Today is St Patrick’s Day! And what better way
to celebrate than with horses?

Yes, you read that right. Horses and St Patrick’s Day go together like green beer and regrettable decisions.

The Irish have always had a thing for horses. Maybe it’s because they both have a reputation for being a bit wild and unpredictable! But seriously, the ‘capall’ (horse in Old Irish) has a tremendous history in Irish culture and folklore. Having originally been used for transportation, peat harvesting, agriculture, and as a symbol of status and wealth, horses today are still an integral part of Irish life.

Ireland’s rich history of horse breeding and horsemanship dates back centuries, and Irish breeds of horses have long been prized for their strength, versatility, and intelligence and beauty.

• The Traditional Irish Horse (TIH) is the original indigenous Irish Sport Horse breed which was developed in Ireland 200-300 years ago using the Irish Draught, the Thoroughbred and, to a lesser extent, the Connemara Pony.
• The Connemara Pony, which most consider to be the only native breed of Ireland, has a bit of a mythical origin, just like the leprechauns, but they are thought to have arrived with the Celts in Ireland around 2,500 years ago.
• Along with the Kerry Bog Pony, Irish Draught and Gypsy Vanner (originally bred by the Romani people of Ireland). Irish breeds of horses are diverse and versatile and often excel in many different disciplines from show jumping, eventing, fox hunting and racing to driving and pleasure riding.

So this St Patrick’s Day, raise a Guinness to
horses everywhere.
And if you happen to see a green horse, not to worry –
you’re probably just Blootered! *

*Irish slang for drunk

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34 years ago I could never have pictured my life as it is now. Yes, I’d always loved horses but growing up with few opportunities to ride, the thought of owing a horse was not on my radar. But still I never give up The Dream – I never sold the saddle I’d bought while taking riding lessons during college.

I can’t remember exactly what I was doing on Saturday Feb 4* 1989, but being a Saturday, with two little kids (2 & 3), I’m sure I was busy. As I went about my day I had no way of knowing that a little bay filly, just being born that day, would become my Forever Horse.

It took 10 years but she was worth the wait.

Playing off her family tree they named her ‘Pins.’ Her mother was ‘Florida Needles,’ grandmother ‘Needlette’ and her great grandfather was the famous ‘Needles,’ one win shy of the 1956 Triple Crown with 2 wins and a second place.

Pins, being well-bred, won races for a few years, but for most equines, being a ‘Race Horse’ is not such a great career. She was one of the fortunate ones, figuring out how to get herself out of the racing life. She’d noticed horses who didn’t win didn’t stay at the track for long…she knew her way out and was off the track at age 5. After being introduced to ‘normal life’ she dabbled in showing, served as a brood mare for a time (she loved taking care of babies) and spent a year as a ‘backyard’ riding horse.

We found each other on a cold, windy March night and the rest, as they say, is history. We’ve been together for an amazing 24 years.

Happy Birthday Pins,
Thoroughbred Extraordinaire!

*Of course the OFFICIAL birth date for ALL Thoroughbreds in the Northern Hemisphere is January 1 (August 1 in the Southern Hemisphere). This system was devised for convenience: when every horse born in a given year has the same birthdate they are easily identified as they enter various age restricted races.

Image: istockphoto-948072996-612×612.jpg

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Always Be Change-able:
Have a Plan B… Plan C… Plan…

As I drove to the barn, Plan A was to take Pins for a walk outside in the crisp, fresh winter air then in for a quick groom and a ride. That was the Plan anyway.

BUT the ground was choppy, frozen and slippery, so we nixed that Plan. No problem, we’ll just switch to Plan B. We’ll take our walk in the arena, not as scenic but it’ll still limber us up before grooming and riding. Nearing the end of our walk a rider entered the arena. No problem usually as Pins is very good being around other horses and we’d been in the arena with them before.

BUT this time her horse was more than a little feisty and she remarked on controlling him.

Humm….. knowing she usually schools her horses for a fair amount of time, our quick grooming would put us back in the arena while she was still riding. Unsure if she’d still be having a difficult ride we opted to err on the side of being considerate and let her have the arena without the distraction of another rider.  We moved on to Plan C.

Aah… a relaxed grooming session. Yes, Plans fell apart but the day was not disappointing. On the contrary. Being leisurely pampered, Pins was so affectionate it was an amazing experience. Couldn’t have planned it if I’d tried.

And what’s that they say about ‘good deeds”? More often than not I see good deeds pay off.

Plans & Serendipity. Yeah, ya just never know!

Photo: istockphoto

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“Close your eyes
and image yourself
in a relationship…

Within this relationship you have no voice.
Maybe it’s your first one, or maybe the 10th one…

You meet and immediately you are told where you will live, where you will work, how you will exercise and who you will be friends with… if anyone.
When you try and express that you are fearful of the uncertainty, confused about the new life, and worried no one will ever hear you again… you are met with more directions… over and over… with no time to process or time to be still and be heard…

Imagine living day after day… walking on eggshells, not knowing what our partner will be like that day… often they use you as a means to feel better, dumping all the stress from their job and life on you… projecting all their insecurities and short comings right into you… blaming you for not being a better listener… even saying you are a jerk, stubborn, and even calling you stupid…

How do you cope with this? Do you shut down and stop trying?… do you try and run away, are you frozen in fear and anxiety, so much so that you are triggered by what seems to be “nothing”…and “out of nowhere”?

None of this is anywhere near a healthy partnership,
yet it’s where we expect our horses to live everyday…

These animals are gifts, accountability partners, and their behaviors and desperate attempts to communicate are a clear mirror to what is happening for us internally… they do not judge, they forgive constantly and love unconditionally… and when they don’t they are labeled as “problem.”

