Presidents' Message:
I didn't have a
particular topic to talk about this month, So I wanted to share
a bit about my world.
You all are familiar with my paint mare. Some of you know that
I've talked about my old horse. Well, I finally decided to take
him out of moth balls and let him come to the spook clinic.
Gringo is 32 years old. When I got him, he was an answer to my
prayers and needs. He is the most sensible and bomb proof horse
I know. I have ridden him through areas that a lot of people
would never think about. We have been in many situations where
his sensibilities saved us. He has always been safe, reliable
and loving. He is not a child's trail horse, but left alone in
his pen with a young child he never makes a mistake. The
youngest child I ever put on his back was when my niece was 2.
Gringo knew she was vulnerable and did not want to walk. We had
to encourage him to do so.
So after 23 years of good times and not riding him for the past
4 years, I pulled him out of his pen and with a halter and lead
rope, and no forewarning, I rode him through the spook clinic
with a bareback pad. He even helped another
horse
trailer load that day. This is the epitome of a
great horse. I am very lucky to have owned this once in a
lifetime creature, Although he was never a beauty on the
outside and these days his posture is poor with a pot belly,
Everyone who has ever worked with him, from veterinarians to
horse shoers have said he is the best, the most compliant and
different than the others. I know his call from a crowd. I can
make mistakes with him with no aftereffect. I can tie him with a
thread, He will never kick, bite, step on you, push you slap you
with his tail or even charge another horse if you are near. He
will wait until people are out of the area. He knows it can be
dangerous for us. We have loped bareback through the riverbed
with my eyes closed completely trusting him. There you have it.
Now you have a little insight to me and what I've gone through
the past several years breaking a new horse. This was a scary
transition because you never want to let go of the best. I hope
someday, you can all have your dream horse.
Rhonda Viescas
