We have thought about cutting down on the number of "non productive" horses we have, but really and honestly, they are no bother, they don't cost much to keep and well they are ever so helpful for turning the youngsters out with...!
Over the last few years we've had lots of offers from novices looking for really quiet hacks, willing, out of the goodness of their heart, you understand, to take on one of our geriatrics. We have politely declined but then the ideal situation occurred. Experienced owners looking for a sane (ish) hack, both owners vets, their current horse having beautiful manners, these were people we could see having one of ours, for definite...
So we suggested Bugsy, sure its been ten years since he was last ridden, and well yes, back then he wasn't far behind Kayf Tara and fairly useful so we perhaps overlooked his little foibles and yes he was a "little" cold backed but he was manageable wasn't he?
So yesterday we brought him in, tacked him up with no problems and Mark got on him, actually I thought he's getting a bit windy in his old age, as Mark muttered and kept him very quiet, quick dander round and back in the paddock.
Tonight, well we had thought he was a bit mouthy last night so we changed him back in to a straight bar rubber bit, popped the reins behind his stirrups and all hell broke loose, I ran for the hills while Bugsy bucked and squealed. OK fair enough we thought, I headed off to the tack room to get a flash strap when I heard Mark mutter "he's fallen over" and I kept going "errr so a little help would be good..." I wandered back to find Bugsy flat out, legs straight out, lip bared. You know the famous fainting goats? Well he was doing a fairly good impersonation but less peaceful looking. I crept in behind him and loosened off his girth then chased him up again. He got up with his teeth bared and growling... It would be fair to say the old shite has no aspirations to be a happy hacker is happily retired!!
