I am keeping busy with clients and am pretty tired at the end of every day, which is good. As I was working on a new client mare, I thought to myself, "you know... if it weren't for Gogo, I'd never be doing this." I felt a surge of gratitude towards her in that moment, and will carry that with me through my career. I have her to thank for all of this... for getting started with barefoot horses, for taking this up as a career, for bringing me here to Texas to Future Hubs. Thank you, my sweet Mama. You don't know how much you changed me.
Wherever Gogo is now, I bet she's happy, fat, sound, and in charge. Future Hubs and I were joking that Gogo is now up in Horsey Heaven somwhere, barging in on Metro and Quincy peacefully sharing some pasture going, "There's a new Queen in town... that's Mama's food now, ya'll better move the F over!!" My poor boys must be cowering in a corner going, "what was Mom thinking with THIS one?" Oh Gogo. Forever the Marest of them all.
I've been enjoying living vicariously through all my friends and the blogging community over the past year, watching everyone heading off to shows and trail riding and enjoying hacks and adventures and everything inbetween, and sitting out without complaint because I had my Gogo to take care of and having her around was worth not riding. Now, however, it is slowly dawning on me that soon I might be able to partake in all those things again. I might be able to gallop in a big field, and ride a perfect dressage test, and go for a swim, and power through a tough XC course. It's been so long since I did any of those things.... last time I jumped an XC jump was over two years ago. Can you believe that? I hardly can!
With that in mind, I made a vague list of what I want to be looking for in my next horse. I've tentatively started the search just to give myself something to do - it was immensely therapeutic when Metro died, and it is definitely just as much fun now as it ever was - and I think I have a basic outline of what I am looking for:
1) Between ages of 2-9... prospect or trained…. U/S or not, O/F or not, depending on age/price/experience... specifically for EVENTING
2) Excellent conformation, lightly built but with good bone
3) Breed not important – aptitude important! Something ideal: ½ WB ½ TB... but ANY breed will do if it meets all other criteria!
4) Mare... not gelding unless a special one comes along!
5) Something I can keep barefoot if at all possible!
6) Something that will also do dressage/trail/fun/driving/whatever… all-around fun!
7) Between 15.3-17.0... slight height differences OK if the right horse
8) NO lameness/serious blemish issues... NO maintenance... NO history of major medical problems
9) NO VICES
10) Bold, relatively forward, alpha-type attitude... not spooky or insecure
11) NOT lazy and NOT hot! Right in the middle!
12) 3 GOOD gaits – pure walk, a trot with reach, uphill canter... and a NICE jump
Unfortunately when I sit back and looked at it, basically the horse I want is Gogo. My criteria are essentially the same now as when I went out looking for her (versus when I went out looking for Metro). I want something nice, and I want something I can win on. Let's face it though, my butt ain't going to Rolex ever in my life, and that's fine by me! I want to go Prelim or potentially a little further IF I had the right horse someday. But at 26, eventing is a hobby I have as an adult ammy and that is the way it will stay. My professional life with horses has nothing to do with riding and training and that's how I like it! I never want to HAVE to get on when I don't feel like it. I want something talented that I can win on but I don't need to buy something that should be in the hands of a more talented rider than I. Even more than my desire to show and do well is my desire to own something that can do all the goofy things that I have always done with all my horses: swimming, trail riding, going through the drive-through window at the local fast food place, bareback jaunts, dabbling in other disciplines, you name it. All things to keep in mind.
It needs to move well and jump well and be sound. It needs to be built to last. It needs to have an awesome, comical, brash personality. It needs to NOT have any vices or annoying little tics that I hate so very much... from the blatantly irritating (cribbing, weaving, obsessive pawing, etc) to the get-under-my-own-personal-pet-peeved-out-skin annoying (chewing on crossties, raking teeth on the wall, pacing the fence, tongue chewing, etc). Most of the reason that I want a mare is because I find a lot of bolder-type geldings completely annoying... for god's sake horse, give me back the halter, stop letting yourself out of the pasture, and keep your mouth to YOURSELF! There are some habits I can fix, like nastiness at mealtime or poor ground manners, and then there are some that I cannot.
I also want to continue on this journey barefoot and/or using alternative footware (glue-ons, boots, etc). Not only is this in line with my beliefs and experiences, but it also promotes my business ;) And continues to get the word out!
Here's just a sneak preview of two of my interesting finds...
3 year old Trakehner gelding with about 25 rides on him, just backed in August. Rode to the trainers with a riding lawnmower in the back of the trailer - and they had to start it IN the trailer to unload it and he didn't care! Already has been to the beach, jumped over small fences in the arena AND logs/ditches/water, and can w/t/c... I don't think Gogo could even STEER at 25 rides! Video of him first time over fences here. The boy can MOVE... AND he can JUMP! Mostly I just love this face.... he has Metro's eye:
He's obviously a bit weedy looking in these pictures - he's just three and growing! - but I think he's going to fill out to be a GOOD looking horse.
2 year old Holsteiner/ISH mare. All I can say about that jump is DANG. See her moving and jumping here. Definitely not sure that I deserve or need that much talent! I had also hoped to find something under saddle, but I would never EVER be able to afford a horse like this if she was already started. She's described as "smart, athletic, and curious," with "great feet, conformation, and mind." That's what I like to hear!
There's more where that came from... stay tuned ;) Gogo has some HUGE hooves to fill.... I gotta find something that would make her proud after all!
hi andrea, i have a trakehner mare and i know alot about their history. for my part - one time a trakehner always a trakehner. what you should be aware of is that trakehner are very much one horse people. but if they give you their heart they will do everything for you. if you have any questions about trakehner bloodlines or about trakehner in general you can email me... marionprincic@yahoo.de
ReplyDeleteOh yes Marion, I am a Trakehner fan! :) Both my geldings were Trakehners... I even have a tattoo of the American Trakehner brand on my back! I'm a fan for life!
