My New Ride, Good as Gold

[judyc]

I had SI fusion 3 years ago. Once I healed, it wasn't too bad unless, you know, I carried heavy objects like feed buckets, or used a shovel or raked. Working from a ladder was a bear. I started using anti-inflammatories on a daily basis, and ended up extremely anemic this spring. The pain was constant, unless I just didn't do ANYTHING.

Finally, I was trying to decide whether to give up on my mare, Branna. I drove over to the local stables and crawled up on one of their lesson horses. I could feel the pull in my groin muscles. After 20 minutes, I went home.

After about an hour, the pain went AWAY! I got so much DONE! So, it looks like I NEED to get on a horse every 2 or 3 days. (time it takes for the pain to come back)

Now, the surgeon had told me that I could ride, but not fall, so I started looking for a been-there-done-that pony. Man! They sell fast! The other problem is that I like to ride the evergreen type, so I was concerned about getting bored. BUT, if it takes the pain away, I was willing to buy a plug.

After many emails and calls, I went to a horse site and found Tatts. Now, there are two reasons that Tatts didn't sell fast. That would be the left testicle and the right testicle. Yes, he's a stallion. But, I know a vet can do wonders for that situation.I called the owner, who invited me down to look at the pony. (he's 13 hands, perfect) My DD and I drove down, taking a saddle with us. The owner was in the field with harvest, but said to go on in and check Tatts out. I put a halter on him and we brushed him. Then, we put the saddle on and I mounted up. He was old dog tame. He hadn't been ridden or used to breed for three years, so was just sitting in the pasture. My DD mounted up and I took a picture.

After we unsaddled Tatts, I called the owner to tell him his pony was sold. I told him we had saddled Tatts and led him around the pasture. He then told me the pony had never been saddled; that he'd ridden him bareback with a halter.

So, here's the first picture:

[eljay]

Congratulations. He's a cutie too. Imagine riding a horse as a prescription for pain.

[judyc]

I traveled down to pick up my new pony and get him evaluated. He longed fine, but I don't believe he's been ridden down the road. I left him with a great trainer for two weeks. I think she'll do wonders for him. I told her that if he can learn to work, even when there are mares around, he'll get to keep those jewels. He showed me no studdy behaviors, except being very vocal. There was no lipping, no striking--nothing.

Tatt's former owner told me that he throws his size and HIS COLOR. He'd been bred to mares bigger than him, but the colts always turn out 13 hands and his color, champagne palomino. He has presence and loves attention. The trainer said he'd be perfect for a hunter/jumper pony, but I just want to trail ride with Tatts. So, a new adventure begins.

Oh, and it's hard to capture with a camera, but Tatts has a SHEEN to him. He GLEAMS!

[judyc]

eljay,

I was AMAZED at the relief! This pony is going to wind up costing me $20k, because now I need an arena for winter riding. He has also saved my mare's life, since she is foundered. She can be his companion. We'll see if he really is homozygous for size and color next year. I just have to keep them apart this winter.

Branna (means little hill)
Bay roan:

[donna12345]

I think the pony is sending vib messages all around, saying" Looky Looky who is lucky now! I'm off for a ride!" Happy trail and tails to both of you!

[suzorse]

I used to love riding in the snow/rain , never had an indoor arena , I also have a 14hd mare and need to get my behind back in the saddle see if it helps my pain
Suzanne

[Debbie Lincoln]

Is he a cremello? Carrying double palomino genes? Gonna get a fancy baby from that pretty mare!
ANd I know for a fact that riding is GREAT therapy for pain of all kinds. Talk about "core strengthening"!!! Better than yoga. It works for me!

[elnini]

They do "Riding for the Disabled" here because it makes massive physical improvements, as well as co-ordination and psychological gains. Enjoy !!

[judyc]

Debbie Lincoln,

The owner called him a champagne Palomino. I know that he has a partial glass eye, but the other is all brown. I'm not a big fan of glass eyes, but the disposition on this fellow is fantastic!

The trainer also is certified for therapy. She wants me to come over every couple weeks to ride. She says that she has some exercises for me to do in the saddle. We'll see if I have the time. Pet is due to calve Oct. 26th.

The owner said that he is gaited, but I'm not seeing anything past walk, trot, canter. It doesn't matter. The disposition, conformation, and size are what matters.

I've lost another 10 lbs, so hope to be down to a good pony rider size by spring.

Suzorse, do you have SI problems?

