Everything sublime is as difficult as it is rare. Baruch Spinoza

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Peace in the Pasture




Topper, Ben and Shaka are at peace. Hurrah! I can't say how happy it makes me to see Topper so relaxed. He has always been on alert and very intense, so this is something to see. He had the whole 4 acres to himself and all he did was patrol, so seeing him with his head down in the grass is a good thing.

6 comments:

Ashley Dumas said...

It is so nice to 'get to know' some of your horses : ) You seem to know them very well. Your peaceful pasture group of photos were so beautiful. The medical attention and knowledge that horses demand seems very daunting. My daughter, of course, wants a horse of her own, but it seems like a huge huge undertaking! That and we don't know how long we will be here in Brazil. Can you ship a horse to the US?? Hmm... thinking outloud (sorry) Thanks for posting about your horses.

Ash

Sandra said...

Ashley, if you have a daughter who is fascinated by horses, you are in trouble! Girls and horses, it's a recipe for expense, but also extreme happiness.

Horses have a relatively long life, usually mid-twenties to early thirties. You have had some experience with them, so you know they are unique personalities that can get ahold of you and not let go. Having a horse, if you are a feeling person, is a lifetime commitment. By this I mean, some people view them as an instrument for use and other people see them as an integral part of their lives and will decide to keep them until the end. When buying for a child it has to be considered where you are in this and if you can keep the first as the child moves on to the second if you fall in the latter group.

I would suggest that you start out, if you decide to get her a horse, by leasing one for her use. This will tell you if she truly has the 'horse disease' or if it is a passing fancy. Sometimes leased horses turn into wonderful owned horses. You certainly can ship a horse from Brazil to the US, but it will be expensive. If you think you will not be there long term, I would definitely go the leased route if she drives you to distraction. She may be heartbroken when you move, but you won't have the worry about what to do with the horse. And, a young heart can be mended, without the loss of memory for the lost love, with a horse of her own once back in the US.

I love my horses and they take up all of my life. I have been a breeder for nearly 16 years, but I have had horse nearly all of my life. The thought of a day without them would not occur to me. But, I would be a well-off person if it had! On the other hand, one or two horses would not have broke the bank, but I have an addiction to four-legged beasts that nicker!

Ashley Dumas said...

Oh thanks for the advice from the heart and from experience! Sienna seems content riding twice a week for now and due to the sort of rigidness of our classes has not quite developed a 'real' attachment to any one horse. We do not have the opportunity to groom or care for them as they are already ready for us when we arrive. This being said, Sienna really dreams of having a special relationship with a special horse. Those are the books she loves to reads etc... Well we must take time to really consider this. Thank you so much for your advice on 'leasing'. I had never heard of this before. : )

Ash

Sandra said...

Perhaps you can find someplace that allows a more hands on approach. It is easiest for the facility to have grooms do the work, and many riders don't want to get that involved with the horse, but prefer to have it handed to them and then to hand it back. But, it takes away the opportunity to get to know the animal as an individual.

You are wise to give it consideration, it's a big commitment.

dressage rider said...

Wonderful pictures! So nice to see a stallion enjoying life like this. I have a soft spot for stallions as my dad's stallion, a *Negor son, named Bold Gold, was very conscious of my dad's physical limitations when my father's postpolio syndrome reared its ugly head. My dad would hold up the halter and Bold Gold would run across the huge field and shove his head into it. Then this very powerful stallion would gently take tiny steps on the way to the stall so that he would match my dad's slow walk. Arabian stallions - aren't they great!

Sandra said...

Yes, Arabian stallions are great! Both of my Arabian stallions are gentlemen and very aware of themselves. Topper is really attuned and very sensitive and he is definitely my boy.

I can see in my mind your dad's horse because if these boys bond to you they will do anything for you. It's amazing how gentle they can be. Stallions surely aren't for everyone, but I personally love them.

My ASB stallion is also a sensitive and good boy. I can't leave him out!