It’s time to take responsibility for our side of the relationship… they have no choice in this game, the least we can do is practice a little patience and empathy… manage our own emotions so they don’t have to navigate that energy… .

It’s my belief that they are here to support us in our growth, hold us accountable and teach us the virtues we came here to embody…
It’s time to get present with them…
it’s time to stop taking their offerings for granted
With Love and grace”
Amber Lydic                                                                           Photo by Annie Spratt

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Yes, unfortunately I’ve had my share, probably more than my share, of ‘unscheduled dismounts’ over the years, most attributed to my inexperience and/or lack of awareness of where my horse’s mind was. No excuse for lack of awareness but when it comes to horses, I don’t consider inexperience necessarily a bad thing. Coming to the Horse World late in life with little experience I instead brought an open mind, always searching for information, techniques, and ideas, without prejudice.

This approach seems to have served me well. Before our first vet appointment I was cautioned that the vet the barn used was impatient and could be harsh and bristly. Seems she had many dealings with horse owners who were very opiniated and argumentative, often sure that they knew more than she. Reacting to these attitudes had given her a reputation.

However I never had a problem with her. Maybe I was over naïve back then but I’d started the relationship with a sincere confession: I was inexperienced being new to horse ownership, not entirely certain of what I was doing, but eager to learn and welcomed all the help and advice I could get. Judging by the manner in which she treated me during our relationship it was evident she appreciated the fresh approach.

That wasn’t the last time I asked for help/advice because of my inexperience. I’m still open to learning all that I can. They say “you catch more bees with honey”* and I’ve yet to be stung with a rude or snarky response.

Have a comment” Just click on ‘Unscheduled Dismounts’ above

*In popular imagining…bees, wasps, and flies are attracted to honey… Hence the saying “You can catch more bees [or wasps or flies] with honey than with vinegar.”  Source: https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/429714/what-does-showing-as-much-interest-as-a-bee-shows-in-vinegar-cruet-mean

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… even so, a having a horse is still a LOT of work and it can be frustrating when you live far from the barn. Often I’d get to the barn only to realize that I’d forgotten something and, with no quick run home to get it, I was stuck. So I learned to keep ‘stuff’ in my car which took on the lovely scent of Eau de Equine. My family was NOT impressed.

As I worked with Pins I noticed that my priorities were changing. Riding each day was no longer essential and often just being with her was enough: lounging, working in-hand, just watching her graze in the field. And grooming her – I was so ecstatic to have a horse I overwhelmed her with love and attention. [She later let me know I had to lighten up!]

When I did lighten up she became more affectionate and over the years we formed a close relationship. For my part I’ve constantly worked to provide the best care for her I could, improving my equine knowledge, riding proficiency, body language and communication skills. And I’ve been rewarded with her gentle ground manners and willingness to do new things.

Ahhhh but life with Pins has not been without some drama – she’s a OTTB after all! In our trail riding days there were random spooks, powerful jigging and the occasional unscheduled dismount. We do most of our work in the arena now but I still have the occasional unplanned dismount. Luckily, I’ve never been seriously hurt, usually ending up on my back with Pins calmly looking down on me as if to say “What are you doing DOWN THERE!?”

Want to comment? Click on Life at the Barn

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A typical March evening out in the country. Accompanied by a friend, who was an excellent rider and knew horses very well, we were driving to look at a horse. She talked about how she was looking for ‘a diamond in the rough’ for us – a backyard horse who’s potential eluded the owner.

Excited at the prospect of buying a horse we watched as the owner rode the thoroughbred around an unenclosed circular track at the top of a hill. As the wind picked up the mare, who’d been cooped up pretty much all winter, showed her TB energy. Her owner couldn’t keep her at a walk or even a controlled trot, I didn’t know how she was able to even stay on the track!

We looked at each other in horror and let our saddle slip to the ground. No way we were going to test-ride THAT horse. Aah, but my friend, the accomplished horsewoman, was not put off by the TB’s show of spunk. She rode the horse around the track seemingly having little difficulty getting the mare to come to a walk but she couldn’t keep her there – immediately she took off again – her energy just couldn’t be contained. After a few minutes my friend dismounted, walked over to us and said, “Buy this horse, buy her NOW.”

We were shocked but, trusting her, we did! A leap of faith that started the greatest, most rewarding adventure of my life.

While far from the beginner horse I’d looked for ‘Pins’ was the forever horse I needed. With some coaching, lessons and refresher training, her tolerance and sweet personality allowed me work through the learning curve as I rode. We developed an incredible bond – Pins was truly a ‘diamond in the rough.’

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I was not born into the ‘Horse World’

I can’t remember a time that I didn’t love horses, dreanming that one day I would own one.

But as a city-bound kid, confined to an urban world, I knew that wasn’t going to happen. So I fed my equine fantasy reading Jane Marshall
Dillon’s “School for Young Riders” and Marguerite Henry’s “King of the
Wind.” Eventually the occasional trail ride at Rainbow Stables fueled my dreams
until college when my passion was cemented when I was able to take riding lessons and then
lease a horse IN THE CITY! at the Buffalo Saddle & Bridle Club.

Fast forward… I DID get a horse of my own and  my OTTB and I have been together for 23 years . (I just don’t
understand the physics…. I can’t have gotten THAT much older!)
Did I mention I grew up and STILL live in the CITY away from the conventional ‘Horse World’? Thus I’m pretty much
‘self-taught’ bringing, I’m sure, a different perspective to horse
ownership and care. I’d like to compare notes with other ‘city horse
owners’ and hear from traditional owners as well – I welcome your
insights! Just click on ‘The Horse World’ above and let me know what you think!

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