So there's this woman who owns a big ass clydsedale gelding. He's beautiful, really is. He's 7, was gelded as a 4 year old and he still thinks he's got the goods. He walks all over (let's call her Meg) Meg and she doesn't care, she doesn't do a damned thing, just laughs and dodges his huge hooves as he dances and drags her ass all around the yard.
I have 3 thoroughbreds and a Arab mare. Let me tell you, they all know manners. I firmly believe that you must treat a horse as it would be treated in the herd. If a horse bites the lead stallion, that stallion turns around and convinces the horse that it's about to die, then things go back to normal. I believe that if my horse bites me, I have two seconds to make him think he's going to die, then forget about it.
Well, I got this 17 hand, nasty thoroughbred gelding. He was a rescue. I have a soft spot for poor, nasty, evil, skinny horses. He is now named Homebrand. Awesome name I know :D. Anyway, Homebrand was very pushy and nasty when I first got him, he would bite, kick and really just do anything make me back off as his old owner did. His old owner (Julie) was too scared to get the shithead out of the paddock. Let me make this clear, I got this horse not even a month ago. The first time I caught him, he tried to take a chunk out of my arm. I don't stand for that. Straight away and swiftly, I slapped his nose and growled at him. He was shocked. I could see it in his eyes, it looked to me as if he had never had anyone stand up to him. Well all continued well then, until tea time. He started ugly faces. Ugly faces don't fly with me. He also tried to kick me as I walked by with my other horses feed, I immediately kicked him back. Now, Meg seen this and automatically had a go at me for 'abusing' my horse.
I couldn't help but laugh at her. She has this big ass clydie (Tom) that walks all over her and is her "baby". She doesn't reprimand him if he misbehaves, laughs at him when he mucks up under saddle and lets him attack other horse whilst she has him on a lead. Nice, aye? Poor Homebrand was subject to one of Tom's 'beatings'. I wasn't about to stand there and let him attack Homebrand whilst he was tied up and had no means of escape. So once more, I picked up my lunge whip and with a loud and firm "NO", I smacked Tom's chest with it. When he backed up I then situated myself between my shaking thoroughbred and this nasty clydie. This is how Meg found us. Me brandishing the whip at her 'baby' and her 'baby' cowering in the corner. Cowering, my ass, he was getting ready to have a go at me.
She moved him away from us and went to 'nurse his wounds'. Homebrand had a freely bleeding bite mark on his shoulder. She then returned to see me smacking Homebrand for trying to nip me. She told me that as I have no idea where he came from or of what had happened to him in that past, it was best I didn't smack him and be nice to him. I told her where she could shove her 'advice'. I wonder if she knew that if she took a leaf outta my book and popped Tom a few times when he misbehaved, he would stop walking all over her?
Now Homebrand would not think of biting or kicking, he respects I am his boss and he is a beautiful man. Yesterday he stood tied for about an hour without moving and Julie could not believe he was the same horse. Mind you, he was tied up so I could help Julie with her new horse, this time a 6 year old thoroughbred gelding that is far too hot for her. Episode Two of Madi can handle your horse better then you.
Meet the herd!
InTradition aka Cleo
Our beautiful, 12 year old, OTTB. She was retired from racing and put out in the pasture as a pet, not handled or fed or looked after. We aquired her very cheaply as a spoilt, nasty little mare that has turned into one of the quietest horses I have had the pleasure of dealing with, on the ground. Under saddle she still has the fire of a race horse but has come a long way since we 'rescured' her from hell.
When we first got her, her feet had not been tended too and she was incredibly lame but her hooves were too weak and crumbly to support shoes. After a year of proper hoof care, she is now sound enough to be ridden comfortably, barefoot. Sadly, we have made the decision that it's time to let her move on as a healthy happy horse, to a new home.
My Cinderella aka Lucy
My little princess. My 6 year old, Arabian mare. We purchased her very cheaply, skinny and jumpy. The lady we purchased her off, said she had been mistreated and I have come to believe her. Under-saddle, Lucy is "bomb-proof". In over 7 months, she has never shied, played up or was in anyway nasty.
On the ground she is a different story. Very nervy and jump, Lucy needs a firm but confident hand to keep her calm and happy. She loves the Parelli "Yo-yo" game and has come a long way. She was impossible to catch when we first brought and now she walks up to you.
A little update on this little lady; She is having a baby. 8/9 months pregnant. With a little research I found out that 8 months ago, before me and the lady I brought her off, she was running with a paint stallion, so we's having a baby.
Cold Contender aka Homebrand
I had no intention of getting another horse when Homebrand reared and plunged into my life. Brought by a woman at my agistment. He was the classic example of a OTTB, that had been left to his own devices for far too long. Headstrong, nasty and pushy, I feel in love with him upon first glance.
He is now a beautiful man that I would consider bomb-proof and would feel confident to let a beginner ride him under supervision. Handsome with beautiful conformation with nice, clean legs, it has been decided that he will become my competitive showjumper.
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