Saturday, October 15, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
It's a Slippery Slope
I'm livid.
Let me ask you something, Blogworld: if you were trying to sell your car, would you then go ahead and let your 12 year old drive it around for fun? No, right? So tell me why, in a similar fashion, Wiley's current owner allowed him to gallop around in a DOWNWARD SLOPING and MUDDY paddock until he made himself lame? That's not all. Once she sees he's lame, she cold hoses his leg, puts wraps on, and LETS HIM BACK OUT?! Why. Why Blogworld. Now, today was the first time I've been able to visit since a week and a half ago because it's the end of the semester and I have to take my finals. I missed him terribly but being as her property isn't really great for training (see: one outdoor ring with only 3 sides) its not like I can do much until I take him home anyway. With work and school it's been tough to sneak away but today I decided that I couldn't wait any longer and went to spend some bonding time with him.
It was raining today. Actually, it's been raining for the past two weeks. I pull into the driveway and see that Senior Wiley is outside. In the enormous, muddy paddock. Okay, fine. She told me he looked a little lame last Friday, I thought hey, maybe he's worked out of it. I take him out and he looks okay. I hang out with him for a while and try to get some of the mud off of his legs. My friend and I feel his leg for heat and it was certainly warm. As was his hoof. Now I'm getting angry. Being as he isn't actually mine yet, I put him back in the paddock where I found him (his owner wasn't home). In hindsight I think I definitely should have left him in his stall, even if it does seem a little rude. Anyway, I put him back out in the paddock with his mother who, by the way, is a terrible influence. He immediately goes bucking around and running full speed with her.
Then I saw him fall. He literally fell. On his ass.
Now, I don't know if it was the huge downward slope of the land, the mud, or the fact that he's lame that caused the fall but I'd be willing to bet that it was a combination of the three.
In the past month I have gone barn shopping to find the best prices and the most space for Wiley, I have found him a lovely temporary home for the summer, I have found an even better home for him for when I'm back in Albany for school, I have arranged for a smaller, cheaper living situation for myself to ensure that Wiley would have the very best of care, I've taken conformation pictures and gotten opinions, I have arranged my class schedule for next year to be sure I would have enough time to spend with him, I have written up and pitched the proposal of a new horse to my parents (not that they would be the ones buying him), I have joined the Chronicle of the Horse discussion board and spent hours upon hours learning valuable training techniques and gleaning any extra info I can, I have sat in book stores reading all of their books on training, I have scoured Youtube for training videos, I have researched insurance, vet, farrier, and trainer costs, I have researched the best feed, I have researched whether or not giving joint supplements as a preventative measure is worth the cost, I've read the rules for registering a horse, I've bargained with friends to lend me some of their old equipment that might fit him as all of my old horse's stuff is too big, I've lost a boyfriend who didn't want to compete with an animal for my attention (jerk), I've considered selling my motorcycle to be extra sure that Wiley would be well taken care of, I've arranged for him to be trailered to my hometown, I've developed a new appreciation for the dollar store and Walmart because I'd rather spend all of my money on something I love instead of laundry detergent, I've written a contract for his owner and I just in case something happens over the summer while he's on trial.......................and she can't ever consider putting him on stall rest so that he doesn't hurt himself?
That, is why I'm mad.
So, who knows, maybe this Wiley blog will be shorter than I thought. The vet may say he's injured himself too badly and I won't be able to buy him. Thank you, current owner, for your wonderful contribution to this process. I will be angry and disappointed until further notice.
Let me ask you something, Blogworld: if you were trying to sell your car, would you then go ahead and let your 12 year old drive it around for fun? No, right? So tell me why, in a similar fashion, Wiley's current owner allowed him to gallop around in a DOWNWARD SLOPING and MUDDY paddock until he made himself lame? That's not all. Once she sees he's lame, she cold hoses his leg, puts wraps on, and LETS HIM BACK OUT?! Why. Why Blogworld. Now, today was the first time I've been able to visit since a week and a half ago because it's the end of the semester and I have to take my finals. I missed him terribly but being as her property isn't really great for training (see: one outdoor ring with only 3 sides) its not like I can do much until I take him home anyway. With work and school it's been tough to sneak away but today I decided that I couldn't wait any longer and went to spend some bonding time with him.
It was raining today. Actually, it's been raining for the past two weeks. I pull into the driveway and see that Senior Wiley is outside. In the enormous, muddy paddock. Okay, fine. She told me he looked a little lame last Friday, I thought hey, maybe he's worked out of it. I take him out and he looks okay. I hang out with him for a while and try to get some of the mud off of his legs. My friend and I feel his leg for heat and it was certainly warm. As was his hoof. Now I'm getting angry. Being as he isn't actually mine yet, I put him back in the paddock where I found him (his owner wasn't home). In hindsight I think I definitely should have left him in his stall, even if it does seem a little rude. Anyway, I put him back out in the paddock with his mother who, by the way, is a terrible influence. He immediately goes bucking around and running full speed with her.
Then I saw him fall. He literally fell. On his ass.
