Compostulating With The Times

Monday, June 29, 2009

Stormy-A CautionaryTale

Stormy, HSE Horse Show, 28 years ago,or so.



I've told this story before, maybe it needs telling again. Skip altogether, or press ignore:)

When I was teaching at the large lesson barn, I often had horses fall into my lap. "Can you ride my horse?" I heard that a lot. It was great! Stormy was unique, though. Listen to this.

My Mom's mom had a housekeeper. Housekeeper's daughter was having a terrible time with her horse. Of course, I was called. The daughter, named X because I'm too lazy to think of another name for her, had decided, at the age of 40, with NO previous experience, to buy a horse.

X decided she wanted a gray horse. Of course, she went to the "Horses for Sale" ads in the Toronto Star. She answered an ad for a gray horse. Off X went, to a barn north of Toronto. You know who you are, Klemperer's. I hope you got better at horse dealing.

Anyway, gray horse was already sold by the time X got there, and instead, she was sold a 16 hand 7/8 TB solid bright bay gelding, 9 years old, hot as all hell. X had never ridden before. In their subsequent riding sessions, after purchase, Stormy proceeded to throw her, several times, until her back was just about broken.

That's when I was called. Let me tell you, the K's were not pleased to see me, when X brought me up to their barn. Dark, dingy filthy barn. Stormy was lame. Stormy's stall had several boards missing from the bottom perimeter. Perfect. Stormy had extreme thrush, and was (at least) not overly thin.

So, X was easily persuaded to move Stormy to "my" large school barn, where I'd "fit him up" and sell him for her. Oh, Stormy was fun. Let's go, go, go!! Kinda weedy-necked, kinda scrawny, but willing! Jump, let's jump!! I showed him schooling hunters, and we always placed (low), because he was very correct, just a little too fiery. He believed in speed hunting. Zoooom, that fox wouldn't have a chance. Stormy liked to pin his ears and look ferociously at you. He thought it was funny. Perfect beginner horse, eh? NOT.

Storm hated beginners. He never offered anything nasty to me, except once. We were galloping around the huge front field, kinda icy, lots of snow, with another rider. My right rein broke at the bit. Stormy smiled. We blasted back towards the barn, as fast as his legs could go, he slowed just long enough for me to jump off into a snow bank. Did I mention it was icy? He didn't want me on him for the sharper corners. I didn't want to be on him, reefing away uselessly on one rein. A smart horse, that Stormy was.

We did some low schooling jumpers once Stormy was stronger, got some good pictures, and started advertising him. Strongly stated in all of his ads that he was for high-intermediate/advanced riders only.

A 14 year old intermediate rider buyer was found, with her own property. She had a good trainer that I knew well. She and Stormy got along well, and of course father and daughter promised they would never, ever ride Stormy without the trainer present. I had a meeting with the three, and we carefully laid out plans for Stormy's future, always with the trainer present.

One month after Stormy was sold, I got a hysterical phone-call from X. The girl had ridden Stormy alone. Stormy bucked her off, and then (I KNOW) mock-charged the father when he came out to the ring to help.
The father got his gun, and killed Stormy right then and there. And then phoned X, to hurl abuse at her. Broke poor X's heart. Mine too.

True story, and believe me, I wish it wasn't.

People create problems for themselves with horses. Stormy's problem was his sense of humour & his fire. X's problem was of her own making. But what if we could get more articles out there to mention these sad truths?
Buy what you know you can ride. Taking chances on re-habbing the badly damaged takes time, lots and lots and lots of time. Do you have it? If you don't, do not buy that horse, no matter how sad his story is.

Take the time to learn what you need to know.
The hurry up and ride camps will disagree with me. I don't care. What happened to X never should have happened. With horse dealers like that in the world, who needs murderers? X was so lucky Stormy didn't kill her. Stormy, sadly, wasn't so lucky. It wasn't his fault.

Sure put the kibosh on me ever selling horses again, letmetellya! My next foray into horse selling was a similar story, a jug-headed mare named Spider, with a completely clueless new owner. They just seemed to find me..

