I'm not really "back," as in, I'm not getting into any discussions, but thought at least a couple people here might be interested in some updates.
It's sort of NHR, but since it impacts my riding, it's horse related, too. I finally got a diagnosis for my hip pain. FAI (pincer type). I'd hoped to hear that it could be fixed with arthroscopic surgery, but the expert said no. It's such an extreme FAI that he thinks hip replacement.
Had an MRI done today to see what soft tissue damage there is (he thinks a lot).
After thinking a lot about what we/I want to do/need in the future with our horses, here's where things stand:
Cheddar was given to a teenager a couple of months ago. She's ridden practically all her life, grown up with horses, and recently lost her horse. Last I heard, he was being ridden around the farm.
Sebastian has improved. Instead of hiding in the corner of his pasture (round pen, etc) and pretending that the human doesn't exist, he'll come to meet us. He can be handled and tacked up without flinching at every move. He's still insecure and sensitive, just not so fearful. Whether or not he'll work for MP remains to be seen as his training progresses.
Holly and I did a couple more big clinics/training events since I last posted. I've pretty much accepted that Holly can do anything I ask her to do because of her level of training and trust (we even did some jumping!), but she's not always happy about it and never will be. MP work is all about slow down, slow down, calm down, don't do this, don't do that, etc. It's like driving a sports car in 2nd gear all the time. I think she'd be much happier in a situation where she could have some freedom to move (like endurance) and/or have an owner who "celebrated" her sass and fire...vs always having to tamp it down. That's not the only reason...I have a whole list. Some are maybe silly and frivolous, some could still change with more training, etc, but overall, the reasons for selling her (such as a longer-backed horse being more comfortable with the hip pain) outweigh the reasons for keeping her. Keeping her as a pasture pet is also not an option. I can afford it, but it'd be like keeping the ex-husband in the room next door. So after lots of debate and tears, I've decided to sell her.
With my decision to sell Holly and Sebastian still a "what if" (and I do NOT want to rush his training in any way), I started horse shopping again. This time, I promised myself I would NOT buy a horse based upon "Oh, THIS one needs to be rescued!" Instead, I focused on what I need for MP (gelding, taller, heavier bone, calm), what I like to do (MP, dressage, trail riding/ACTHA, but NOT jumping and endurance), and overall quality of the horse.
I purchased this boy (sorry for the crappy image, it's from a video). He comes home later in the week. He's trained to drive (and maybe one day I'll be forced to give up riding, so I can learn to drive!), he's solid w/t/c, been trail ridden, etc. Last few weeks of training have been with a Bronze and Silver FEI dressage medalist (oh my god! The horseflesh at this barn! Drool! They also have a $60,000 horse for sale and a $100,000 solid level 4, soon to be Grand Prix level horse for sale) but he still handles like a driving horse right now.
He needs a new name! Any suggestions? And no, it won't be Spud!
It's sort of NHR, but since it impacts my riding, it's horse related, too. I finally got a diagnosis for my hip pain. FAI (pincer type). I'd hoped to hear that it could be fixed with arthroscopic surgery, but the expert said no. It's such an extreme FAI that he thinks hip replacement.
After thinking a lot about what we/I want to do/need in the future with our horses, here's where things stand:
Cheddar was given to a teenager a couple of months ago. She's ridden practically all her life, grown up with horses, and recently lost her horse. Last I heard, he was being ridden around the farm.
Sebastian has improved. Instead of hiding in the corner of his pasture (round pen, etc) and pretending that the human doesn't exist, he'll come to meet us. He can be handled and tacked up without flinching at every move. He's still insecure and sensitive, just not so fearful. Whether or not he'll work for MP remains to be seen as his training progresses.
Holly and I did a couple more big clinics/training events since I last posted. I've pretty much accepted that Holly can do anything I ask her to do because of her level of training and trust (we even did some jumping!), but she's not always happy about it and never will be. MP work is all about slow down, slow down, calm down, don't do this, don't do that, etc. It's like driving a sports car in 2nd gear all the time. I think she'd be much happier in a situation where she could have some freedom to move (like endurance) and/or have an owner who "celebrated" her sass and fire...vs always having to tamp it down. That's not the only reason...I have a whole list. Some are maybe silly and frivolous, some could still change with more training, etc, but overall, the reasons for selling her (such as a longer-backed horse being more comfortable with the hip pain) outweigh the reasons for keeping her. Keeping her as a pasture pet is also not an option. I can afford it, but it'd be like keeping the ex-husband in the room next door. So after lots of debate and tears, I've decided to sell her.
With my decision to sell Holly and Sebastian still a "what if" (and I do NOT want to rush his training in any way), I started horse shopping again. This time, I promised myself I would NOT buy a horse based upon "Oh, THIS one needs to be rescued!" Instead, I focused on what I need for MP (gelding, taller, heavier bone, calm), what I like to do (MP, dressage, trail riding/ACTHA, but NOT jumping and endurance), and overall quality of the horse.
I purchased this boy (sorry for the crappy image, it's from a video). He comes home later in the week. He's trained to drive (and maybe one day I'll be forced to give up riding, so I can learn to drive!), he's solid w/t/c, been trail ridden, etc. Last few weeks of training have been with a Bronze and Silver FEI dressage medalist (oh my god! The horseflesh at this barn! Drool! They also have a $60,000 horse for sale and a $100,000 solid level 4, soon to be Grand Prix level horse for sale) but he still handles like a driving horse right now.
He needs a new name! Any suggestions? And no, it won't be Spud!
