My Horse is "Special"...

Rio playing with clip on reins

 My horse is special in more then one sense of the word. It never ceases to amaze me, some of the comical scenarios he finds himself in or absurd reactions he sometimes has to things...

Case in point. Today I had him tied to a post. Now in his defense I don't think he's ever, in his 13 years of life, been tied straight to something. He's always been cross tied. And, his stupid owner (yes, that would be me) who had clip on reins attached to his halter from a bareback ride decided to be lazy and just clip him to the post... never really smart. You can point and laugh at me now. I was fly spraying the big spotted beast, something we do almost daily, something he's had done a thousand and one times in his lifetime and then some. He decided to spook and pull back, which of course    scared   The poop out of him when he felt the pressure from being tied. He literally sat down like a dog on his haunches, something a kin to this Disney clip of Maximus the horse in the Disney movie Tangled. 

I might add that I'm pretty sure he's related to Maximus... maybe a far distant cousin... because his tendency to sit when he spooks (yes its happened before) is not the only character trait the two share. He is absolutely chock-a-block full of personality. If there's such a thing as ADHD in horses he has it. Fitting since I work as an ESE teacher with many ADHD prone kiddos. He can not stand still to save his life during a ride... ok he can, but he seems to forget that when its truly important, like on a group trail ride, at a show, or in the middle of a group lesson. 

 He's constantly looking for something to play with or some trouble to get into. Once upon a time I left his cookie container sitting out. I felt it was pretty horse proof so when  he picked it up by the handle I laughed... until he dropped it and rolled it on the floor and managed to get it open... it was like the horse version of a kong and he was so proud of himself. 

When we go out on a trail ride he'll pretend to be brave and rush to be up front, but then act like a baby and spook at something completely silly until mom comes to the rescue with some reassurance. 

But, even though he'd probably fit right in on the short bus his personality is  part of what has endeared him to me & there are some other things that make him pretty darn great too. He'll try his heart out to please his rider if they are willing to push and support him in the right way. He's brave and adventurous and really enjoys learning, not to mention he is ridiculously smart. He is gorgeous to look at hello big bay spots, with a super cute expression,  and a nice size... not too big, or two small. He is forward and fun to ride with scopey movement, but comes right back when you ask. I can put just about anybody on him. Even a brand new beginner or child under the right supervised circumstances and know that he's going to keep that person safe. 

Rio & 5 Year Old Desirae

I've known from just a few short weeks into a free lease that he had the potential to be an amazing horse so when the owner sold him you can bet I jumped at the chance to buy him. Being different, in his case a very spotty Appaloosa, is sometimes frowned on n the dressage/English riding world. I've been told, I don't know how many times "he won't be a good jumper", or "he won't make it past training level dressage" because he's an Appy and Appaloosa's just aren't suited to those disciplines, but here we are proving everybody wrong. 

Since we moved the eventing trainer at our new barn has fallen in love with him... and she's a great trainer too... which is going to make it very hard to not at least try to budget for a lesson here and there because I'm dying to take advantage of having a European trained rider to learn from. 

The BO has, not so subtly offered to buy him if I ever want to sell. Talking to her partner today while she was watching us ride she was telling him what I paid for him and said if she ever had the horse she wouldn't let him go for $5000 let alone what I paid which I won't share share here, but it was a bargain.

I have to admit that, while in most cases, I rarely care what others think, its nice to see others appreciate him as much as I do because he is truly awesome.  We've come a very very long way since day one and I am excited to share our progress in the continued months to come because he is going better then every under saddle, and we are finally at a barn and with other riders and trainers where we'll have the chance to grow beyond what I've been able to do with him myself. 

Even though I was hesitant about the move at first, I think it will end up being the best decision I could have made at this point in time for both of us. 

Get Ready 2013 will be awesome!

Rio & Sky Say "Hello"

P.S. Coming soon... the final chapter in the continuing saga of the great migration as told by Sky & her mom Crystal... just as soon as I convince her to do a guest blog... you'll never guess how it ended!