At the end of this month or the next I'm sending Solomon a couple hours up north to the wonderful ddranch. B_ and D___ will help me with Solly in exchange for helping them out around the place when I come up to visit.
Last night I tacked up Solomon with that cheapo dressage-ish saddle, and after making sure the gullet didn't pinch his spine or anything, I thought I'd have a very short ride, since the fit seems pretty good. He didn't want to stand at the block, he always seems to take two people to mount, especially if it has been a while. He kept fighting and fighting me and we'd take breaks and walk around a bit, but then eventually when I tried to lead him back to the block, he STRUCK me. In the leg. I was shocked, angry, a little scared, mostly I felt really hurt though I know I shouldn't take it personally.
I'm not a trainer, I'm in over my head, and he has issues. I am not ready to give up on him. Maybe his head is a little broken from his Charro days, maybe it's just because I'm incompetent, but he's still a love and with discipline he will be a fine horse.
It's weird, because on the ground he has been a lot better. WAY better. When I tacked him up he didn't struggle or fidget at all. Not a squeal. No flinching. No indication of discomfort OR anger. He even took the bit with no fuss whatsoever. He was good until we got to the block, and then he started thinking too much.
There were a couple of other people in the arena doing fancy things. So I got to make an ass out of myself the whole time. And I didn't yell as loud as I wanted to when he kicked me. I smacked him on the shoulder and he backed up a step but I don't think he registered it enough, if that makes sense. But once the moment is over, it's over, you can't really delay consequences with a horse.
So.
He could have broken my leg.
On the one hand he pulled his punch, in a way. On the other hand he struck me.
He's feeling good and full of piss and vinegar when it comes to riding. And while I can understand some of the reasoning behind it, that is the past, that is not now. And the rest of it is that he just doesn't want to. And when he really doesn't want to do something he gets mad and he's a bully.
So I'll be paying board up there, but way less than where he is now. I'll see if he can go to pasture with the other horses... that'll depend on them, they might not want that. But the stall he'd be in is a nice one, with an actual stall with actual bedding I think, and then a paddock that's something like 100 feet long. It has it's own built-in turnout pen!
He'll miss Venus like crazy though. I feel badly about that. And *I* will miss him like crazy, as I don't think I'll be able to get up there more often than 2 or 3 times a week. I'll probably mope about a lot. But this beats trying to sell him off and not being able to ensure his safety any more. He will be in good hands.
I told my BO I would be taking him off to training, and asked her if she wanted me to wait 30 days before doing so.
4 comments:
Yay! I'm happy you were able to work something out with them. I hope they can help the two of you out.
Me too, I am so relieved. If anyone can help I think they can.
Ev, don't get discouraged. You already know that this horse has, um, issues, shall we say? that are going to be difficult to deal with. You are doing the right thing, as tough as it is going to be to see him less.
And, don't forget, plateaus are inevitable when working with horses. When something goes wrong, especially if you may get hurt, then changing things around and attempting to resolve the issues is an especially good idea.
I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of Sol at ddranch's. Best of luck with the move.
I think this is great. I know you will miss him, but both of you will be learning so much. I am so glad you recognized you need some help and have such great interwebz friends to help. You are going to have so much fun.
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