I haven’t seen Casey for a couple weeks. I’m a bad horse mom, but I’ve been busy. Usually when I’m out at the barn, Tasha is not. So connecting can be hard.
But, I finally succeeded in getting a hold of her on Thursday! Poor Tasha! She’s in a wheel chair with a broken ankle. On the plus side, it wasn’t Casey’s fault.
As we chatted, we discussed the move, her ankle, how the horses are doing with her in a wheel chair and of course, Casey!
Tasha says Casey has turned into the biggest sweetheart. He’s done such a turn around with near constant turn out and a buddy that she’s got a confident beginner exercising him since she can’t. Yep! A confident beginner! Betcha didn’t see that coming, did ya? Tasha says she’s just working on getting him used to being rode by different people. She also says he adjusts to accomodate each rider’s skill level. Casey is more cautious and slow with beginners and stepping it up with the experts. (He still has training sessions with the assistant trainer.)
Tasha says Casey doesn’t spook at anything any more. She can even lead him while in her wheel chair and he’s very careful with her. Not all the horses accept her wheel chair though.
Casey has also graduated to an Argentine bit. Yay! A big boy bit! He’s still learning to neck rein at speed. He does fine and gets it at w/t speeds, just not at a canter or a gallop. He works off the leg nicely and doesn’t need spurs anymore.
And lastly, there is a good chance that the horse moving to the new place with us to be Casey’s buddy will actually BE one of Casey’s buddies! Tasha is thinking of selling Sir to us, one of the lesson horse’s Dude rides. Sir is 20 and an Arab, so he’s got several more good years left. The other potential is an 18 yr old Arab named Taz (but not my former Taz- this one is bay) who is also a lesson horse and is owned by the Barn Manager. She’s starting to think about retiring Taz to a slower pace. Both Sir and Taz are Casey’s turn out buddies. He alternates spending time with each of them. So, hopefully! Either of these two would be great options for Casey and the kids!
I am so pleased with how Casey has turned out! I feel so lucky to have found such a great horse hiding in that skinny, gimpy throwaway we brought home 9 months ago.
A little more time and some more miles and Casey just might make a great kids horse! How exciting is that?!?!
now this sounds very encouraging~ indeedy!
Kac
I certainly hope so!