tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post7994262653535123599..comments2024-03-26T05:15:39.663-07:00Comments on Equestrian Ink: The Perfect HorseJami Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05259390150273030284noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-49024017819841746582014-01-05T18:11:52.842-08:002014-01-05T18:11:52.842-08:00Horses are like people, there are no perfect horse...Horses are like people, there are no perfect horses. But, just like human relationships, some horses fit your personality and riding style more than others. When you have the right fit, it makes all the difference.horsesfortrailhttp://www.horsesfortrail.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-44891713412450159022013-12-30T16:04:45.600-08:002013-12-30T16:04:45.600-08:00It's a little bit easier when all I want to do...It's a little bit easier when all I want to do is some quiet, sensible trail rides. No jumping required, no remarkable athleticism needed. The riding isn't hard on her feet and joints. A calm horse, sound in body and mind, is sufficient. And this combination is rare enough in Britain. It helps if the horse is sociable with people and other horses. Fortunately I have such a horse. She's not perfect however I can live with her flaws. They aren't dangerous and they don't make riding unpleasant. She tends to stop and stare at things. She likes to snatch at vegetation. I doubt whether she would go far in competition, but I certainly don't want to! <br /><br />One of the other riders at the barn has a young horse that is quite a handful. Lately he's jumped out of the arena with her on board after getting bored with a lesson. (Wish I'd had my camera out for that!) But she thinks that he's ideal because he has potential to become a responsible and high performing adult. White Horse Pilgrimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18256903307281225327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-4188971663568303212013-12-23T07:23:05.718-08:002013-12-23T07:23:05.718-08:00Aarene--I have been deeply impressed by what you&#...Aarene--I have been deeply impressed by what you've accomplished with Fiddle. I can say quite frankly that she is not a project I would have taken on, but even from this distance I have witnessed her huge progress and how hard you've worked to help her become a solid citizen. You guys are a wonderful example of how each of us is different when it comes to the "right horse." A horse that works well for one person doesn't always work for another person, and one thing is for sure--they all have their faults. I totally applaud you and Fiddle--I believe you when you say she makes you a better rider, and I would add that she's very, very lucky that you own her and love her. May you have many happy years ahead of you enjoying 50 mile rides together.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-72899747705378087682013-12-22T20:06:50.049-08:002013-12-22T20:06:50.049-08:00I find that when people describe a "perfect h...I find that when people describe a "perfect horse" they've owned or ridden in the past, that horse is usually *long* dead. Long enough for the folks to forget that the horse was a snark around food, a spaz around lawnmowers, and a snake around mares...or whatever.<br /><br />As a blogger, I don't have that luxury. I have a written *and widely broadcast* record of the challenges I have with Fiddle. Sixty years from now, I won't be able to fool myself about her virtue, because the record remains and there are too many witnesses.<br /><br />But, that said: she's approaching perfection. Every day, a little closer. She's nowhere close yet, but getting closer--and it's the challenge of helping her improve that makes me a better rider. <br /><br />What more could I want?AareneXhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18072169739345465380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-35407719244935389862013-12-22T15:44:18.679-08:002013-12-22T15:44:18.679-08:00Thank you, Martine. I have picked up from reading ...Thank you, Martine. I have picked up from reading your blog that I would very much like Flurry. My kind of horse. I love reading about your life in France and am often quite envious. I very much enjoyed the six weeks I spent in Europe and wish I could go back. Finances...just as you say. Merry Christmas to you and yours!Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-64237697575660189452013-12-22T14:57:26.833-08:002013-12-22T14:57:26.833-08:00I think where you are in your life has a lot to do...I think where you are in your life has a lot to do with which kind of horse is "perfect" for you. In my teens, I would have loved a jumping pony, capable of 3'6 competitions... well that never happened. <br />In my mid twenties, the perfect horse would have been a well-schooled all-rounder, on whom I could have done show-jumping, cross-country and maybe hunting. We bought a four year old. Duh. Sold her two years later and bought another four year old. Double Duh. <br />In my thirties, when I was flat-out being a Mom and running my livery stables, I needed a horse like your Sunny. Leave him in the paddock for weeks, take him out to ride and he'll be the same as he always was, bomb-proof and honest. What did I have? A home-bred youngster. I plead lack of finance... <br />Finally, in my late forties, I saw sense and bought Flurry. He's another Sunny, brilliant on the trail, except he'll do his best for me in the arena, too. Jumping is a distant memory; we school for dressage. He's not talented but he's perfect FOR ME. <br />And then I inherited (refused to sell) my daughter's horse as well. Talented, well-schooled and way too much horse for me. But you know what? We do what suits us. Some days we do in-hand stuff, some days we school, some days we trail ride. And he's perfect, too.<br />Merry Christmas to all at Equestrian Ink, you're one of my favourite blogs. MartineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com