Another horse update--Mark is going back

[Ottakee]

I decided that I will take Mark back tomorrow if the roads aren't slippery. I know I just got him and he needs to settle in but he is quite spooky--even with things like putting the halter on, etc. He is also very high headed. I just think that TIMID me isn't going to be the best rider for him. He looks beautiful flying around the pasture in the snow but I need to ride safe and sane, not beautiful.

Also, with my riding instructor not being able to help me out, this isn't the best time. My friend where I board also had some concerns when she saw him this afternoon.

[amy g.]

Oh, no!

I know you must be disappointed, but you are so smart not to settle for a horse who isn't right for you.

It is wonderful that you know yourself, and are not trying to convince yourself that you'll change, or the horse will change.

[Remudamom]

But Amy's right. Don't settle for something that's not right.

Too bad you've got to have a gelding. Sugar is still here. ;)

[Ottakee]

We might reconsider a mare but we have not had good luck with them along with 4 geldings. It seems they do better and so do the geldings if there are at least 2 mares. I also do NOT want to deal with any "marish" behavior. Between my friend and her daughter and me and my 2 girls we have ENOUGH PMS around that barn.

You can private message/email me with more details on Sugar if you want.

I know that I need something SUPER calm. NO BUCK, good with trailering, going new places (do you do much of this?), going out with new horses, nice low/calm headset, CALM, oh, and did I mention CALM?

I just don't want to settle for less than the RIGHT horse. I don't want a horse I will regret having or have to sell soon.

[amy g.]

Ohhhh....

I had to go and look at Sugar's picture! She looks so sweet.

[Remudamom]

www.xanga.com/remuda2007

but I'm pretty sure you're too far for it to be feasible. And she is a mare. The girls and I were laughing this afternoon about the fact that only two of our horses are geldings. We decided that we relate so well to the mares that it just isn't a problem. PMS all around!

[hmsch4me]

is she for sale?

[Cindyg]

Oh, I'm so sorry! Are you sure you've given him enough time to settle in? Was he high headed and spooky when you went to see him at his previous home? If he seemed calm there but isn't calm now, he might need a little more time.

I'm so disappointed for you!

[Johanna]

barron was this amazingly calm horse when we went to ride and visit him, but when he arrived at our barn, he was skittish and spooky and wide-eyed at everything! (I thouhgt to myself, "what did i get myself into") but, thank God, he calmed down to the wonderful demeanor that i had originally known him to be. It just took about a month!!!!
So, i had to remember that his whole world was turned upside down, and i really just needed to give him time to settle and trust the new routine and his new owner. I am so glad i waited.
I am only saying that to give you another perspective.
I am sorry for you.....I know it is hard finding the right horse.((hug))

[Ottakee]

Well, he might calm right down and that would be good. On the flip side, if he didn't, I would be stuck with a horse that I couldn't ride and would have to sell again (and pay board on in the meantime)---NOT good.

You see, my other concern is that I really want to be able to trailer over to my friend's house this summer and to a few local parks to ride. I don't know if he would be calm enough for that.

At the barn he did seem quite calm but looking back there were a few little things that maybe should have tipped me off. While he stood quietly in the cross ties, he never really relaxed. Also, when the owner's husband was leading him out to the trailer the day I got him, the door to his stall bumped him and he jumped-and that was in his home environment.

The other thing that kinda concerned me was that the owner mentioned in passing that he will occ. try to kick at another horse on the trail if they get too close but you can generally stop him if you feel him getting ready to do that. Issue here is that if my girls are on the mare we are leasing they might let her get too close.

After seeing him for 2 days there also is just no "connection" there either so I am fine to let him go.

Since I am super timid and have to consider my 2 special needs girls I just don't want to take any chances.

[Remudamom]

But only because he was just down the highway, and we know four generations of that family.

He spooked a couple of times the first week or so that he was there. Once he pulled back on a fence and the other time he jumped sideways and the little girl fell off. She wasn't hurt and got right back on. Last I talked to them he's all settled in now. But you know, this is a solid kid horse, and he still took time to adjust.