Resale Value
As of the 15th Panda was officially sold (again). As I mentioned last month I think the previous buyer ran into job security issues and had to back out. I guess the good news is that she let us keep all that she had paid down on Panda despite a partial refund being written in the contract. My clients who are leasing a horse from another ADHMA member and had been interested in Panda when she first went up for sale found themselves in the position to be able to acquire Panda. There was some negotiating both on terms for payment and price. The price dropped, but they're taking care of her feed, vet, and farrier expenses as of Thursday when they moved her in with Gypsy. Panda and Gypsy seem to be getting along quite well and the daughter is rather enjoying Panda.
Saturday the father and daughter came out to do a little riding. I had a break in lessons so the arena was free. I was mucking with a new working student while they were getting ready. Gypsy was giving the father a bit of trouble about mounting up. She kept moving off and after a few minutes of this he asked for some help. I obliged and grabbed my helmet and Dressage whip. The short of it is every time she moved off I made her trot for a couple minutes before returning to the block and asking her to stand still. I ended up asking her to stand away from the block a couple times and standing in the stirrup as at first I think she was associating being next to the block with being tapped on the butt. Without the block it seemed to click that all I wanted her to do was stand still. The first few times I stood in the stirrup and then stepped down she appeared slightly confused, asking "that's it?"
Once I got her standing well enough that I could get on and off consistently I gave her back. She was sweating a bit on her neck and shoulder and I'm sure the same under her tack. He was able to mount up and she didn't move a muscle. I suggested he just walk once in each direction to show her that when he's on her back he isn't asking for nearly so much as when I was on the ground with her. He was happy with how she stood and went for him and admitted he needs to get out and work with her more. Both on the ground and under saddle.
While we were fussing with Gypsy, the daughter and Panda roved the property. I caught glimpses of them first on the ground and then under saddle. They work really well together, which makes me quite happy. They wandered by the road, trotted in the front of the property, and roamed around behind the house. Z was quite vocal and excited about seeing her mother, but Panda was mostly quiet and focused on her rider.
I'm looking forward to seeing the pair of them work independently and grow together. While she's been riding Panda in lessons off and on for almost a year now this was their first ride without my comment or help.
They're a pretty good match and I couldn't be happier with where Panda is. Of course things can still happen at this point, but that's why we have a contract and while Panda is in their posession they're responsible and liable should something happen to her.
I will miss riding her. Truth be told Panda was my first real show horse. I've ridden her infour shows and she has done well each time and always placed when we've competed rather than schooled. Hopefully as I bring Zetahra along she will be able to do much the same and then some as I plan on keeping her for her whole career.
Saturday the father and daughter came out to do a little riding. I had a break in lessons so the arena was free. I was mucking with a new working student while they were getting ready. Gypsy was giving the father a bit of trouble about mounting up. She kept moving off and after a few minutes of this he asked for some help. I obliged and grabbed my helmet and Dressage whip. The short of it is every time she moved off I made her trot for a couple minutes before returning to the block and asking her to stand still. I ended up asking her to stand away from the block a couple times and standing in the stirrup as at first I think she was associating being next to the block with being tapped on the butt. Without the block it seemed to click that all I wanted her to do was stand still. The first few times I stood in the stirrup and then stepped down she appeared slightly confused, asking "that's it?"
Once I got her standing well enough that I could get on and off consistently I gave her back. She was sweating a bit on her neck and shoulder and I'm sure the same under her tack. He was able to mount up and she didn't move a muscle. I suggested he just walk once in each direction to show her that when he's on her back he isn't asking for nearly so much as when I was on the ground with her. He was happy with how she stood and went for him and admitted he needs to get out and work with her more. Both on the ground and under saddle.
While we were fussing with Gypsy, the daughter and Panda roved the property. I caught glimpses of them first on the ground and then under saddle. They work really well together, which makes me quite happy. They wandered by the road, trotted in the front of the property, and roamed around behind the house. Z was quite vocal and excited about seeing her mother, but Panda was mostly quiet and focused on her rider.
I'm looking forward to seeing the pair of them work independently and grow together. While she's been riding Panda in lessons off and on for almost a year now this was their first ride without my comment or help.
They're a pretty good match and I couldn't be happier with where Panda is. Of course things can still happen at this point, but that's why we have a contract and while Panda is in their posession they're responsible and liable should something happen to her.
I will miss riding her. Truth be told Panda was my first real show horse. I've ridden her infour shows and she has done well each time and always placed when we've competed rather than schooled. Hopefully as I bring Zetahra along she will be able to do much the same and then some as I plan on keeping her for her whole career.