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zooscat
Gold Member
 United Kingdom
882 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Mar 2011 : 2:06:04 PM
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I've held off with this update because it has taken me some time to really feel bonded with Ari; it is not his fault at all - a really sweet, willing and brave little horse, who never puts a foot wrong on the ground. Does some might fine spooks "off the ground" though! ! I felt quite intimidated riding him as well, until yesterday; he's so different to Ryazan (RIP) in that he is long and tall and slender, rather than short, fat, and rather "compact" aka cobby!! I felt "on" him, rather than "in" him, like I did with Ry. As well as the small matter of having Ari five months, now and not 12+ years ....
Anyway, yesterday, the YM and another lady at the yard and I decided we'd go "adventuring" round the local long off road country ride; we planned on going out for about 2hrs at most - probably much less. We ended up nearly three - the YM got lost and we didn't know where we were supposed to be anyway! Anyway, up very steep hills, down ditto, down huge great shale covered horse steps, over streams, "in and outs", through grotty gates that swing shut as you try to hold them open, slidy cambered paths, past pig farms, hordes of yelling children/cyclists/people flying kites/yapping/chasing dogs/roaring m/cycles etc etc etc! He was absolutely wonderful - never put a foot wrong and led from the front most of the time! He gave the lead to the lumping great hunters the other two ladies were on, who were leaping about like loons and refusing. How wonderful is he! Just like the Tevis Cup! Sooo BRAVE! I'm really proud of him, and feel priviledged to own him. Given that, after being out so long, I forgot I was riding anything else than "my own horse" - which he really hasn't felt like before. Odd. Anyway, sorry for the ramble - he was still dancing down the road when the other two were looking distinctly sweaty and very tired. He only had a slight damp patch under his saddle and when he was rubbed down and rugged up to go out, took off at his usual floating gallop to see his mates!
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kathleen
Platinum Member
England
1835 Posts |
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jacki
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1988 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2011 : 2:19:52 PM
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| Ah brill so glad you've finally clicked with him! The future looks bright eh? Lucky ari for finding you! |
sittingbourne kent |
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Suelin
Platinum Member
England
2514 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2011 : 2:48:26 PM
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| Oh bless that chap. What a good boy. So glad it's all coming together for you both. |
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2011 : 3:03:15 PM
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So glad to have your update, and fantastic to read that you have clicked - it does take a while - particularly when you have been a one horse person for so long. Lovely that he showed his abilities off to the hunters too  . I'm sure he's looking like a completely different horse now. |
  Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
Linda
East Sussex |
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pinkvboots
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3290 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2011 : 3:11:51 PM
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| Ahh I am so glad you feel that you have now bonded, it is difficult to feel at home with a new horse after having the same one for so many years, he sounds great and is rewarding you with all the kindness you gave him when he needed it, please please post some pictures I cant wait to see him. Liz xx |
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Kharidian
Platinum Member
England
4297 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2011 : 3:47:59 PM
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How wonderful for you both!
Caryn |
Kharidian (Prince Sadik x Khiri)........ Alkara Cassino (H Tobago x Rose Aboud)
aka "Roger".................................... aka "Chips"
     
The first image is from an original painting by Pat Shorto.
South-East Essex |
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arabian
Silver Member
England
270 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2011 : 6:11:47 PM
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this bought a huge smile to my face as you and Ari have often been in my thoughts and i am sooooooo happy to hear such a great newsi believe everything happens for a reason and Ari was meant to be yours and is repaying you for all your kindness i am in the early stages with my new boy and i thought of you when i took him on so i can only hope that in some months time i will be able to report about about my own breakthrough also thankyou for updating  |
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sab2
Platinum Member
8467 Posts |
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LadyLuck1
Gold Member
England
730 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2011 : 7:12:53 PM
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Excellent now we need some updated photos.
