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Frequently, after I ride Hap, my 20 year old Thoroughbred gelding, my trainer gets on him for what she calls a pony ride. This saves her the trouble of getting a horse ready to ride, and keeps her hand in, so to speak. I like it because it is the only chance I have to see Hap looking as good as I think he feels when I ride him. Although one or two people ride him occasionally, he is never quite as relaxed for others.
I first saw Hap when he was eight: the woman who had evented him brought him over for me to try. When I saw him, I thought he was skinny (because he was at the weight they like for eventing) but sort of cute. When I rode him I immediately thought “I want this horse. This is my horse.” I almost gave her a check on the spot so she wouldn’t put my horse in the trailer and take him away. I was more worried about what might turn up in the pre purchase exam than the seller.
That feeling never left, not even when he had me so intimidated that I had to ride him every day because I was afraid if I took day off I might not be able to force myself back on him. The trainer I had at the time insisted I would never be able to ride him in a snaffle. Hap had one strategy for dealing with life’s little fears and frustrations: grab the bit and run forward. It took me and my current trainer eighteen months to get him to give to the bit and not lock everything forward of his shoulder. For years I thought that he was like the little girl who had a little curl: when he was good he was very very good, and when he was bad he was horrid. I even used to worry that he might be getting sick on the very good days.
He looked so good with my trainer today that I went and got my camera from the car and took some snapshots. As I joked to my trainer afterward: twelve years and we finally got him broke.
What a wonderful story, Elaine. Hap looks like a champ to me. How exciting to be even more in love with him than that day you knew you had to buy him.
Great photo and commentary! Stories like this give me patience — some day Clipper won’t be so spooky, I hope!
Elaine great story and pic of Hap. Made me miss the days of when Arnie and I owned ACE (named with the first intial of each of our names), and our son had his pony Tootsie Roll (white tail and face, brown body) hence his name. The only time I ride now is if I go to visit my niece which isn;t often enough. I spent some tmehere at your blog and throughly enjoyed it. Your photographs are wonderful. Especially was fond of the crow in the tree one. I had a pleasant visit. Thanks