Elnini, I intend to have a good time. Just knowing that I don't have to feel like a cripple anymore is a blast! I feel like I got my life back!

Donna12345, I hope that Tatts feels lucky. I spent the day on a rented skid steer cleaning out the barns. Tomorrow I pick up two stalls to install. I plan on putting my round pen back together. That will be Tatt's turnout until he loses some weight. Branna can have the paddock, and Fat Boy is on a diet.

[judyc]

Debbie,

I've done a little reading, so found the Champagne Palomino label can't be right. Since Tatts has only a partial glass eye, I don't think he can be Cremello, can he? I'm reading about the Cream gene and the Pearl gene. (which would explain the sheen)

DD has a Yellow Dun mare that she wants to breed to Tatts just to get that disposition.

You know, I bought the bay roan filly because she wasn't a "highly washable" horse, meaning there was no white to keep clean. Boy, I really stepped in the other direction THIS time!

[Debbie Lincoln]

I am so happy for you!

A wiser brain than mine will have to dig deeper into horse color genetics. I only understand the basics. I do know he's pretty fancy.

Do you know his background? I knew some folks with Icelandic ponies that were gaited and built like him.....?

[lively]

He looks fantastic. I had a stud like that years ago ( disposition I mean). He was an absolutely fantastic horse. Good luck with your lovely fellow. I do not have SI problems but do have plenty of others.Currently even if my old girl was able to be ridden I could not even lift the saddle to go on her back ( synthetic or leather). Since having my double hernia surgery back in March I have found there are quite a few things I cannot/should not be doing as the result is very painful. All aside sometimes those jewels just hold a horse for you I have a feeling you are already falling in love with the guy

[judyc]

Well, whatever color he is, his DISPOSITION is amazing! He has presence. When I took him to the trainer, after about 20 minutes she was encouraging me to collect pony mares and raise hunter/jumper ponies. So it isn't just me.

Lively, my Bob Marshall saddle weighs 11 pounds. My little English saddle weighs even less. I'm buying a Thinline bareback pad like the one in the second picture. I'm not a big fan of heavy saddles.

Well, Debbie, it looks like I'd have to DNA test this boy to find out whether he's cream or pearl. We' ll see how it goes.

[Becky in TX]

He's a pretty boy! Yes the cremello / double dilute gene horse has blue eyes which I'm guessing is what you are saying when you say glass eye. I haven't studied it in a long time but know there are several "colorss" of champagne. There was /is a lady that did tons of research on the TWH horse colors that were misclassified. She owned a cremello and raised some beautiful buckskins by him. Her site was called last chance farm or farms, can't remember. The color of dilute horses can be confusing to say the least. My favorite saying is "pretty is as pretty does" - sound like he's both! Congratulations on him and the help with your pain!

[judyc]

You know, of course, that the horse is the cheapest part of the equation. I bought two used stalls on Sunday. While we had the skid steer rented, we used that and the backhoe to move them inside the barn. So, 12' panels into a 10' door.


Today, we started putting the big puzzle together, with the help of come-alongs, rollers, a big prybar, and plenty of muscle from Hubby.
The first piece.


The muscle:


Noone got hurt, but I sure could use a pony ride right about now!

[suzorse]

the champagne gene is different that a dilute gene
here are some links to champagne color
colorgenetics.info/equine/pictorial-guide-horse-colors-part-4-gold-champagne-amber-champagne-sable-champagne-and
www.horse-genetics.com/champagne-horses.html
Suzanne

[judyc]

Suzorse,

I followed the links. My boy doesn't have freckles. He IS dappled. All I know about him is that he came from WV and is 9 years old. Do you know how much it runs for DNA testing for champagne and cream genes?

Debbie Lincoln,
My daughter has an Icelandic. This boy isn't Icelandic. I think he's either Welsh, or Quarter pony.

[suzorse]

I do not know , you can check UC Davis website for tests and prices , I think there is another lab in OR or Washington that dose testing
Suzanne
here are some labs
colorgenetics.info/equine/horse-color-testing-labs

[judyc]

Thanks for the links. It looks like American Genetics soil be the way to go with the combined testing for $95.

Now to collect hairs.

[Debbie Lincoln]

I'll be watching with interest for the DNA results. And yes, I can see Welsh in him. Wonder where the gaited action came from, though?
I had a Appaloosa mare once who was 14H and built a lot like your boy. She was smooth as silk at all gaits. If I had her now I would ride every day.....