And then..........
There is another part of me that really wants a Mustang.
Is that weird?
It's just that sometimes, sometimes.... I see a little gem like this who lives right around the corner for me for dirt cheap, and think hmmmm.... I bet that thing could jump. What a fun project that would be. And MAYBE it wouldn't break down in 2.5 seconds like a warmblood would, according to Murphy's Law (the more expensive the horse, the more likely it is to fall apart).
I might be completely nuts, but I still think that taking something like this mare and flipping it either for a profit or for myself might be a HELL of a lot of fun!
Proving her heart of gold and guts of steel at the 2009 American Eventing Championships
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34 comments:
Love her.
If a Mustang can win the stallion class at Dressage at Devon, why couldn't this one be your next eventer?
Do it! I love showing my "non traditional breed" that others scoff at....until you are kicking their butts! ;-D
I think it is a fantastic idea! And you can't get more durable than a mustang.
I love Mustangs... My first instructor had a bunch she did endurance with, and they were really wonderful horses. If I hadn't gotten into STBs, I would have adopted a Mustang!
I can totally relate!!! I am currently shopping for a welsh cob although all I have ever really owned has been thoroughbreds. :)
I am confident you won't throw aside common sense.
So that said, follow your heart and your gut. The common sense won't let you do anything stupid, but do what sounds FUN.
You deserve fun. And you deserve to follow what sounds and feels fun when common sense guides you that way.
I know two mustangs. Who are AWESOME. I also have a hunch my mom's 1/2 Friesian's "Mexican Andalusian" dam was actually a Spanish mustang. She's pretty freaking cool, too! And all three? Super sound.
We have several mustangs at my barn, including one that belongs to one of my students. This one was just caught last fall, did the Mustang Makeover in the spring and is still a growing youngster. He is darling. I have been surprised at how accepting they all are for anything new.
I'd be totally up for a mustang in eventing. That's my favourite thing about eventing, really - any breed can be competitive. It's more about the heart - if she has a great for personality and is bold and brave to the fences, I'd do it!
I was thinking about this exact thing after your last post, you getting a more sturdy breed. I have no clue how mustangs hold up, but my thought was a drafty breed cross, or a really nice QH or App...Pong shared a paddock with the cutest mustang last summer, she had the sweetest personality, a little powerhouse.
If they can survive in the wild...
She's a cutie. :3
And I agree with Net's comment. Follow your heart and your gut. It seems like every time I go against mine, I am unhappy, but when I just listen to them, things are awesome.
Ooh, I love mustangs! That would be such a fun project. I doubt you'd find one with as pretty a jump as the Holstiner filly in your last post, but you could probably find a decent eventing prospect. And if a mustang ends up not being as competitive as you really want, there's no harm and a lot of good in sending a horse on their way with much better training than they started with. My impression is that there's an awful lot of variety among mustangs, but the good ones tend to be sturdy, sensible creatures with big hearts.
Pick whatever makes you look forward to going to the barn in the morning. :-)
I think this is an awesome idea. I really think these warmbloods have been hothoused to the point of no return. So many of those horses are so incredibly high maintainence, and the smaller, back yard type "mutt" horses are pretty much idiot proof. And they CAN be athletic and talented, especially under the right person! These little horses can be awesome, if one gives them the time, training and love that it takes.
I adore my little Paint mare, and while she is not sound (she has advanced arthritis in both hocks, most likely from being ridden too hard on trails) she is capable of beautiful, expressive movement and she tries so hard for me. She has a wonderful personality and mind. Everyone who meets her loves her. And despite her condition and my occasional screw-up with over-riding or pushing her too far, she is still standing, still moving forward.
I am so glad that you are looking for another horse. I look forward to seeing what you find, and reading your new adventures. I know it will be awesome. :)
*chants in a loud voie* DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT!!!
You can have a foal out of my Icelandic horse. She does fourth level dressage. And if you bend your knees, I bet you could keep your feet from dragging on the ground.
