COTH enablers, please tell me... pics undersaddle pg. 3

[costco_muffins]

A friend has cancer and I am helping him place some of his leftover homebred Thoroughbreds in great homes as his ability to care for them drastically reduced with the increase of chemo. (See the thread about TBs near Seattle in giveaways.) Of these horses, one sparked my attention...

F Eight Crusader is a five year old gelding that is 16.2hh... a true, big 16.2. He is dark bay and has a fabulous shoulder and hip. Even better is his temperament. He is a lover and a cuddler and hasn't shown any dangerous attitude. I was able to saddle him, lunge him, belly up on him and then get a leg up ride him around the garden on Sunday, after he hadn't been sat on since leaving the track in Sept. 08. He walked and trotted both directions on the lunge and off completely calmly. We asked to take him home to the farm (that has an indoor arena) for the week to evaluate him and find him the right home... they agreed!

I brought him home to the farm on Monday and I have been working with him daily. He loaded easily into a straight load trailer and backed down the ramp slowly and sensibly. Crusader is a bit messy in his stall, scattering hay and dumping his grain, but has been respectful of the walls and has not kicked out or tried to escape. Yesterday I rode him in the arena just an hour after getting to the farm (which he had never been to before). This was his second ride off the track. He walked and trotted both ways and showed no signs of being silly. I free-jumped him and he lifted his shoulders nicely over a single two-foot fence and showed no hesitation or fear.

Today I long-lined him in the round pen, then drove him on a walk around the farm. It was very windy with bits of paper, hay and leaves blowing about but he never hesitated. A plastic bag blew under his legs and he didn't even mind. I long lined him up and down the cross county steps (two little steps of 18" each set 9' apart) with no hesitation and was simple and easy to halt. He is impatient when asked to stand still for too long if in the long lines or undersaddle, but stands quietly if held at the head. I took him back to the arena and he let me mount from the mounting block, then we walked, trotted and cantered both directions. He picked up his right lead immediately and took only two tries for the left. His canter was smooth and he tried hard to please although he didn't really understand how to stay towards the rail. He showed willingness to do some leg yielding and shoulder in on the left rein, but was stiffer on the right. He did yield his jaw to the right, however, just offered no lateral work. After, I took him out to the field and we walked up and down the steps and he jumped a little 18" pile of logs cross country jump on his own volition. Super mellow, loose rein. I turned him out today in the 3 acre grass field instead of the arena and he walked up to me to come in at sundown.

So here is my concern... he isn't my dream horse. He is sweet and willing but doesn't have the spark and intensity that I am looking for in my next forever horse. But he has been nearly inflappable and has done absolutely everything that I have asked him to do... and he grows on me every day because of his awesome attitude and willingness to try.

Situationally it is possible, just have to throw up a run-in shed off of the dry lot for the extra horse. Run in shed is already bought, just needs a weekend of grading, a weekend of cement pouring and then to be assembled.

Training wise, there are lots of people who want to help as I live outside of Seattle and the farm is my Godparents' on Whidbey. We will be moving to the farm full time in three or four years when SO is done with Law School. Right now we come up one weekend a month to teach lessons and play. Godmom wants to work with him from the groundwork/bodywork standpoint, a student of mine that I trust is interested in keeping up with his undersaddle work, and Goddad and SO both want to keep him as their joint trail horse and do a little bit of everything horse... plus he could be a great intermittent lesson horse down the road...

It seems so feasable... but what am I thinking?!


So... should I keep him??



http://www.pedigreequery.com/f+eight+crusader

http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2106961580082679811kIJBCo

http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2757456740082679811PmOxFy

http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2358780370082679811wCuwqV

[actcasual]

Sounds like good karma points. If you can make it work, maybe he'll find a way to pay you back someday...

ETA: That's the kind of pedigree that makes me look twice at a TB project.

[nightsong]

Sounds like you've already made up your mind.

[cu.at.x]

costco_muffins: I PM'ed you.

[Coreene]

Girl, like you even need to ask?! Got give your new horse a big kiss. Sounds like you both lucked out.

[Skeezix]

Spark and intensity isn't always what it is cracked up to be. If you are looking for a forever horse, he sounds like one you could build a real partnership with :)

He is absolutely gorgeous!!!!

