Gushing and bragging, can't help it...

[DarkChylde]

I just HAD to gush and brag about my husband, and my mare that I am giving him and training for him.

Chara (Gaelic for 'soulmate') was a rescue, and wild, food aggressive kicker. Well, I have worked with her extensively, and my husband had recently cast his eye for her. So I started training her for him.

Well, I was lying down to take a nap yesterday, only to be awoken by my girls telling me 'Daddy is riding Chara!" and sure enough, he was out there riding away. He even rode her bridless and saddleless, with a small stick broke off (I don't have her down on leg cues - YET) and him all happy with how good she is and how responsive (he has ridden some pretty tough characters, and he knows what a resistant horse is) she is.

They both did SO GREAT!! I am proud of my big girl, big sweet nooniehead. Just bustin buttons over her, and patting myself on the back (try not to break my arm, either, heh heh.)

I actually give GaWaNi Pony Boy most of the credit, I am a disciple of his and just his technique, but don't tell my husband that yet, I am enjoying his compliments on my abilities as a trainer.

I couldn't get pics, when I thought to get the phone, I had to go find it and by then he was off the horse. Dagnabit. But to see a pic of the mare (since I still don't have how to post a pic, might be my laptop) click this link to myspace pics:

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=106252087&albumID=0&imageID=13651426

Okay, I am done bragging and gushing FOR NOW.

Bright blessings, all!

[Manda]

Aww that's great :] I'm very happy for you, your husband, and your horse.

[DarkChylde]

Aww that's great :] I'm very happy for you, your husband, and your horse.

Thanx, Manda. :D

[Alwaysridin09]

thats really cool! congrats! to me, she sounds like she would make a good dressage horse.

[DarkChylde]

Very sharp, you are.
That is EXACTLY what I had in mind for her. My husband tolerates my dressage talk (tho honestly his eyes glaze over and I think he is thinking about food or his poker game or something) but he is into western.
But he says I can use her for Dressage.
And I have had her break into a trot once when headed downhill, and while I had to pull her down with a pat (as we have only worked on being ridden at the walk so far, still doing ring work on the other gaits) and she has the SMOOTHEST trot, oh, I wanted to take her back then, but he said 'no takesy backsy. (Sigh)...

[Alwaysridin09]

my favorite horse warrior, has the smoothest trot and i love it! its really nice to post to. no offense to ur husband, but i think a good dressage horse goes to waste in a western saddle :rolleyes: but, i am english all the way and hope to really excel in dressage! :)

[DarkChylde]

Heh heh, me too. As a matter of fact, my husband wants her to neck rein, and I have got the basics in her enough to let him take over her training (with my input of course) because I am not comfortable neck reining, it is unnatural to me. I have been an english rider for so long I am ashamed to admit I don't even know if western leg cues are different! I have rode western, but it was with my english-trained horse, and I just used them on trail rides cuz I could tie so much stuff off them. Aussie saddle weren't around as much back then or I might have gone with them for trail riding - after 4 or 5 hours in the heat, them long boots can chafe!
But I did have a horse that was trained for cutting and games, and the girlfriend used him for jumping and dressage (sporthorse/arabian) and he seemed to do everything ok, he knew the difference and was all ready and anticipating with games, headset nicely for dressage, and LOVED to jump, you could tell. Perhaps she can be that way.
And I must admit, she don't look bad in a western. She is half-draft and half TB, but looks muscular and strong, not real thin or big-headed, like some draft crosses (sorry, tis a fact).

[Alwaysridin09]

i think some thoroughbreds can look odd in a western saddle. i love english, but i have tried western; it just doesnt work with me. i prefer the lightness of the english saddle, and i feel more secure with the bend in my knee as opposed to my legs hanging like they do in a western saddle. chara, is really pretty and i think with a black dressage saddle and white saddle pad she would look amazing! in my opinion, i think u should ride her for dressage because u seem to have a big bond with her.

[DarkChylde]

That was my one stipulation giving her to my husband. And she will be SMOKIN>> believe me! When I get her right (another 3 years) and can even think about competition, look out then!!
I fight these horrible cracks in her feet from her neglect, tho. She had begun to have Keebler elf feet when I got her, and she is still not right.

[Mackoroni]

Congrats!!!! I am so happy for you guys. Hopefully your husband realizes she will excel in dressage. Keep me posted.

[Stauffer]

congrats!!

and gush away :D Sounds like it is all falling into place for all of you :D

[DarkChylde]

Thanx, Macko!

I think he knows she would do good, that's why I can use her for dressage, too. He also knows HE wouldn't excel, so he will be more than glad to let me do it. (He says watching dressage is about as exciting as watching paint dry, heh heh) But he wants to just hack around on her, and she will be great for that too. She will be well rounded. You don't want a horse with corners, lol.