Imperioso
Imperioso at one week.
I was supposed to wait until spring. That was more my husband's idea, but I was okay with it as I needed to save a bit more money for my new horse, but I was already feeling at loose ends without a second horse. I decided to fill that empty time with shopping.
If you know me at all, you know I don't like to window shop. It's boring and serves no purpose. Browsing online ads was exactly the same. Why couldn't I just see 20 ads of horses that met my criteria? If you're shopping for running shoes, you go to that section of the store and you look at only running shoes.
But no, that's not quite how Dream Horse, Equine Now, and Horse Trader work. You can certainly narrow down your search criteria, but I was still overwhelmed by the number of horses that were completely wrong for me. At first, I looked at anything that was in my price range that wasn't a Quarter Horse. I can't believe how many Quarter Horses there are for sale here in California. No offense meant to the Quarter Horse folks out there.
Eventually, I was able to narrow down my search to horses with an English background or that were at least earmarked as prospects for an English discipline (dressage, eventing, h/j, etc.). Even so, nothing popped up that was worth driving several hours to see.
If you know me at all, you know I don't like to window shop. It's boring and serves no purpose. Browsing online ads was exactly the same. Why couldn't I just see 20 ads of horses that met my criteria? If you're shopping for running shoes, you go to that section of the store and you look at only running shoes.
But no, that's not quite how Dream Horse, Equine Now, and Horse Trader work. You can certainly narrow down your search criteria, but I was still overwhelmed by the number of horses that were completely wrong for me. At first, I looked at anything that was in my price range that wasn't a Quarter Horse. I can't believe how many Quarter Horses there are for sale here in California. No offense meant to the Quarter Horse folks out there.
Eventually, I was able to narrow down my search to horses with an English background or that were at least earmarked as prospects for an English discipline (dressage, eventing, h/j, etc.). Even so, nothing popped up that was worth driving several hours to see.
Imperioso at his RPSI Inspection
But I persisted. At lunch, I waded through hundreds of ads, dismissing nearly all of them. Occasionally something would pop up that seemed like a possibility, but when I tried to contact the seller, there was no response. Eventually however, either the ads got newer, or maybe I just got better at choosing candidates, but I started hearing back from owners and was able to find out more about their horses.
In total, I only rode three horses, but I spoke to a lot more owners than that. The first was over in Moorpark. He was a lovely RPSI gelding offered for sale at White Birch Farm. I was there for a schooling show and took the time to try him out. He was a little too complicated for me (he had a piaffe button that was easy to turn on, but harder to turn off). He's a nice horse and will make a great partner for a rider with more dressage experience.
In total, I only rode three horses, but I spoke to a lot more owners than that. The first was over in Moorpark. He was a lovely RPSI gelding offered for sale at White Birch Farm. I was there for a schooling show and took the time to try him out. He was a little too complicated for me (he had a piaffe button that was easy to turn on, but harder to turn off). He's a nice horse and will make a great partner for a rider with more dressage experience.
Ad photo
I also tried an American Warmblood (TB x Morgan cross) who was only an hour from my house. According to his owner, he had been trained to Second Level, but for the past three to five years had been living in pretty rough conditions. He was on the older side of my want list at twelve, but I kept him as a possibility.
Then I saw the ad for a 6 year old Zweibrücker gelding who was in my price range. The description that followed seemed too good to be true. The photo attached was a simple one of him standing next to his owner, but it didn't really reveal much about his conformation and certainly didn't show him moving. Even so, I had a good feeling about him, so did my trainer.
Then I saw the ad for a 6 year old Zweibrücker gelding who was in my price range. The description that followed seemed too good to be true. The photo attached was a simple one of him standing next to his owner, but it didn't really reveal much about his conformation and certainly didn't show him moving. Even so, I had a good feeling about him, so did my trainer.
2008 Brown Zweibruecker/Oldenburg Gelding for sale. He has lots of potential with excellent bloodlines for your next project show horse. His grand-sire is Ideal, which was the Breyer horse of 2005. He is very athletic with great elevated movement and has a good work ethic. He is sound and has no problem feet. He is very lovable and fine-tuned to ones body language.
Baths, clips, ties, and trailers.He had 60 day training and was ridden for four more months.