[bf1]

Hey - we are enablers - remember!!! You must keep him. See what unfolds - and he has a wonderful situation. Doesn't mean you have to keep him forever. And he looks like a twin to a horse I picked up at Keenland! The absolutely sweetest TB I have ever known. Not one buck when we broke him. When he was four - both my 4 yr old niece and my 85 year old Mom walked him around our indoor alone. That is how much I trusted him!

Have fun!!

[jengersnap]

So... should I keep him??





Is this a trick question? ;)

Sounds like the whole village likes him, he likes you, and he fits into what everyone would like to do. Even your SO wants to ride him. In most horse gal's relationships, that's like winning the lottery. And it sounds like he's growing on you. He just shipped in, he's getting attention again, I bet a personality will come through. And he's cute to boot. A true 16.2 that's built to work is not an everyday find. Plus the weather is getting nice, perfect time to build that shed.

Feel enabled enough? :D

[Aubreyyy]

Absolutely keep him!

We had a horse like this in our barn once- a GIANT, wide, adorable buckskin QH. He was brought in for a previous boarder to try (she had her own farm but not the greatest arena) but my friend wanted to try him too, and boarded him for two weeks. We had SO MUCH fun with him- he was very green, but totally game for anything. Not in a really bold kind of way, but the "Ok, I guess I'll have to trust you!" way. He was very unschooled and was originally a western horse, had obviously come from some kind of backyard horse dealer, and had a terrible name- but I told my friend to buy him, and I'd lease him from her. It would have worked out perfectly... but she was hesitant to buy and he slipped out of the barn. She ended up buying a TB in a couple of months that she didn't end up liking and sold soon after.

We both think about that QH a lot. He wasn't totally fancy, and he ws only good to look at in a "Wow, beekcake!" kind of way, but he was a SOLID citizen and probably would have been a really fun horse. I talked to her a couple of years after and we both agreed letting him go was a HUGE mistake.

Don't make the same one!

[Saidapal]

I purchased a little mare years ago that after 90 days I was considering selling. We just didn't jell like I was hoping we would. Then all of a sudden one day we clicked and she turned out to be one of the best horses I ever owned.

I say give it a little time. He just might be the once in a lifetime horse. If not, you can always sell him later on down the road.

[snkstacres]

The words, forever home, make me say, yes hon, take him. You already have the connection it seems to build on a forever relationship. Go for it.

[OnThinIce]

So... should I keep him??

YES!!!

Ever hear the phrase, can't see the forest for the trees? I know. It's hard to accept a gem when it's just handed to you, with no effort on your part. No searching. No hours of sweat and toil. Natural inclination is to dismiss it as second best for that ideal that's just around the corner. Just out of sight. Instead of looking at what's right in front of your eyes. I'm sure F Eight Crusader is saying, what do I gotta do here to get her to notice me? Stand on my head??

Keep him an never regret the decision. It's not always sparks and fireworks. Sometimes the connection is so smooth you don't even realize it's happened. ;)

[ESG]

If you don't want him, send him down here. I'd risk divorce for that one. Best hip and shoulder I've seen on a TB since I bought my boy, and that's saying something. :yes:

When it's right, it's effortless. This is effortless, ergo, it's right. You can look this particular gift horse in the mouth all you want, but I don't think you'll ever see anything off-putting. :winkgrin:

Congrats to you and "Cruiser".

[Reds-n-Greys]

Should you keep him......:lol:

Honey, you came to the wrong place if you thought we were going to say NO!

Hug him and squeeze him and never let him go!!! Oh, and keep us updated with pictures regularly, ok? :yes:

[3horsemom]

what a nice looking guy. i think it unwise to slap away a "this is meant to be"
moment. go for it and i am willing to bet that you will not be sorry.

[costco_muffins]

I know you are all enablers... that is why I came here! I need to be convinced that we should keep him (its everyone else that seems to love him). Technically I am supposed to be finding him a home, does it count if the home I find for him is ours? He is growing on me. I just turned him out in the field and he was so steady and calm walking out there, then simply trotted up to the far fence to check out the three boys in the dry lot. No fireworks, no hysteria.

I put a blanket on him as there is this horrible snow mix coming down now and he didn't care a bit.

