I'm going to make you read the update first though! ***cue evil laugh***
The cashel pad was a big FAIL. It was waaaay too thick. I'm not quite sure what western saddle pad makers are thinking exactly when they make their products. It is a nice looking pad and seems to be well made, but it just doesn't work. It made my saddle too tight in the shoulders and it screwed up my leg position. And the worst part, is that Rusty was off in the back end while riding in it. I'm contemplating cutting it apart to get the smaller swayback pad that is apparently inside and try that on its own with a regular western wool pad.
As for the biothane tack colours - I haven't decided yet. Lisa asked me that in the comments on my last post... I have a few favourite colours, but I'm going to hold out for a bit before I decide and order anything...
And that leads me to my news...
Rusty has been doing ok on long rides, but is having a hard time keeping up once we do rides over 8 miles or so. His speed is also not the greatest at the trot. He is totally bombproof out on the road/trails, but I just don't think he has the endurance to do more than 10 miles. He is approx 18-20 years old, so I don't know how much I want to push him and he doesn't do well when it gets hot. I am also having saddle fit issues as well, so I don't feel comfortable asking him to do longer distances and risk his back becoming sore...
That put me in a bit of a pickle. I don't really have the money right now to buy another horse.
And I am not ready to sell Rusty.
He has been such a huge boost to my confidence, that I'm not really willing to part with him. It can be hard to re-home an older horse and I would be worried about where he went.
Hmm...what is a girl to do?
I was lamenting over this problem a couple of weeks ago over wine with the barn owner and Endurance Lady.
The barn owner's eyes suddenly lit up and she said "I have an idea!!! You could try Hank!!!"
Hank, I asked? Really?
"Sure" she said, "Why not?"
I didn't really have a good answer, besides the fact that I didn't think I could handle paying for board on two horses. She told me not to worry, if I liked him, we would work something out.
One evening last week I met with her daughter to go out for a hack and to work Hank in the round pen. I liked what I saw, considering it was his second ride of the year. I'm going to leave you leave you there with a picture - any guesses about what breed he is???
More to follow... :-D
12 comments:
What a beautiful boy! Can't wait to hear more about him!!
What breed he is? Who cares! He is HANDSOME! (Lutin says that is perfectly FINE as a breed ;) )
Cant wait to hear more of this story!
Walker? Standardbred? Saddlebred? I'm a guessing by looking at his big ol' head!
I'm thinking 8 miles is pretty good. I know it's not if you want to do endurance. I've been riding 23-year-old Lostine on the trails and she has a hard time after about 3 miles. She balks when going downhill, so I let her rest a lot. I thought about retiring her, but she really loves our outings. I think they are what keep her going.
Oohhh...Is he one of those Canadian Horses? He's sure a looker.
That's too bad about the Cashel pad. I don't know if I am all that enthused about the SureFit pad I bought either. It really sucks when a person spends all that money on something and it doesn't work.
The thing about older horses is that it takes longer to get them into shape. Of course, endurance might just not be Rusty's thing. He seems quite laid back. Not that I know much about endurance, but the horses that are successful at it do seem to have a little more git-up and go attitude.
Hank is a hunk! I've seen other photos of him on Elsie's FB page. I'm thinking he's a TB? Whatever he is, this sounds like a potentially great opportunity - nothing like having your cake and eating it too!
It's been interesting for me to go from always paying for rides (lessons, leases, owning...) to having them offered. Owners offer up their horses for me to ride fairly often these days and it's such a trip! The unfortunate part is I find I rarely have the time to take them up on it :(
Or maybe some kind of warmblood...he's got those big cheekbones...
Is gorgeous a breed? lol
Umm, hmmm... Canadian? Standardbred?
That's pretty exciting news, although the pad part of your update sucks. Frustrating when pads are so darn expensive.
He is beautiful! That is great that the BO is going to let you use him. Can't wait to hear the rest!
I was thinking Standardbred also, but I really have no idea what breed he is!
sounds like an exciting summer is coming your way. he's a handsome guy, I have no idea what breed he is though. hard to tell but i'd guess TB or Canadian sport horse?
A TB? A Standardbred? A Trakehner? I don't know, but he sure is handsome and has a look of nobility to his face. I can't wait to read more!
I hear ya on Rusty. Having a trail safe horse that you can trust means the world. But perhaps you are ready for more?
Apache's the same way..safe on the trail, but not able to do more than 8-10 miles without coming up sore. I've never really had an interest in endurance riding, but it's still kind of disappointing when your horse doesn't even give you the option.
~Lisa
Yay, yay, yay!!! A Standardbred! Good luck and I am excited to follow your progress with him! :-D
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