Izzy Magical? (part 1 of 2)

12/23/2014

For the first few weeks of December, I thought that maybe no, Izzy wasn't so fabulous. You do not know how hard it was to hold on to the positive memories I had from looking at him in November. I so wanted to pour my heart out and have a blogger's pity party.

But, I hate to over-react, especially publicly, so I only expressed my concerns to my husband and JL. My husband, bless his heart, simply told me to relax, give Izzy time, and then reminded me that he has never picked out a bad horse. So glad I married that man!

JL was equally calm. She reminded me that Izzy is very young and green and that a "settling in" period was to be expected. She encouraged me to work on a plan for evaluating his progress and make decisions when I had more information.

So what was I worrying about? Well … over a two week period, I asked Debbie Davis, the trainer, for updates. I should have just let them do their job without needing to hear the nuts and bolts. The problem was that secretly, I had hoped that I had bought the most naturally talented horse on the planet. My new horse was going to be piaffing and passaging out of sheer joy. Uh-huh. Idiot.

Riiight … only brown.

The first report included phrases like … "a handful, anxious, difficult, TB tendencies," etc. Later, the update included ... "showing improvement, but still needs to be worked in the round pen, lots of pent-up energy, some bad habits. If his focus can be channeled, he has the potential to be a nice gelding."

As George Takei would say, Oh my. None of that sounded like a horse who was piaffing and passaging out of sheer joy. On the plus side, there were at least photos proving that he could be ridden.

He's quite handsome (and even slightly uphill)! Becca on board.

So, for three weeks I fretted and worried. Izzy Zweibrücker wasn't pooping rainbows which meant I was going to have to do this the old-fashioned way: lots and lots of time and patience. I shook off the worry, took a deep breath, and soldiered on.

Chemaine, my dressage trainer on the coast, said something that reminded me of my original plan which was to buy a diamond in the rough. Since I couldn't afford a finished warmblood, I had bought the next best thing: a green bean warmblood who had excellent breeding, the right conformation, and no baggage. I've worked with a lot of green horses. I can do this.

Stay tuned … part 2 tomorrow!

Not as uphill, but but he is reaching well with his hind leg.

Alanna

12/22/2014 10:59:18 pm

He's very handsome!

Bakersfield Dressage link

12/22/2014 11:03:59 pm

Aw, thanks, Alanna. I think he's cute, but I have some kind of owner blindness: I never can see the "fanciness" of my own horses. I am just so danged practical that I value function over form. :0)

Mia link

12/22/2014 11:55:13 pm

He IS a diamond in the rough.

Isn't this really his first time in a totally different environment with unfamiliar people? After one year with you, he'll be a completely different horse from what your trainer is reporting right now.

It's so hard to start over though, isn't it? I mean, it's exciting and neat, but also nerve wracking and frustrating at times.

You'll have him him settled down and listening to you in no time. :)

12/23/2014 01:29:34 am

Aw … thank you, Mia. Yes, you are right which I keep telling myself too. While Izzy had a great start (he traveled for his inspection as an 18 month old, was started for 60 days with a dressage trainer, and ridden for four months after), he has done nothing outside of his pasture since the spring of 2013.

I have owned more than 10 horses in my life (leased another and rode a ton of others) and have never had one so difficult as Sydney. And it's not like I owned super quiet horses. I've had four Arabians (how much hotter can you get?), each of which became a GREAT horse. I've owned morgan crosses, welsh crosses, and so on.

Even so, I am TERRIFIED that this horse WON'T settle and become a solid dressage partner. My husband keeps reminding me what a terror my last mare was and how AWFUL Speedy was for his first several years (he bucked and bolted every time I got on him for at least two years!).

When I visited with him yesterday, I smiled like crazy. He's young and inexperienced, but he was trying so hard to be good. He never put any pressure on the lead rope and seemed really careful about respecting my space. He spooked really hard once, but he leapt AWAY from me (as he did last month) and stopped well before he hit the end of the line.

He whacked his leg and is slightly lame right now, so I couldn't ride him yesterday. However, I did work him for a minute in the round pen where he was super responsive. I also poulticed and wrapped his leg all of which he handled like a pro. I even poked and prodded him out in the barn yard without needing anyone to hold him.

