I’m a bit panicked.  Esther and Simone are both selling their horses and looking for different models………………………they must know something I don’t……………..maybe my mares are out there right now in the pasture along with other equine mounts all over the world planning to snuff-out their owners.  A multiple whack-job or organized equine-mafia hit.

These two ladies are phenomenal riders.  They are the ones with constant good posture and non-muddy breeches even when their horses have pinned their heads to the ground and are bucking up a storm!!!  I am a one-two-three rider.  #One—–My horse grabs the bit & bulldozes its head to the ground…………..well, honestly, there is no #Two and certainly no #Three.  Somewhere immediately after #One—–I’m concentrating on looking as controlled and artistic as possible in my subsequent aerial-arc of an unpleasant and unplanned dismount (a well-rehearsed routine).

(Remember I’m also the one in muddy breeches/with a little bit of throw-up on them.)

**********Pretty IS on the Report Card when it comes to looking good while being dumped.**********

So Simone is looking for a new ride……………………

Maybe it was because her SeaBiscuit has had one too many “Boot & Scoots” in one too many dangerous settings.

And Esther is looking for a new set of wheels too………………..

Her Flicka has this constant look that she shares with you like:  “Not right now…………………….but you know I will……………………I’m just waiting…………………and I WILL win & you WILL loose………………….now, just relax and have a good ride……………….for the moment………………”  You know that “look” when the mafia capo knowingly puts his index finger on the side of his nose while staring you down?………………………..well that’s Simone’s horse’s practiced look—except it’s with her hoof and not her index finger………………..

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My husband had a horse like that years ago.

But I employed my father’s logic……………………….”They don’t pay the mortgage”……………………they have to play nice…………………………she had to go.

She was a 17.3 hand, one ton, Belgian mare……………….with an awarness of how big she was and how to use it and a misogynistic-attitude along with a hatred for human children…………………my children.

She had to go……………………we even had an animal-psychic come to “read” this mare………………..(ahem………….yes we did………….don’t judge me…………….I was trying all my options).  And the psychic even said she couldn’t get anything nice from our mare……….just a lot of cursing………………….hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

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I grew up cheek & jowl with the Amish community in Ohio.  Draft horses should be large and strong and willing.  If they aren’t “willing” (at least to various degrees) then you may/probably have a problem.

Just think of it from a farmer’s standpoint.  You want your plow horse to go up and down the rows in the field———not diagonally across the field making their own, self-appointed furrows…………….that’s just bad for business.  Also you want a harness horse or team to stay on the correct side of the road…………..so much safer when we all play by the same rules.

And it’s a very simple choice.  Play by the board-game rules (that are clearly written on the inside of the box lid) or you move on if you’re lucky, or your DNA stops.

I just don’t want to or need to torque my titanium.

There’s just too much volume and muscle to be able to play by any other rules. And there are too many unexpected variable out there.  The rules are what keep you as safe as possible in an otherwise dangerous but fun pastime.

**********So hats off to you two**********Simone & Esther**********

Wanna borrow a predictable plug, until you find your perfect Bucephalus?   I’ve got a lot of easy-riding, ole Duffers out there in my field just waiting to lean on you and check your pockets for treats.

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Now…………………………..Guess my “Field”.

The Fox Hunting Field of horses is quite often broken up into three “Fields”.  The First Field are the fire & brimstone galloping jumpers.  The Second Field is exactly the same as the First but without the jumping.  The Third Field (now we’re getting there) are the slower riders.  We keep up-ish, we watch a lot.  We chat & post (some) & exchange recipes and flasks—–(Hey, it can get really cold in the mornings—even in Florida!)…………………..I’m even campaigning for a potential Fourth Field—–the one that just stays near the parked trucks and trots around the horse trailers while waiting for everyone to come back in so we can all start the Tea………….which as I’ve pointed out before really has nothing to do with Tea!…………………Phew!