A Horse's "Person"

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   LindaGrohDemersposted 14 years ago

   About 8 months ago, I met Amiga. She lives with a small herd of horses at a small ranch in Chippewa Falls, WI. I leased her first, then bought her. I see her everyday. I am new to horse ownership, but have come to realize, they pick you. It is up to them when you become their "person". This is a post for horses'stories, sort of anecdotal.
   
   My "person" will be coming today. I will watch her drive down the valley road on to Peterson Ranch, my home. She will get out of her car and look at me standing by the gate with my friends, who will also be taken into the barn to get our daily manufactured food. She will call out, "Amiga"! I will whinny back. I am no fool!

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      ShortStoryposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Seems like it must be expensive to keep a horse.

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         LindaGrohDemersposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         $400 a month, more or less!

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            ShortStoryposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            And is what you get out of the experience worth that much to you?

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               LindaGrohDemersposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Yes. As I said, I have loved horse forever. When I started to draw, I didn't draw stick people, I drew horses. This particular adventure in my life ranks with my 5 trips to Paris, my 6 plus trips out west, yearly visits to Cape Breton and my other travels, the difference being this is never ending. I could lease a pricey new car every 3 years, but there is no comparison. I plan with this forum to include these anecdotal stories which will give me the opportunity to have an online diary.

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                  ShortStoryposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  Well, if it's worth it to you then more power to ya. My experience with horses is largely about eating them so I really have nothing to add that an afficionado like yourself wouldn't know much better. Enjoy your relationship!

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            texasdayeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            In all honesty, owning horses is not always that expensive.  It really depends on what you already have.  I currently have 2 horses, but used to have 4.  I have 20 acres though, and the land provides quite a bit of the food source during the spring and summer.  It is the winter that makes them expensive for me, and even then I only spend about  150 to 200 per month for both horses. 
            
            Part of this is also due to the fact that I have neighbors and family in the farming and hay business, and get a good price for good quality hay. 
            No matter how much they cost, they are definitely worth it though.  Horses bring light to the day, with their affection, their attitudes, and goofy characters.  They are truly wonderful beings to watch and bond with.
            
            Good luck to you!

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      LindaGrohDemersposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      03/04/11  I saw my "person" come down the road today. We did the ritual thing, and she rode me today, bareback. She likes to eat her lunch while I am eating my second round of senior food. I am 23 years young. Today she was talking to the "bossman" (owner of the ranch) during our lunch. She likes riding me bareback, and I like not having that western saddle on me. My "person" has a bum knee and is confusing me when she tries to trot. She told the bossman that she just can't comfortably keep her left leg in the stirrup. They are going to try an English saddle minus the stirrups. I don't have any say in this, but I like my "person".

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      LindaGrohDemersposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      This is Amiga's person writing a quick note today. I asked Amiga to post something, but she said she was so confused by my riding today that she has to wait at least 24 hours while she is processing.
      
      Yes, it was a confusing ride today. I am taking weekly lessons from Paul, the ranch owner. He was riding today with me and another rider in  our small indoor arena. I was on my western saddle and trying to relax my pelvic muscles enough to drape around Amiga's belly so that my calves are touching Amiga softly all the way down to my ankle and from there I turn my foot out to make Amiga turn.
      
      The confusing thing for both me and Amiga is that I am a new rider. I have perched on horse before, but Paul is trying to teach me how to RIDE. This involves (alien to me) techniques for the reins (hands) guiding her head and shoulders, then one for the shoulders and butt using my leg guides.
      
      I don't have the two synchronized and have to think each step out. It is all discombobulated! Hahahaha! Poor Amiga.

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      LindaGrohDemersposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I was wondering what the day was going to be like and what my Person was going to do with me. Last night I felt wet and I felt cold.
           I saw my Person drive up, and although I was eating hay, I was glad she was here. I always get to eat when she comes. I rumbled a greeting to her when she got out of the car. This assures me that I will get what I need. She is a newbie, but she gives me man-made food, uses all those things on me that feels good. Sometimes I turn around to her and show her my teeth. I have to keep her on her toes. I guess I like to show her I am the boss. Some times it works.
           She didn't get on top of me today, although she did yesterday, and I rather think we both enjoyed it, while I walked in the mud. She puts on this thing that I hear them talking and say the words "English saddle". The words don't mean much to me, but that thing feels better than that heavier thing she used to put on me. And then this other person puts on a really heavy thing when he sits on top of me.
           She visited with me during lunch and was munching on something, too. I like that time when we are together.
           She gives me a lot of those things called "treats" which are yum yum. I got my last yum yum after she took me outside where my friends are.     Then another day was gone. Till tomorrow.................

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