"Broke" Is a Beautiful Thing
When a girlfriend called to invite me out riding last weekend, my first thought was that I couldn't go. My up-and-coming young gelding was nursing a mild lameness and couldn't be my mount. Then I remembered Tank, the old, retired rope horse who now spends his days as "uncle" to our weanlings. Perhaps he wouldn't mind a day away from the girls? I caught him up, pointed him into the trailer, and he willingly hopped in--perhaps with visions of his former glory days, in hot pursuit of steers.
The old guy didn't get to chase any bovines, but he sure did make my day. After riding a green horse for the last couple of years, I'd almost forgotten the difference between MAKING a broke horse, and HAVING a broke horse. Pre-ride longeing? No need for that. Self-protective worries about traffic and other spook-monsters? Never had a one. Battles over water crossings on the trail? Nope. The Tankmobile proved himself to be just as reliable, just as safe, just as seasoned, just as BROKE as he was the day he got turned out into our pasture, presumably for good. Though we never got out of an easy amble, I told my friend that I hadn't gotten as much pure PLEASURE from riding a horse since I was a kid, when the sole objective was to have fun. Not to train, not to school, not to make the horse better than on the last ride...just to get on, relax, and go.
Talk about a horse earning his keep. The ol' Tankster still knows how that's done.
posted by Juli Thorson @ 10:25 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
I can totally relate to what you are saying. I ride my younger more inexperienced horses more often than the broke ones trying to get them finished.
I too had forgotten how great it can be, not having to worry about my horse weaving around on the trail, ducking for a blade of grass, or spooking at a plastic bag.
Two weeks ago I decided to pony the green horse off my dead broke Bubba. What is great about ponying a horse off of Bubba is doesn't put up with any silliness from the other horse. It's not his work ethic and he will pin his ears, swish his tail, or throw his head if anything starts up. I had such a great ride I kept patting him and telling him "thank you, thank you, your a good boy!"
I don't like to ride Bubba that much even though he is still sound. He is 22 with a bit of gray around his eyes and between his cheek bones and muzzle. In his hey day we earned many local, and regional championships, and 2 National all round western horse titles. Although he's earned every bit of his retirement, every now and then, I do have to get up on him and remember what a smooth, rock solid easy trip he was! I'm lucky to be his Mom. Horses like him are definately keepers!
My Misty mare is like that too. Just goes with the flow. Lovely isn't it.
I have to agree- there's nothing like riding a made polo pony into a play at a dead run and knowing that they are ready to duck,dive,wheel or push at any moment.With my green ponies, I can get an unplanned stop at a gallop and a "no way-I am not running into that little hole between those horses" attitude. This makes for fairly ineffective play-lol. (Don't worry-we do play slower green horse chukkers with them-it isn't 6G polo.)
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