I am selling because I do not have time to work with him since my pregnancy last year and baby this year. So he has not been worked with since spring 2013. He was being ridden this month for the first time again and did great; walk, trot, and canter both directions.
Photo by Noemi Leach
I called the owner and we chatted about the horse for a while. Several other people were either looking at him or were scheduled to come see him. Nothing gets you moving like thinking your horse is about to be sold to someone else! As much as I wanted to see him the next day, I had to go to work.
Several other might be the ones had already passed, so I knew that I just had to wait it out and see if this one truly was the one for me. I got a message the next day saying that a prospective buyer had cancelled, and I was next on the list to see him.
Fortunately, I had Friday off thanks to the Thanksgiving holiday. Hubby and I hopped in the truck at 7:00 a.m. for the hour and a half drive north. We pulled into Whitney's Wild Oak Ranch and were delighted by the facility. This horse was definitely being well cared for.
Several other might be the ones had already passed, so I knew that I just had to wait it out and see if this one truly was the one for me. I got a message the next day saying that a prospective buyer had cancelled, and I was next on the list to see him.
Fortunately, I had Friday off thanks to the Thanksgiving holiday. Hubby and I hopped in the truck at 7:00 a.m. for the hour and a half drive north. We pulled into Whitney's Wild Oak Ranch and were delighted by the facility. This horse was definitely being well cared for.
May 2010 - Photo by Noemi Leach
Imperioso was in a huge pasture that was knee deep in grass. He had a large tree in the center and a covered shelter. He looked quite relaxed and happy. Hubby later told me that he walked off with the dog because as soon as he saw the horse, he knew it was a done deal.
Noemi, Imperioso's owner, told me all about his training, what his life has been like, and what I might expect to see while he was worked in the round pen. She encouraged me to saddle and bridle him. He was polite, except for the typical 6 year old stuff (snuffling for treats in my hair, tugging at my sleeve, rapping the gate with his hooves when we weren't talking to him - all stuff that just makes them cute.)
She has given him the very best life experiences possible. He had 60 days training with a dressage trainer, and then Noemi rode him for four months. He spent the next year and a half in the pasture. And while that didn't get him any more trained, it definitely gave him time to finish growing up.
Noemi, Imperioso's owner, told me all about his training, what his life has been like, and what I might expect to see while he was worked in the round pen. She encouraged me to saddle and bridle him. He was polite, except for the typical 6 year old stuff (snuffling for treats in my hair, tugging at my sleeve, rapping the gate with his hooves when we weren't talking to him - all stuff that just makes them cute.)
She has given him the very best life experiences possible. He had 60 days training with a dressage trainer, and then Noemi rode him for four months. He spent the next year and a half in the pasture. And while that didn't get him any more trained, it definitely gave him time to finish growing up.
Photo by Noemi Leach
We walked down to the round pen where Noemi had him trot and canter both directions. He was definitely tense and stiff, but that's to be expected from a young horse who hasn't worked in more than a year. He did give a few baby bucks, but for the most part, his tension was just a sky high head with no bend to his body. He listened the whole time though and never ran around like a crazy man.
After ten or fifteen minutes of free lunging, we both thought he looked warmed up enough for me to get on him. He wasn't great about moving sideways off my leg, but he didn't bolt at the feel of it either. I just kept him at a walk, asking him to move his hindquarters sideways. He definitely needs a refresher course, but there was no bucking, spooking, or other naughtiness.
As we walked back to the pasture, I knew he was just what I was looking for. It took us about ten seconds to work out a deal. I think Noemi felt the same way I did. I thought he was a good fit, and she wanted him to have a good home.
After ten or fifteen minutes of free lunging, we both thought he looked warmed up enough for me to get on him. He wasn't great about moving sideways off my leg, but he didn't bolt at the feel of it either. I just kept him at a walk, asking him to move his hindquarters sideways. He definitely needs a refresher course, but there was no bucking, spooking, or other naughtiness.
As we walked back to the pasture, I knew he was just what I was looking for. It took us about ten seconds to work out a deal. I think Noemi felt the same way I did. I thought he was a good fit, and she wanted him to have a good home.
Imperioso and me - November 29, 2014
I wrote a check to hold Imperioso with the promise that I would be back within two days with cash and the trailer.
