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Comment by Angela Moorhead on October 5, 2008 at 10:09pm

I had owned Carrington only for a short time and we were still getting to know each other, I had made a special paddock for him to enjoy his summer break, plenty of grass, and trees for shade. At that time I didnt know how much mischief my boy could get into - he wasnt content to just put his head down and nibble, he wanted action, he wanted the horses across the road to come play so would stand at the fence and watch waht was going on in the neighbourhood, if he wasnt content with that he would rub his mane out on the trees, trees that were there to protect him from the hot sun, not to be used as rubbing posts or he would play at lets rip the shoulders out of my rugs and make thm into mini skirts. But his all time favourite was digging.

Digging great big holes in the paddock, now Carringtong stands nearly 17hh so when I tell you that the morning I went out to feed him and he wasnt in his paddock, my heart leapt into my throat, what could have happened, who would come in the night and take him I was beside myself, but then I caught a glimpse of red low to the ground, it was carrington tail, actually it was his rump, then it got bigger and then more of him appeared, suddenly there he was, yep he had dug a hole so deep he was able to fit his whole self inside so much so that it looked like he had disappeared, with much relief I called him over, he was like, who me dig no never!

I never mentioned this to my husband who found the hole all by himself some weeks later when he disappeared down it with the ride on mower, it took a lot of soothing over and shovelling.

My horse the back hoe!

Comment by Kori Patterson on October 5, 2008 at 11:28am

I own a big, handsome buckskin Quarter Horse gelding named Dan. We bought Dan when he was five years old and he is now thirteen. From the moment we brought him home we knew that he was something special and boy was he a character! I was nine years old then and he was my first horse. He taught me just about everything I know about riding. Each year the Georgia 4-H hosts a Horse School for beginner riders. It’s a really great experience and I had already gone two previous years. Well, since then I had decided to start barrel racing, so, of course, that was the class I chose to be in that year. I had not planned on taking Dan because he had never barrel raced before. At that time, I had another horse but I was unable to take him. So, good ole Dan was coming with me to horse school. The first day that we rode in the covered arena went pretty well to start with. The instructors set up the barrels, which so happened to be trashcans with the trash bags inside. So, of course all the skittish barrel horses had to go and check this out. Dan walked right over in between all of then, looked at the barrel and obviously decided that there must be something in it. So all of sudden, he stepped up and stuck his whole head and half if his neck down into the barrel. Then, wouldn’t you know it, Dan let out a HUGE snort which cause the trash bag to go crazy. All of the horses standing around the barrel lunged backwards and half of them took off with their riders. Everyone was scattered around the arena and when Dan finally lifted his head out of the barrel, he looked around almost to say, “Where did everybody go?” I think I laughed for the rest of the time I was at horse school!

Comment by Linda on October 5, 2008 at 9:13am

Midnight Steeplechase, we 'did' finish first...... and we had a fab time racing in the dark.

Got there in the dark 4 HUUUUUGE rolltops lit up in a HUUUUGE dark field with floodlights shining on them. It was a pitch black night with no moon, so the fences were just 'floating' there in the darkness......

Went to watch the juniors first. Ponies all refused to jump, the fences were so bright and solid and they had to jump into pitch blackness. Finally all got their practice fence done with much chasing from assorted parents and set off - was brilliant watching 2 of them do 2 laps (well watching where we thought they were) neck and neck, loads of shouting at the last fence as they were still together, unfortunately, one pony jumped awkwardly and deposited rider on the turf - poor love she did take a while to get up (they were all about 15 or so).

Went back to lorry and polished off all the sloe gin I could neck,put on the spongebob squarepants body protector (some friends later suggested that a straightjacket would have been more appropriate) and got on the lad. Warmed up in the dark, with horses spooking, and watched more people retire - some of the horses simply wouldn't jump - including one of the whips smashing mare who normally jumps everything. Salad, bless him after a seconds hesitation went forward for me and we just trusted that the ground was okay....

Finally after warning the crowd in the parade ring not to back us as Salad is green and I'd seen all the trouble everyone else was having we started as the 5-1 outsiders lol

Went to have a practice jump and he was spooking 20 feet away, tried a few times, let him sniff it, and he very nearly climbed over it once. Decided to sit at the back and see if he'd follow the other 3 over (only 4 in the race as 2 other pulled out).

Starter let us go, and they went flat out at the first fence, I thought s*d it, lets have a laugh, so stayed with Pat and Maddie for the first 2 fences, only we were going round them! The other 2 horses were big PtP types and had gone on, by fence 3 they were nearly a fence ahead of us, so me being me and Salad being Salad decided that we couldn't have THAT could we!!!! Let Salad go and - whooooosh! he FLEW in the pitch blackness into the light then into a wall of blackness again - by fence 8 we were a fence ahead despite going round the outside of the fences, and crossed the line 1st miles ahead in stitches with the crowd cheering anyway:-)

What a giggle! I think they were glad we turned up and had a go - rather than withdraw like a lot did. So I looked like a numpty, some people may have laughed at us, but most laughed with us being the evenings entertainment, it was brilliant fun!!!

Anyway - daughter was very proud of mummy - who "winned the race" bless.

Salad wasn't even blowing, strangely he was the only one without clouds of steam rising afterwards - he was more interested in his "MacDonalds" (aka takeaway grass). Really he is bloomin fit....