As for him being a forever horse, that is what all of ours are. All of ours are written into wills and have trusts to take care of them. Godparents realize that he will likely outlive them, and want to make sure that he will be useful to us as he gets older. Godparents' three are getting older. Godmom has finally learned enough about riding and training to want to try her hand at bringing along a baby and recognizes that in her mid 60s that he might be the best option. Goddad wants to keep him because he has always dreamed of owning an awesome trail horse. I have no idea what SO is thinking. He likes what he hears and his first reaction was KEEP HIM!, but hasn't actually met Crusader yet. He will on Friday when he comes up from Seattle after work (I am a teacher and on spring break, hence why I can play all day!).

More pictures will come when I can figure out how to download them :)

Now, most importantly, what should we call him everyday? Crusader is too long of a name for everyday and I am totally against what Goddad wants to call him ("Fate" because of "F Eight"). Fate is a little too cheesy for me. He is named after his owner's favorite plane that he flew in the armed forces (the F-8 Crusader). I keep thinking of the Crusades when I think about him.

Our other three have relatively simple names: Roy or Royal (part of his JC name), Kola (means good friend in Lakota), Lavado (means impish in Portugese).

Oh boy... if I am trying to name him this must be bad!

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

not even reading the post. YOU NEED THIS HORSE.

I am such a good enabler!!!

[costco_muffins]

ETA: That's the kind of pedigree that makes me look twice at a TB project.

Just curious, what do you like/dislike about his pedigree?

I knew another Commandperformance baby that had an almost identical body to him and she turned out to be lovely.

[jengersnap]

He'd make a nice Cruise. Atta gal on being swayed by the forces at work around you :)

[Iron Horse Farm]

He'd make a nice Cruise. Atta gal on being swayed by the forces at work around you :)

Aaaah, you beat me. I was thinking Cruise right away!

[Griffyn]

OK I read the thread quickly, but I thought your new horses name was Cruiser.

[Reds-n-Greys]

Congrats to you and "Cruiser".

Yup, I think ESG said it first Cruiser...Cruise for short!!

Welcome Home Cruise Welcome Home!

[JohnDeere]

Whats need got to do with a bloody thing? :confused:

He will be sound forever cause he grew up before being ridden. So no vet bills for his legs. :winkgrin:

(Am I goood or what?)

[costco_muffins]

It is so nice that he wasn't started until three, then only raced three times, once as a three year old and twice as a four year old. All of his race notes say "started slow, saved ground, not a contender." He finished last or second last in all three races.

[PaintedBones]

Yep, he's yours.....you're trying to name him!

I like Cruiser or Noble (For Lady Noble in his pedigree).

Good luck with him! He sounds fabulous!


Bones

[FlashGordon]

I loooove him he's adorable!

Of COURSE we are all going to tell you to keep him! A brain like that, in a body like that, doesn't come along very often!

Enjoy him and keep us updated!

[TBDQ0328]

The F-8 Crusader was the known as the "last gunfighter" - it was the last airforce fighter that used guns as its primary weapons - so maybe something that plays off gunfighter, or flying - Shooter, Soldier, Ace (like a flying ace)

[TBDQ0328]

P.S. - I think you should keep him - sometimes the things that we're looking for come to us in ways that we aren't expecting. My guy was giving to me by a lady I had never meet before ( and to whom I will always be thankful for!) and had no personality to start with, but had a great "I don't know what you want but I'll try anyway" kinda attitude and I wouldn't trade him for the world!

[jengersnap]

P.S. - I think you should keep him - sometimes the things that we're looking for come to us in ways that we aren't expecting.

TB's got a point. Hubby's still rueing the day he said "why don't you swing up on the her and try her before you just give her away" when one of our mare's racing careers was over. I still have him in the background of a video saying she and I looked better together then the other mare I was currently bringing up to be my next horse. She already loved me and looked to me for everything for the past two years, and I was more then a little smitten with her, but didn't think I wanted to work another horse into my ideal mount, especially one coming off stall rest and race training, when I was packing my riding with as much time on the trail as I possibly could. But the heart wants what the heart wants and I sold the other mare, and the TB in question now has her own blog :D

Hope Cruise gets one of his own. I'd subscribe :)

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

You know what I say. "Once you have an OTTB, you never go back."

Just last night, one of my barn friends remarked about Ted's buddy Bow (also an OTTB), "I wish my horse was as much of a lovebug as Bow."

Her mare is wonderful, and very sweet (and just by the by, a very expensive highly trained imported European warmblood). But not a lovebug like Bow.

