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Wentworth Hunter Pace - June 6, 2021

After Margaret and I had such a fun time at the fall hunter pace, we opted to go again this spring! This time, while I rode Rejoice again, Margaret rode her horse Jester and had a friend ride Ladyhawke. All Kennebec Morgans!! Jester and Rejoice have the same dam and Jester and Lady share the same sire. Unfortunately instead of a lovely late spring day, we had one of the first intensely hot and humid days of the year. It was definitely a bummer, but the ride was mostly in the shade of the woods and we had a great time!  most of the fences were 3' coops but we found a small log and this hay to jump haha Until we didn't. 😑 We brought along a third friend who rode Margaret's older mare, Ladyhawke. She's a good rider but hasn't known Ladyhawke for very long and didn't realize how much of a cranky boss mare she could be at times. She kicked Jester right in the front leg just about halfway through the ride, and while the cut itself ended up not being a big deal in the

Reva Pics

Reva in her new home!

She fell in love with C and loves to watch him ride his bike! (Yes, Mom, I am careful and he is never alone with her or is allowed in her stall. She is a GOOD horse, but I am super careful I promise!!!!!! Sorry readers, my mom gets a little nutty...in a good way...but she is not a horse person so she gets nervous!) :)

C wanted to take pics of Reva with HIS camera too! Look at her face! She loves him! Such a SWEETHEART mare.


I left her alone on Sunday night, to settle in and relax. Monday night I went out and groomed her for a while. She was perfect, except a little uncomfortable on her near flank and belly, because she is in rip roaring heat! :( She lifted her hind a few times, but I was firm and spoke sharply to her. I understand she is in heat, but she still needs to mind her manners. But for being in heat, other than the grooming thing, she has been a complete lady. Impeccable manners and obviously well cared for. :)


So, yeah, Reva is tall. She measured at 16.1 hands....and she is only THREE, people! I am only 5 feet tall!!! Here is my hand showing where the top of my head comes on her side. Sparky is 14.3 and Dreamy is just under 15.1, so I can see over both of them. Hell, I can even get on Sparky bareback without a mounting block......ya, ya, when I was a teenager! But still!!! Reva is TALL!!!!!!!!!!!

She has a high splint on her near fore that I was not aware of...... :(

Her back hooves....she has some puffiness which I hope will go away. But typical racehorse feet, long toe and no heel. Thankfully I have a great farrier who will fix her up!


Front hooves....lots of chipping after a day turned out in her paddock.


I can't wait for my farrier to trim her next week! :( I have lots of time to get her hooves looking good.

Comments

  1. She seems an exceptionally sweet mare!

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  2. I just don't get how having long toes and no heel helps a horse run faster? It seems to be more of a hinderence and puts strain on areas that could be prevented. I love my farrier. I use Geroge Spear who does Natural Balance trimming and shoeing and he has done wonders with my appy who has terrible feet. I guess I just don't get race farriers??? Congrats on the new mare

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  3. She is very pretty, and looks sweet as well. Congratulations!

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  4. Thanks guys!

    Sidetracked - I know it seems weird and counter-intuitive. From what I understand, the longer toe provides "grab" and will help steady them, esp. a trotter. Balance for a racehorse means they are not hitting or interfering when racing....often different than what we riders think of as "balanced." The low heel is often because the horse might interfere (specifically a pacer who might hit it's hobbles because it has a high stride) and so lowering the heel would allow the horse to length its stride and not interfere.

    So yes the low heel/long toe does strain the leg, but it also has a reason....to help the horse move at high speed without interfering.

    I use Butch Thompson out of New Hampshire and think he is fabulous! It is great you have a good farrier, because they are worth their weight in gold! :)

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  5. What a pretty new mare!

    I can totally relate to what you said about Dreamy becoming so fun to ride that you just want to ride all day...Johnny is starting to learn the proper 3 beat canter and how to use his back. He naturally wants to stretch down into the bridle, which is great! Basic lateral work like leg yeild, turn on the haunches/forehand and shoulder-in have really helped him, plus his canter is just so smooth...I could ride him all day!!!

    Did you have lots of trouble with Dreamy's right lead? Johnny will only pick it up maybe 4 in 30 times landing off a jump, and never when hacking on flat ground. Am I the only one with this problem? He just tries to either a)trot faster and faster or b) canter on the left lead and then he starts hopping. Any suggestions?

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  6. Thanks LTF! I promise we can talk canter....but right now I should be in bed. :) I am headed out in the AM to a two-day show and will be back on Sunday night. I will get back to you Sunday night (if I am not exhausted) and if not then definitely Monday!!! :) :)

    (But in the meantime, you are NOT alone! Dreamy's right lead is weaker than her left. Her left is "normal" and her right is getting there.)

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