PapaFrita
Well-Known Member
I get picked up at about 2 by Fabian, who insists we're going to be late (this must be a first for any Argie, let alone a Cordobés!!) and must rush (
am tempted to take his temperature) On the way to Ascochinga to see 3 superb mares, the urgency somehow diminishes and F says lets go and buy a coke, then the urgency disappears altogether and we end up NOT seeing the 3 mares in question, but visiting F's cousin who 'might' have something he'll like.
F instructs me not to like anything; ie: I'm not to sound keen, even if PF's clone should miraculously pop up
Ariel (I think his name was) eventually turns up and shows F a gelding he has for sale. Rather scrawny but okish. I don't like his withers or fore legs but hey ho... I'm not allowed to say anything.
F tries him, gallops him round. He's certainly got brakes; first sliding stop he sits down and F nearly goes out the back door.
F then decides horse's teeth must be sharp, pulls HUGE rasp (kind farriers use) opens neddies mouth and deftly files off the sharp ends (does get bitten by horse in the process though) F says he'll come to see neddy again in 2 weeks when he's had a bit more work.
Off to see someone else but lose track as F has recognised someone called Ivan on a motorbike who has a wonderful mare he'll like... On the way we pick up some of F's relations who look at me as if I've got 3 heads (must check that!) but are nice enough. Eventually get to Ivan's club... no Ivan, BUT we get to see the wonderful mare in field. A small boy vaults on to demonstrate how quiet she is, mare is asleep. F declares she's cr*p and broken down. So much for sugaring the pill, eh?
Someone ELSE has a gelding F will like... So we take 2 small boys to collect horsey and meet us at the football pitch.
After a few mins at football pitch neddy in question clatters up with 2 small boys on board bareback. Well, it's certainly well-behaved! And rather nice in fact. I like this one much more than the other, despite dreadful shoeing and looking as if it's literally been dragged through a bramble bush.
F gallops it around, etc, etc, then insists I have a go... I'm rather reluctant; not good at riding one-handed (never sure what to do with other hand!) and with the 2 small boys and F's other relations as audience, am none too keen. Fortunately, despite F bellowing instructions, manage not to fall off but otherwise do a pretty crappy job. F agrees this neddy is much nicer. Small boys get back on and clatter off again.
After driving around apparently aimlessly for ages, and F leaning out of the window repeatedly at people he recognises, asking if so and so has seen so and so and might they have any horses we drop relations off and go home.
6 hours well spent!
F instructs me not to like anything; ie: I'm not to sound keen, even if PF's clone should miraculously pop up
F tries him, gallops him round. He's certainly got brakes; first sliding stop he sits down and F nearly goes out the back door.
F then decides horse's teeth must be sharp, pulls HUGE rasp (kind farriers use) opens neddies mouth and deftly files off the sharp ends (does get bitten by horse in the process though) F says he'll come to see neddy again in 2 weeks when he's had a bit more work.
Off to see someone else but lose track as F has recognised someone called Ivan on a motorbike who has a wonderful mare he'll like... On the way we pick up some of F's relations who look at me as if I've got 3 heads (must check that!) but are nice enough. Eventually get to Ivan's club... no Ivan, BUT we get to see the wonderful mare in field. A small boy vaults on to demonstrate how quiet she is, mare is asleep. F declares she's cr*p and broken down. So much for sugaring the pill, eh?
Someone ELSE has a gelding F will like... So we take 2 small boys to collect horsey and meet us at the football pitch.
After a few mins at football pitch neddy in question clatters up with 2 small boys on board bareback. Well, it's certainly well-behaved! And rather nice in fact. I like this one much more than the other, despite dreadful shoeing and looking as if it's literally been dragged through a bramble bush.
F gallops it around, etc, etc, then insists I have a go... I'm rather reluctant; not good at riding one-handed (never sure what to do with other hand!) and with the 2 small boys and F's other relations as audience, am none too keen. Fortunately, despite F bellowing instructions, manage not to fall off but otherwise do a pretty crappy job. F agrees this neddy is much nicer. Small boys get back on and clatter off again.
After driving around apparently aimlessly for ages, and F leaning out of the window repeatedly at people he recognises, asking if so and so has seen so and so and might they have any horses we drop relations off and go home.
6 hours well spent!