Mary |
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garnet
Platinum Member
2382 Posts |
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Roseanne
Moderator
United Kingdom
6708 Posts |
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angelarab
Platinum Member
Wales
2876 Posts |
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Helen Newton
Gold Member
England
692 Posts |
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Tricia
Bronze Member
Wales
161 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2011 : 8:19:57 PM
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He is obviously destined for an endurance career  |
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xsara
Gold Member
822 Posts |
Posted - 14 Mar 2011 : 9:46:24 PM
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| what a lovely update I am glad you are starting to get along with him and nothing better than a good long ride to bond. Looking forward to seeing new pictures and how lovely it is he has found such a lovely home |
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Arachnid
Platinum Member
England
1872 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2011 : 07:41:39 AM
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| I was wondering how you were getting on. Brilliantly it seems! Definitely an endurance horse |
   
West Sussex |
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zooscat
Gold Member
United Kingdom
882 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2011 : 10:52:13 AM
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| Thank you all so much for your support! I have been thinking about endurance too, but feel a bit daunted, never having tried it and not wanting to "overdo" Ari before he was fit enough. I'm anxious not to overface him after the horrors of what he has been through in Ireland. At the moment, he has horrid looking lumps all round both eyes; he had them when he got to me in Nov 2010, and the vet thought they might be old scarring from untreated chronic eye infection which he had then. We got rid of the eye infection and the lumps seemed to go down over the winter. Then, a couple of weeks ago they really seemed to swell right back up and multiply! Aagh!! Vet immediately out, took a biopsy under local anaesthetic and skin scrapings. Seems that chronic eye infection last year (and probably previously) rotted the skin round his eyes and cheek bones, the mosquitoes and flies got onto and into it, died where they were eating and became encysted. They then began to rot inside and have created poisened flesh which is erupting! Lots of streptocci of various sorts reported. So, back to daily washing with Pevidine, creaming area with Betadine and feeding Ari Noridine (anti biotic) Thank heavens, it seems to be working! But I really do worry about overdoing it with him and starting something else horrible with him. Probably being over cautious and a worrybug. So dont want to break him though. |
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2011 : 11:17:57 AM
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| Poor boy, the infection sounds frightful, hope it clears up asap. As far as endurance goes, yes he sounds ideal, and non-competitive rides are from 14 to 20 km long - sounds like he would cope easily, and you don't have to move up to longer distances unless you want to. It is a great way to get to ride in other parts of the countryside that you don't normally get access to |
Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
Linda
East Sussex |
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Eeyore
Gold Member
1181 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2011 : 11:33:18 AM
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Bless him, he sounds wonderful. The eye infection must have been awful for him. I'm so pleased you are becoming a good team together and thrilled that he has someone to love and appreciate him  |
Heléna
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arabianrio
Gold Member
England
1300 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2011 : 12:22:16 PM
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| So lovely to have your update. Argh! that infection sounds awful...at least he is in the right place with the best care and attention. I agree with Callisto...may be some pleasure rides - but only when you are ready -don't feel you have to do something just to please others .....but to see if you both like it. |
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birdof1977
Silver Member
308 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2011 : 5:01:56 PM
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He sounds like a wonderful horse, and you are very lucky to have him. I hope you have many wonderful years together. He is just more proof at just how wonderful the breed we all love and treasure, really is.
And agree with the others. We need pictures!! :) |
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MinHe
Platinum Member
England
2927 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2011 : 6:01:14 PM
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So sorry to hear about the eye problem (how COULD anyone let him get like that???) but great to hear what a lovely time you had together on the ride. So glad to hear it is all 'coming together' for you both!
Keren |
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debs
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3218 Posts |
Posted - 15 Mar 2011 : 10:49:11 PM
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| Poor boy! So glad you foun d each other! Looking forward to seeing your pic's! |
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Honeyb060674
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4301 Posts |
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jamie
Bronze Member
Scotland
193 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2011 : 08:43:54 AM
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| Enjoy reading your posts - good luck with the eye infection but sounds like it will sort - poor boy, he's certainly been through the mill. I've done a couple of pleasure rides and my boy hugely enjoyed them. Just like a big hack really and you can trundle along at your own pace. I found the endurance crowd to be really friendly and welcoming and am sure you would both have a great time . Look foward to seeing your pics! |
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ARAGON UPDATE!
"Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened."
