Are the turbulent equine relationships the best?

Parkranger

Well-Known Member
Joined
21 May 2006
Messages
10,546
Visit site
Just wondering what your thoughts are on this.....the two horses I've loved most (and as a family we've had loads!) have to be Blue, my first horse who was a Cremello Saddlebred and Ty.

Both of them could be a nightmare, tested my patience and made me cry with frustration but I both loved them dearly. Reading people's sad posts about losing their horses still makes me have a tear for Blue and he broke his leg over 16 years ago!

So, Ty has been home for a few days and I have to say that I've missed him so much it's ridiculous. I know that in a month or so he'll have done something to annoy me but I'm so, so, so glad that I didn't sell him. His character is amazing and he always makes me laugh...love him to bits.

Hoping that Oscar's character will come out the more he trusts me - he's such a sweetie too......


grin.gif
 
I think if you can "get through" things together it makes your bond stronger... I know with Zak, we were close becasue we both Knew NOTHING, when I got him... and over the years grew together, (probably not the best way of doing things)... we got through him trying to kill me (rearing, bucking, generally turning himself inside out to get me off), the fact he was an ex race horse and didnt get schooling, him jumping everything like it was a hurdle, and lots lots more........ still miss the little orange monster now!!
 
Amy and I challenged each other for many years. I think that it did make our bond stronger.

Off I go again (blub, blub).
 
[ QUOTE ]
Amy and I challenged each other for many years. I think that it did make our bond stronger.

Off I go again (blub, blub).

[/ QUOTE ]

ahhhh, sorry!

I think there is something in it though......
smile.gif
 
Some would say Frankie and I aren't the best pairing.....he can be spooky and so can I! He has tested me, but ultimately has made me a better rider. My instructor did say once that we were a good combination, so perhaps I am a better horse person that I give myself credit for............but he has pushed me to my limits on many occasions!
crazy.gif
crazy.gif


I will miss him so so much
frown.gif
frown.gif
frown.gif
 
Oh yes, indeedy! There's many a time I'm tempted to take my boy behind a tree and thrash him! I've got good at gritting my teeth though, he's a superstar in my eyes, just has a very Welsh sense of humour!
 
Spring has to be the most opinionated and testing horse that I have ever had. She is very bright and it is a constant battle of wits between us! Having said all that she is also the most talented, expressive and affectionate horse I have owned. Once you have her trust and respect she will really try her heart out for you. She still tests me even now after 2 years together and there are times when I would happily have her made into sausages! But then she wickers at me and we have a cuddle and I instantly love her again!
grin.gif


That was a bit soppy!!Lol!
 
I think so but there are many days when I feel like swapping my 'challenging' horse in for something that just does what you tell it to! I just keep in mind how much worse she was when I got her twelve months ago and I'm proud of how much she's improved, even though she's still far from 'normal'. Also my last horse was a b**tard for 18 months after I bought him and he turned out wonderful - it just took a long time for his confidence to develop, and his nerves came out as naughtiness. I'm hoping my mare will follow a similar pattern and as long as I don't end up in hospital I'm glad she's not a straightforward horse. Truth is I'd be bored by one of them.
grin.gif
 
Definately!

Donnegan is the most willful horse I have ever met and he constantly drives me mad but I can't imagine him not being around
grin.gif

Before he was retired I probably spent as much time crying over something he'd done (mainly ditch me
blush.gif
) as I did laughing
smile.gif

When it came to looking for another horse I found it really difficult as I wanted something with 'character'.
I think I found one with character but luckily Monty has a more gentle way about him than my other thug
blush.gif
grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Amy and I challenged each other for many years. I think that it did make our bond stronger.

Off I go again (blub, blub).


[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto for me with my mare who I lost
 
But dont you think this also applies with sticking with a relationship, even if it is not particularly turbulent? When I got my mare I had not had a horse for 36 years!!! She was just 7 and full of it, I was quite nervous, but we stuck together (well apart from one or two flying departures!) and got through the bad times, lots of lessons, lots of help. An now? Well now, we are like an old married couple, we know each other inside out, trust, affection, whatever you want to call it, is there for both us.

I am glad I stuck it out cos she developed into a fab horse. And it made me much wiser, much more experienced and much more of a horsewoman, I think.
 
PMSL at chriscrogul "a very welsh sense of humour" - I can relate to that!!
grin.gif


Difficult one. My angelic boy, Henry made me feel love more than I ever knew I could, and he hardly ever put a foot out of place. With F although there was something that kept me with him his sense of humor and challenges sometimes make it very difficult to know why sometimes! I recently I found out that his owner was worried that F would be too boring for me!? This was in the middle of all the bucking fits, strops and "can't canter, won't canter," can't possibly hack out issues! In recent months its all clicked together (famous last words?!) and I love him to bits, and in return he gives so much more. We still have tiffs and he will always be one who throws in an oddball when you least expect it, but I wouldn't swap him for the world!
grin.gif


I think the thing about challenging horses is that you appreciate every little improvement so much more.
grin.gif
 
I've never had a straightforward horse!
shocked.gif


I love my current two to distraction, but not as much as I loved my old boy who was PTS 3 years ago. I think with difficult horses you learn the art of compromise and everything that they do give you is twice as rewarding. I suspect I would get very bored with a text book horsey, although occasionally an obedient, well behaved animal would be very nice!!!
smile.gif
 
There is definitely some truth there I think!!!
My first horse was wonderful and taught me loads...HUGE learning curve!!! I also lost my nerve riding her but getting it back was brilliant and it made us so close...I lost her 11 years ago and still think about her loads and can cry at the drop of a hat!!
My current mare was a nightmare when I bought her, from the lady who rescued her, she is an ex-racehorse, highly emotional and was anti humans. She would cow-kick, bite and attack, and all sorts of things can affect her...but despite tears and wondering if we would ever get there...we are very much together...she has looked after me...she still surprises me mind you...and keeps me on my toes!! We seem to be very similar now which is slightly disturbing!!! :
crazy.gif
 
Top