Rabid_Raccoon
07-28-2009, 07:04 PM
I wish I had my own poneh :(
I know I am incredibly blessed to have Gizzy in my life. He is just a horse that showed up in my backyard one day over two years ago, and has been in my life ever since.
Before I met him I was working for lessons at a barn with constantly lame horses and one rocky outdoor arena, and occasionally scraping together enough money to take a more professional lesson. Before he met me, Gizzy had been sent to a professional trainer who put a bit with a long shank in his mouth, jerked him around a lot, spurred the crap out of him, and called him trained. Gizzy then sat in his pasture for two years without any handling, and when I first got on him he wouldn’t do anything except stand still, or bolt and buck… but he was a horse that I could ride for free whenever I wanted, so I jumped on the opportunity. We went through so much together, good and bad, and now I’m a better rider and horse trainer for it, and he’s going through his paces, starting to jump, enjoys his rides, and has small children on his back with no problems. He’s a great horse. I know I’m so lucky to have had an experience like this, and I cherish it.
Even though I know how lucky I am, however, the idea of saying goodbye to him haunts me. I know this relationship is temporary, but I don’t want it to be. I have never “clicked” this much with any horse. He bites, chews on everything, still has the occasional bucking problem, and has an attitude, but I love him anyway. The past two years were kind of a rocky time for me for several reasons, but no matter what happened, even when there was no one else I could go too, Gizzy has been there for me. I could cry on his shoulder or just lay bareback on his back, and he made everything seem okay.
His owner has three children all close to the age of eight, and they’re starting to take an interest in him. We’ve started hauling him to the barn where I take lessons once a week, and the three of them are starting lessons on him. Don’t get me wrong, I know that he is their horse, and I’m really happy that the kids are interested in riding. But that doesn’t keep away this little pain I get as I watch them work with him… because it reminds me of the fact that one day I will have to say goodbye to the horse I’ve been through so much with, and love so much. It's bittersweet. I love seeing kids getting to be with horses, but I know that these kids may one day "replace me" working with Giz.
I’m starting college this year. For the first year I’m staying at home, so it’s not a big deal. Next year, however, I will be moving to follow my current boyfriend to wherever college he decides to go to. I’ll be moving out of the house, and will no longer be five minutes away from Gizzy. I don’t know if that will be the time to say goodbye, but I will definitely not be able to see him as much as I can now, and it’s likely that within the next one to three years I’ll have to say goodbye for good.
I just wish that I didn’t have to say goodbye. I wish I had a horse of my own that I could take with me when I moved, so that I didn’t have to leave them behind.
This Thursday I was going to go out and ride, and Gizzy’s owner and I were going to give him a bath. She suggested we also take her kids for rides on him. Of course I am completely okay with that, and glad to help. I really am happy that they are interested in riding. However, it throws into focus the fact that Gizzy is no longer a horse for just me to ride, like he was before. It used to be like I free leased him, or worked for a lease (I keep his stall clean and sometimes feed) but now the shift has begun, and he’s stepping into his role as a family horse- his owner’s kids’ horse- and within the next couple of years I won‘t be able to work with him anymore. It’s perfect timing, really. By the time I leave, his family should be ready to take over.
I am really happy that I get the opportunity to work with other people’s horses. I know how lucky I am to get these chances But when I develop a bond with them, love them, and then have to leave… it hurts.
Sorry this is so long :P I’ll be surprised if anyone can make it through the whole thing. But it’s just something that’s been on my mind lately, and I felt the need to write it down. Thanks for listening.
I know I am incredibly blessed to have Gizzy in my life. He is just a horse that showed up in my backyard one day over two years ago, and has been in my life ever since.
Before I met him I was working for lessons at a barn with constantly lame horses and one rocky outdoor arena, and occasionally scraping together enough money to take a more professional lesson. Before he met me, Gizzy had been sent to a professional trainer who put a bit with a long shank in his mouth, jerked him around a lot, spurred the crap out of him, and called him trained. Gizzy then sat in his pasture for two years without any handling, and when I first got on him he wouldn’t do anything except stand still, or bolt and buck… but he was a horse that I could ride for free whenever I wanted, so I jumped on the opportunity. We went through so much together, good and bad, and now I’m a better rider and horse trainer for it, and he’s going through his paces, starting to jump, enjoys his rides, and has small children on his back with no problems. He’s a great horse. I know I’m so lucky to have had an experience like this, and I cherish it.
Even though I know how lucky I am, however, the idea of saying goodbye to him haunts me. I know this relationship is temporary, but I don’t want it to be. I have never “clicked” this much with any horse. He bites, chews on everything, still has the occasional bucking problem, and has an attitude, but I love him anyway. The past two years were kind of a rocky time for me for several reasons, but no matter what happened, even when there was no one else I could go too, Gizzy has been there for me. I could cry on his shoulder or just lay bareback on his back, and he made everything seem okay.
His owner has three children all close to the age of eight, and they’re starting to take an interest in him. We’ve started hauling him to the barn where I take lessons once a week, and the three of them are starting lessons on him. Don’t get me wrong, I know that he is their horse, and I’m really happy that the kids are interested in riding. But that doesn’t keep away this little pain I get as I watch them work with him… because it reminds me of the fact that one day I will have to say goodbye to the horse I’ve been through so much with, and love so much. It's bittersweet. I love seeing kids getting to be with horses, but I know that these kids may one day "replace me" working with Giz.
I’m starting college this year. For the first year I’m staying at home, so it’s not a big deal. Next year, however, I will be moving to follow my current boyfriend to wherever college he decides to go to. I’ll be moving out of the house, and will no longer be five minutes away from Gizzy. I don’t know if that will be the time to say goodbye, but I will definitely not be able to see him as much as I can now, and it’s likely that within the next one to three years I’ll have to say goodbye for good.
I just wish that I didn’t have to say goodbye. I wish I had a horse of my own that I could take with me when I moved, so that I didn’t have to leave them behind.
This Thursday I was going to go out and ride, and Gizzy’s owner and I were going to give him a bath. She suggested we also take her kids for rides on him. Of course I am completely okay with that, and glad to help. I really am happy that they are interested in riding. However, it throws into focus the fact that Gizzy is no longer a horse for just me to ride, like he was before. It used to be like I free leased him, or worked for a lease (I keep his stall clean and sometimes feed) but now the shift has begun, and he’s stepping into his role as a family horse- his owner’s kids’ horse- and within the next couple of years I won‘t be able to work with him anymore. It’s perfect timing, really. By the time I leave, his family should be ready to take over.
I am really happy that I get the opportunity to work with other people’s horses. I know how lucky I am to get these chances But when I develop a bond with them, love them, and then have to leave… it hurts.
Sorry this is so long :P I’ll be surprised if anyone can make it through the whole thing. But it’s just something that’s been on my mind lately, and I felt the need to write it down. Thanks for listening.