I saw go for it! I read a blog awhile back that the women took on a mustang for 90 days and did the most amazing job. Would be a hell of a lot of fun!
Go for it! There are some fantastic mustangs out there who are super athletic and stay rock-crunching sound FOREVER. In fact, I happen to own a FOURTY year old mustang mare that I rescued from deplorable conditions when she was nearly 30.... with a little TLC she went from emaciated & mangy to fat & shiny in a matter of months. Despite zero hoof care for over 15 years prior to her rescue, she appears to have never taken a lame step in her life!
I was really paranoid about soundness in my 2nd horse (though my first horse, a TB I had for 15 yrs, was sound) so I bought a half welsh cob C/TB. He's half pony and has the head, the hair, and even some feathering from the pony side. Mostly, he just looks/feels/is TOUGH. Just feels really sturdy and strong...after owning a delicate TB, the feeling of a more rugged type (since all Welshes come from feral Welsh mountain ponies) is really nice.
Of course he's barefoot :)
I say go for it. A natural trimmer NEEDS a mustang--its good for business.
I think you should go for it!!!
Do it! Have some fun! It's not THAT crazy... I don't think :D
Im with you on this one!! I have gotten 5 feedlot saves and wouldnt trade them for anything! Plus starting young ones is fun :)
There are some really fugly scrub mustangs and some really amazing top-of-their-sport mustangs. You've got a good enough eye for conformation to pick something decent, and if you get a cheap one and put better manners on it you could sell it to a better home even if it doesn't jump. Do it!
DO IT!
I root for the mustang. Of course, my "get it because he'll be sturdy" $500 guy ran through $15,000 worth of vet bills in less than two years and isn't even really riding sound, so...
Your mileage may vary ( I certainly hope it does!).
Love love love love that idea! Back to basics. Definitely has the phenomenal bare feet going for her! Endurance and years of natural selection proving good health and awesomeness. All she needs is the right guidance, kind hands, and a good heart... Sounds like you fit the bill. =)
I love the Mustang idea Andrea!
There's a woman in the town that I live who does the Extreme Mustang Makeover type competitions (she's done several different ones) and every single one of her Mustangs has been fantastic, smart and athletic. And she's only chosen mares. She likes mares like you! Those mares have a heart the size of Texas.
Actually this one did do the Extreme Mustang Makeover! 18th out of 42 in the Idols. Not bad!
There was a guy performing at Dressage at Devon (just as entertainment) from Australia. He had three mustangs in tow with his Australian stock horse and they had conformation, shoulder and personality to die for. She would make such a fun project and you'd get to do a little of everything with her. Run her at a jump and see what she does!
GO FOR IT!!
I'm on the hunt for a new event horse myself, and I'm seriously considering doing the same thing, or at least, a sturdy little pony to bring along as a future Pony Club mount :D
If I can ride a full heavy draught horse in Dressage competitions, you can event with a mustang.
I say go for it, have fun, relax, enjoy it. And like many have said, if it's not competitive enough flip it knowing you've just made that horse a better life going forward.
I think the little guy is adorable! Man, with a pulled mane, a clip job and good grooming - holy cow! I bet he'd be handsome and look like a small warmblood. He looks sturdy too. :)
I am exactly the same way. I stalk the internet adoptions that the BLM has and dream of buying the $150 mustang that can TROT. And then I see the funky colored ones and want them even more.
Exhibit A: https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/horse.php?horse_id=4555
Exhibit B: https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/horse.php?horse_id=4788
Exhibit C: https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/horse.php?horse_id=4766
Exhibit D: https://www.blm.gov/adoptahorse/horse.php?horse_id=4792
and the list goes on...
Pretty sure I met this mare at the Mustang Makeover a few weeks ago...She caught my eye and was one of the few available to new homes.
I like her. :) I want to have a Mustang someday too. They seem so honest and durable.
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