Post by schwung on Sept 21, 2007 10:48:53 GMT -5
Maggie is a pretty chestnut Thoroughbred mare, 15.3 hands tall. Maggie was purchased by Winterlakesfarm from a craigslist ad in Portland, with the idea that she could be used in the lesson barn to replace Sanka, the rescue that was having neurological problems and could no longer do the work required of her. Maggie's history is unknown, at one point she was told she had been abandoned at a boarding stable, in another it sounded like she had been purchased by the owners. We were told she might have been used for gaming but even that is unclear. She was told the mare was 20 years old, and she does have a racing tattoo that is not clear (to me it looks like a P, which would make her 21). When she was evaluated, Cat rode her out in a pasture and she was very calm, even a bit lazy, so seemed perfect for a kid's lesson program.
However, once they got her there they discovered a few things: One, Maggie really loves to jump. Two: She gets a bit excited in the arena and while she doesn't do anything bad, she is a bit too much horse for beginners to learn on. And three, the vet thought she was only 10 years old or less, based on the fact that she does not have a Galvayne's groove.
Since she wasn't going to be usable in the program, Chelsea has asked for our assistance in placing Maggie. She is currently at my farm where shekaberry has been working with her. Dr. Hannah is going to take a look at her teeth and tattoo today and hopefully we can get a clearer idea of her age.
So far we have found Maggie to be a very sweet, easy to handle mare. She stands nicely in the cross-ties and loves to be groomed. She has small but hard feet (currently shod) and is in good weight. So far we have worked with her twice, lunging and a little riding. Maggie is pretty much only track-broke, but she has a good mind. She gets tense but has not done anything stupid. Maggie's biggest issue will be tension, and the fact that she tends to want to carry her head very high. This has been a long-standing habit as she has enormously over-developed undermuscle on her neck and no topline, so we are working her in loose side reins to help teach her to slow her rhythm and use her back when she moves instead of taking short, choppy strides. She has been very receptive to this. Allison rode her for the first time last night (just for a few minutes at walk and trot) and she was very good, listening and responsive. She does understand the leg and does not brace or avoid contact. She has a nice canter, very balanced, and easily picks up her leads both directions.
She does tend to start out a little off and work out of it, so I suspect she has a mild arthritic issue going on (which might point more towards 20 years versus 10).
All in all I would say this mare has the potential to make someone a very nice pleasure or low-level dressage horse. We'll have to see how she jumps!
Pictures and more info to come!
However, once they got her there they discovered a few things: One, Maggie really loves to jump. Two: She gets a bit excited in the arena and while she doesn't do anything bad, she is a bit too much horse for beginners to learn on. And three, the vet thought she was only 10 years old or less, based on the fact that she does not have a Galvayne's groove.
Since she wasn't going to be usable in the program, Chelsea has asked for our assistance in placing Maggie. She is currently at my farm where shekaberry has been working with her. Dr. Hannah is going to take a look at her teeth and tattoo today and hopefully we can get a clearer idea of her age.
So far we have found Maggie to be a very sweet, easy to handle mare. She stands nicely in the cross-ties and loves to be groomed. She has small but hard feet (currently shod) and is in good weight. So far we have worked with her twice, lunging and a little riding. Maggie is pretty much only track-broke, but she has a good mind. She gets tense but has not done anything stupid. Maggie's biggest issue will be tension, and the fact that she tends to want to carry her head very high. This has been a long-standing habit as she has enormously over-developed undermuscle on her neck and no topline, so we are working her in loose side reins to help teach her to slow her rhythm and use her back when she moves instead of taking short, choppy strides. She has been very receptive to this. Allison rode her for the first time last night (just for a few minutes at walk and trot) and she was very good, listening and responsive. She does understand the leg and does not brace or avoid contact. She has a nice canter, very balanced, and easily picks up her leads both directions.
She does tend to start out a little off and work out of it, so I suspect she has a mild arthritic issue going on (which might point more towards 20 years versus 10).
All in all I would say this mare has the potential to make someone a very nice pleasure or low-level dressage horse. We'll have to see how she jumps!
Pictures and more info to come!
