India Update

Saturday, with Richard's help, I got India loaded in my trailer and set out for Camden, South Carolina. Now that the vet/chiropractor has given the go ahead to start riding India, I decided to leave her with Kathleen for a month. Jenny has given India a wonderful start and I couldn't be happier with what she accomplished, but I believe that there are things that Kathleen can bring to the table that are well worth the effort in getting India there (four and half hours driving one way wears me out) and the money involved (a month's training fee, two tanks of gas this trip, one night stay in a hotel, and several meals out and even though I packed a cooler with Jimmy Dean Turkey Sausage Bowls to heat up for breakfast and then left the cooler in the tack room of the trailer, so when I stopped at the grocery store for a replacement bowl). Really, I think Kathleen's fees are very reasonable, and should I win the lottery, I'd ride with her more often and send Asia over for some general work, too.

The vet/chiro cleared India for work, so I'm counting on Kathleen to ride India a lot and she'll be able to give me a good assessment of how well India stands up to it. The vet thinks that the injuries from her fall off the retaining wall five years ago will keep her from jumping tall fences or upper level dressage, but as I have no real desire to do upper level dressage and fences seem to get taller every year, what I want is a dependable trail horse and we think India will be able to handle that. Kathleen watched India trot and canter in the round pen and was pleased with how much better she moved compared to last March. There was no balking to take the right lead and no counter cantering. India's overall demeanor was calm and attentive and I was thrilled with that. Although Kathleen will start India in a stock saddle (there are Western trees that work well on India), the plan is to find an English one that she can wear. There are many, many saddles at the farm and Kathleen is going to look around and find one that works, and also Sara Dill, who works with Kathleen specializes in saddle fitting and when I return, the plan is for her to bring several English saddles from the local tack store that should fit India so I can ride in them all and decide which one I like best, too. India is mutton withered, while Asia has a much more TB set, so the Stubben that I use for Asia doesn't come close to fitting India. The Wintec that I bought last year fit the withers, but was too long as India is so very short coupled. However, Kathleen is confident that we will find an English saddle that fits. Fingers crossed it's not a Hermes, even a consignment Hermes. ;0)

I'm not going back next weekend, but will the weekend after that if anyone wants to come along. The Colony Inn is pet-friendly (for an additional $15 charge ;) and Sparky gives their beds two paws up. It's clean and has a microwave and internet.

I emailed Kathleen earlier today and asked for a short update on India and here's what she sent:


Today went well. India came in and stood on the high line for a couple hours (she did pull back, but I didn't see it - both her leadrope knot and the knot on her halter were tight). We'll carry on with that a few times a week in addition to her other work. I spent some time checking out her rope and flag work, and plan on saddling her tomorrow and having her move around in it.

She's integrated into the herd fine and is no trouble out there.

So all's well so far!!!!!

Check in whenever you want, and I'll send some photos when I get to riding her.

Tying to me is such a big issue. Asia doesn't dependably tie, which is why she's always loosely tied in a leather halter and sometimes wanders off from the trailer at the end of rides while I'm enjoying lunch. Thankfully, she doesn't go far and a full hay net often keeps even that from happening, but to have a horse that I can tie securely to a trailer and know that she's going to be ok, no pulling back, no breaking halters, no worry? What a wonderful thing.

So, stay tuned for more reports. I'm so thrilled that India is getting this time with Kathleen. Check out Kathleen's website for more of her philosophy on horses.