The rumour that we are entered to go 'round' the Grand National course is absolutely not true..... rotfl

Comment by SaddlebredRider on October 5, 2008 at 12:54am

Daniel, my yearling American Saddlebred, has always been a very personable colt. From the moment he was born there wasn't an ounce of fear or skepticism about people. He was always there inspecting everything that was going on.

To this day, he has hated the weather. During his first experience with rain, he looked so miserable that I felt sorry for him and went to let him in. When I opened the barn door, without hesitation, he scampered in by himself, and his mother did not follow. As I was trying to pull the mare in and keep myself from falling in the slick clay-mud wearing boots one size too big, Daniel stuck his nose out from the dry barn and gave me little back scraches with his baby teeth as if saying "Oh, thank you. Thank you. Thank you!"

When winter came, Daniel had no doubt in his mind that he was going to be warm. He grew so much hair that his breed was almost recognizable. The hair on his little face exceded two inches. He was so furry, he was given the nickname of "Wolfman". It was such an appaling change from "Fine, pretty Saddlebred baby." to "....Burro?" He had enough hair for two horses.

Now as a yearling, his personality hasn't changed, though his appearance has drastically. He is still the sweet, loving, little Saddlebred he has always been. I just absolutely adore my little Daniel. He has such a great attitude.

Enjoy!

Comment by Taryn Sylvia on October 4, 2008 at 9:56pm

I know so many pics but I had to get him in action ;) this is only in the childrens jumpers when i first started riding him =]

Comment by Taryn Sylvia on October 4, 2008 at 9:51pm

Comment by Taryn Sylvia on October 4, 2008 at 9:49pm

I posted before, but I do not think my post went thru. My story is about my horse Jacquet. Jacquet is my hero. He truly is. I have owned him for close to three years and he has taken me all the way up to the High Junior Jumpers. 2008 is my last junior year. This year has been a hard one, full of life lessons. You see, my family lost everything. literally. Our house is foreclosed on. I have had too work too support my family. I have had people in my life ( such as my old trainer aka second dad) walk out of my life. Wait more like stomp on me, then walk out of my life. Jacquet has been there with me, for me every step of the way. My parents and I fought to keep him at any exspense and we have. We do not show anymore or for now, but this horse has taught me so much. He has taught me to have faith, patience, perserverance, determination and much much more. I thank God everyday that I have been able to keep him. He is not just a show horse, he is my partner. He is my angel! I hope you enjoy the pics of him and myself. He truly is more than a handsome horse ;)

Comment by Linda on October 4, 2008 at 9:05pm

Not the he's in your face or anything.....

Comment by Barnmice Admin on October 4, 2008 at 6:29pm

LOL! I can't stop laughing over these hilarious stories and priceless pictures! Lesley, good lucky choosing from among them - they are all SUPERB!!!!!

Comment by Linda on October 4, 2008 at 3:30pm

Little one (5yo daughter) had gone off to stay with her dad for a holiday, so I metamorphosised (I really don't care how you spell it, you know what I mean ) from lindathemummy, to Lindathetart one night for a girls night out on the town. Behaved disgracefully, miss judged how much fizzy stuff I can drink these days and was shovelled into a cab at about 1:30 am by tmy lovely friend who saw that I got home safely. Spent a deal of the night chatting with 'himupthere' and was woken by a phone call from Pat (my hunting mate).

"Just checking you're up" she said brightly

"Ugh" I replied "What time is it?"

"10:30" she answered

"What time do we have to leave?" I muttered groggily

"No later than 11:15...."

"£$%^&&*" said I

Swiftly changed, had a last chat with 'himupthere' brushed teeth and staggered to the yard.

Turned out the girls in zombie mode, and got young Salad out. I looked at him and nearly cried. 20 mins to get ready and he was doing his best mud monster, you couldn't even see that he has white socks. S*d it, got the hose and bathed him, bending down to scrub socks was sickening, they kept spinning (horse never actually moved, just stood there looking slightly bemused, me thinking next time that leg comes past I'll get it), why hadn't I done him yesterday.... (gently though I was suffering)

Got loaded only 10 minutes late and drove down to the meet, not quite last to arrive, and hauled myself into the saddle still feeling queasy, lost my painkillers when I took the cap out of my jods pocket, and hunt bouncer laughed when I told him they were for the hangover I was expecting as soon as I sobered up

They set off pretty fast, after a little pipe opener across the bottom of a meadow, we went on to Richard Guests (ex jockey now trainer) gallops. They'd irrigated the neighbouring fields the day before and a lot of water had run onto the gallops, so a mile or so of hand gallop behind a large cob, and Salad was back into mud monster - head to toe, him and I plastered in mud - B*llocks to the bath ...... we were in camouflage by now:-)

Salad was an absolute star, I just sat there and let him get on with it, and I'm so glad I took him, what a joy to ride he is, went right into 'mummy is poorly I'm looking after her mode'. Any other day we may have had his famous "Riverdance audition"

Stopped at the halfway feeling rather better, and perked up a lot when Richard Guest came down on foot to chat with some of the field - he's quite cute! (okay so thats what perked me up ) Gave him my empty cup to dispose of, bless him he was most gracious being asked to take the trash better than littering though - the hunt bouncer had shot off to do some gates.

Got home in one piece then mucked out 4 with the hangover which arrived as we got home :ugh!

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