Im still pinching myself, and were waiting for final vet check (so lordy, I hope this doesnt jinx it), but yesterday I think I bought a horse. I wanted to send my deepest thanks out to Heidi Taggart Larson who let me volunteer at my first ever endurance ride, introduced me to DVM Dick Root, and has answered countless questions and looked at so many what about this one messages... And Susan Summers, Dennis Summers, Darlene Anderson Aarene Storms for all of their insight, Doc Dick Root and the hours of conversation about what makes a good horse and just the chance to watch him work up close, people like Mary K Krauss, Karen Neiman, Bobbie Jo Leiberman and other senior riders in California, and Rosemary Amanda Scott for great conversation and support, and my dear friend and excellent horsewoman Stephanie Hammer. I talked to a lot of folks, watched, listened, and went looking. I ended up with a Morab mare, 15.1 hands, intensely Spanish bred Arab dam and Morgan Sporthorse champion sire with great working Morgans in his pedigree. I found her, amazingly, on a Facebook breed board. I was hoping to find this cross for this sport...but there arent that many of them out there. The mare got her start running on 300 acres of mountain pasture in Northern California with a herd of her peers. Handled regularly since birth and started slow. She was introduced to things like the bridle and saddle at two, not ridden until late three, and not really started into training until age four. She has been brought up slow. For the last year she has been in intensive training and has been a strong dressage start. When I drove up, I was the only one there and she met me at the gate. When we went to pull her out she eagerly came and shoved her head in the halter, but was completely well mannered on the lead. Stands in the cross ties, lets you pick up her feet, rub her ears, stick your thumb in her mouth. Big deep heart girth and big lubbing heart. Shes being actively ridden both in the arena and out on the trails --which she likes better. Shell go out alone or in a group. Goes through water now and was out in thunder and lightening last week with the trainer without fuss. I got to witness flapping tarps, noisy cars, and a surprise generator kicking on. Shes alert, but not reactive. Easy keeper. Rock hard feet, very straight legs and movement, long smooth, smooth stride. The big downside is shes 5, a May baby, and I almost took her off the list for that. But with her start and the fact that she and I will be under the eagle eye of my trainer and barn owner, I think it will be okay. Well take it slow. Her pedigree is right here: allbreedpedigree/spanish+phigure So meet Spanish Phigure everybody. Her baby name and current barn name is PK for Porkchop (did I say shes an easy keeper!).... Ive been calling her Phig. I did my absolute best to look past the looks too!
Posted on: Sat, 16 Aug 2014 17:52:12 +0000