Now, I don't know if it was the huge downward slope of the land, the mud, or the fact that he's lame that caused the fall but I'd be willing to bet that it was a combination of the three.
In the past month I have gone barn shopping to find the best prices and the most space for Wiley, I have found him a lovely temporary home for the summer, I have found an even better home for him for when I'm back in Albany for school, I have arranged for a smaller, cheaper living situation for myself to ensure that Wiley would have the very best of care, I've taken conformation pictures and gotten opinions, I have arranged my class schedule for next year to be sure I would have enough time to spend with him, I have written up and pitched the proposal of a new horse to my parents (not that they would be the ones buying him), I have joined the Chronicle of the Horse discussion board and spent hours upon hours learning valuable training techniques and gleaning any extra info I can, I have sat in book stores reading all of their books on training, I have scoured Youtube for training videos, I have researched insurance, vet, farrier, and trainer costs, I have researched the best feed, I have researched whether or not giving joint supplements as a preventative measure is worth the cost, I've read the rules for registering a horse, I've bargained with friends to lend me some of their old equipment that might fit him as all of my old horse's stuff is too big, I've lost a boyfriend who didn't want to compete with an animal for my attention (jerk), I've considered selling my motorcycle to be extra sure that Wiley would be well taken care of, I've arranged for him to be trailered to my hometown, I've developed a new appreciation for the dollar store and Walmart because I'd rather spend all of my money on something I love instead of laundry detergent, I've written a contract for his owner and I just in case something happens over the summer while he's on trial.......................and she can't ever consider putting him on stall rest so that he doesn't hurt himself?
That, is why I'm mad.
So, who knows, maybe this Wiley blog will be shorter than I thought. The vet may say he's injured himself too badly and I won't be able to buy him. Thank you, current owner, for your wonderful contribution to this process. I will be angry and disappointed until further notice.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
The Neigh-Sayers
There have been many naysayers shaking their heads at me and saying "That's a lot of work" in a tone that says You're nuts for thinking your capable of such a thing. This response? Was to be expected. Who knows, maybe I am a little nuts, but I'm no dummy. I don't claim to have some sort of natural magical powers in knowing how to break and train a horse. That's why I intend to surround myself with trainers, books, informational dvds, discussion boards, wise older equestrian friends, and did I mention trainers? Oh, and trainers. I have no misconceptions that this is going to be a walk in the park. I actually expect to spend a good chunk of my summer on the ground watching Wiley bucking around the ring, loose, having a grand ol' time. What's that saying? Expect the worst, hope for the best? Boom, there's my new summer motto.
The naysayers make their lofty comments based on the fact that I have no experience in this area. Well I have to start somewhere, don't I?(Hint: the answer is yes.) I want to base my career around horses. How can I claim that right if I'm only a good rider? I want to be a well-rounded horse person who has a mental filing cabinet full of training, feeding, breeding, riding, equipment info. Right now, I'm fairly well-versed in most things hunter/jumper, but I want to know more about everything horse-related. Vaulting? Eventing? Dressage? Breaking? Bits? Reigning? Call me greedy but I'm a knowledge junkie :)
Anyways, I'm stressing out. There's barely any time to go visit Wiley this week because I have my finals coming up. I'm so glad I scheduled all of my classes for next year at night so I'll have time to be with Wiley everyday. I mean, I know my trial period starts with him when I bring him home for the summer from Debbie's place, but there are still a ridiculous amount of loose ends. I'm not concerned about my exams to be honest; I'm more worried about the fact that Wiley has never trailered alone, he's never had wraps on his legs, etc. And because I have no time to get there this week, chances are, putting shipping wraps on him are not going to be easy later on.
Debbie and I also still haven't signed any sort of contract for the summer. It's awesome that she has agreed to let me play with him this summer to see if he's what I'm looking for, but we both know the smart thing to do is get everything in writing. We're both extremely busy at the moment but the contract is a must have before he leaves her property. We originally agreed that she would write it up and send it to me to review, but I'm starting to think it may be more helpful for me to get it started. As of right now, Wiley is scheduled to come home with me on the 15th of May. I'm beyond excited.
The bad news? Debbie sent me a text yesterday saying that he had looked a little off that morning. She said she thinks he was running in the mud and slid. I'm trying so hard not to worry too much. Either way, he'll be coming home with me to start being trained regardless of if I buy him or not. I hope this doesn't mean he's more prone to go lame because of conformational issues or anything. I want him to be mine so badly, but I also don't want to make an irresponsible decision in buying a horse that will always be off for some reason or another. We shall see, I'm going to get him vetted over the summer during his trial period.
My hopes are so high.
