Well, suffice it to say, I did have a phone conversation with the farm owner where Joey came from. And it wasn't what I expected. I'm not sure how much I want to share, but the horse I have worked with and loved for just over a year didn't exactly match up with the horse she described to me.
I was stunned, disappointed and taken aback. What I can share is that he does have the American Warmblood Society brand and there are no registration papers available for the horse.
I spoke with my trainer about the phone call. He listened and then said he was glad I called as it might explain some of Joey's quirks that we've noticed and worked through. He also reassured me that if there are any dramatic issues with the horse, that after riding him and working with him for just over a year the odds are high we would have already seen it. He told me I'm an experienced, sensitive horseman and rider and I offer my horse considerate training and consistent quality vet, dental and farrier care. Everything is in the horses' favor to succeed and I should continue to ride and work with him.
Logically I know he is right. Emotionally, I wish I'd never gone searching. Ignorance is bliss but I guess informed is enlightened.
When you get a horse from a horse dealer, you get what you get. My trainer and I both knew this when we decided on Joey. This horse probably was pulled from an auction but we both felt he had potential to be a good horse with me. His past is most likely how he wound up changing hands and at an auction. That I even put this much together and found out where he started is a miracle in and of itself.
I thought Joey was rescuing me when maybe I was rescuing him.
So, the cowgirl in this English rider now wants more than anything to show that Joey's past is where it belongs - in the past. Every day is a new day. That his partnership with me is the better part of his journey. That I am his "Journey's End" just as I feel he is mine.
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9 comments:
I am curious about what the former owner said. Reading his sale ad makes him sound like the perfect horse. Looking back at the ad and knowing what you know now, do you see any red flags in that representation?
I do believe a horse will be different under each rider. My horse performs much better when ridden by my trainer than by me. My trainer won't tolerate some of the things I will let slide. And as a result she gets better performance. Perhaps that is it; that Joey respects you as the rider and responds more favorably. But it still doesn't explain the glowing ad.......
I'm sorry that was an upsetting conversation, though I have to admit I'm not sure why. If the breeder was dissing Joey, I'm thoroughly confused, because they were certainly singing his praises on their sales page not long ago. On the other hand, if she made like it's your fault he's not out winning AA shows across the country, well, a) she's the one who let him go and b) she can just kiss your patootie because you're a WONDERFUL owner and any horse would be lucky to have you, period. Either way, he belongs to you now, you love him and are building an excellent relationship, and you can only go forward. Joey needed YOU for sure!
I think after a year together you know Joey better than anyone. I think perhaps he found his person in you. Sometimes all it takes is the right match to turn a horse around. Don't let whatever was shared prejudice you in working with him. I've seen people quick to give up on a horse and this is perhaps what happened to Joey in his past. He sounds like a lovely horse to me and you're lucky to have found each other.
You've proved that already. Why let the words of an unknown horse dealer weigh on your shoulders? It would have been a fairytale if you had found a bond with his past, or the gold at the end of the rainbow.
Be happy with your here and now, it sounds pretty awesome to me.
Amen!! You two sound like an amazing team, and like you're developing a wonderful relationship. Joey is what he is...and you too. Maybe fate or God or whomever, placed you two together for a very good reason. Choose to focus on the good, and expect nothing but fantastic for your future. We tend to get what we expect in life, I've found. I have a Mustang that I got just over a year ago. He came from a rescue, and a very questionable past. He had definite fear/trust issues, but I knew the minute I saw him, that he was an amazing horse, with a sensible mind and a kindness that ran deep...and quite possibly the most forgiving horse ever. He has visible whip marks on his butt and one shoulder, so his handling was not good. His owner wanted to sell him to a wildlife safari for cat meat. To me, I had no choice...I was in love and knew he'd be coming home with me. I wanted to find out everything I possibly could, and a trusted friend told me to just accept him for the horse that he was today. The past was the past, and it just didn't matter any more. So, I stopped looking, and stopped wondering. Eagle is mine, and I trust him. Everyday our relationship is getting closer, and he's trusting me more. I've done nothing but groundwork, but am hoping to start riding him soon. He's ready, I just hope I can muster the courage to be a reliable leader for him. You and Joey were meant to be together, just like Eagle and me. Blessings...
You know who Joey is. He may have been a different horse in a different time, but he's not that horse now.
My horse was known as "crazy" by other people when I got him. My trainer knew him, had worked with him, and knew that it was due to poor personality match and not a fault of my horse... and he's the absolute love of my horse life. It's still funny running in to people who knew him in his past, because they are shocked by who he is now.
It need not even be anyone's fault - simply that he is now in the right place for him.
I am confident that after A YEAR something would have shown up. Look, there was a reason I got Gen given to me. Gen broke a persons back (3 vertebra I believe), another persons collar bone and a third persons ankle, but he was always great to me. Has it ever occurred to you that after the hell you went though in the past several years with horses that maybe you found the perfect horse for you? I mean, you have even shown him and he was a good boy. I know that you have already had a horse of a lifetime, but maybe you are Joey's owner of a life time. The past is just that, the past. Don't think about what his old owner said, even if Joey killed his rider or something like that he is a different horse with you.
Wow, well that's certainly disappointing. You certainly seem to be on the right track in terms of not letting this information get to you. I agree with all of the previous commenters. Judge your horse on what he's shown to you, not what he's shown to somebody else. Some horses are just one person animals... perhaps you're his person.
I wouldn't be disappointed from what you heard. I'd view it as, you can communicate and understand Joey better than the others in his past. He trusts you! Trust and respect are two of the most important ingredients in any relationship, including the relationship with your horse.
My horse has a horrible history! His barn name was "Chuckie" from the horror movies!! I run into his former people often and I let them know how well he's doing. They marvel at it because with them he was psychotic. Everyone is happy because my horse has found his happy place in life.
I bet it's a similar story for Joey. I'd be proud that Joey is so happy and content with you and his role as your horse. It speaks volumes of how good you are as a horseman. Horses never lie..
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