An Empty Corner

My farrier came out this morning to trim everyone's hooves. Dino was first and he had been good all morning with me, so I didn't think much of it. But he kicked at my farrier. Three times. And then charged him when he was back in his stall. He then did the same thing to me, which he hasn't done in about a year. You know, right about now, Dino doesn't have anyone in his corner.

I was thinking about this last night; we've simply gotten use to having two seniors that have been there done that, two seniors who are quiet and don't give much trouble. But, as I reminded my Dad, they weren't always that way.

Angel was a tough horse. I remember just to clip her you'd place her in cross ties, have a chain over her nose, someone would ear twitch her, someone else would hold onto the lip twitch and she'd still be fighting. And man, when she got mad her big brown eyes would just glow red with fury. She was the complete stereotypical (Chestnut mare, beware) package of a chestnut thoroughbred mare with a double swirl; pretty, feisty, head strong, brave, tough, hot, etc.

Riding Angel was an adventure, then AND now. She is the perfect example on why you shouldn't over jump a jumper, instead spend about 95% of the time on the flat and only 5% over jumps. She was nearly impossible to flat, went in a simple egg-butt snaffle - I'd say it was a heavy weight snaffle, very thick. She was always behind the vertical, meaning that she carried her nose just off her chest, kind of like someone who's using too much draw rein. I think I had her atleast a week before I ever cantered her. Boy did she have a stride on her, scared the crap out of me!! An average horse's stride is about 12', Angel's was closer to 14', so it made jumping more difficult. At the end of that first week my trainer at the time, Beth, told me I had the weekend to learn how to canter her...or else! 'Or else' was the silent threat that I was loosing something, probably my stirrups, but I did learn.

When it came to jumping Angel, there was no going back. If the line was a straight forward six strides, I may ask, at the last minute, for seven. Inevitable, we'd chip in which is a big no-no. Angel didn't play that game. If I committed to that six strides, it was six strides. If I tried to see-saw her into seven, she'd make it five. Angel had experience showing in the Level Five classes (3'9" - 4'), she knew more than I. A lot more. So I really needed to let her teach me. She always took care of me and never had a stop in her. No matter the distance I put her at a jump or the angle, she tried. Even if her ears were flat back and her tail swishing angrily.

On the ground, Angel could be sweet as strawberry pie one minute and angry as a hornet the next. She just had no use for people and when you bothered her too much, watch out! Angel took people, including myself, in doses and was truly an independent horse. When I brought Sancho home, we had them in the pasture together. I was holding Sancho and Dad had Angel, we were just letting them touch noses. There was something about the look in Angel's eyes that made me warn Dad, "You better step back..." and that was all I got out because at that very moment, she lunged open mouth for Sancho's jugular! To this day, I don't think she'd care if Sancho or Dino disappeared never to be seen again. She'd probably enjoy the peace and quiet!*lol*

Señor Sancho is a different character all together. You don't find Paso Finos bred like him anymore and if you do, you're shelling out some money. Pasos today, I really don't like. They look very weak in the loin and croup, and appear to become strung out while gaiting. Sancho's just bred so nicely, but maybe I'm just biased. ;) Even at 23, Sancho still has brio, meaning controlled energy or spirit. I must of had Sancho two or three years before he ever walked under-saddle, it was always go-go-go. In hand, Sancho's respectful. Most of the time atleast. He has his 'stupid' moments. But he's a typical Paso; he's got brio, he strives to please, is very willing, responsive, etc. But he still has his moments, those stupid frustrating moments, I just want to rip my hair out moments, moments thinking to myself, muttering to him, screaming/yelling across a field: "I'M GOING TO KIIILLLLL YOOOOUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!! It happens. I can only imagine what my neighbors think...probably why they don't talk to me. Whatever, let them deal with that nut job.

Back to Dino, Dino who is relatively young, feisty, tough, hot, head-strong, athletic, and can test one's patience...

By George, I'VE GOT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! He's Angel and Sancho all rolled into one!

Sh*t. I am soooo screwed.