On another note, again related to time, it's taken my Flip-dog four years to learn to retrieve. Blaze-puppy was retrieving almost from the moment she came home. All animals have particular talents. Some just don't have the talent you want. Blaze has taken almost three years to be a "perfect" retriever. It took time. I have lots, when it comes to training. If you don't, you shouldn't be training, at all.

To Horses. Take Your Time.

Oh, here's some postcards my sister sent me from Kentucky, in 1982. I was scanning Stormy anyway..
Citation.


Nashua.


Whirlaway - Triple Crown Winner. Nice horse, eh?


Goood grief, I am old.

For FernValley - Please feel better soon!
I cut this out of a magazine years and years and YearS ago (1967). No idea who he is. Must have loved him though. I only wish his dangles were darker.

26 comments:

bhm said...

Very sad story. How can someone be an intermediate rider if they don't understand how to handle a mock charge.

Nicely dun said...

Woah.
thats a depressing story.

Somehow I think we are on the same wavelength because I was thinking of waht my next post will be and its almost along the same line...or maybe its not. I dont know.
You have so many stories.
can't wait for the hard cover version

nccatnip said...

Wow. Just Wow.
That needed to be said, GL.
And you did it so perfectly.

autumnblaze said...

Yes.

I am grateful I've got a history on my boy prior to taking him on. That's a luxury, to know what you're getting, for sure.

I've heard/seen some similar sad stories - there's a horse trader near here. He's been at it for years and he's gotten some adults and kids hurt. It makes me ill to think of him.

The dad was just trying to protect his kid but... I hate when people blame animals for what they are and for being themselves. Horses and dogs are what they are. I bought Autumn to be a therapy dog. Honestly, if I kept trying she probably would be but she gets nervous especially around kids. I'm not willing to take a chance with strange kids that don't understand dogs. She needs her space sometimes. Always asks nicely first but ... I love her anyways. She won't fetch either... she looks at me as if I should stop throwing the thing if I want it after the 2nd retrevial.:)

Very well put. Very, very good post.

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Well said , that sad truth is that there are more "Stormy" stories out there than not , best chance that horse had was sadly the quick end he got as the worse story would have been sold down the line several more times worse and worse situations.
To you! and to taking the time to try ,and to tell the stories

Sherry Sikstrom said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sherry Sikstrom said...

I guess I should clarify , the best end other than a return to GL, care was a quick one . Seems the ego of people is never measuable ,"Oh yes I can handle X behavior " when they are proven wrong ,do they ever stop to think it was thier own mistake? nope blame the horse , the seller. the alighnment of the stars. You know as well as anyone ego has no place in horsmanship.

kestrel said...

A tale that needs to be told though. Like the horse that trampled my friend in the river wreck. He wasn't good enough or young enough to attract the advanced riders that would know what to expect, and had an attitude that was deadly to intermediate riders. The only solution was to put him down. Sad fact, but realistic. I wouldn't have been able to live with sending a killer on down the line. You have to work with the animal's personality and find what niche they'll fit into, because no matter how well they're trained shit can happen!!!

blueheron said...

Quite a story, GL. I certainly hadn't heard it before, so I'm glad you put it to written words.

Have to mention this giggle. When I read "I showed him schooling hunters," do you know what I envisioned in my mind? Before i read the rest of the sentence?

I saw you standing outside the arena with Stormy, "showing" him the hunter horses that were schooling in the arena. "See, Stormy, that's how they do it. Think you want to try?" lol.

Dena said...

See GL? You have this aspect (and so many others) of education so completely covered.

And you already know what I think about your gift with words.

I was muttering "Amen, Amen, Amen..."

There isn't anything quick with training.
Really true with rehabbing the equine mind.
They get there when they get there. And their there is not every riders version of there.

So many injuries and deaths. So many avoidable injuries and deaths.
A helmet is a good start. But why do so many people overhorse themselves?

My Dad always said, "if you want your money the customer is always right."
My response, "Yeah? Well this ain't Burger King and I need to be able to sleep at night."