As soon as we started the drive home, I got on the phone with a local trainer. While she was pretty busy for the month of December, she agreed to take Imperioso for a month of training with the understanding that her daughter would be doing much of the work. That was fine with me. I really just wanted someone to ride him five days a week for a month. Nothing gets horses broke faster than consistent, daily work.
For the rest of the afternoon, I made phone calls back and forth between the trainer and Noemi trying to arrange all of the details. We finally worked out a plan, but unfortunately, it meant I was going to do a lot of driving the next day, alone. Hubby was going hunting with the dog and BFF had already promised her hubby that she would paint the inside of the chicken coop - priorities, you know!
I hit the road by 7:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, headed north to Exeter, a small town just east of Visalia. While it's an easy, flat drive, it still took an hour and a half. I pulled the trailer around to the front of Imperioso's pasture and met with Noemi. We spent some time chatting, signing a bill of sale, and exchanging paperwork and cash. Then we took some pictures.
As soon as we started the drive home, I got on the phone with a local trainer. While she was pretty busy for the month of December, she agreed to take Imperioso for a month of training with the understanding that her daughter would be doing much of the work. That was fine with me. I really just wanted someone to ride him five days a week for a month. Nothing gets horses broke faster than consistent, daily work.
For the rest of the afternoon, I made phone calls back and forth between the trainer and Noemi trying to arrange all of the details. We finally worked out a plan, but unfortunately, it meant I was going to do a lot of driving the next day, alone. Hubby was going hunting with the dog and BFF had already promised her hubby that she would paint the inside of the chicken coop - priorities, you know!
I hit the road by 7:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, headed north to Exeter, a small town just east of Visalia. While it's an easy, flat drive, it still took an hour and a half. I pulled the trailer around to the front of Imperioso's pasture and met with Noemi. We spent some time chatting, signing a bill of sale, and exchanging paperwork and cash. Then we took some pictures.
He's all mine!
Imperioso didn't exactly beg to get in the trailer, but with a little encouragement from behind, we had him loaded up within a few minutes. As we were saying our goodbyes, he started to fidget a little, and I got a bit worried. Hauling an upset horse can be a bit disconcerting, but the second I touched the gas, he stood rock solid. Even at the lights, he never moved a muscle.
My next stop was even farther north - Clovis, another hour and a half on the highway. Imperioso rode like a veteran, for which I was very grateful. Each time I came to a stop light, I rolled my window down and listened intently for any signs of trouble. I've been hauling horses for a long time and can actually feel, and hear, any bouncing around. But there was no need to worry.
I pulled into the trainer's facility with a relaxed passenger. Not having any idea how he was going to unload, I did ask a staff member for some assistance. My biggest fear was that he would come barreling out as soon as I opened the door. I had someone hold the door closed while I went in and unlooped his rope from the Blocker Tie Ring. When I gave the all-clear, someone opened the door.
Imperioso just stood there. Yah for thinking horses. I gently tapped him on the chest like I do for all of my horses and said simply, baaaaaack. As he neared the step, he cranked his head around to look. He took some little steps as he sought the edge, but he continued to back up quietly as I gently tapped him and repeated my command.
My trailer sits high with no ramp. It's at least an eighteen inch step down, so I was really proud that he trusted me enough to reach for the ground. As soon as his hind foot hit the dirt, he calmly finished stepping out. Once he realized that he was definitely not in Kansas, his eyes got very wide, and he took a quivery breath.
Imperioso settled in well and seemed quite happy and relaxed when I left him. Unfortunately, the next few weeks turned out to be disastrous for him.
My next stop was even farther north - Clovis, another hour and a half on the highway. Imperioso rode like a veteran, for which I was very grateful. Each time I came to a stop light, I rolled my window down and listened intently for any signs of trouble. I've been hauling horses for a long time and can actually feel, and hear, any bouncing around. But there was no need to worry.
I pulled into the trainer's facility with a relaxed passenger. Not having any idea how he was going to unload, I did ask a staff member for some assistance. My biggest fear was that he would come barreling out as soon as I opened the door. I had someone hold the door closed while I went in and unlooped his rope from the Blocker Tie Ring. When I gave the all-clear, someone opened the door.
