Nudibranch
Well-Known Member
We bought a 16 yo mare in January as companion, hack and schoolmaster for my totally novice OH. She cost the princely sum of £500. She has early arthritis and is a bit of a greedy pig. At first I didn't feel much of a bond on the ground, but after riding her for the last 9 months I have found her to be a total joy. She is gentle and kind, and looks after OH perfectly. But if you want a forward going, on the ball adventurer who loves a fast canter or flat out gallop she'll do that equally happily.
Today I went out bareback as I've lent her treeless to a friend for a couple of weeks. It was supposed to be a gentle hack in walk and part of the route runs alongside a fast but very dangerous, bendy road. As we tootled up the hill a motorcyclist shot past, obviously didn't know the road, and on the bend came off at high speed right in front of my eyes. Veteran mare spooked a little which is entirely forgiveable, and then set off at a willing trot to reach the man who was sprawled in a horrible position. Unfortunately the road is quite busy and I could hear cars approaching at speed so I jumped the wall and ran down the verge to slow them. Mare stood stock still all along. Two or three cars coming the other way by now had stopped and were attending the man who still wasn't moving or responding, one had called the ambulance. I was torn between trying to help with my rusty first aid skills, or fetching OH who is a doctor. However we are a long way from anywhere and the ambulance could take some time so I told the helpers I'd fetch him. We set off across the fields, I was shaking by now but my lovely horse kept her head and I urged her into a canter. I haven't done any bareback cantering since I was a teenager and with her bouncy Cleveland Bay paces it could have gone a bit pear shaped but she was just perfect. Clearly a little concerned with all the adrenaline going on but doing her job so professionally nevertheless.
Anyway to cut the ramble, we reached home without my falling off and OH set off to help the motorcyclist. Fortunately he wasn't fatally injured and is now recovering in hospital. But I was so pleased with our lovely mare. She'll never compete again, and like many older horses I suppose she could have ended up anywhere. It seems a shame after all her years of service and happiness with someone that they said goodbye when she has so much still to give. But she has a home for life and who knows how many more adventures still left in her. When I lost my horse of a lifetime - 28 years in fact - in December I thought I'd never find anything to come close but this girl is a real star.
Today I went out bareback as I've lent her treeless to a friend for a couple of weeks. It was supposed to be a gentle hack in walk and part of the route runs alongside a fast but very dangerous, bendy road. As we tootled up the hill a motorcyclist shot past, obviously didn't know the road, and on the bend came off at high speed right in front of my eyes. Veteran mare spooked a little which is entirely forgiveable, and then set off at a willing trot to reach the man who was sprawled in a horrible position. Unfortunately the road is quite busy and I could hear cars approaching at speed so I jumped the wall and ran down the verge to slow them. Mare stood stock still all along. Two or three cars coming the other way by now had stopped and were attending the man who still wasn't moving or responding, one had called the ambulance. I was torn between trying to help with my rusty first aid skills, or fetching OH who is a doctor. However we are a long way from anywhere and the ambulance could take some time so I told the helpers I'd fetch him. We set off across the fields, I was shaking by now but my lovely horse kept her head and I urged her into a canter. I haven't done any bareback cantering since I was a teenager and with her bouncy Cleveland Bay paces it could have gone a bit pear shaped but she was just perfect. Clearly a little concerned with all the adrenaline going on but doing her job so professionally nevertheless.
Anyway to cut the ramble, we reached home without my falling off and OH set off to help the motorcyclist. Fortunately he wasn't fatally injured and is now recovering in hospital. But I was so pleased with our lovely mare. She'll never compete again, and like many older horses I suppose she could have ended up anywhere. It seems a shame after all her years of service and happiness with someone that they said goodbye when she has so much still to give. But she has a home for life and who knows how many more adventures still left in her. When I lost my horse of a lifetime - 28 years in fact - in December I thought I'd never find anything to come close but this girl is a real star.
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