Crossing my fingers...
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Crossing my fingers...
This mare is who I'm going to check out in NH before the end of August... thoughts conformationally based on the pic? She's a 15.3hh dutch warmblood.
"The best things in life are worth waiting for"
She's a very pretty girl—looks like she has a nice temperment, too. On the small side for a Dutch WB—usually they're around 16.2 and taller. (not that it's bad or anything!) Is she an older mare? Just curious... she just has that "been there, done that" look to her...
Of course, with a V name, she's 6, right? (if I did my math correctly... they're on "C" names this year and I don't think they include "X").
NH? That's my neck of the woods! Are you going to Majestic Gaits? Or maybe Shooting Star Farm? How exciting... let us know how it goes!
Of course, with a V name, she's 6, right? (if I did my math correctly... they're on "C" names this year and I don't think they include "X").
NH? That's my neck of the woods! Are you going to Majestic Gaits? Or maybe Shooting Star Farm? How exciting... let us know how it goes!
Well... it's long 
My riding instructor came with me, her dad drove the 4 hour trek out to NH. We passed a GORGEOUS facility and it was huge and my trainer said it was a Morgan farm. Got there, pulled up, OMG that entire family is so sweet and welcoming!
So the deal is that they retain ownership and if I feel like not having the mare foal out at the boarding facility and go through the process of weaning the foal, then I can call them to pick her up for that 4 or 5 month time span.
She is absolutely one of the sweetest mares I have EVER met. And she has manners! The owner gave me a leg up in the stall, and as I sat on her back, musing about how comfortable she is for bareback, her colt (born mid April) put his entire head in my lap, so I sat there, scratching them both. Sort of wishing I had a picture of that, it was adorable.
They're both very, very, very correct - my trainer and I couldn't spot ANYTHING wrong conformationally... the mare's trained in driving, but has had people walking around once or twice via bareback and is essentially unflappable. I LOVE her movement and she's got loads of potential. Only problem is her hip came up sore during lounging, so he's going to have his vet look at her and if it's something that'll heal, I'll lease her. She's simply lovely.
----- So although my trainer wants me on something made (I don't! I love training them W/T under saddle!!!), she conceded that if I were to go with something green, that's a good choice. And then she called me last night, because she says she found a horse that she thinks has my name all over him.
He's a 15.1hh solid dark bay TB gelding (probably without papers), untattooed, never pointed towards the track. He supposedly also has superb movement and a kind eye and is viceless, though he was rescued by the lady who owns him now. He's been putting weight on steadily, and is only 2. Again, he's green, never had a rider on his back. So Saturday I'm going to look at him, and he's only $200 because his owner can't afford to care for so many horses. BUT the only problem is that it costs me around $4500/year to properly care for a horse of my own: board comes to $3,000, the remainder of the cost summarizes farrier work, vet bills/shots/call charges/dentistry, and a little bit of leeway for equipment or other expenses.
I wish I could find a few sponsors to help offset the cost or someone who has something along the lines of pasture board to offer at a cost lower than what I'd be paying now. The farm I'm at says they'll cut me a deal on boarding my goats if I keep both horses there. *le sigh*
My riding instructor came with me, her dad drove the 4 hour trek out to NH. We passed a GORGEOUS facility and it was huge and my trainer said it was a Morgan farm. Got there, pulled up, OMG that entire family is so sweet and welcoming!
So the deal is that they retain ownership and if I feel like not having the mare foal out at the boarding facility and go through the process of weaning the foal, then I can call them to pick her up for that 4 or 5 month time span.
She is absolutely one of the sweetest mares I have EVER met. And she has manners! The owner gave me a leg up in the stall, and as I sat on her back, musing about how comfortable she is for bareback, her colt (born mid April) put his entire head in my lap, so I sat there, scratching them both. Sort of wishing I had a picture of that, it was adorable.
They're both very, very, very correct - my trainer and I couldn't spot ANYTHING wrong conformationally... the mare's trained in driving, but has had people walking around once or twice via bareback and is essentially unflappable. I LOVE her movement and she's got loads of potential. Only problem is her hip came up sore during lounging, so he's going to have his vet look at her and if it's something that'll heal, I'll lease her. She's simply lovely.
----- So although my trainer wants me on something made (I don't! I love training them W/T under saddle!!!), she conceded that if I were to go with something green, that's a good choice. And then she called me last night, because she says she found a horse that she thinks has my name all over him.
