Leo himself
Two weeks ago I managed to do the number one thing that is completely unnecessary for both my sanity and my bank account: I acquired a new horse. Just what I need! However, this one I couldn’t really resist and was advised by my close friend and vet that it was a superb specimen of an animal with a teensy problem, but that I would love him and it would be a great match. I found out about him on a Thursday, I talked to the breeder on Friday, the trainer on Saturday, the owner on Sunday, and drove all the way to New Jersey and back to pick him up on Monday. This may or may not have been the most spontaneous decision I have ever made.
As promised, Leo (Lucky Gold) is an absurdly athletic 6-year-old Hanoverian gelding by the famed dressage stallion Liberty Gold. Leo is a true 17 hands and big all over. He has a loving sweet personality on the ground, which is good because his size is a little intimidating for some. He was backed a bit late, at the age of 4, when I’m sure he was already huge and goofy. He was passed on last summer to an amateur, who quickly discovered his little habit, and then passed him on to another amateur without disclosing said issue.
His little quirk? He bucks everybody off. EVERYBODY. Yay! My favorite. Actually, I got Nyls when he was turning 4 because he had more or less the same problem, which I assume is why my vet recommended that I get Leo. I had to wait until early this week to personally experience the broncing monster inside of this giant doofus, and it was not for the weak of heart, but I did manage to stick it, and he was obviously confused about the fact that the rider was indeed still atop his back. Why wasn’t the trick working this time?!
Before you get all excited and think that I lucked into this amazing warmblood with only one problem and a background in dressage, let me set you straight. This gigantic 6-year-old shares more traits with a 3-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred than you would imagine. He came to me underweight, with feet more than a month overdue, having not been ridden in quite some time. He had no coggins nor current vaccines. He was marketed as a 2nd level dressage horse; however, he seems to have never heard of this “bending” thing, nor is he totally familiar with moving forwards (or sideways) off your leg. He does steer … some. He knows how to canter both ways, and he does put his neck in a nice frame, but it doesn’t really transfer to the back end, because he’s a nice enough mover that he figures that’s all that’s necessary. Why do real work when you can just look pretty and fake it?!
A few days ago, I decided to attempt to open a gate, because that’s how I get into the field with my arena, and it seemed like a pretty basic skill. God forbid! We have been working on moving sideways off my leg for a week or so, and I explain it on the ground before I get on him, and he seemed to sort of get where I was going with it. Apparently, it’s a whole new situation when you have to move sideways off my leg into a fence line, and then HALT?! What is this absurd requirement? He then threw a baby tantrum, which I now recognize as one of his “moves.” He shakes his head around, stomps his feet, and even rears about one inch off the ground, just to let you know that he doesn’t like what’s happening, and he doesn’t want to do it, and if you keep asking, he’s gonna … he’s gonna … he’s gonna do something bad! Silly horse, have you met me before? I have allllll day for this. (Side note: he does not follow through with these threats, he assumes the mention of bad behavior will make you leave him alone. Brat!)
Getting to know a new horse is always interesting, but this is my first real foray into the realms of learning about a new horse with baggage from other riders/trainers/people. I have literally made it up until this point by creating every single horse I’ve ever had from the very beginning. Nyls was broke before I got him, but barely, so I’m not counting that. Everything else didn’t know right from left when I got on them, and this is a whole new bag of tricks. So, Eventing Nation, I’m bringing you along for the journey, to see what I can make of this horse, and what he makes of me! In the meantime, please enjoy this funny little video of the first time Leo jumped under tack a week after I got him.