The naysayers make their lofty comments based on the fact that I have no experience in this area. Well I have to start somewhere, don't I?(Hint: the answer is yes.) I want to base my career around horses. How can I claim that right if I'm only a good rider? I want to be a well-rounded horse person who has a mental filing cabinet full of training, feeding, breeding, riding, equipment info. Right now, I'm fairly well-versed in most things hunter/jumper, but I want to know more about everything horse-related. Vaulting? Eventing? Dressage? Breaking? Bits? Reigning? Call me greedy but I'm a knowledge junkie :)
Anyways, I'm stressing out. There's barely any time to go visit Wiley this week because I have my finals coming up. I'm so glad I scheduled all of my classes for next year at night so I'll have time to be with Wiley everyday. I mean, I know my trial period starts with him when I bring him home for the summer from Debbie's place, but there are still a ridiculous amount of loose ends. I'm not concerned about my exams to be honest; I'm more worried about the fact that Wiley has never trailered alone, he's never had wraps on his legs, etc. And because I have no time to get there this week, chances are, putting shipping wraps on him are not going to be easy later on.
Debbie and I also still haven't signed any sort of contract for the summer. It's awesome that she has agreed to let me play with him this summer to see if he's what I'm looking for, but we both know the smart thing to do is get everything in writing. We're both extremely busy at the moment but the contract is a must have before he leaves her property. We originally agreed that she would write it up and send it to me to review, but I'm starting to think it may be more helpful for me to get it started. As of right now, Wiley is scheduled to come home with me on the 15th of May. I'm beyond excited.
The bad news? Debbie sent me a text yesterday saying that he had looked a little off that morning. She said she thinks he was running in the mud and slid. I'm trying so hard not to worry too much. Either way, he'll be coming home with me to start being trained regardless of if I buy him or not. I hope this doesn't mean he's more prone to go lame because of conformational issues or anything. I want him to be mine so badly, but I also don't want to make an irresponsible decision in buying a horse that will always be off for some reason or another. We shall see, I'm going to get him vetted over the summer during his trial period.
My hopes are so high.
Go Pony Go
Here are a few videos of him going :) I can't wait to get him on some good footing and on a luge line where he can really move!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?
So (no surprise here) Wiley HATES crossties. I realised this as I watched him nearly pass out from the exertion of trying to break them. Here's the thing: he's not a nervous horse, a shy horse, a scared horse, or any similar variation. He's a smart horse who literally LOVES pushing boundaries. And that's why I love him: he's kinda like me.
Honestly, the hardest part about training him is going to be NOT getting a laugh out of his naughty behavior. It's gonna be tough, considering that he's freakin hilarious. I dragged my parents all the way up a mountain in the middle of nowhere to meet him today and he put on a really spectacular show. First, he bucked around in his stall. Then, he took the blanket off of his door and flung it around. Next, he tried to eat a brush while banging it against a wall. And the grand finale was a dramatic flipping of his water bucket accompanied with a "I didn't do it" expression. Needless to say, they love him and his "quirky" AKA obnoxious personality.
The good news is that I see his forward, over-the-top energy as the building blocks to the fiercest jumper a girl can create. Well...here's hoping.
He's mouthy, he paws, he doesn't understand personal space, he's intentionally naughty, he's untrained, he's inexperienced....and he's all mine :)
Honestly, the hardest part about training him is going to be NOT getting a laugh out of his naughty behavior. It's gonna be tough, considering that he's freakin hilarious. I dragged my parents all the way up a mountain in the middle of nowhere to meet him today and he put on a really spectacular show. First, he bucked around in his stall. Then, he took the blanket off of his door and flung it around. Next, he tried to eat a brush while banging it against a wall. And the grand finale was a dramatic flipping of his water bucket accompanied with a "I didn't do it" expression. Needless to say, they love him and his "quirky" AKA obnoxious personality.
The good news is that I see his forward, over-the-top energy as the building blocks to the fiercest jumper a girl can create. Well...here's hoping.
He's mouthy, he paws, he doesn't understand personal space, he's intentionally naughty, he's untrained, he's inexperienced....and he's all mine :)
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Training Wheels
I've been riding for sixteen years. I've had two horses. I've done equitation, hunters, jumpers, and have even dabbled in western pleasure riding. I've gotten bucked off, rolled on, run away with, stepped on, and, of course, reared with. Somehow, though, none of that has prepared me for this horse that has been dropped into my lap.
He's a two year old Thoroughbred and he knows absolutely nothing. I mean.....NOTHING. He's mouthy, he paws like there's no tomorrow, and, if you ask me, he's wayyy into himself: I've named him Wiley.
Wile (noun) \ˈwī(-ə)l\
1. a trick or stratagem intended to ensnare or deceive; also : a beguiling or playful trick
2. skill in outwitting : trickery, guile
Technically he isn't mine yet, but either way he needed a name, right? His owner, Debbie, loves it. She's going through a divorce and being forced to sell the little troublemaker so I told her I'd take him for the summer, start training him, and if things go well, I'd buy him. The funny thing about that, though, is that I'm a total novice when it comes to training a horse.
This...is a blog of our adventures.
2. skill in outwitting : trickery, guile
Technically he isn't mine yet, but either way he needed a name, right? His owner, Debbie, loves it. She's going through a divorce and being forced to sell the little troublemaker so I told her I'd take him for the summer, start training him, and if things go well, I'd buy him. The funny thing about that, though, is that I'm a total novice when it comes to training a horse.
This...is a blog of our adventures.
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