He's a 15.1hh solid dark bay TB gelding (probably without papers), untattooed, never pointed towards the track. He supposedly also has superb movement and a kind eye and is viceless, though he was rescued by the lady who owns him now. He's been putting weight on steadily, and is only 2. Again, he's green, never had a rider on his back. So Saturday I'm going to look at him, and he's only $200 because his owner can't afford to care for so many horses. BUT the only problem is that it costs me around $4500/year to properly care for a horse of my own: board comes to $3,000, the remainder of the cost summarizes farrier work, vet bills/shots/call charges/dentistry, and a little bit of leeway for equipment or other expenses.
I wish I could find a few sponsors to help offset the cost or someone who has something along the lines of pasture board to offer at a cost lower than what I'd be paying now. The farm I'm at says they'll cut me a deal on boarding my goats if I keep both horses there. *le sigh*
"The best things in life are worth waiting for"
AND I just got done with the website for the goats (more to add later, but the core of it is up!) I talked to the mare's owner today, the vet's coming out before Tuesday to check out her hip, our theory is she got kicked through the fence.
Rushtawin Dairy Goats
Rushtawin Dairy Goats
"The best things in life are worth waiting for"
Forgot to mention that chances are since I don't think I can afford to keep another horse until I have some money saved for an apartment, student loans, car maintenance/gas, and travel expenses until then... I don't think I could handle the financial part of owning a horse until then, so although I will be going to look at the gelding I mentioned tomorrow, I'll try to post pictures or movie clips of him if anyone else is looking for a nice prospect... rumor has it that he's really great. (And only $200 doesn't hurt)
Edit: Trainer called and can't make it today. Maybe Tuesday.
Edit: Trainer called and can't make it today. Maybe Tuesday.
"The best things in life are worth waiting for"
Sounds like you've had a lot going on! I love the photos of your goats, esp. the spotted coloring, which seems very unique... I don't recall ever seeing goats that color at the fairs.
I just got the issue of Hobby Farm magazine, and they feature pack goats. Apparently, it's becoming big out west to use goats for hiking trips & the like, as they're easy to deal with (when trained, unlike mine!) and can go where other pack animals cannot. I don't know if NH state lands would allow the use of goats (as they may eat vegetation, etc.), but it would be a cool venture to start and could help find male dairy goats a purpose. It's a neat publication...
Here's a link to their site, if you don't already know it:
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/
I always joke about starting a "green" landclearing company, using a herd of goats. It's a win/win: they get to eat all day and I could "watch" them while sitting in the sun, reading a book all afternoon...
Which Morgan farm did you pass? I'm curious... trying to think of the big farms in the area...
Have you thought of trying an on-farm lease with someone? You could have a horse to ride at a fraction of the expense & responsibility. Just a thought... it's popular to do around here, anyway...
Good luck, keep us posted!
I just got the issue of Hobby Farm magazine, and they feature pack goats. Apparently, it's becoming big out west to use goats for hiking trips & the like, as they're easy to deal with (when trained, unlike mine!) and can go where other pack animals cannot. I don't know if NH state lands would allow the use of goats (as they may eat vegetation, etc.), but it would be a cool venture to start and could help find male dairy goats a purpose. It's a neat publication...
Here's a link to their site, if you don't already know it:
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/
I always joke about starting a "green" landclearing company, using a herd of goats. It's a win/win: they get to eat all day and I could "watch" them while sitting in the sun, reading a book all afternoon...
Which Morgan farm did you pass? I'm curious... trying to think of the big farms in the area...
Have you thought of trying an on-farm lease with someone? You could have a horse to ride at a fraction of the expense & responsibility. Just a thought... it's popular to do around here, anyway...
Good luck, keep us posted!
Here's the website for my goats:
Rushtawin Nubians
As for the mare, I'm supposed to hear by Wednesday how the vet check went regarding her hip because we think the reason she's off is that she probably got kicked while out with the other mares. If it comes back clear or something that will heal itself, the lease will probably begin at the very end of August or beginning of September, depending when they wean her foal. I've decided to NOT go look at that TB gelding because I know that I won't be able to tell myself no, and I really need the money I'd spend on him if I got him to go towards the car insurance, other bills, and planning for life after college (or continuing education, who knows?)
Rushtawin Nubians
As for the mare, I'm supposed to hear by Wednesday how the vet check went regarding her hip because we think the reason she's off is that she probably got kicked while out with the other mares. If it comes back clear or something that will heal itself, the lease will probably begin at the very end of August or beginning of September, depending when they wean her foal. I've decided to NOT go look at that TB gelding because I know that I won't be able to tell myself no, and I really need the money I'd spend on him if I got him to go towards the car insurance, other bills, and planning for life after college (or continuing education, who knows?)
"The best things in life are worth waiting for"