'Right' isn't always your friend

Anyone know how it feels to want so desperately to set someone up for success?

I want Grace to be given every chance of a happy, comfortable, safe life with me.  We will be together till the end, so there's no rush.

On arrival at the yard everyone was dying to know when would I be riding her?  I replied not for a week or two.  I had a plan - whenever I moved my horses to another yard (or bought a new horse) the first rule of thumb is time off!  The "settling in" phase is important to me - ethically, logically and emotionally for the horse. Ive always felt it is important they get used to their new smells, neighbours and routines.

I also had a few health checks to be arranged: dentist and saddle fitting all before I would be throwing bits and saddles and 10 stone of my body weight into the equation.

So, I got used to her and her to me.  We spent time together in the paddock, stable and grooming.

My husband even visited "did you mean to buy one so big?" was his insightful observation!  Oh! How did that happen - I didn't notice....

The good news was that we were on track.  Her teeth were sharp and she had an ulcer on her left inside cheek poor lass.  Bonjela and a Dentist and that problem was fixed!

The day came when her saddle was given the OK and I could get on!  Now how my common sense exhibited thus far failed to stay with me an hour longer I'll never know.  My saddler left the yard at 1.30pm and by 5pm I was in A&E at reading hospital.

It happened all so fast (of course).  One moment I had mounted.  The next I could feel her arch her back once - then again, and suddenly she sprang in the air like a rode lamb bucking and I soared through the air - trapping my right foot in the stirrup.

Getting up was only mildly painful.  Walking was agony.  However, the horse couldn't be left on a bad note, so somehow I caught her, hobbled us both back to the stable, put lunging gear on and then lunged her for half an hour on one leg!

If only I'd thought of lunging her BEFORE I got on after giving a fit, young athletic horse 2 weeks off! School girl error of humungous proportion!

What were the sellers magic words to me during the entire trying process?  "She's a competition horse Debbie" - whatever that meant! Well, I just got my first taste of what that meant - and I won't be leaving anything to chance again at least not while im on bloody crutches!

Fate!

I first met Grace in August 2010.  She was living just 3 miles from my place of work for the last 5 years.

She was 6. From Holland. Was not advertised for sale but was for sale - ready to start her dressage career.

I returned home form meeting her (expecting her to be above my budget) and told my husband that "she was exactly the type of horse he would have bought" - perfect. Solid, Reliable, Ready for the job.

I wasn't overwhelmed but then 'perfect' isn't overwhelming is it? Still, she didn't leave my mind.  So i arranged to re-visit her and take my riding instructor with me.

In the car, driving up there, I said the famous words "i'm not wed to this horse - my mind is open so if she isn't right for me let me know"

An hour later looking at the Disney style beam across my trainer's face told me all I needed to know.  On our way home her words were "I wish I had the money to buy her".

I arranged the 5 star vetting.  I couldn't be there as I was away.  The results were given to me by phone.  All good except she failed one flex ion test and has crappy feet.  Long story short I arranged to have hocks x rayed by a local vet.  The nightmare began.

My Vet went away so when I got the results I sent them to the vet surgeon.  The junior vet read them and called to say they were the hocks of a ten year old horse not 6 year old!  Shocked, upset and horrified, I really didn't know what it meant or what to do next. 

My vet wouldn't be back for another week. The horse was about to go to Addington Sales on Friday if I didn't want to buy her.  Time wasn't on my side.  Never good for such a big decision I know. Equally, I didn't want to lose the horse.

i spoke with the vet who took the x rays and was told that they saw nothing adverse.  I called a friend to see if their vet would take a look - they said they would then changed their minds.  I was feeling desperate and sad and worried - all the joy was ebbing away.

Eventually I got my vet's practice to seek a second opinion.  They promised a reply by Thursday before close of business.  At 6pm Thursday I had heard nothing.  I was angry, fed up, and trying to think clearly.  My gut was stuck and didn't know which way to take me. 

I picked up the phone to call the seller and began to dial.  As I did the phone rang and it was my vet with the second opinion - giving me the all clear!  I hung up and have never called anyone so fast in all my life.  I confirmed I would buy her and then made the second call to the breeder in Holland. 

I felt elated.  I felt destiny had offered a kindly helping hand.  I believed (and told my friend Sue) I could trust the horse.  Trust I would (but nice to have the medical back up).

It was that night that I could feel the blog beginning.  Over the next week I told myself not to be arrogant.  who would be interested?  Of course, it turns out that I am and that is all that we need sometimes.  Well, we shall see....