Post by shwmaeCP on Dec 15, 2010 12:42:59 GMT
Well some people have told me this story is one that can inspire others so I should put a diary up for Flea. Here it is ;D
From the begining....
While working at a racing yard in the west midlands I was asked to find a horse for a very close friend, it had to be sane, good moving, fantastic confirmation and very trainable as she is a side saddle nationals rider and BD contender.
The day after I set about finding this horse with an open mind and sharpe eye yet nothing came up so I thought on a long shot to ask at the yard I was working at and after looking at a few that didn't fit the bill at all I finally came across a thin weedy looking mare standing in a stable where she had no attention and hardly any bedding while standing in a stable held up by bail a twine and hay crates meaning she couldn't get out at all unless you went through a whole situation of undoing all the bale twine and moving the crates from around her. Luckily that day I was due to be doing her stall as the owner didn't like her at all for not wanting to race so I got to spend some time with her and I soon realised she had a heart of gold while I had literally chuck the wheel barrow into her stable and jump behind her trusting her not to kick to muck her out. Later that day I decided she would have the temperment that was needed and asked them to get her out but they explained she was booked in at ascot sales as she wasn't any good for a race horse as she hated racing so much and refused to run yet had the bloodline of a pure champion.
I remember them bringing her out and me looking at her long and hard trying very hard to look past the thin stalky look and none expressive face. I looked long and hard with a family member next to me who I know has a good eye and together we decided she had no confirmational problems and could possibly be the horse we were looking for but before I could buy her I had to see her move. Well what can I say other then this thin little horse just wowed us both when she literally floated across the floor leaving no prints in the sand and making effortless steps as though she had done dressage all her life. I quickly got out the money and offered them what I had but they explained she was due to go to the sales so I would need to buy her out of going and pay for the entry fee's (so I did).
Sadly due to having a stallion in for breaking for somebody I couldn't have her home for a while as he was in her stable to be and much to my disapointment Flea was put out in a field with youngsters to fend for herself in the freezing weather and snow!
When she finally arrived home it was apparent she was far to weak to be ridden and would need a long time out in the paddocks to gain her weight and spirits so we turned her out with all the mares and let her get into the herd so she could learn to be a happy horse again. Weeks past and bit by bit she started look brighter and more chunky which amazed me to watch as she came in what I would think was such a state yet I know for fact that's what happens to some race horses when their not happy and the owners don't care.
A good amount of weeks past and finally she was presentable to my instructer who's eye and word I trust above anyone's. Expecting a quick oh my god what have you bought I found myself telling her to look past the thin look and explained she was in rehabilitation but nothing could prepare me for what she said. She explained she bred from TB mares and that a mix between TB's and dressage horses can be a very good one and that Flea had all the foundations to breed a top class foal. I later on that week got on Flea expecting the worse as I was told she was a killer but was pleasently shocked when I got on her and she was the quietist happiest horse to ride alive and just wanted to learn.
Two weeks later and she was booked for a lesson with my instructer who just fell in love with her and new my dream to breed dressage horses so offered me a reduced price on covering Flea to her famously rare bred black stallion who I can describe as simply breath taking.
Flea was finally scanned in foal and I was told to bring her back into work to keep her happy and not let her get unhappy again feeling unwanted so she came with me to the livery yard while I take my qualification as a professional photographer.
Here are Flea's Pictures
When I bought her. The photo doesn't show how ribby and fine she was
Two weeks after being put in foal
Flea's and mine's first time side saddle
Flea being loving
Flea Showing everyone her new rolled bridle her mummy A bought her
Five months in foal
Enjoying a warm scarf now 6months in foal and off work
Flea Six and Half Months in Foal
I hope you enjoy them
Due to work comitments I may offer Flea next year for someone to breed a foal from if someone could give references and lots of information so I can make sure my golden girl can go to the very best home for a year before I need her back to train for competeing in BD and Side Saddle
From the begining....
While working at a racing yard in the west midlands I was asked to find a horse for a very close friend, it had to be sane, good moving, fantastic confirmation and very trainable as she is a side saddle nationals rider and BD contender.
The day after I set about finding this horse with an open mind and sharpe eye yet nothing came up so I thought on a long shot to ask at the yard I was working at and after looking at a few that didn't fit the bill at all I finally came across a thin weedy looking mare standing in a stable where she had no attention and hardly any bedding while standing in a stable held up by bail a twine and hay crates meaning she couldn't get out at all unless you went through a whole situation of undoing all the bale twine and moving the crates from around her. Luckily that day I was due to be doing her stall as the owner didn't like her at all for not wanting to race so I got to spend some time with her and I soon realised she had a heart of gold while I had literally chuck the wheel barrow into her stable and jump behind her trusting her not to kick to muck her out. Later that day I decided she would have the temperment that was needed and asked them to get her out but they explained she was booked in at ascot sales as she wasn't any good for a race horse as she hated racing so much and refused to run yet had the bloodline of a pure champion.
I remember them bringing her out and me looking at her long and hard trying very hard to look past the thin stalky look and none expressive face. I looked long and hard with a family member next to me who I know has a good eye and together we decided she had no confirmational problems and could possibly be the horse we were looking for but before I could buy her I had to see her move. Well what can I say other then this thin little horse just wowed us both when she literally floated across the floor leaving no prints in the sand and making effortless steps as though she had done dressage all her life. I quickly got out the money and offered them what I had but they explained she was due to go to the sales so I would need to buy her out of going and pay for the entry fee's (so I did).
Sadly due to having a stallion in for breaking for somebody I couldn't have her home for a while as he was in her stable to be and much to my disapointment Flea was put out in a field with youngsters to fend for herself in the freezing weather and snow!
When she finally arrived home it was apparent she was far to weak to be ridden and would need a long time out in the paddocks to gain her weight and spirits so we turned her out with all the mares and let her get into the herd so she could learn to be a happy horse again. Weeks past and bit by bit she started look brighter and more chunky which amazed me to watch as she came in what I would think was such a state yet I know for fact that's what happens to some race horses when their not happy and the owners don't care.
A good amount of weeks past and finally she was presentable to my instructer who's eye and word I trust above anyone's. Expecting a quick oh my god what have you bought I found myself telling her to look past the thin look and explained she was in rehabilitation but nothing could prepare me for what she said. She explained she bred from TB mares and that a mix between TB's and dressage horses can be a very good one and that Flea had all the foundations to breed a top class foal. I later on that week got on Flea expecting the worse as I was told she was a killer but was pleasently shocked when I got on her and she was the quietist happiest horse to ride alive and just wanted to learn.
Two weeks later and she was booked for a lesson with my instructer who just fell in love with her and new my dream to breed dressage horses so offered me a reduced price on covering Flea to her famously rare bred black stallion who I can describe as simply breath taking.
Flea was finally scanned in foal and I was told to bring her back into work to keep her happy and not let her get unhappy again feeling unwanted so she came with me to the livery yard while I take my qualification as a professional photographer.
Here are Flea's Pictures
When I bought her. The photo doesn't show how ribby and fine she was
Two weeks after being put in foal
Flea's and mine's first time side saddle
Flea being loving
Flea Showing everyone her new rolled bridle her mummy A bought her
Five months in foal
Enjoying a warm scarf now 6months in foal and off work
Flea Six and Half Months in Foal
I hope you enjoy them
Due to work comitments I may offer Flea next year for someone to breed a foal from if someone could give references and lots of information so I can make sure my golden girl can go to the very best home for a year before I need her back to train for competeing in BD and Side Saddle
