He's 18...
tall, long legged...
he has red hair.....
big brown eyes....
His name is Bo.
This is the horse we trailered last weekend!He's kind of a big guy, especially for a Quarter Horse. We were told that he's 16.1hh. He's a broke-to-death, steady under saddle, push-button horse. He's also totally grumpy on the ground. When we tie him in the barn to groom him and tack him up, he stomps his hooves, wrinkles his nostrils, and pins his ears back. Sometimes he'll even swish his tail and threaten to kick.
Oh mercy, a crusty ol red gelding! Oh my heart! Honestly if this guy'd come along soon after my Champ died, I'd be in tears right now. But I think he'll be really good for me.
Bo and I had a little meeting about manners today. I had a brush in one hand and a crop in the other. When he lifted a hoof like he was fixin to kick, I swatted him in the belly with the crop. He tested it again to see what would happen and whaddaya know, he got smacked again. After that he was much more gentlemanly. Not particularly lovey, but less grumpy, for sure. I am determined to melt his heart. I might have found a spot on his neck that makes his face soften up. I'll work on him. I'll git 'im.
But don't worry, my Phoenix has nothing to worry about. I am irreversibly enamoured with Phoenix. He is lovey. And handsome. And gentle. I'm quite confident that ten years or so from now, Phoenix will be every bit as reliable and broke and awesome as Bo.
I'm really going to enjoy working with him! I feel so lucky to have this opportunity.
But, once he's saddled, he is a total sweetheart...
That's why Susan decided to take him on a year-long lease. His owner (who adores him and has had him for ten years) is in university right now. She didn't want this cool horse to just hang around eating for the next couple of years. Instead, he's at Susan's place, hanging with the mares, and going for little half hour rides in the ring. He'd been a lessons horse a few years ago, and before that he spent lots of time in the show ring. This horse has done it all. I'm pretty sure anybody could ride him.
Oh mercy, a crusty ol red gelding! Oh my heart! Honestly if this guy'd come along soon after my Champ died, I'd be in tears right now. But I think he'll be really good for me.
Bo and I had a little meeting about manners today. I had a brush in one hand and a crop in the other. When he lifted a hoof like he was fixin to kick, I swatted him in the belly with the crop. He tested it again to see what would happen and whaddaya know, he got smacked again. After that he was much more gentlemanly. Not particularly lovey, but less grumpy, for sure. I am determined to melt his heart. I might have found a spot on his neck that makes his face soften up. I'll work on him. I'll git 'im.
But don't worry, my Phoenix has nothing to worry about. I am irreversibly enamoured with Phoenix. He is lovey. And handsome. And gentle. I'm quite confident that ten years or so from now, Phoenix will be every bit as reliable and broke and awesome as Bo.
I'm really going to enjoy working with him! I feel so lucky to have this opportunity.
16 comments:
Oh, Oh, OH! I wanna come and ride him!
Isn't he cool? I've only ridden him twice but I can see an improvement already. He was just a little rusty... but I hadn't been riding in a couple of weeks so I was too!
Not often I get to ride a horse with such a loooong stride! Phoenix is leggy but he's only 15h.
Big difference from our little 14h tiny mare!
Gorgeous! He needs his own day of the week like Johnny! ;)
JJ is over 16 hh too! It is definately different than riding a little cow horse!
I don't know about Bo, but if you wack my belly with your crop I would follow you to the ends of the earth.
you are living my dream life!
what a beautiful horse!
I look at those photos and only one word comes to mind: freedom! It must feel like flying to ride! It's been so long since I've been on a horse I only have vague memories of that incredible feeling!
I can be a bit grumpy, too, but that soft spot on my neck always works for my husband! :)
He's nice, Heidi, and you two make a pretty picture. Gotta love those big QH butts!
Wow he looks good, heidi, yay for you!
That's massive big for a QH...sure they didn't sneak a little TB in on ya??
:)
LOL at Coffeypot :)
I haven't ridden a horse in years. I look at those photos and see what I am missing.
What a sweetie-face!
Anita, I might put Johnny and Bo in one post - would that do the trick?
Cindy JJ is over 16h? He must be really well proportioned cuz he doesn't look hugely tall in photos. But then, you're tall too, aren't you? In any case, you two look good together!
Ha ha Coffeypot! Funny, that seems to be a common attitude among male horses and humans... what the heck is that all about anyways????
Dana Jones, welcome, and thank you for reminding me that I have a pretty cool life going on here.
Heidi, you know what, it sure does feel like flying to ride that horse! Or maybe, sailing a boat on waves. But yes, freedom is a good word for it. I love it.
(I think we all have our soft spots, eh?)
Nicole, thanks for the compliment. I don't ever like the way I look in riding pictures. I'm always criticizing my hand position and my crooked shoulders. It's nice to hear that we look good. And yup, I sure do love those QH butts!
JKb, when I told my Dad how tall this QH is, he said the same thing! "That's too tall for a purebred. He's gotta have some Thoroughbred in him." Yep, my dad the breed expert!
I wouldn't be surprised if he's appendix-bred. He's just so looooong.
Biddie... some day, I will get you on a horse. You just wait.
Olly- "sweetie face!" I love that. I'm going to call him that tomorrow...
Great photos of what looks like a wonderful ride! Enjoy!
18? Really? I had no idea horses got that old? Not knowing anything about horses doesn't help...
It's amazing what ten years of training can do for a horse. Phoenix should be a cadillac by then.
Funny the red horse is so crabby about grooming. Cinchy I'd understand but the whole process...seems a little strange. Bet he has a story rolling around in his head.
Mikael, it's funny isn't it? I mean odd funny. He's been well treated by his owners and that's obvious. They told us that he's crabby when tied. I think they just put up with it because he's so good to ride. I mean, he's so good.
I know I let Champ get away with all kinds of stupid things. I figured I didn't have time to get after him for it when I only had a couple of weekends each month with him. And that horse would pack my little kids around like an old donkey, then when I got him, flip his Arabian tail over his back and run like heck.
(I adored him!)
Rain, I'm glad you asked - 18 is getting up there. We're not working him very hard and we'll be giving him lots of warm up and cool down time. He's a little bit creaky and close up you can see the hollows over his eyes from age. (I'll take closer pictures soon.)
Even 30 years ago horses were considered OLD at 15 or so. Now, if they don't work to death and get excellent care, they can live well into their 20s. Champ was 21 when he died, but if he hadn't colicked (twisted gut) I figure he might have lived longer. He was 1/2 Arab and Arabians are known for longevity.
I'm going to write a post on this later, I think...
Billie, thanks! It was a short ride, actually, since he's not really in top shape. I only loped him around the ring a couple times for the photos!
We've been on him regularly though, and he seems to enjoy the activity. I sure like him good.
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