So I have finally done it.....
I have spent my whole life with horses. When I was two my Dad used to take me trail riding on a huge mare called Calinda and I was hooked.
My first horse Mystery was a 12hh Welsh Mountain pony who was just gorgeous and dare I say it a little bit sexy! I then set my sights on our stud stallion Kamahl. Once stud duties were finished I claimed him as my own and rode his lazy little self for many years, he was the slowest horse in town but had personality in spades. He was also Mystery's boyfriend and they loved each other very much. He was very distraught when many years later she was put to sleep as she had cancer.
I soon outgrew the cheeky grey man and decided that it was time for a 'big' horse, Kamahl became a much loved companion horse to any horse that was with us at the time and lived a long happy life. He ended his days with a friend of my mums who kept him like a pet. I wished he had been with me but at the time it wasnt possible.
When I was 12 I met Iraki Pasha. He was a 14.2hh purebred Arabian gelding who was everything a little girl ever dreamed of. He was flashy and showy and even with his wooly winter coat I knew he was beautiful. I bought him on the spot for $500 unaware of the what this horse would come to mean to me.
Pasha and I went on to form a bond through thick and thin and he taught me more than I ever thought I knew about horses and our relationships with them. He was flighty and scared and impossible to read which lead to many scary events for the both of us. I spent hours with him and without knowing, was training him in natural horsemanship just by using common sense and a do unto others approach. We did bush riding, one day eventing, show jumping, pony club and sporting and Pasha always stood out in a crowd. Although never a top show horse by any means he was perfect in my eyes.
I had him until I was 30 at which time I discovered that he had congenital heart failure, this was probably the reason I spent so many years trying to keep the weight on him and never really getting anywhere. It was hard for me to accept that my horse who showed no signs of slowing down, was only like this out of his desire to please me.
Shortly before the birth of my first daughter I prayed that Pasha would last long enough for me to get through the pregnancy and for my daughter to see him. When my daughter was 8 weeks old I had to come to terms with the fact that my dear Pasha didnt deserve to suffer anymore. I had him put to sleep and it was one of the most heartbreaking things I have ever done.
I have never been back to the paddock where he passed or the tree where he is buried, I cant do it.
Five years later the horse bug got hold of me and I started looking at the classifieds...well any horse person knows that looking more often than not leads to buying and last week I bought a beautiful mare who I called Roxy. I was told that she might be a Quarter Horse x Australian Stock Horse but I can see Thoroughbred in her so I am unsure. Regardless she is part of a life long dream to train up a young horse into a polite and well rounded riding horse and I am excited that I found her.
She is very quiet and although only ridden a hand ful of times since being broken she is placid and calm (almost too calm :-)) and I have started a little bit of Parelli on her as well as trusting my instincts and just forming a bond with her.
She is SO different to Pasha and that I think is a good thing. I am already noticing what a firecracker my Pasha was and how hard I worked to get his trust and friendship. Roxy has the same kind eyes and I am excited about her prospects.
We had our first session yesterday and I rode her in the roundyard bareback (thanks to a girth that didnt fit) and she very quickly picked up the beginnings of neck reining and leg aids.
I have started this blog to share my experiences and to have an outlet for my passion which some people in my real life might not understand. Only horse people know the bond and the effect that these wonderful animals can have on our lives. They make lasting impression sthat shape who we are and what we become. My horses have been my escape and my sanctuary and when I am with them I forget about anything in the past or present that is bothering me.
So for horses that were, and horses that will be I hope to tell a new story of a growing relationship between me and my new horse Roxy!
Lorrie
xx
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