Moonshine Returns Home
Posted by Bill on Apr 22 2008 at 09:37 pm | Tagged as: Riding, Training, Video
We once again have fine east Tennessee Moonshine at our farm. This evening we went over to ride her and get Lance’s final evaluation before bringing her home. The report? Well, not so great. We observed Moonshine hunching up her back at canter and this is after she had been longed. After some demonstration and instruction from Lance, I hopped on and rode her around the ring a few times. She was tense and it was obvious to me she simply didn’t want to move. And I was on high alert and nervous as can be, given her odd performance last week. I walked her and she gave me no trouble doing it except I really had to push her just to walk. I wasn’t ready for anything more than that. Lance reiterated his advice that we should get rid of her and find another horse. I’m still not completely convinced of that but at the same time I realize the insanity of keeping a horse you’re too afraid to ride. I might be more open to it if I knew she would have a good home but who wants a horse you can’t easily ride? I’m afraid she’d be treated with a heavy hand and have a miserable and possibly short life. Uggg. I guess if I can’t work with her I’ll have a 20-year pasture ornament. I love this stupid horse, darn it. I almost wish she was mean to me so I could more easily send her to auction.
Lance brought her back tonight and the boys (Sinbad and Valentine) were quite attentive. We put Moonshine in a stall so the horses could sniff and nicker at each other for a while. Then we let her loose into our pasture so she could re-assert her authority. It was less dramatic than we expected but still funny. I shot a short little video of it (below).
But just so you know, we haven’t totally given up on her. We’re going to explore horse chiropractics and look into marbling (someone mentioned it in comments). In the meantime, it’s good to have a backup horse (Sinbad).
Even though she’s trouble, we’re glad to have our sweet Moonshine back.
I would explore the chiropractics. A lot of horses are “off”, and especially after her run-in w/the car, she may be….like a person in a car wreck who has stiffness a couple days after from tensing up during the accident…you never know. Also, if you are nervous, perhaps she is sensing that and it makes her nervous, too? When my sister is nervous and gets tense when riding her spooky mare, it can make her mare get even more worked up.
Stick with with it. I hope Moonshine works out for you. But if not, it may not be the end for her, I am sure someone will find her to be just what they are looking for!
That was a funny video. Thanks for sharing it.
I’m so sorry that you are feeling such trepidation and concern over Moonshine and her future there with you.
What a tough decision.
Maybe you might consider both of you taking lessons together? Basically starting over together to build up that trust and bond?
It might work….
She sure is a gorgeous horse.
I agree with Lisa, having someone train the both of you at the same time. I have a new horse, actually my first since I was a little girl, I am now 32~ geez that took a long time!!! Anyhow, I started watching the Clinton Anderson Gaining respect and control on the ground. After two times working with my guy he is a TOTALLY different horse and I am a different owner, I know what I am looking for and understand it=) I am also going to do a John Lyons clinic this summer with him.. I can’t wait!
I am addicted to your site! I love it!! Thanks for the movie, it was adorable!!
Jannis
Minnesota
Taking lessons together is a great idea. Our horse has been more than difficult sometimes and if we hadn’t been in lessons twice a week I’m sure he would have been sold by now. Our trainer has helped both of us work through the problems - and so far it’s made a huge difference. The trainer has the experience and the eye to see things that I might not notice - very valuable!
We also had a chiropractor out. That, too, had a positive impact on our horse’s behavior and comfort.
So it might not be so bleak….just might take tons of time - and unfortunately, money as well!
It’s hard to have a horse you can’t ride. My first horse was a little mustang mare. She was the sweetest thing when you were on the ground, but she was just too much horse in the saddle. We sent her for training with some cowboys to work her in the mountains herding cows. When she came back he told me she was a lot of horse and if I ever wanted to sell her to give him a call. It took me a long time to decide to sell her but when I finally did it was the best thing I could have done. I called up my trainer and he told me he had the perfect horse for me and he would like to trade horse. The minute I looked at Rain I knew it was the right decision. Now Candi my old horse is happy and I am happy because I have a horse I can trust. Lessons would be a something to try before you make that decision. If you do decide to sell her you might want to check with your trainer and see if he knows of anyone who might be a match for her. Good Luck to you guys. Owning horses is one of the best experiences you can have.
I sympathize about your problems with Moonshine because I just went through something similar with my gelding, but I waited too long to make a decision, and I was seriously hurt. I should have listened to my tight gut instead of thinking how much I loved him. He was inconsistant–good must of the time but then he would bolt or rear or jump sideways. Please don’t keep giving her chances. Your well-being is the most important thing, and sometimes it is better to sell and buy a calmer horse. Someone convinced me that buying a horse isn’t a lifetime obligation like owning a cat or dog. My gelding is in a better situation now too. Good luck–it’s hard!
I also think having a chiropractor out is a good idea. We humans can’t imagine what it must be like to carry a load on our back like horses do. Both of my horses always appreciate being re-aligned. Also - you’ve probably been given enough advice to last a lifetime - but consider taking a “lifestyle” type of training, such as Parelli. Really committing to that type of training, which focuses more on your relationship than actual riding, is invaluable. There was a woman at my barn, who was already writing ads to sell her horse, and took a week-long clinic that totally changed both her and her horse. I know it’s made the difference between me and Starman. He now considers me the leader of the herd. Not that we don’t still have frustrations, but at least I know how to deal with them better. He is a horse who would probably be better off with someone better suited to his attitude. But like you, I just love him too much.
There are things that send my horses into such an extreme state of fear that they become dangerous to themselves and others. It is their fight and/or flight instinct. They require a confident leader and exposure to as many things as possible, which it looked like Moonshine was getting up until the point of the accident. Now that she has had the accident, she’ll probably be a project, requiring more patience.
The last time I took my filly for a walk on the road, she kicked a rock into some dry sagebrush and it rattled. That sent her into a fit where she was running circles around me bucking. It took all my strenth to get her back to the barn, because she would not come to her senses. Ever since then I’ve been afraid to walk her along the road, but I know I have to or she’ll never learn about things in other environments.
At any rate, if the horse isn’t a fit for the rider, you shouldn’t feel guilty over selling her to a more advanced rider or making a trade. I too feel like my horses are family. It’s not an easy decision.