Sheila Pictures!

[TBgirl]

Hi all,

I went to the barn tonight to work with Sheila...she is smart! No one has done anything with her for the past 5 years besides turn her out to pasture or hold her for the vet/farrier basically. So, I first turned her free in the indoor arena. Then I brought her back to her stall and groomed her. I was at the barn alone, and didn't want to try crossties by myself, although I've been told she will stand in them. So, then I put her on the lungeline and walked her around and practiced some whoas, backs, and flexing in hand. She responded really well. I really like this little mare!! Her real name is A Firm Manor (I believe) have to verify that with the barn owner. I can't find it in the Thoroughbred database...so I don't know if I am spelling something wrong or what, but I'll find out.

So, I like her. I know it will take ALOT of time and work before I even dare get on her since she hasn't been ridden in years. Now the thing is, board at this stable is $250 a month (which I know is great). BUT...I'd have to make major sacrafices to try to swing it. I did some budgeting today. A few cut backs would be lower my cell minutes on my plan and probably cancel cable and just keep the internet. It might be worth it, and hey I can always rent movies. I've got a week to decide (I am working her this week as a trial).

Here are some pics of her! Not the best, but the lighting in the indoors are always quite dim. She needs some TLC for sure.


"Hey lady whatcha doin'?"
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/Trevor1551/Sheila/Shelia2008004.jpg

Sneaking hay-
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/Trevor1551/Sheila/Shelia2008001.jpg

Here you can kind of see her topline-
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/Trevor1551/Sheila/Shelia2008005.jpg

More hay lol-
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/Trevor1551/Sheila/Shelia2008007.jpg

Last one-
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/Trevor1551/Sheila/Shelia22008003.jpg

[Cat]

Sounds like she is a sweet horse and may be worth it. Look forward to seeing more photos!

Yippie - I see you posted more photos. She lookes like a sweety. Her weight doesn't look too bad. Her coat looks "patchy" though. Do you know why? Is it from rubbing or something? She might benefit from a general horse multivitamin being added to her feed.

[TBgirl]

I know Cat...she is so sweet. I've never completely started a horse before though. I mean, my last TB I bought directly from the track and I was the only person to ride him at all since he raced. I had him walk, trot and cantering and going over small crossrails all on my own (with help of trainer on the ground). I don't know about a horse that hasn't been ridden in 5+ years and only was taught to race. I don't believe she's had any non-racing training. I'll get more pics this week that are hopefully better quality.

Edited to add: Cat she does look patchy and I have no idea why. I didn't notice any area in her stall where it looked like she'd been rubbing. I will ask the barn owner. Her hair is thick and dull right now. I think a multi-vitamin might be a good idea too. She was fine when I rubbed her ears, she picked up her hooves. Oh that's another thing...her hooves definitely need a trim, but the front right one was odd. Her frog seemed really deep. She walk, trotted and cantered while free in the arena and I didn't see any signs of any soreness at all. Her legs all seem good, and I see no trace of pin-firing or anything like that.

[Gliderider]

She sounds like a good girl. Pretty to.

[TBgirl]

Thanks Glider, she was a good girl tonight. I can tell by her temperament that she's kind, but I think she's going to be spunky. She's a plain jane, but I kinda like that lol.

[Kaitlyn]

Oh god, she's a cutie, I'm a sucker for TB's now though since I met a mostly TB appendix and fell madly in love with him. She sounds fantastic, 250 isn't bad at all! The sacrifices may be worth it to be un-horseless lol. She's very short for a TB though, especially a racing TB.

[TBgirl]

Thanks Kzeiger! I love TB's too. I've had the best luck with that breed. I guess I get along with them well. She is a little thing isn't she lol! I haven't put the stick on her but I'd guess 15.1-15.2? She has that high TB wither.

[Dakota Sunrise]

Awe, she sounds like a sweet girl. Good luck with her.:)

I noticed that her coat looked patchy and kind of dull too... does she maybe need dewormed?

[Gypsy Rose]

what a pretty girl! She looks like a real sweetheart!

I agree with the others, though- her coat may be an indication of nutritional deficiency or worms.

[IrisGreen]

She is a cute little thing sneaking hay!! lol She's got a "Muffin belly" hahaha Well, I did say on your other tread that if you fell in love with her you would find a way to cover the boarding cost! lol Sounds like you are already thinking about it and you haven't even ridden her yet. lol

When do you think you will be trying to ride her? With in this week's trail period? I sure hope she works out. She's a cutie and I like that she's short, kinda makes her different ;)

My neighbors have some kind of warmblood they got from auction. That horse is great on the ground, calm, quiet but he looses it when a rider gets on and bucks them off. They can only lead him with a rider on as long as the rider doesn't give any leg or rein cues the horse is OK. But as soon as the rider trys to control the horse it looses it and turns into a rodeo bronco.

So, make sure you do get to ride her before you really make your decision. You never can tell how they will be under saddle by only working with them on the ground.

[lovesfortune]

She has kind eyes. I'm no help to you. I'm a sucker for almost any horse! If you can swing it and don't mind making the cutbacks... I would do it. Looks like she needs some love!

[JackieB]

She's really beautiful, even with the scruffy coat and all. We'll look forward to hearing about how the rest of the trial goes and whether or not you decide that you can afford her. I'd give up cable in a minute. Just the basic, network channels are plenty along with the Internet and books. Do you eat out? We cut that out 100% and that saves quite a bit of money.

[Dakota Sunrise]

I agree with JackieB- if she's the right horse for you, giving up cable is so worth it! We can't get cable where I live without having a dish put in, so we just have a big movie/dvd collection.:)


I hope she works out for you!:)