Make a Solid Commitment To Your Horse
Posted: Friday, January 13, 2012
by The Old Gray Mare
www.DressYourHorse.com
I’m always talking about the expense, daily work and commitment involved in keeping and maintaining a horse. Also, I make no secret about the responsibility of the horse owner for the care and upkeep of the horse for the long term.
Horse ownership must never be idly undertaken nor should a horse be randomly sold. I’d like to think that people are gravitating more and more toward providing kind, loving homes for their horses even though they may be growing old or are unable, for whatever reasons, to collect the high-placing points and ribbons at the horse shows.
Now don’t be scoffing at this thought. I’m merely attempting to state an important fact. Horses may live a long time.
I had two animals that lived to be 34 years of age. I kept Windsor Chief for his entire life, having originally purchased him at the age of four months. Whiskey was a “Thelwell-type” miniature horse that came to us as a rescue from the Humane Society at barely one year of age, living until he was 34. The little guy was ever the escape artist, clever as can be and an amazing companion to Chief. They were one year apart in age.
I’m going on about obligation to the horse. Don’t get a horse if total commitment isn’t there. Just think about it. The horse learns to trust and cherish you. Given lots of interaction with his human, the animal bonds tightly as he would with his herd.
A happy horse will have a companion and is never alone completely. At minimum, the companion is you. At best, he will have another horse, a goat, even a chicken. For horses, not being with another creature, is a lonely and miserable experience. If he must always be alone, play the radio for him and spend as much time fussing over him as you can. Play in the pasture or paddock with him, hand graze him, stroke and groom him often, speak to him – talking up a blue streak isn’t all that bad. No one but your horse will hear you.
I have to admit that Chief could have told you my deepest and most private thoughts. He served as diary, confidante, buddy, best friend. Let me just say that he could read my moods. If I was a happy camper, so was he; if I was sad, he’d stand by quietly leaning his head on me as if in a hug; if I was in tears, he leant me his mane into which to cry.
There were horses over the years that were sold to other homes, including
some of my favorites. Both Oddsy and Folly moved into other barns. Trust me when I say this, however. I researched and assured myself as best I could that my boys were going to fare well. I’d say they were in amazing homes at that.Oddsy went back to his daddy at Lakeview Stables (Dick Kearny was the trainer back then; his daddy was Ch. Superior Odds). There he remained a stallion in a small adjacent breeding farm, siring Paint Saddlebreds until he was purchased by a prominent breeder and imported to Denmark. His name was changed to “Pike” and he lived happily ever after with a string of mares.
Folly, my lovely Fine Harness horse turned Three-Gaited, after a few years spent in hiding (the subject of an article still being written), moved to New Hampshire into a small show barn along with his mother and daughter. He was about the kindest, sweetest horse on the face of the earth and he lived happily ever after.
I could go on, of course, but you get my point. I do not take horse ownership lightly. There’s much homework to be done when a horse comes to live with you. Always try to do right by the horse. Remember how totally dependent he is upon you, his caretaker. Don’t ever overdiscipline him, beat on him or do him wrong. If he is stubborn, could it be that he just doesn’t understand? Give him the benefit of the doubt.
Perhaps you are thinking seriously about that one special horse. Good for you. I hope you are able to make the commitment. Just remember to love and respect him as a living companion and member of your family. Always give him the benefit of kindness, attention, best of care and devotion, and you will be rewarded many times over.
With all of this talk, I hope I’ve given some ideas and tips to make horse ownership special for you. Sure it’s easier to own a dog or cat, and far less expensive. Each animal brings it’s own unique personality. When you connect with it in your wonderful way, cat – dog – horse, you will have found a bond that is indescribable and as individual as you.
The Old Gray Mare writes for www.DressYourHorse.com and her Blog sites.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Excellant article.Thank you dear WS friend. You are indeed a gracious lady!
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