[actcasual]

Just curious, what do you like/dislike about his pedigree?

I knew another Commandperformance baby that had an almost identical body to him and she turned out to be lovely.


Not saying it's right, but I'm usually attracted to what's currently "unfashionable" for racehorses. I don't know any Commandperformance, but looks like he didn't hurt the sporthorse world any if that's how his babies turned out.

[danceronice]

I'm really not seeing the question here.

Unless it's about a name. Add my vote for Cruiser.

[2DogsFarm]

You come here to ask if you should keep a horse?
Pffffbbbttt!:p

Y-E-S - he sounds like a lovely horse.
Um...I mean NO - he sounds horrible, send him to me so you'll never have to see him again!

I'm a sucker for a doe-eyed bay - see my Profile pic :rolleyes:

[Trevelyan96]

You'd be a fool not to.

[SUECLOUDY]

Do you need any more convincing? Sounds like you have convinced yourself and just want a little back up.
He is a keeper. Gallop don't trot to do the paper work to keep him!!

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

He shares Nearco and Nasrullah with my Ted. And WHAT a pretty boy.

You need him. Yes, you NEED him.

[Laytian]

I reeeeally like that shoulder assembly. Nice angles. :yes:

But your subject line is an oxymoron. :rolleyes: :lol:

Don't you dare let that one get away, you'll forever regret it. :eek:

Keep the horse. You're gonna have fun with that one.

[LouLove]

Life has sent you this gift. God has sent you COTH to help you make the decision. :)

Do it!

[Mtn trails]

I saw him on your post on Craigslist and have been lusting after him since. Yes, you should keep him at least we'll know where he is. Cruise sounds like just the horse for me so if you don't want him, send him here. ha ha. I need another horse like a hole in the head.

[Alagirl]

So let me get this straight

desirable built
desirable size
desirable color
DESIRABLE attitude
desirable work ethic

and you are here to ask if you should cash your winning lotto ticket.....


HELL NO, LADY, I Take it of your hand! :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

[EqTrainer]

That is a *lovely* horse. Enjoy him.

[PNWjumper]

I think he's lovely!

If you don't take him I'm going to! :lol:

I have a TB that sounds a lot like him. Completely unflappable when it comes to "normal" spooky things. We're in show season #2 and he has yet to spook at anything at a horseshow and jumps around even the most complicated courses like he's been doing it his whole life. I bought him to flip, but I'm not sure I'm going to be willing to let him go before we get at least one grand prix season behind us! :D

[Kairoshorses]

Ditto. Attitude is SOOOO much more important than almost anything else. And he's GOR-ge-ous!

[costco_muffins]

Had the boy out again today, although I gave him a break from under saddle work. He is getting a little footsore, which is a bummer. His feet need some work as he was out in a mud paddock all winter. They have big flares and the hoof wall is missing chunks where an old abcess that blew out the top has grown down. He is basically walking on his sole with little frog support. Needless to say, if we keep him he will get x-rays of the front fetlocks and hooves and probably the hind hocks. I put a pair of Old Macs (the only boot we have that was big enough for his fared hooves) on his bare feet and he didn't seem to mind the heft and clumsiness. I will probably give him a little something for the soreness and see how he is tonight. It must be hard work doing so many new things after such a long break!

As for a name, I keep coming back to Arthur (being a teacher it could go either way: the little kid books or the king). Cruise sounds good but reminds me too much of Scientology...

SO likes Otto as in the Ottoman Empire.

And you guys are all such good enablers! I am actually feeling better about this whole idea the more I think about it :)

[Griffyn]

Glad we could help!

[costco_muffins]

The F-8 Crusader was the known as the "last gunfighter" - it was the last airforce fighter that used guns as its primary weapons - so maybe something that plays off gunfighter, or flying - Shooter, Soldier, Ace (like a flying ace)

I didn't see this before... I really like Ace :)

[costco_muffins]

But your subject line is an oxymoron. :rolleyes: :lol:

Ah yes, I know this... and that is why I came here... to be convinced :)

[thatmoody]

I don't see why you need convincing - I'd take him in a heartbeat should you ever decide you DON'T need him. Of course it looks like I'd be standing in a looong line.

