Monday, January 30, 2012

When Dreams Come True

Weekend before last, my riding buddy Jean and I went on a road trip. We had an appointment to meet a guy named Stu. Although we had not met him, we had heard that Stu was a nice guy and we were looking forward to meeting him and talking horses. After an hour and a half, we found the long lane way to the farm we were looking for. We were greeted by two large dogs, announcing our arrival. A tall (very handsome) man emerged from the barn and carefully maneuvered over the icy open area to where we were parked. After we introduced ourselves, The Farmer told us we would find Stu in the barn with his daughter.

I chatted with The Farmer (did I mention he was handsome?) as we walked up to the barn, asking about his milking operation and his hobby of driving. He currently drives double and four hitches and competes in the regional fairs, if he can get someone to babysit his cows over the weekend. Which brings us to the reason we came in the first place. Meet Stu....

Isn't he handsome? Jean heard about Stu through a friend. He is trained to drive single, double and in a four-hitch. The only issue....he's too short! The Farmer bought him as a 3 year old, hoping he would finish at closer to 18hh. But, at 6 years of age, he pretty well finished at just 16.3hh and at 1400 lbs (we measure him), he's too small to drive in pairs or teams with The Farmer's other horses. As a comparison, Gem is around 16.0-16.1hh and weighs in at 1300 lbs. Although Jean did not have plans to buy a horse until the Fall, Stu was pretty much exactly what she was looking for; he is the right age, the right size, a gelding, has a gentle demeanor, he is an easy keeper, has never had any health issues, is outside 24/7, has good feet and reasonably priced.

It's not all roses though. The Farmer was honest with us and said that Stu had not been worked with for a year, was living the life of a prince out with the other horses, is in the upper section of the 10-horse herd hierarchy and was sometimes hard to catch in the field. Oh, and he's never had a rider on his back.

Stu let us touch him all over (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) and we picked up his feet and held them up without issue. We couldn't trot him outside because of the ice. However, The Farmer's 13-year old daughter walked him up and down the aisle of the barn. He never pulled on the lead rope and was quite content following her. The Farmer did say that because he knew that Jean was looking to have a riding horse, he put his daughter up on Stu prior to our arrival to see what he would do! He said he wouldn't have done it if he wasn't confident that Stu wouldn't turn into a lunatic. He did it again for us. Stu sort of had a look of "hmmm...that feels different....", but he didn't twitch or freak out.

A date was agreed on for the vet check, a handshake sealed the deal and Jean and I said our good-byes to Stu, The Farmer and his daughter. We waited until we were driving down the lane way before we started whooping and hollering.

Jean excitedly told LA about Stu after our lesson last Tuesday. Instead of being excited for Jean, LA's response was guarded. She's concerned for Jean's safety. She thinks Jean is in for a lot of hurt and frustration. But what was hurtful was she doesn't quite get why Jean would want a Clyde in the first place. "You can't do anything with a Clyde." It was a bit of a letdown for Jean and when the two of us went for Burgers and Beers afterwards, I had to give her a little pep talk. However, LA's negativity and big horse prejudice has made Jean even more determined to prove her wrong. :-)

The vet check was done this past Wednesday and other than the vet wanting him to be a little heavier, he passed with flying colours. Unfortunately, because of icy conditions Stu couldn't be lunged in a circle, but the vet's examination did not lead him to believe there would be problems. All his vaccinations and a Coggins Test were done. His teeth will be floated in the spring.

Getting a Clyde or any horse that is +16.0hh brings on other challenges. Normal trailers can't handle a large horse comfortably. Most farriers won't work on drafts without the use of stocks. Getting a saddle may be a challenge. But you can always find a solution and it's amazing how horsey friends come together and help. I offered my English saddle to Jean just to get him used to having something on his back while she's working with him. A trailer was found and booked. Boarding arrangements, at the regular outside board rate (yipee!) with LA have been finalized. Stu will have his feet done before he's transferred to give Jean time to find local farrier that will work without stocks.

I am going to be Jean's ground person for the first while, and definitely when she's ready to start sitting on him. Her goal is to be riding him by the summer, eventually working towards taking him out in the small field to get him used to larger spaces with a rider on his back. I am excited for Jean - her dream has come true. I am looking forward to helping her; I think I will learn a lot. Stu will be here in 2 weeks....I can hardly wait!!! :-)

37 comments:

  1. Wow! How awesome! Stu is handsome. I've always loved Clydesdales!

    ~Lisa

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    1. I think he is smiling in this picture... :-)

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  2. He's such a beautiful guy! People don't seem to realize that a draft can be just as great as the normal "riding" breeds out there. There are plenty of people who own and ride drafts with no problems. He's such a pretty boy!

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    1. I have seen videos of Clydes doing dressage, with the rider all decked out in top hat and tails, riding a big beautiful animal...gorgeous.

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  3. Stu is a good looking fellow!
    Don't let anyone talk Jean out of her dreams! We have a Clydesdale at our barn and he is fantastic. He rides and drives. They have the calmest and sweetest temperaments. And the journey that Jean and Stu take to get where they are going will only strengthen their bond.
    Yay! How exciting for both of you!

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    1. Jean excitement is contagious. I agree with you - their bond will only become stronger as she works with him.

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  4. Shame on LA for being prejudiced against Clydes. All the ones I've come in contact with are complete sweethearts, and whose to say that a draft horse can't do what a light horse can? I'm very happy for Jean and Stu! Keep us updated!

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    1. I think LA's hesitation is because big horses are outside her comfort zone. I think that up until Gem became a resident at your facility, she dealt exclusively with Quarter Horses. She is a reiner and that's what she knows. I think I have expanded her horizons with Gem and now Stu will expand them even further.

