Page 30 - Appaloosas Now Dec/Jan 2021

OWNER SUBMISSIONS GOT SPOTTED Chip
by Sandy Reid
I didn’t really want or need another horse we were planning to move to Australia from New Zealand in May 2021 and the idea was to get a horse over there.
I still had my own ex show jumper Max but he was 21 now and I wanted to do some trekking (trail riding) and some distance riding.
Just by chance one day just before I was due to go into hospital to get some screws and pins out of leg from a previous riding accident I saw a friend advertise a little appaloosa 5yr gelding about 14.3 he. He was by an Appaloosa stallion out of a thor- oughbred mare. I still haven’t found the stallion breeding but the dam was by Dansinga bred in Australia. I thought now this little guy could be perfect very green broke but looked sensible and I trusted my friends word.
I contacted her and she said he was probably already sold so I said to myself never mind wasn’t meant to be.
Three weeks later a few days before my operation she got in touch and said he was still available! So I just brought him on the spot sight unseen!
Told my husband while we were sitting in spa he arrives Mon- day day after I was getting out of hospital...he said I was nuts. He arrived safe and as I couldn’t ride for 6 weeks once I was off the crutches I did lots if ground work and lunging with him.
I was due to go back to work so wanted to do as much with him as possible. In the next few months he went out to my friends arena and on trail rides with friends just 1 hour ones to start with. He went to ranch horse shows and just took it in his stride i was so proud and pleased with him. Just before I went back to work we did a 10km distance ride. He coped pretty well was a bit hyped up at the start but soon settled he was tired on our return!
Don’t get me wrong it hasn’t all been perfect hes got a won- derful nature and gives it all a go but I have to be firm on the ground he explores everything with his mouth! Is hard to keep the weight off and gets bored easily but really I love him to bits and so on love with the appaloosa breed how clever they are and what a great friend hes made for this 56yr old lady
30 Appaloosas Now - December/January