Lolo
Well-Known Member
Don't really know why I'm typing this. Think getting it all out might help really.
My horse was PTS 3 days ago. He was an old man, who'd never been old until very recently.Suddenly, he aged overnight. And it was time to say goodbye. And I miss him so much.
I've owned him for 5 years. He's been the most amazing schoolmaster I could have ever wanted.
We set out looking for a sensible cob-type horse, preferably under 15 years old, about 15hh, who could dressage with me and maybe hunt a bit. We ended up with Cheeky. He was 21 (nearly 22), ex-racer, he'd teamchased until fairly recently round open courses, he disliked dressage, got strong out hunting and was nearly a hand too big. We went on a hack and we went for a canter. He pulled up easily and pratted about the rest of the way home, jogging sideways! 2 days later, we took him home. I was in love with him- he'd looked after me.
He had a wicked sense of humour. He'd do anything for a bit of attention! He's stolen treacle, jumped out of stables over wheelbarrows, undone bras, pulled down trousers, pulled off bikini tops. He learnt tricks- if you asked him if he loved you, he'd lick your face. If you asked him what was so funny, he'd smile. He would stand stock still for you to hug him if you were upset. He'd willingly spend an hour trotting a 20m circle around you because he didn't fancy being caught at that particular time. He'd undo stable doors and come into the feed room to see why you were taking so long with his dinner. He had a thing for coloured cobs, but disliked anything else that wasn't a bay TB on sight.
He took me from being a scared little 13yo to a confident 18yo. I went from holding the saddle as I cantered because I was so scared to merrily galloping round 3' XC courses. We had bad days, but had so so so many more good ones. We've won virtually every trophy in our RC, from Most Improved to Best Allrounder. He won jump offs by over 8 seconds. Would give any horse a lead. Never stopped when he could help it. He'd piss off in dressage tests, and we never scored over 60% together. We'd comments saying "Young horse not ready for dressage". I ended up asking the judge when, as he was now 24, he WOULD be ready!
I loved every second I had with him. And I desperately regret not having more.
RIP Cheeky. You were so special.
My horse was PTS 3 days ago. He was an old man, who'd never been old until very recently.Suddenly, he aged overnight. And it was time to say goodbye. And I miss him so much.
I've owned him for 5 years. He's been the most amazing schoolmaster I could have ever wanted.
We set out looking for a sensible cob-type horse, preferably under 15 years old, about 15hh, who could dressage with me and maybe hunt a bit. We ended up with Cheeky. He was 21 (nearly 22), ex-racer, he'd teamchased until fairly recently round open courses, he disliked dressage, got strong out hunting and was nearly a hand too big. We went on a hack and we went for a canter. He pulled up easily and pratted about the rest of the way home, jogging sideways! 2 days later, we took him home. I was in love with him- he'd looked after me.
He had a wicked sense of humour. He'd do anything for a bit of attention! He's stolen treacle, jumped out of stables over wheelbarrows, undone bras, pulled down trousers, pulled off bikini tops. He learnt tricks- if you asked him if he loved you, he'd lick your face. If you asked him what was so funny, he'd smile. He would stand stock still for you to hug him if you were upset. He'd willingly spend an hour trotting a 20m circle around you because he didn't fancy being caught at that particular time. He'd undo stable doors and come into the feed room to see why you were taking so long with his dinner. He had a thing for coloured cobs, but disliked anything else that wasn't a bay TB on sight.
He took me from being a scared little 13yo to a confident 18yo. I went from holding the saddle as I cantered because I was so scared to merrily galloping round 3' XC courses. We had bad days, but had so so so many more good ones. We've won virtually every trophy in our RC, from Most Improved to Best Allrounder. He won jump offs by over 8 seconds. Would give any horse a lead. Never stopped when he could help it. He'd piss off in dressage tests, and we never scored over 60% together. We'd comments saying "Young horse not ready for dressage". I ended up asking the judge when, as he was now 24, he WOULD be ready!
I loved every second I had with him. And I desperately regret not having more.
RIP Cheeky. You were so special.
I wouldnt have guessed he was that old from your pictures, sounds like you gave him an enjoyable end to his long life.
