I owned Skippy's mother. She was my show horse, and I was lucky to own her for a little over 17 years. I got her for my birthday when I was 10. A little late (in March instead of January), but when you are looking for that perfect horse, who cares?
Skippy is 14 now. Needless to say, I have owned Skippy from the moment he arrived. I remember that well. It was a little stressful for his mother and me. His shoulders were so broad, he got stuck! Thankfully, my dad who had years of experience as a horse owner and a vet assistant knew just what to do. Skippy arrived a short time later. I have never really spent a great deal of time with Skippy. I was always comparing him to his mother, and his mother he is definitely not! I tried hard not to. My husband and the kids have been riding him on and off for years. I occasionally would ride him when I wanted to ride english (that's how I always rode his mom, and he has wonderful movement). He and my husband never really clicked though, and Skippy really upset him when we were in the mountains back in July. For some reason Skippy got really upset and reared straight up. Skippy just wouldn't settle down, and my husband said he wasn't interested in riding him anymore and if he had to then he wouldn't ride.
Since that time, I have been letting Brian ride my "horomonal" mare, Flash. She defines "moody mare" perfectly. In the meantime though, Skippy and I have been developing a wonderful relationship. I now regret not having ridden him more over the years. When he gets excited and wants to go, I do as Clinton Anderson has said, and I make him move his feet more. He has learned quickly that this causes more work for him. It works just like Clinton says - it makes him want to slow down.
I truly wish I hadn't waited until he was 14 to spend more time with him. I am thoroughly enjoying our relationship now though.
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