that helps around my farm has already expressed an interest in riding him. I had to stifle an immediate impulse to say NO! lol He's supposed to be a 'company' horse, that someone else can ride while I ride my dressage horse (that only I ride-whenever he comes home lol). Also, since I don't want him completely ignored when Zolar comes home, it'd be good for J- to be able to ride him occasionally. (See, I really hate sharing. Never went to kindergarten.) J- has also had a horse before-who really liked him-and he had to get rid of her when he got cancer. I'm surprised he feels capable of riding.
So, there's the long story. Wish me luck. I'll try to get pictures of him at my farm.
There were two horses; a 14yo mare, and an 18yo gelding. And, even though he has an annoying habit of sucking his tongue-probably developed when he was a competition (barrel?) horse when he was younger-I chose the gelding. But, he hasn't taught any other horse that and he'd been there since March. He was starved, but is in good flesh now, and doesn't have food aggression (which, apparently, most starved horses get). I rode him in their round pen bareback with a halter. (and a helmet) He has this little sway right where your butt goes, so it's like a comfy chair. ;)
The mare was kind of an attention seeker, and probably wouldn't do well with being second string. Also, she was reported to be broke, but they hadn't gotten around to riding her, so didn't know how true that was. She wasn't quite as friendly as the gelding, either - not that she was mean. She had apparently been ignored, but not starved.
So now Manny is here as of 7:30pm. He walked into his stall, and immediately started eating the grass growing in the run. I hope he works out. Elle whinnied at first, but was looking at him suspiciously when I went back into the house. They're a stall apart because Zolar's stall is in the middle.
And now I'm doing my usual freaking out about the changing and having a new critter to keep happy. Also, since he's an adoption, they occasionally come and check on him. Pressure. ;)
My friend that helps around my farm has already expressed an interest in riding him. I had to stifle an immediate impulse to say NO! lol He's supposed to be a 'company' horse, that someone else can ride while I ride my dressage horse (that only I ride-whenever he comes home lol). Also, since I don't want him completely ignored when Zolar comes home, it'd be good for J- to be able to ride him occasionally. (See, I really hate sharing. Never went to kindergarten.) J- has also had a horse before-who really liked him-and he had to get rid of her when he got cancer. I'm surprised he feels capable of riding.
So, there's the long story. Wish me luck. I'll try to get pictures of him at my farm.