Tuesday, September 18, 2012

The Weekend Continued

A few pictures of Grady

"Grady"  
Grady & Nate begging carrots


 
Continuing with the rest of the weekend stories: Grady was the next to be ridden after Nate had his meltdown and jumping extravaganza.  Grady is an 18hh Irish Sport Horse from Ireland that we took in when his owners didn’t want him anymore.  He's an ex-eventer/jumper who refused to jump anymore; he also has shivers.  It’s been about two years now and with the exceptional care my daughter has given him he’s turned a corner and has begun to trust us.  In addition to the change in his diet, our farrier has also done a first-rate job in helping his feet to improve.  With the proper training Grady has also been learning to relax about working.  We feel he was previously bitted too harshly, muscled around courses and rollkured through his dressage phases, so much so that his topline was almost nonexistent when he came to us.  He now has the proper muscling so he’s able to carry himself properly.  He's filled out beautifully and no longer needs the shims in his special saddle pad to wear a standard tree saddle, even with his high wither.  I’m also happy to report that he’s fitting in wonderfully with the herd now and is just as goofy and playful as the rest of them.

As I mentioned in the previous post, Saturday was chilly and windy.  This didn’t seem to bother Grady at all.  What did seem to make him anxious were shadows from the windows that seemed a slightly darker color than the rest of the sand.  The sunlight patches streaming through the windows on the other side of the arena were no problem.  But whenever he approached the darker grayish patches he just wanted to stop.  Eventually, he was encouraged to go through them, which he did trotting slightly sideways.  Whether he thought the change in color was a giant hole he didn’t want to fall in, or just something he perceived to be not quite right, we’ll never know.  By the end of his lesson he was mainly okay with it and she ended on a good note.

On Sunday Grady was back to his old sweet “I don’t want to do anything wrong or make a mistake” persona.  When we first got him in he always looked worried and seemed to be waiting for the other shoe to drop, so to speak.  I’m so happy to see this horse starting to show his goofy personality and trusting us not to do anything dramatic to him.  He’s the perfect example of “the bigger they are the kinder they are.”

Until next time

Quote for Today
In the steady gaze of the horse shines a silent eloquence that speaks of love and loyalty, strength and courage.  It is the window that reveals to us how willing is his spirit, how generous his heart.

32 comments:

  1. Grady sounds like a cutie and exactly the kind of horse I'd want in my barn.

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    1. I'm sure if he wasn't with us he'd love to be at your barn with your gang and you.

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  2. Grady is a fortunate horse to have found your family - what a sweet boy.

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  3. I love to hear about horses that transition out of bad situations. Having seen how wonderful they can be is an example many people should follow.

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    1. I couldn't agree with you more. It's so hard to understand why people have horses if they don't intend to treat them with kindness and respect.

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  4. well, even when he's not at his best he's still pretty good. i'm so proud of him and how much he's come around. he's such a big sweetie :-)

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    1. He's just a big mush and I'm so glad he's with us.

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  5. Grady is a lucky boy...he hooked up with the right family for sure. So beautiful.

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  6. We couldn't turn him down he has such sad eyes and he's such a sweetheart.

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  7. Bless his heart...I'm so glad he's found a wonderful home with you and his horsey family! I just love the big, gentle goofballs!! :)

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  8. I hadn't realised he was so big! Glad to hear he seems to be finding himself :)

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  9. We think he's starting to enjoy his life and is having some fun.

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  10. Gosh, I think you might have horse heaven over there. You accept the souls that need fixing and give them a happy life. I respect that immensely.

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    1. I hate to see any horse either mistreated or simply not happy with their life. I only wish I was independently wealthy and could afford to save all the ones I think need a good home. Obviously, I can't but it would be nice.

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  11. The pictures of Grady do not show his size that's for sure. Beautiful boy!

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    1. I guess one of us will have to stand next to him for perspective. Probably me because I'm shorter than my 5'10" daughter.

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  12. It warms my heart to know you and your daughter have both the knowledge and patience to draw this soul out from the harsh life of his past. I am grateful there are folks like you in this sad, old world. Gives me faith.

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    1. Thanks d.j.,

      We're not saints we just like to give each horse a chance to be themselves and enjoy their jobs and lives.

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  13. So glad to hear Grady is filling out and feeling safe enough to let his personality shine!

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  14. Grady is quite handsome and he is so lucky to be given a second chance at a wonderful life.

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  15. Hi Margaret,

    Thanks we think he's a handsome guy too.

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  16. Grady sounds wonderful! And you guys sound wonderful for him!!! I'm picturing a very large and sweet boy.

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  17. He is very sweet. He is huge too with the kindest eyes and personality.

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  18. The bigger they are, the kinder they are...there's probably some truth to that and 18hh definitely qualifies as bigger!! Goodness!! Good for your daughter for bringing him back around. She sounds like a wonderful horsewoman!

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  19. I love reading your blog and hearing the stories about your wonderful and funny herd. They all so like such characters! Kudos for allowing them to just be themselves so their personalities blossom. So glad he's no longer with his previous owners. Your farm looks beautiful too. Grady looks like such a sweetie. I just would love to give him a hug and neck rub.

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    1. Thanks for the kind words. Grady would definetly be up for hugs and neck rubs.

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  20. Hi Linda,
    My daughter has loved horses her whole life. I'm sometimes in awe of the things she can do with a horse. I don't think she's ever met a horse that didn't trust and respect her.

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  21. Beautiful photos of beautiful Grady! Rollkured, you say?! I'm so happy he is with you. It's wonderful to read about his progress and his trust due to your kindness and patient training. Bravo to all of you!

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    1. All the credit for his well being goes to my daughter.

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