ReplyDeleteI think if you got an ISH mare (everyone seems either in love with or terrified of ISH personalities) you'd have all the personality and talent you could handle! Holy crap that horse is talented! Looking forward to following along with your search!
ReplyDeleteWow, both awesome looking horses!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see what the future brings for you. And it makes me smile to see this post, not about the crying, but looking forward. :)
(And I say that about Mika... No dog has yet to com close to measuring up to her, even my pup as much as I love him. She's set the bar really high.)
Also, I seem to have accidentally deleted part of my post. I LOVE the legs on that mare.
ReplyDeleteoh wow andrea, i had no idea! how brilliant! i have been to trakehnen a few years ago to visit. it was a real sad place though at the same time very fascinating. my mare milva is a trakehner as well. her bloodline goes directly back to trakehnen and i bought her from a breeder whose dad lived in trakehnen. did you read the book "the trail". if not, i can send you a copy. it´s a well written book about the history of trakehnen.
ReplyDeleteThat gelding is adorable!
ReplyDeleteBut that mare - WOW. She'd be fancy! And every irish horse I've met has personality to spare.
Good luck!
on no, the book is called the trek, of course. it describes the big flight in the 2nd ww when the russians came
ReplyDeleteOh very cool!
ReplyDeleteHey Andrea, I KNOW you don't like OTTB's, but here is another option: adopting a Standardbred! They are a very misunderstood breed, and whether off the track or not, they DO canter. My mom has one and she is just gorgeous, she moves so nicely and her canter is lifting and incredible. They have a lot of similar characteristics to the TB, but tend to be more on the..er....saner side. Very very athletic horses. Also...our filly has been barefoot since we got her and she has the hardest, strongest feet of any horse we have ever seen!
ReplyDeletewww.adoptahorse.org or www.horseadoption.com
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ReplyDeleteAndrea, good to hear your moving forward.
ReplyDeleteThe video of the gelding is actually close to where I live. I like him quite a lot! Good luck with your search, whether you find something sooner or later, whatever happens will happen for a reason! :)
So good to see you are healing. There will never be another Gogo, but somewhere out there is another great partner for you.
ReplyDeleteThat gelding has a very cute face!
Pine Hill is where the horses from our barn get buried. Never been there myself (fortunately - *knock on wood*), but I've heard it's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBoth pretty fancy horses that I am sure you could do amazing things with either of them. Have fun on your search.
ReplyDeleteOh this post made me happy to read. Your humor is great and I bet it helps with the random break downs..it would for me anyway. Boy, that Trek gelding is sooooooooooooo adorbs and has the sweetest eye...I like that he's a youngster too. Whatever horse you do end up with, will probably be nothing like Gogo in her unique way BUT surely will have their own awesomeness to offer up.
ReplyDeleteThat gelding is SO handsome. I'd worry about the filly though, why such big jumps at two years old? How often are they having her do that?
ReplyDeleteI glad to hear that you're in this place now. It has been a long time, and I'm sure you'll find a wonderful partner.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that your spirits are up, even if you are still mourning the fabulous Gogo. Your description of Gogo barging in on Metro and Quincy seriously made my day. Those boys have their hands full now! Go easy on them, Gogo.
ReplyDeleteHorses get in us, and even though much loved ones leave us, the love of Horse always wins out.
ReplyDeleteFWIW, I would avoid anyone jumping two year olds, even just free jumping.
Glad your looking for a newbie. My sister and I always say it's not replacing your horse, but filling that whole in your heart where that bond used to be! Good luck with the search!
ReplyDeleteEh well, I'd rather they freejump a young horse two times a year than buy a horse who turns out to have no aptitude for jumping because you couldn't see it jump! The filly lives out 24/7 and only comes in for farrier/vet work and occasional freejumping. Certainly doesn't bother me so long as they use discretion.
ReplyDeleteAnd Marion, that would be AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteemail me your address and i send you the book :)
ReplyDeleteTwice a year? If she's listed for sale, probably every time someone comes to lok at her.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely seem to have a "type". My type is big, gray, and gelded...which makes it all the more funny that the one who most recently found her way here is kinda short, brown and a SHE. I know things work out the way they are supposed to, so hopefully we will see you around some of the Area V events in the future.
ReplyDeleteI vote for Syrius, although State of Mind does seem to have one heck of an engine. There is just something about Syrius that makes him seem like he'd be an awesome project and partner. Good luck in your search!
ReplyDelete-DS
Adventures In Colt Starting
Good luck!! They're both cute.
ReplyDeleteI like the gelding, but would beware an iron mouth (just wasn't the best looking rider on him....sorry.)
ReplyDeleteThe mare is cute, too. I like a mare myself.
Both are beautiful! I think both of them are too young to be jumping, especially under saddle (gelding). If you could get an honest estimate of how many times and how high they've jumped the filly it may be okay, but since you're looking for sound, just be leery of it. Also if you got her wouldn't it be like three years before you could compete?
ReplyDeleteI personally prefer the gelding (I'm a gelding person in general) because he has such a cute face! He seems really consistent in his gaits, but jeez why do they have him so behind the vertical?? I'd definitely ride him before you decide to see if they've messed him up doing that. I don't know if that's something you're willing to work through.
I'm glad you're shopping. :) I bet it's very healing. No one will ever be as awesome at Gogo, but another horse will carve it's way into your heart someday. Better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all. :)