Dear Keith...
Monday, May 7, 2007
Keith,
You've been so friendly - so I thought you might be the one to ask some questions to...I hope you don't mind.
I'll tell you this first so you don't think I'm crazy. As a kid & teenager I had helped my grandfather on his horse farm every summer. Back in his day he was a horse trainer himself. He imparted his love and respect of horses into me all those years. Now I finally have a home of my own with acreage, a barn and a fenced in pasture. So it was time to add horses...my life-long dream! It has been 10 years since my grandfather passed away - and since I have been around horses. I am now trying to recapture all of those lessons I learned from him along the way. I am very glad that I discovered John Lyons, his products and your website because I want to raise great horses and have that special bond with them that my grandfather had with each and every one of his horses.
So I made the leap and purchased 2 horses. 2 YOUNG Paints, a handful - I know. The youngest, Black Jack, is still with his mother and won't come "home" until the end of August or early September when he is weaned. The filly, Fergie, is 10 months old and ready to come home when the coggins comes back and the vet does the health cert. She has only been halter broke and is very nervous. This is a BIG task for a beginner just getting her feet wet again, I know. But the moment I saw these horses, I connected with them.
I set out looking for an easy going trail riding mare that has already been trained. Boy, did I shift gears! But you have to follow your heart (as my grandfather always said) and that's just what I did.
So, on to my questions. In all of my research in books and on the internet, I am not finding what I need. I am completely starting from scratch here - so I thought you would be the best person to ask.
I need to stock up on the basics before this horse gets to her new home. What are the beginning essentials I need to have in the barn as far as tack, grooming and health care, etc? Just to start me off with. I don't want to throw good money away buying stuff I don't need. Can you recommend any particular brands?
And one last thing - (I am so sorry this is soooo long!) I have some anxiety about going to pick this horse up. If she is only halter broke and already skittish, how the HECK am I going to get her in the trailer????
I appreciate ANY help you can give me! I'm your newest best customer - I just wish I had found you first!
Thanks,
Dana F |
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