Sunday, July 05, 2009
Something I wrote last year.
By accident, I came upon a Usenet post I wrote about riding Muddy for the last time. It was a good post, something I want to keep, so I'm going to copy it here:
06 May 2008
Well, yesterday was my Last Ride Ever on Muddy. My non-horsey hubby joined me, only the second time he's ever come out to the stables here with me.
Yes, Muddy was completely sound.
Since this was our last ride, decided not too much training. He was a bit stroppy getting ready - probably not ridden by the other girl much lately - so changed plans slightly and rode in the arena for a while.
The video shows our ride wouldn't win any ribbons :)
After warming up, I asked him to lope, and at one point went one-handed and stopped asking him to slow down, just to see what would happen. Incrementally he got faster... and faster... and faster... and suddenly it was clear I was riding an OTTB that still loved to run! The turn of speed scared me so I took him back down to a halt (he halts about as good as a racing TB, that is not for a quarter mile or so :)
I reminded him that he had to remain calm after running, and once he was behaving, we went out for a meander around the park. Wandered around a bit, then I took him out to the big (not quite racetrack-sized, but really, really big) oval. He indicated that he'd really like to run again, so we got into a good ground-eating canter, and went all the way around the oval, and half again before he finally tired. We walked a bit, then when he was cool enough I took him out to the center of the big green oval, and let him graze.
I sat on the horse I've been riding since early January, and gazed around as the sun set on the red rocks of the nearby ridge (always a beautiful sight), listened to the sounds of galahs (Red Breasted Cockatoos) and the surprising small batch of Ibises that were hanging out on the oval. Contemplated the two years just passed.
I am happy to be going home, but I am very much going to miss riding Muddy and Missy and the rest, and the relaxed, friendly and supportive atmosphere that is the horsey folks in this outback town. I'm going to miss probably the best Western riding club I could ever be involved in. Ok, I gotta stop now before I get all teary eyed...
Anyway, after about 5 minutes of this, Muddy and I went back to his stall, where of course he got a good grooming, some loving, a hug, and way too many Healthy Hearts or whatever those Horsey Crack cookies are called. Similar ministrations to Major the very tiny pony.
Muddy is a plain bay OTTB, 11 years old. He is eager to please, and really gets upset if he doesn't understand what you are asking. He's more interested in long canters than in slow lazy walks. He can smell a horse cookie from a mile away and WILL mug you if there's one in your pocket!
Major is a tiny black "cart" pony who doesn't get nearly enough attention, poor thing. I think he can live on air. When Muddy was getting "where is the rescue society" thin, Major stayed chubby despite the thin rations. He's very cautious around people, but has a great little trot and will follow you like a puppy. He can also tell if there are horse cookies nearby, but is much more polite about asking for one.
It took me a little while to say goodbye to both of them. My hubby, bless his non-horsey heart, gave me all the time I needed.
Then off to RDA - the horses returned, but not in time for me to have a last ride on Missy. My husband hadn't met the RDA horses, so I introduced him to Missy, a chestnut probably-quarter horse mare with an attitude but a great horse if you can earn her respect (and a hellion if you don't!); A moment of silence for Rookie the little petite appy pony who passed away this summer; Steele, who's black to the uninitiated but his brown muzzle gives his true color away, who tossed me and finally convinced me to see a chiropractor - he was my fave until I rode Missy for the first time; and Frodo (what a great name for a pony!) who also requires that you earn his respect before he'll behave - and sometimes not even then.
I love them all, and already miss them terribly. I'd toss Muddy in my suitcase if he'd fit. I hope his owner does decide to sell him soon, he needs and deserves better than he's getting presently!
Now I'm getting all teary-eyed again... :`-(
jmc
06 May 2008
Well, yesterday was my Last Ride Ever on Muddy. My non-horsey hubby joined me, only the second time he's ever come out to the stables here with me.
Yes, Muddy was completely sound.
Since this was our last ride, decided not too much training. He was a bit stroppy getting ready - probably not ridden by the other girl much lately - so changed plans slightly and rode in the arena for a while.
The video shows our ride wouldn't win any ribbons :)
After warming up, I asked him to lope, and at one point went one-handed and stopped asking him to slow down, just to see what would happen. Incrementally he got faster... and faster... and faster... and suddenly it was clear I was riding an OTTB that still loved to run! The turn of speed scared me so I took him back down to a halt (he halts about as good as a racing TB, that is not for a quarter mile or so :)
I reminded him that he had to remain calm after running, and once he was behaving, we went out for a meander around the park. Wandered around a bit, then I took him out to the big (not quite racetrack-sized, but really, really big) oval. He indicated that he'd really like to run again, so we got into a good ground-eating canter, and went all the way around the oval, and half again before he finally tired. We walked a bit, then when he was cool enough I took him out to the center of the big green oval, and let him graze.
I sat on the horse I've been riding since early January, and gazed around as the sun set on the red rocks of the nearby ridge (always a beautiful sight), listened to the sounds of galahs (Red Breasted Cockatoos) and the surprising small batch of Ibises that were hanging out on the oval. Contemplated the two years just passed.
I am happy to be going home, but I am very much going to miss riding Muddy and Missy and the rest, and the relaxed, friendly and supportive atmosphere that is the horsey folks in this outback town. I'm going to miss probably the best Western riding club I could ever be involved in. Ok, I gotta stop now before I get all teary eyed...
Anyway, after about 5 minutes of this, Muddy and I went back to his stall, where of course he got a good grooming, some loving, a hug, and way too many Healthy Hearts or whatever those Horsey Crack cookies are called. Similar ministrations to Major the very tiny pony.
Muddy is a plain bay OTTB, 11 years old. He is eager to please, and really gets upset if he doesn't understand what you are asking. He's more interested in long canters than in slow lazy walks. He can smell a horse cookie from a mile away and WILL mug you if there's one in your pocket!
Major is a tiny black "cart" pony who doesn't get nearly enough attention, poor thing. I think he can live on air. When Muddy was getting "where is the rescue society" thin, Major stayed chubby despite the thin rations. He's very cautious around people, but has a great little trot and will follow you like a puppy. He can also tell if there are horse cookies nearby, but is much more polite about asking for one.
It took me a little while to say goodbye to both of them. My hubby, bless his non-horsey heart, gave me all the time I needed.
Then off to RDA - the horses returned, but not in time for me to have a last ride on Missy. My husband hadn't met the RDA horses, so I introduced him to Missy, a chestnut probably-quarter horse mare with an attitude but a great horse if you can earn her respect (and a hellion if you don't!); A moment of silence for Rookie the little petite appy pony who passed away this summer; Steele, who's black to the uninitiated but his brown muzzle gives his true color away, who tossed me and finally convinced me to see a chiropractor - he was my fave until I rode Missy for the first time; and Frodo (what a great name for a pony!) who also requires that you earn his respect before he'll behave - and sometimes not even then.
I love them all, and already miss them terribly. I'd toss Muddy in my suitcase if he'd fit. I hope his owner does decide to sell him soon, he needs and deserves better than he's getting presently!
Now I'm getting all teary-eyed again... :`-(
jmc
// posted by TravelCat @ 8:56 AM 
