Loving Different Breeds of Horses Over a Lifetime
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As a child, there were stables near my home where I
could ride “by the hour” for a small fee.
The owners got to know and trust me, so I could
choose the horse I wanted to “rent” for the day.
The stables weren’t world-class so I was never
able to enjoy the experience of a Thoroughbred.
They were originally bred in England in the 17th
century because of the Englishmen’s passion for fast
race-horses.
Around 90% of all Thoroughbreds today are descendant of
Eclipse, his grandsire imported to England from Arabia.
I would love to experience a thoroughbred, and
perhaps with more expertise and funds, one day I will.
But I grew up riding more common breeds like American
Quarter horses, Saddlebreds,
Standardbreds,
and for awhile a wonderful, but very feisty Palomino
stallion who had the odd name of Bob.
Bob and I had quite an adventure one day.
I was riding with three of my brothers, one only
about 10.
His mount was an older, somewhat lazy and friendly Paint
who was perfect for a child.
The other two brothers were riding an Appaloosa
and a Quarter horse, also both gentle and
older and
well-suited for the more inexperienced rider.
But all three of these horses were very
“stable-savvy” as my experience will demonstrate:
The four of us had been riding for a few hours.
At that time, if the stable hands and owners were
familiar with how you rode, you didn’t need a guide.
So my brothers and I did a little trotting around
a ring, enjoyed a couple nice trails through the woods,
and urged them to really run on a couple straight-aways.
The older guys were hard to push, but I was
constantly holding my beautiful, golden-coated Palomino
back. He was
eager to show off for the Paint, Appaloosa and Quarter
horse.
We were headed back to the stable, on a long straight
and wide path.
Being very excited about getting home, the Paint
began to give the trail his greatest effort!
He just took off like he was coming out of the
starting gate of the Kentucky Derby.
I was trailing all three, and when my little
brother’s Paint took off, so did the Appaloosa and
Quarter. I
was holding Bob back with every ounce of strength I had.
My two older brothers could handle their
“out-of-control” rides fairly well, but my little
brother on the Paint was about to fall off at a very
high speed!
So I just let Bob go with the intent of doing what all
the cowboys do on t.v. I’d
come abreast of the Paint, grab the reigns and pull so
he’d slow down and I could lead him in.
Meanwhile the hands at the stable saw the unfolding
fiasco and jumped on their horses to help with “the
rescue”! The
next thing I knew I was looking at the sky.
Pretty soon my eyes focused on numerous faces all
anxiously looking down on me.
There was a lot more to Bob than I’d reckoned on,
as when I let him go he went flying past all three of my
brothers! I
then figured I’d just jump off and grab the Paint as it
came up to me.
I learned it isn’t smart to jump off a horse
running his fastest!
I was out cold for a minute or two later my
brothers told me I looked like a cowboy shot by an
Indian (we were raised during the John Wayne cowboy and
Indian movie era.).
Though, at the same stable, a large Standardbred once
rolled over with me on him, I’m undaunted in my search
for my very own horse.
I’m currently considering purchasing a Palomino
mare, a fine-looking Morgan or a very reasonably-priced
Paso Fino, known for handling rocky terrain well.
I’m very partial to the Palomino and am strongly
leaning towards Buttercup.
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