Hello to you all,
It took me a while to introduce myself, but finally here I go.
I am AnneMarie (AMA=initials), living near Brussels and I am the proud owner of 4 horses.
Three of them make Wotabi: my first love: Wodan (10yr), my big man:Tachat (13yr) and my baby: Billy (8yr), 3 geldings which I have had for about 8yrs now.
Gauda is a lovely little mare which I only just managed to buy on May 1st. She is 2yr.
I was a 'late discoverer' even though I said at my 15 that one day I would own my horse.
Well, it took me till my 43rd before this actually happened, but then I had 3 of them in less than 6months...
Three horses and none I could learn to ride on: Wodan and Billy were still far too young, Tachat I bought disabled on the hind legs at the age of 5!
He was meant to become one of the top jumping horses in Belgium (made perfect 1m40 jumps at 4yr). But the harsh training he got on this pro(!) level, while his young body was still growing so much, was almost fatal for him.
I bought him to help him get better (what did I know about horses?) and saved him from becoming steak... which also counts for the 2 others actually!
(It is amazing how people sell good horses for slaughter, just because they want to get rid of them - disgusting!
)
Anyway, I started with NH lessons, did a lot of groundwork and just being with them, which I love to do (especially in the dark, but than I am a bit crazy...)
I had a few riding lessons but somehow I did not find the right teacher that really suited me.
So with a bit of luck I can sit on my horses' back and stay on there while walking or even for a gentle little trot. I love to do so without a saddle, even though for Tachat I need a saddle because he is pretty boney and he throws me up in the air when he trots. But then, he is a giant horse... and I am only a little lady!
Galopping I have done only a few times and I always start laughing like crazy then, something in my tummy makes me do so
But to continue my story about the horses:
Up till last September my horses were living at a farm where they were in a herd 24/7 outside on the prairie.
My little filly arrived at that same farm last year april. She was just 1yr old and already extremely traumatised by her previous owner. She was scared to death for people.
Nobody could come near her, let alone get in her stable. She stood there shaking in her stable, with 2 oversized halters on, one still had a (sort of) leadrope hanging.
As soon as I saw her, she stole my heart. I asked the old farmer if I could keep myself busy with her. I felt my horsemanship had become 'natural' enough to help this little creature to trust humans again.
It took me several weeks, doing less was better, but after 3 weeks I could cut the rope and the halsters.
A little later I could stay in the stable with her, rubbing her gently with a carrot stick. Then came the rubbing with the hands and so on. After about 6 weeks I could put a rope halter on, take her out on a lead to the yard, take off the halter and let go. When I came back, I could 'catch' her pretty easily since she liked being with me.
The farmer allowed me to give her name and I chose Gauda after the Spanish colourful architect Gaudi. The picture (if I manage) will tell you why.
But when my boys moved to their own prairie, I had to leave her behind since she was not for sale.
I went to the farm every now and than to have a chat with the farmer and to look at 'my' Gauda. She recognised me each time and came to me as soon as she could, to have her cuddles and sweet words wispered. I guess you can call me a horse whisperer in the real sense of the word!
The farmer realised that there was something special going on between this filly and me and recently he decided I was allowed to buy her if I wanted.
As if I would not have wanted it...
So now I have 4 beautiful creatures on my prairie (and a few smaller size at home: 2 dogs and 1 cat, oh yes and 1 husband too
)
I am still dreaming of being able to ride properly one day. To me that means: no saddle, nothing, just my horse and me in 1 flow together.
Don't know if I will ever be able to do so, but I am sure I will be able to learn a lot from all of you.
And in the meantime my horses and I have a good time together, which is the main thing anyway!
This is mainly what I would tell you now, otherwise I will soon be over y 60000 characters
Oh yes, one more thing: I think this forum is lovely and I love the positive attitude of all of you!
Thanks for being nice! (makes a change with most other forums...)
AnneMarie
PS: So far so good, only I don't see how I can add my pictures, so I can show off with my beauties???
(I am more silver than
, but that does not seem to help either...)
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