[Aubreyyy]

I love the name Otto :)

[costco_muffins]

Okay, it must be bad. I have someone coming to look at him today and I am trying to think of reasonable excuses as to why they can't have him... I suppose the truth is always best :) Off to make a phone call!

[costco_muffins]

Baby had a little filling in his front two legs last night, probably from going from 24/7 turnout to stalled, and so I wrapped them both to bring the swelling down and make sure that was the only issue. Crusader didn't chew or rip off his wraps, nor has he tried to bite and tear his blanket! Good boy! He did, however, pee and poop in his hay. Oh well. I took a few more pictures of him yesterday and thought I might share... will post more later of him undersaddle and long lining.


How could you not fall for this face...
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2253438140082679811QnENBT

http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2105946570082679811etMFWo

http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2637611810082679811xQzzyA

[jilltx]

DUH!!! :winkgrin:

Congratulations on the new horse. :)

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

BEAMING!!!

[Skeezix]

Call the folks coming out to see him that you are very sorry, but he is spoken for.

With that face--how could you not keep him :)

[asb_own_me]

Okay, fine. He sounds truly awful, and I will reluctantly take him off your hands. Ship him to Iowa as soon as possible :D

[costco_muffins]

I wasn't able to get in touch with the woman coming to see Crusader before she showed up today (two hours early), but needless to say, she isn't going to be taking him home. She dissed him left and right, complaining that he doesn't have any dressage potential, then explained that she loved his personality enough that it will make up for his numerous faults and that she would take him off our hands if we have no other options. Bye bye!

Poor baby horse trotted and cantered around the round pen in his clunky Old Mac boots through the puddles and muck and she had the gall to say that he doesn't extend through his shoulder when trotting enough for dressage. Oh well, the outcome is exactly what I wanted :)

Out to take pictures with LJ and LJ's DD. Will post them when I get back in... plus on Saturday we will have a final verdict of keep/not keep with SO and Godparents about baby boy Crusader.

Fingers Crossed

[Alagirl]

I wasn't able to get in touch with the woman coming to see Crusader before she showed up today (two hours early), but needless to say, she isn't going to be taking him home. She dissed him left and right, complaining that he doesn't have any dressage potential, then explained that she loved his personality enough that it will make up for his numerous faults and that she would take him off our hands if we have no other options. Bye bye!

Poor baby horse trotted and cantered around the round pen in his clunky Old Mac boots through the puddles and muck and she had the gall to say that he doesn't extend through his shoulder when trotting enough for dressage. Oh well, the outcome is exactly what I wanted :)

Out to take pictures with LJ and LJ's DD. Will post them when I get back in... plus on Saturday we will have a final verdict of keep/not keep with SO and Godparents about baby boy Crusader.

Fingers Crossed



HAHAHAHAHAHA :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

maybe she got burned with some 'rescues' where the adoption fee goes up if you actually like the horse? :winkgrin:

NO WAI is she getting our Cruiser! :cool:

[costco_muffins]

Yeah, the woman was also surprised when she showed up and he was an actual 16.2, not a 16 hand horse that was advertised as 16.2hh.

Baby boy had another ride today: walk, trot and a little canter on the lunge. He was great and at the end he trotted over his first poles! No hesitation, but carefully picked his feet up and went on his way. Crusader also got the beauty treatment. We shaved his goat beard off, trimmed whiskers, buzzed around the outside of his ears and gave him a bridle path. Used some warm water to continue working the mud clumps off his belly that are practically cemented on there. He, as expected, was perfect and is looking mighty fancy now!

Maybe LJ will chime in with her thoughts on him as she saw him go today...

Pictures from today:

http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2290483700082679811LaeDZV

http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2238548290082679811rrjgdY

http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2781640110082679811pShUoH

[cu.at.x]

This really is pure torture every time you post pictures of him. ;) Just kidding

[LJ]

Yep, he's as good as Costco says.
I've been part of the Crusader/Arthur/Otto/Ace audience the past few days. He has such a great attitude and kind eye. Once he started working his gaits evened out (despite crazy clown shoes on his fronts) and he has a nice overtrack in the walk, and a good reach in the canter. To seal the deal, he is a lovebug pocket pony in a big package. To give you an idea of his temperment, I'm a cautious wimpy older rerider and I'm willing for DD to ride him tomorrow.

And just for serendipity, he looks a lot like my appendix mare, but grande sized. Hopefully a pas de deux will be in our future.....