Diary. Shy Lope Training, 2013

#RRDTrainingChallenge

We arrived at the training facility a little after one, yesterday afternoon. The parking lot was crowded, RRD was sure to be a success after hosting an event like this. Tons of people, hoping to get a new project were standing around talking, waiting for the news. I'm normally one to be the introvert, so instead of talking with them, I always stand back along the sidelines and wait. Shortly after, a lady, dressed casually in a button up shirt, blue jeans, and a ball cap came out of the office and read a list of names. "These 30 people have been given the place for the training competition! Mud-foot, Luckdown, LidleCherry, Acontesthorsegirl, xx-silver-reins-xx..." We got it!! We got in! Of so many people around us and so many wanting and pleading to get the space, we did! We got it! My excitement was so overwhelming, I had missed the following minutes of the conversation. "This is an incredibly demanding event. Many people will drop out, many will break, and even more will seem to just disappear. For those of you who were not picked, there will be guaranteed spaces open throughout the year. It is your job to stay alert and on your toes when a space is open, it will not be there for long. For those of you who do not wish to join in part way, we will be hosting again next year, and the year after! Thank you all for your time, those who I read their names, please come into the office immediately to pick your horse and find him in the stables."

I did as she said and hurried into the offices to find a list of many many horses with pictures and details in binders around the room. Being so anxious, I was one of the first to get into the room. I picked up a binder and flipped through the pages to find a quarter horse mare. Said to be grey in the color with her red still shining through. 10 years of age with some basic training, all she needed was to be finished. She was the one. Her easy going expression in the photo was proof she would be the perfect prospect for me to continue learning on. I've only trained one horse from the beginning, but I've helped finish lots. I figured this one would be perfect for me to expand on.

Signing the papers and immediately I rushed into the barn and found her. Third stall on the right, a BEAUTIFUL quarter horse mare. Though her photo made her conformation slightly more appealing, she was still a good lookin' mare.

Today was our first ride. This is when I got to see exactly what type of training she has had. This was the first day in several weeks that we had clear skies, and there was no way I could pass it up! As I mounted up, she did instantly walk off as soon as I was on. This is a major thing we will need to work on here soon. The general ride was acceptable. I walked her around, trotted her, and did one arena length at the canter. She does not have much roundness in her gait still, and she was much more comfortable with me sitting the trot. Our next ride I will bring along my western tack and try her on other bits and seats to see what she finds best.

Yesterday was a very hard day for everybody at the stables. The owner's old acquaintance had some unfinished business with RRD. Over night, he and several others had come to the stables and let all of the horses loose. Some stayed on the property, many left, and most were injured. Unfortunately, Shy Lope got herself into a worse situation than some others. Galloping down the road, she was found about 6 miles away from the stables where she was kept. She was found in a cattle pasture the next morning, tangled and barbed from their wire fence. Bloody and scraped she continued to panic and struggle. After enough hours of excruciating precision, we were able to get her free from the wire and walking again. Shy Lope received tons of attention and medical treatment once she was back at the barn. The vets tell us that she will heal over time, however she may have some serious muscle tissue damage as well as scarring from the wires. This journal will continue to be updated with her progress and healing as we go.

After all the horses got loose, we had a lot of recovery to do. Shy Lope was still open and sore, but we've been applying her medicine a little every day. Soo enough she will be good enough to be working and riding again, just like normal!

I've had similar injuries before, as a veteran from the Iraq war, I've dealt with my fair share of open wounds. I knew this would sting, and as much as I wanted to make her alright, I knew this would hurt in order to make this better. As I took the first dab of the ointment, I lightly spread it on the open skin, Her nose flew straight in the air, he squeeled like a stuck pig, and she cow kicked straight to the side. Luckily she just grazed me with her hoof, but after this I was a lot more careful. After enough fits and kicks, we got her all creamed up and ready to go. Enough of this stuff and she'll be great in no time!!