Farley’s new job
| October 27, 2014 | Posted by Melinda under Uncategorized |
Sunday I turned MerryLegs out into the arena where she could buck, rear, kick, and run. In contrast to her paddock where only the first 3 could (and did quite spactacularly) occur .
The kids who come for lessons love MerryLegs. She’s sweet, personable, and interactive. But on Sunday I noticed something else. Two little girls were slipping through the pipe corral fencing into Farley’s pen. I watched them braid her long mane and untangle knots from her tail. Farley turned her back to MerryLeg’s arena antics and ignored ML in favor of standing quietly with the 2 girls, one of which had spread her arms across Farley’s back and snuggled her face into Farley’s side.
And more remarkable, Farley was just standing there. This is not a cuddly, personable horse. She’s tolerant and resigned to the inevitable grooming and fussing that must occur, but often after saying the first polite hellos, she steps away to resume whatever she does in that pen when I’m not there (which as far as I can tell consists of napping and swishing at flies).
The Barn Owner remarked that girls often slip into Farley’s pen to say hello, and how much both the girls really like my two arabs.
She talked about how good the girls were getting – they had graduated beyond the walk trot pokey horses and were actually doing a little polo stick and ball at a trot and they were working towards going to a middle school polo tourney. How the girls were tough and real athletes and were really learning to have soft hands.
She talked about how the mom was thinking about buying them a horse of their own soon.
I talked about how Farley was feeling really stiff between my rides and how I needed to get her out a couple times a week or I was afraid she wasn’t going to stay sound.
And then I said something I’ve had on my mind for a couple of days.
“I don’t mind if you use her as a lesson horse. She’s honest and fair and will make the kids work to do things like cantering and collection – but she won’t take advantage of them. I used her for beginners when I first got her and she always took care and them. The only caveat is that the kids can’t be afraid of bigger trot.”
We decided to put the girls up on her that afternoon as a test. Farley hadn’t been ridden in almost a week, so I saddled up and did about 5-8 min of walk/trot/canter. Even in a brisk autumn breeze Farley was solid so we retacked her with lesson tack and sent the girls on their way, one at a time.
Farley gave them a solid up tempo working trot. She changed diagonals, did 10m circles, 20m circles, weaved cones, and dropped into a working dressage frame when the kids got the buttons right – and motored around with her nose out when they didn’t. She didn’t take advantage of a dropped rein, or a little unbalance in a turn, or an open gate. She wasn’t fussy with her head when hands were a little shaky.
It was declared as a success by me, the girls, the barn owner, and their mother, so periodically Farley will be used for the girls lessons.
I’m not worried about her getting soured. There are plenty of horses available for them to ride and Farley won’t be used every lesson. I’ll be riding enough to give Farley a “refresher” and the Barn Owner supervising them is an experienced horse person that I trust.
I’m estastic.
I’m excited for Farley.
She’ll be getting out more often for some light work which will keep her sounder in the long term. And if she “breaks” at a lesson (which are really low key – I’ve watched a lot of them) then there was a good chance she wasn’t going to stay sound for me anyways – no regrets. The last couple rides I’ve gotten a sense that she’s bored of our same routine and same trails. I used to do a lot more “different” stuff with her. I think giving her a part time job packing some kids around will be a good change.If a horse’s life is measured in lives touched, then I sincerely hope I’ve given Farley a chance to add two more to a growing list.
I’m excited for the girls.
They are mostly riding thoroughbreds and a little Arab is definitely different. They know that her “real” job is doing 100 mile trail races, as opposed to most of their other mounts which are current or ex polo ponies. Perhaps someday they will think back to a little endurance arab mare they rode while taking lessons, that was willing, safe, and even a bit of fun – and maybe they’ll decide to give endurance riding a try themselves.
This post choked me up a little…
It reminded me of Ginger, the little arab-ish mare who helped me get back into riding. Opinionated but fair, smart as a whip and, raring to go but took excellent care of me. We did trails, horseback Christmas decorating of said trails, galloping on the beach and noisy parades…
Those kind of horses are worth their weight in gold, and they are not forgotten.
That sound brilliant – I am sure the girls will remember her for a life time. they get to ride a horse that does really awesome stuff, as well as be their lesson horse. Have they seen the photos of you and Farley at Cougar Rock? That will inspire them to look t sports outside of what they are doing 🙂
My senior mare Story was very attached to me…unless one of “her little girls” showed up. That horse dearly loved beginning riders, and would wiggle and twist to keep their unbalanced little butts in the middle of her back, and stop dead in her tracks whenever they tipped over beyond redemption.
She even had a “fake trot” (a bouncy walk) that she would engage when a rider she deemed too green for a real trot was cuing. The rider would post along, convinced that he or she was riding a real trot, while Story kept at least three feet on the ground for every stride.
Made of angels, that mare. The horses that make the best lesson ponies are all made of angels.
I think we need some photographic proof! Sounds adorable, and how good for Farley to have another job. I think it’s great that she doesn’t take complete advantage. Some horses just seem to know, and help kids/beginners. Totally reminds me of some of the great horses I learned on, (thanks Breezy, Manzanita and Echo), those kids will remember special Farley.
Agree! Assuming I ever see my horses in the actual sunlight I’m planning on taking pics of the well-behaved Farley in a lesson. (you are probably responsible for why I take a camera out to the stable more often! LOL).
She really is a good girl, especially in the arena. I think she would be a little much on the trail for them right now, just because she would have the expectation that it was going to be structured a certain way and she’s less inclined listen perfectly. It’s our agreement for her being super obedient in the arena (I”ll play your game if you play mine).
LOVE! Good for you being unselfish enough to see that your horse can benefit from other hands and duties.
Love this post! It’s wonderful that you found something for Farley to do during her down time. It sounds like she already touched those girls’ lives before they even rode her:) It’s amazing to me how simply breathing in the scent of a horse and being able to touch a muzzle or a neck brings about internal peace.
I don’t know why, but I read this and I was like – man, that’s so awesome. I’m so chuffed for those two girls and Farley! Go team all the ponys!
bonita of A Riding Habit
It was more meaningful than I thought it would be. I sorta wonder if this is a transition of some sort that im not even aware of yet.
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