So … like Sydney, his ground manners are excellent. Will he be a reliable riding horse? I sure hope so. I just can't face another three years of a step forward and then two steps backward. Sydney just never could "get it." Please cross your fingers that Izzy does. :0)

Tina R

12/23/2014 12:48:00 am

Hi Karen! Izzy is a VERY handsome horse and I really like him. I saw the potential in him way back in October and actually told Edyta about him and thought he would be perfect for her. She passed him up! Give him time!!! I think he is an awesome diamond in the rough for anyone willing to put in the time and energy. And you definitely proved that with Sydney. I think Izzy could be the ONE!

12/23/2014 12:49:51 am

By the way, I'm really looking forward to following your progress with this guy!!!

12/23/2014 01:36:16 am

Thank you, Tina. :0)

Edyta mentioned that she had driven by to look at him but felt that he was too small. I wish he was about 6 inches shorter! hopefully, her loss is my gain.

I am glad someone else saw potential in him, my husband thought he was perfect. I am so worried that he'll be like Sydney, but I just couldn't afford a finished/proven dressage horse (any body have $40,000 laying around?).

I am willing to put in the time (I've done so for every horse I've owned), but it's so much better when they actually improve. While Speedy may not be zooming up the levels, he is fun to ride and a solid citizen, but he sure didn't start out that way!!!!!

Thanks for the feedback. Even if everyone just lies, I need all the positive support I can get. :0)

Nicole link

12/23/2014 02:11:32 am

I have to say, I thought this was so adorable. I completely, completely felt like this when I started with my horse. M was a track reject at two and sound, so obviously he would be preternaturally talented and make me look like a god like being. However, I too mucked no rainbows. But I've loved my pony journey, with all the antics and bucking. I can wait to hear more about Izzy as he progresses!!

12/23/2014 11:04:12 pm

Thanks for sharing, Nicole. I have never had a horse that didn't work out ... until Sydney. All of my horses started as jerks, that's what you get when you buy project horses. But in every case, I've been able to help create super solid citizens that went on to have a great life. I am just hoping that Sydney was the exception. I need all of the success stories that I can read, so thanks for sharing yours. :0)

Sarah link

12/23/2014 03:53:32 am

He looks really fabulous in the photos! Sounds like the trainer is trying to manage your expectations and her descriptions/updates are exactly what I'd expect from a horse who is young, athletic, talented, and has been standing around for a year. Looking forward to part 2!

12/23/2014 11:05:24 pm

You're right Sarah, but I still would have preferred the whole pooping rainbows thing. Sometimes the journey just feels sooooooo long. :0)

Carly

12/23/2014 04:16:19 am

Baby horses will humble you in a hurry! He sure looks handsome though, even if he is being a little cheeky.

12/23/2014 11:06:27 pm

Cheeky!!!!! HAHAHA - that's my new word. Love it because it sounds naughty and fabulous at the same time. :0)

Jodi link

12/23/2014 01:05:15 pm

The second Indy was born, I had big plans/visions of how her life was going to be. Four year old classes, here we come! Then she was spooky, broncy, and a bit of a flat out witch. On top of that she was physically immature. Yeah, that dream flew out of the door fast. It has taken three times as long as I expected to get to where she is, which isn't very far in the whole scheme of things. Even with all of that, no trainer ever said to give up on her. In fact, it was quite the opposite. The general consensus was to be patient, that she would be worth it in the long run.

So, I can completely relate. He is such a handsome guy and obviously has potential. Some diamonds just take longer to polish. Plus, I've always heard that it is the hotter horses that end up being better dressage horses in the end. A little spunk is a good thing :)

12/23/2014 11:07:59 pm

OMG - thanks for sharing that because just yesterday I was thinking ... Maybe I should just breed my next horse so that I can have perfection right away because I'll make sure to do EVERYTHING right. Thanks for saving me six years of time and zillions of dollars! :0)

Val

12/24/2014 12:20:48 am

It sounds like you are a bit shell-shocked from working with Sydney. Once you start riding Izzy regularly you will forget that feeling, because I can't imagine they could be anything alike.

12/24/2014 12:37:02 am

I am, Val, I am. And I hope you are right. Everyone else seems to agree with you. I am looking forward to getting on him mostly to shake off the "what ifs." :0)

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Not-So-Speedy Dressage