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  5. Stu is gorgeous and being a Clyde he's sure to have a good temperament and be smart and learn quickly. As for being a riding horse, we had one where we boarded once and he was great and so sweet. The girl rode him all over the place and he was much bigger than Stu.

    Some people have a little prejudice about the bigger guys but Stu isn't all that big in my book. My Erik was 17-2 and round, he was actually very comfy. My daughter's warmblood Nate is 17-3 and Grady(Irish sport-horse) is 18 hands. Maybe we're odd but we like the bigger horses. Good luck to Jean it will be fun training Stu and you should both have a great time with many learning experiences.

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    1. Wow, your horses are big! I would have loved to have met your beautiful Erik. Both Jean and I love bigger horses. We love the smooth rhythm and comfort. I feel secure and safe on my big horse....but it took some time to get over my fear of the height. :-)

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  6. I'm not sure what LA is thinking of, maybe showing, but if it's simple trails and fun time together then a draft should be great. I'd be more worried about the green on green, will shebe working with a trainer?

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    1. To be honest, I am concerned about the green on green myself, but Jean wants to give it a go. If it is too much, LA is available. She trains reining horses and their riders with a gentle approach which we like.

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  7. Oh he is handsome- though I'm a little bummed you didn't include a picture of that farmer ;) I wonder if maybe LA doesn't understand Jean's riding goals and that's why she was raining on your parade? Ah well, Jean's happy and that's what matters!

    After trimming an uncooperative draft last weekend I can understand the want for stocks. But it can be done without them, you just hurt for a few days afterwards...

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    1. We know what shows The Farmer is considering for the upcoming season, so I suspect there are some road trip in our future. ;-) I believe that Jean has been pretty clear to LA on what she wants out of her relationship with Stu. I just think that LA is a little out of her comfort zone, plus she doesn't want Jean disappointed. Any tips on the trimming side for drafts?

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    2. A hoofstand and sharp tools :)

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  8. : ) My BF's dream horse! Stu looks stellar. There's plenty of dressage horses and jumpers that are clydes. Some people just like to rain on everyone's parade.

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    1. I hadn't really thought of big drafts as riding companions until I met Jean. These are gentle versatile horses. I think that with dressage and trail class competitions, we will start to see a resurgence in draft horse popularity....they aren't just for pulling any more! :-)

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  9. Yay for the big guys and congrats to your mate - may she have many happy days with Stu. I saw an advertisement for a 16 something hand Perchie mare, older school horse type. I felt a pang of serious envy for whoever is lucky enough to team up with her. We've two draft crosses on the farm. I'll post pics so that you can see them sometime. Lovely post!

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    1. Thanks, Landers. Looking forward to your pictures!

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  10. "You can't do anything with Clydes" what a funny thing to say if someone has just bought a beautiful horse! Anyway, there is a place in England where they do beach rides and lessons and shows, all on Clydes and Shire horses (would love to go over for one of their beach rides myself!). Friesians were originally carriage horses and 30 years ago it was almost unheard of to enter a Friesian in a dressage competition and look at them now! Lovely story, made me smile.

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    1. Wow, riding a Clyde on a beach...that would be awesome. Glad I could make you smile. :-)

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  11. Why do they want draft horses in stocks? I don't know anything about those large horses but they're beautiful! I've always heard they're smart, too. This is going to be fun to hear about as you and your friend progress with him! I'm hoping for an education. ;)

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    1. It's easier for the farrier to work on a draft when shoeing because the stock basically support the horse. Here's a picture: http://www.workinghorsetack.com/store/mcart.php?ID=752
      You and I will both be getting an education. ;-)

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  12. There are plenty of things you can do with a clydie! I've always had a bit of a soft spot for them, as has my nan, my boyfriend, my mum. .

    Stu is a cutie. I can't believe he was expected to grow to 18hh! I'm afraid of heights, I would be nervous about riding a 16.3hh horse lol.

    I hope it all works out with Stu and Jean.

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    1. He is a cutie and I am looking forward to watching Jean work with him. I used to be nervous on tall horses, but not so much any more. ;-)

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  13. OMG OMG OMG!!! How absolutely wonderful! I'm so happy for Jean (& I don't even know her *lol*) What a handsome chappy is Stu :D

    I like Jean's attitude in the face of negativity; weird how people seem to 'look down' on the big breeds... And good on you, supporting her like you are.

    Please wish her all the luck in the world with Stu; I LOVE to hear about dreams coming true ... gives me hope that, one day, mine will too :D xx

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    1. Isn't it great?! I love when dreams come true, too. Never loose hope, Joy!

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  14. Oh WOW!!!! He sounds awesome! That is just the kind of guy that I dream about :)

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  15. There was a programme on bbc last year about horses presented by the actor Martin Clunes. He has the most gorgeous Clyde. Both looked very happy together.

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    1. Hello Maire. Welcome! I have seen quite a few videos of drafts doing dressage and it looks beautiful. I think it's great.

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  16. How exciting! There's nothing wrong with a Clyde, he'll be great and I'm sure you'll have no trouble getting him accustomed to a rider. Looking forward to hearing progress reports.

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  17. What a fun and exciting adventure to work with Stu, and to see a dream unfold! Enjoy these winter months, de-sentizing him to being under saddle, building up his weight, and bonding... come Spring Stu is going to break out and really shine- I cannot WAIT to see him reach his potential! :) Corinna

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    1. Jean will be using the next couple of months to bond and desensitize him for sure. She's not in a rush. It will be fun to watch their progress!

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  18. Congratulations to Jean. I'm sure Stu will teach the naysayers that drafts can be very versatile. I'm sure Stu will charm everyone. Enjoy working with him.

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