Another barn visit

Remember me saying yesterday how I wish I knew someone with an indoor arena so Baasha could stretch his legs in a safe environment? Well God heard my wish--Baasha's wish--and granted it! Isabel rang the doorbell and said she's gonna go ride her lease horse and would I like to come. I made us some tea to bring along and was almost afraid to ask, "Can Baasha come? Just to meet your new horse? I won't ride." She said sure!

The three of us walked to the next town, by the Thai restaurant I love, and sure enough, there is a big stable with an indoor!

First Baasha got to meet every horse in the barn. Sad to say, 9 out of 12 of them bit the bars and glared at him, angry at being trapped inside for so long, perhaps. Two of them even charged their stall doors, with teeth bared. One of the nice ones was that big spotted tinker/clydesdale (?) that I've photographed before.

You know, the one with the huge head. He seemed happy to see Baasha again. (Pic is from last summer.)

But happily, Isabel's horse was friendly. He's a 22 year old Wuertemberger (another German warmblood breed I'd never heard of). He is a monster of a horse. 18 hands. When she led him out of the stall, it was like we were having an earthquake. I could feel the impact of each hoof as it hit the ground. I picked up one of his hooves and could barely hold it. His legs are like trees, and his back is as flat as a table. His neck is beautifully set on way up there, and his head is noble like a TB. He is jet black and has such a shine on his coat you'd think he'd been oiled. His tail is full of red highlights, thick and wavy.

This type of warmblood is very rare - there are only about 50 approved mares in Germany. Here is their brand.


Baasha and the big horse greeted each other very hesitantly, and then placed their faces side by side, touching, reading each other.

Baasha reached way up and took a hold of his crest and started nibbling. The big horse gently nibbled Baasha back. They loved each other right away.

I have a hard time comprehending the logistics of such large horses. "How's he gonna fit through that tiny little barn door?" "How would he ever fit in a European horse trailer?"

How does one get on and off? How does one groom the top parts?

How much food does a horse that big eat?

My Baasha looked like a pony standing in front of him. A blissful pony nibbling on a friend.

I was a little worried that if the monster were to strike out, with those huge shod feet, he would break Baasha's legs.

But he just groomed him back. Strange horse has such an odd expression. He always looks like he's absent. The entire time I was there, his expression was far away/inward.

Isabel, being a spry teenager, showed me how she can mount him without a mounting block. Amazing! Then I watched her do some dressage with him for about an hour.

During this hour I let Baasha lead me all around the arena, and the main thing he wanted to do was roll in that deep footing. He rolled 7 times. So often, if it were any other horse, I'd have called a vet. But I know Baasha just has cabin fever and is acting strange.

We did some ground work - sidepassing, backing, turn on haunches and forehand, and lots of just walking around. Baasha tossed his head, sassing the big black every time he went by. Isabel had to work hard with that huge horse - he is the lazy type. I noticed her pushing him with every stride.

But she's a great rider, and that horse is lucky to have found her. First of all, she showed me the crank noseband on his bridle, and how she refuses to crank it down like the owner does. Then she showed me some really great riding - such light hands, and such clear aids. She did such a long warm up, and then lots of rising trot and transitions, and circles and then simple changes at the canter. She did a lot of it on a half looped rein, not bothering him. I was impressed. She said he's level L dressage, but I have no idea about the German levels.

Baasha watched and I wondered if he was flashing back to our old arena days, when he was the one huffing and puffing around.

The big black was really blowing, even though it was a gentle trot. I believe he's just so huge, it is a big effort to overcome gravity and get himself moving. Isabel certainly isn't a burden for him!

Steam was pouring off of him through his cooler, and we hung out, finally letting Baasha loose to explore on his own.

When we were done, walking through the barn, all the ears went back and horses bit their stall bars at us. The big horse was worried Baasha would steal his food, so even he started glaring at Baasha. I let Baasha hang out with a Shetland pony who was enjoying my wither rubs.

A blond lady showed up and said "There's a horse I don't know!" in a friendly voice, and introduced herself. She pointed to the stall next to her (crabby) mare and said, "You can move your horse in right here! It's really nice here!" She was so enthusiastic, I asked her if she owned the place. Nope, but she asked me if I came from Great Britain. I said "America, and my horse too." and she said, "Oh, is he a Mustang?": )

The nice lady turned her grouchy horses out (two mares) in the arena to play. Good, they need that.

I always find it fascinating to visit German barns, and I wish I'd had my camera. German barns always have attached kitchens/lounges, and a real bathroom.

But German barns don't have indoor wash racks. They have a hitching post and hose outside, usually. Again, all automatic waterers (but since they are all frozen, these horses had buckets too). Pavement floors with nothing but straw on top (but lots of straw).

Before we left I asked to see the cows. Isabel said that the next barn over was full of cows, and I was fascinated. I usually only see cows in a field, so I peeked through the glass windows. (German barns always have glass windows - so odd!) These 5 red furry cows were lying in deep straw in the sunshine coming through the windows, and they looked so cozy! The stone barn wall was warm on my hands from the sunshine. Then the cows stirred, and got up! I said, "I don't have anything" and then I noticed they were all chained! They were all tethered with chains - so sad. I guess to make it easier to clean? Oh well, at least they can lie down on that nice straw.

We walked home happy. Especially Baasha.