Keep em coming GL...

bhm don't shoot me K? The girl was supposed to be an intermediate rider. The Dad was just a protective Dad.

GoLightly said...

Dena, BHM is a very powerful Cephalopod.
Do NOT arouse her!

:)

Yeah, the Dad was totally horse clueless.
Part of why I insisted on, and made them sign, a statement saying the trainer would always be present when the girl rode Stormy.
I have to find his picture.
Bright bay, no white.
Oh, there it is..

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Whirlaway , is on my old stalions pedigree!( and if you go far enough back ,on Johnnies!) thanks for posting him ,I had never seen a decent picture .
Stormy looked like a lovely horse , hurts my heart to think about

bhm said...

Dena,
Not going to shoot you. You do have a point. I only wish that the girl could have gotten control of her father.

GoLightly said...

14th, ya know.

You're KIDDING, Fern!
Oooooh, Johnnnnie....

BHM, agreed. Kid could have done something. She wasn't hurt, that's all I know. Dad was being dumb horse-clueless dad.

To Majestic Storm.
And you fine horse people reading.
Thank heavens your horses have you!

Sherry Sikstrom said...

http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/chile+poivre

Johnnie's Sire

GoLightly said...

I ran out of steam last night, FernV. Found an old pic in a magazine that I cut out.
Gorgeous Appy stud. Wanted to scan it for you.
I'll add it tonight, so you can oooooh.

Oooooh, Johnnnnie:)
I think I looked at his pedigree from your link on your blog...

bhm said...

Nice looking horses on those postcards. Have you ever noticed how funky looking Northern Dancer was.

nccatnip said...

If I remember correctly, War admiral was a little funky looking also. Or not.

I am older, GL.

So there.
pffttttt

GoLightly said...

BHM, Have you booked your ticket to Mongolia yet?

I decided to transmutate you again.

When you're ready, click the dweeble to onto.

Exsqueeze Me, NCC?
Older in nose, maybe.
I gotta go look at your profile again..
Can't remember HoW darned old you are..

GoLightly said...

Pah.
51.
Unless you're lying about your age.
Just a dang puppy.

I would have been walking when you were an infant.

HAH!

pffffph, yerself
:)
<')

Sherry Sikstrom said...

What a handsome fella! I would bet that if we knew who he was, we would find some similar bloodlines , he looks awfully familiar! and like he would be a horse you could Ride ,unlike some of the "stars" out there these days
Thanks for the pic!

Dena said...

Ohhhh...Ahhhh...I likey the red marbled strawberry tortoiseshell horsey.

Are we sending bhm to Mongolia?
Can I go to???

Who besmirched my beloved War Admiral!?!
He was kinda funky.

FV my Mother's 2nd husband got himself a black and white leopard that he was mighty proud of.
I apparently referred to it as his polka dot pony despite much coaching to the fact that he was a word I could not pronounce which then became loopsy polka dot pony.
Poor man couldn't take the strain and went back to QHs.
My mother always said I singsonged my words like a little Chinaman when I was very young.lol

GL you has a bada$$ picture collection!!!

GoLightly said...

NCC's nose IS older than mine, HAH!

Happy Canada Day!

Natalie Keller Reinert said...

Wow - shocking story. And so interesting, when I was just ruminating about my old chestnut Wildfire and wondering what happened to him. Probably nothing good.

He "charged and attacked and bucked everyone off" too.

I'm sitting here taking a break on an article for some regional horse mag. Why don't you send Stormy's story off to one of them? It could stand to be read by a wide audience and do some good. Open some eyes.

The thing I love about Northern Dancer is the little bitty heads he bequeaths his descendants. Big bones and itty bitty heads. I met an Appaloosa mare (she dumped me. No actually she freaking flipped over on me, one of the only times I ever got knocked out.) and she looked like Northern Dancer, with spots.

Padraigin_WA said...

wow. sad, sad story, GoL. It actually startled me to read that the girl's dad shot Stormy.
With the trainer present, think of how differently things probably would have been.
RIP, Stormy.

Unknown said...

And I agree on the darker dangles part. Only took me a few years to notice.