Imperioso just stood there. Yah for thinking horses. I gently tapped him on the chest like I do for all of my horses and said simply, baaaaaack. As he neared the step, he cranked his head around to look. He took some little steps as he sought the edge, but he continued to back up quietly as I gently tapped him and repeated my command.
My trailer sits high with no ramp. It's at least an eighteen inch step down, so I was really proud that he trusted me enough to reach for the ground. As soon as his hind foot hit the dirt, he calmly finished stepping out. Once he realized that he was definitely not in Kansas, his eyes got very wide, and he took a quivery breath.
Imperioso settled in well and seemed quite happy and relaxed when I left him. Unfortunately, the next few weeks turned out to be disastrous for him.
His barn name turned out to be Izzy.
Sweet as pie!
Shortly after the trainer began working with him I started receiving emails that were pretty worrisome. According to the trainer, Izzy was very difficult to handle and was resisting in every way. I was finally able to go visit him after two weeks. I was quite puzzled by what I found. He was a little anxious, yes, but he was well behaved and let me bridle and saddle him without difficulty. I hand walked him as he had whacked himself the day before and was lame. He behaved perfectly.
I returned home hoping that the next update was a good one. Unfortunately, each email was worse than the one before. I made two trips a week to see him, but I never found him to be unmanageable. Since his month of training was over by that point, I made plans to go get him the next weekend. On Tuesday, the trainer left me a message that Izzy had been injured.
I returned home hoping that the next update was a good one. Unfortunately, each email was worse than the one before. I made two trips a week to see him, but I never found him to be unmanageable. Since his month of training was over by that point, I made plans to go get him the next weekend. On Tuesday, the trainer left me a message that Izzy had been injured.
Day 5
I didn't get to speak with the vet, but according to the trainer, it was a slight injury that didn't require stitches, and it would be healed within ten days. Unfortunately, the wound turned out to be far more serious and took months to heal. You can read about that journey here.
Once Izzy was finally home, I found him to be a very pleasant fellow who was easy to handle. He isn't perfect of course, as he is still young and testing me. No one who interacts with him would describe him as difficult though. He's very curious, playful, and enjoys people.
After Izzy had been home for a few weeks, I began to get a better idea of what had happened. I discovered that this same trainer had tried to get Imperioso for herself, but Noemi had refused to give him to her. The trainer claimed that since he was six years old and barely started, he wasn't worth anything. Noemi would be better off just giving him to her.
I was also able to speak with the trainer who had initially started Izzy. She described him as a very easy and uncomplicated horse who never did a thing wrong. If anything, he was lazy and a bit stubborn, but certainly not a fighter.
While I'll never know for sure, I suspect that the trainer was either untruthful with me about his progress in an effort to get the horse for herself, or she was just far too aggressive with Izzy in an effort to make him look round and "dressagey." I am grateful that I didn't leave him there longer than the month.
Izzy and I now compete regularly at USDF Dressage shows, focusing on First and Second Levels. He has turned out to be a rather complicated horse, but he's fun to ride and full of character. As of yet, we haven't been particularly successful, but the journey has been rewarding.
Once Izzy was finally home, I found him to be a very pleasant fellow who was easy to handle. He isn't perfect of course, as he is still young and testing me. No one who interacts with him would describe him as difficult though. He's very curious, playful, and enjoys people.
After Izzy had been home for a few weeks, I began to get a better idea of what had happened. I discovered that this same trainer had tried to get Imperioso for herself, but Noemi had refused to give him to her. The trainer claimed that since he was six years old and barely started, he wasn't worth anything. Noemi would be better off just giving him to her.
I was also able to speak with the trainer who had initially started Izzy. She described him as a very easy and uncomplicated horse who never did a thing wrong. If anything, he was lazy and a bit stubborn, but certainly not a fighter.
While I'll never know for sure, I suspect that the trainer was either untruthful with me about his progress in an effort to get the horse for herself, or she was just far too aggressive with Izzy in an effort to make him look round and "dressagey." I am grateful that I didn't leave him there longer than the month.
Izzy and I now compete regularly at USDF Dressage shows, focusing on First and Second Levels. He has turned out to be a rather complicated horse, but he's fun to ride and full of character. As of yet, we haven't been particularly successful, but the journey has been rewarding.
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