Coming around

I am overwhelmed by how many people have asked me to blog again someday. I am touched by how many people care for me and my journal. It seemed disloyal to Baasha to blog again, but the blog was not his, it was mine. I am still in Germany, still horse crazy, and always American so as long as those things are true I will keep this blog.


I know you know that I've been shopping for a horse since July 2011, so in that way it's not like I'm just trying to replace him, and I shouldn't feel bad about it. There is no replacing a loved one, so I hope to find a very different horse to learn from and teach what he taught me to. Before I get too choked up, I want to tell you that I'm still horse shopping and I'm really ready to be done with it!

Last month my man and I drove to Hanover to visit a lady who has a handful of Arabians for sale that she bred herself. I rode a chestnut gelding with the best legs I've seen on any horse so far, and he was pretty good. But I was surprised that he's so green at 8 years old I was not allowed to wear my jacket, which might frighten him. It was a very cold ride, cuz I just had a tshirt on under my jacket. He kept jumping forward into a trot as I rode, but that was understandable, I was pretty tense. I do not like riding near trains - I have little train+horse experience. (Although *racing* a train is on my bucket list!)

I liked this chestnut gelding enough to make an offer, but I realized he's not going to be happy moving to a new home and finding a donkey there. So I realized I may need to buy two of her horses. And the second one was the problem. She wanted me to buy a grey gelding, and I said no thanks, no greys. Then she offered to sell me one with crooked legs and Appy eyes. I asked about another one, and she offered me that one. It would be a package of two for 7K Euros. I could do worse, I thought. He was a sweet bay with a history of bucking but hadn't bucked the times they rode him last year.

I made a deal. I'll give the asking price for both, but she has to get out and ride (or ask someone else to ride) the bay over the next month. She would have to report back to me how it goes riding him, and then if they pass a vet check, I'll buy them. Last week I got a mail from her that she's injured and cannot ride. (Horse related?) So she offered me the two horses for 6500, telling me I can hire a professional to ride the bay. She also said no more test rides would be possible, and transport must be arranged by me.

I was surprised she thinks the bay needs a professional trainer, and that I wouldn't be able to come ride either of them again. This seems pretty negative to me so I'm probably not gonna write her back.

Although my man (and Aarene) really liked the chestnut, and I really loved his tree-trunk legs, and they think I should consider just buying him for 4K, I just don't know.

Here's a video of the chestnut (named Shirokih) with the owner. What a sweet-faced thing! And check out those legs and hooves: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reBo0x4tfhc

***

Some horses give me the impression they could easily move in here and live with a (terrifying) donkey. There was a bay mare named Basha (yes, how odd!) that I felt that way about. I rode her, she was the calmest horse I'd ever ridden; I asked if she was ill. I wanted her! She was one of those rare horses who aren't herd bound - we took her buddy away and she kept eating.

I made an offer but unfortunately they sold her to someone else. I even had a special new name for her, a name I'll keep for another Egyptian Arabian if I ever own another.

 ***

Yesterday my man accompanied me to visit a Quarab mare who is only 14HH. I was leery about it, but I know I fit on a 14.3 (Princess), and I remember Walli being smaller and still suitable. I would love to have another Quarab because Princess Buttercup was The Perfect Horse. Although I don't like QH, I love the way the mix can turn out sometimes. A pretty-faced racing machine with excellent braking.

But...

OMGosh she's tiny. And delicate. The opposite of Shirokih. But she licked our hands on meeting us, and for 5 years old I'm amazed at what she can do. Her owner has really spent some time with her. She showed us her groundwork, her lunging, her carrot stretches/bows, and manners. She got on and rode, and the little mare can do a little lateral work. She is uncoordinated on the lunge at the canter, crossfiring, but that's no big deal. She seemed to be able to do everything Baasha could do, but without the flight factor.

I got on and I'm sure I'm the heaviest person she's had on her, but she stood like a statue. I picked up the reins and said "Oh no, not split reins" and the owner went running to get me some English reins, which she has for her husband who also hates split reins. So far the mare had not taken a step with me. Then the owner removed the reins and replaced them. I was keenly aware of all the horses I would not have wanted to sit on as their reins were removed! But she just stood there.

Then we moseyed around and she responded to every little half halt, every shift of weight, it was like I'd ridden her before. She's 5 years old?? I didn't need to ride long. I wanted to learn more about her. The owner told me that she does not have separation anxiety, that she rides with a friend and when she turns for home, and her friend turns the other way, her friend's horse calls and calls and this mare does not even look. That is my top wish for a riding horse, something that some are born with - an independence that lets them separate easily. That would be my dream horse right there: )

Then the four of us (her husband came too) went for a walk with the mare around the neighborhood. I saw some mare-ish ear tilts as we walked by the companion pony, and as the 5 of us went thru a tight spot, she tipped her ears back. But honestly it was just cute - she's a mare. I love mares. I love how they take care of themselves and aren't always "yessir" but think a bit.

I know my husband could just get on and ride her, if he wanted. She's that easy. The owner said she doesn't spook, but when something scares her (like an approaching herd of sheep), she just stands still. She has the most perfect size 0 feet I've ever seen, the owner says the farrier calls them the best feet he's seen too.

Just, so tiny! She's a barefooter but uses easyboots on longer rides.

I don't think I look ridiculous riding her (just too fat, I need horse sports again!), but I don't like her QH way going, head down, tail apparently nerved because it's clamped down to her butt all the time. But she is a princess of a horse, a Barbie doll horse, and though chestnut is not my favorite color, it's not bad.

OK would you like to see her? Here are two videos:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSuJXV0JnuQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNnalYLhtyw

And photos: