Ok, finally, as promised - here is Will.He is a fraction under 15hh, and about 11/12 years old. I've known him for a long time, as he was born and bred half a mile down the road, by friends of mine. He has been a pet most of his life, quiet to sit on, but not really done more than walk around the block a few times, several years ago. Sadly, his owner's circumstances have changed, and Will needed a new home before the winter got under way. After thinking long and hard about it, I offered Will a long term home, and here he is.
Although a 'coloured cob' like Captain, they couldn't be more different, both in type and temperament. Is he a Vanner? No, although to be honest, it's not a term I like very much. I had never even heard it used until the last 5 years or so - it seems to be an new thing, as they have become fashionable, and begun to command huge prices. When I worked at Coolmore Stud, in Ireland, many years ago, they were called 'Battys'. The stud kept a small herd of Batty mares, bred to their National Hunt Thoroughbreds, to use as foster mares whenever needed. I reckon those foals became the Irish Sport Horses so sought after today, but at the time they were not worth much, and virtually given away. I always wished I had brought one home with me! Here, we always called them Gypsy cobs, and that is really what Will is. He doesn't have the leg feather to be classed as a Vanner, but he has been bred specifically for driving. You can see the width across his chest, and he has massive amounts of bone. I keep forgetting to get the tape measure out to see.
I knew his sire, and his grand-sire when I was a teenager.
Captain is not a Vanner either - in fact, although he has the requisite feather, he is far further away from the Vanner requirements than Will. Captain is, to all intents and purposes, a mini Clydesdale. He is long of leg, and narrow in front and behind. He has the calm and gentle temperament too. However, he is remarkably athletic for his sort, and loves to work.
When Will first arrived, he was very unsettled by the move. I gave him a month to settle in, and get used to a new life. He was anxious about being in a stable, and anxious about being alone, and anxious about everything new. Given half a chance, I think he would have broken loose, and galloped back to his old home. He is built like a battleship, and towers over me, and was inclined to be bargy and drag me across the yard. His nervous reaction is to toss his head, and one sweep of his enormous head could send me across the stable. I had a couple of days where I wondered if I had been very foolish to take him on, and feeling rather gloomy about it all.
However, I decided that the first thing to do was establish a regular routine. They all come in every morning for a half an hour, for a small feed, and a bite of hay. Will is rather fat, but he still gets a handful of chaff, and I've added seaweed and magnesium to his. (I intend him to stay barefoot, and magnesium should have a triple action, - as calmer, to lessen sensitivity in his laminae, should there be any, and to help shift some of the fat deposits on his neck and rump)
The next step was to work on his ground manners. An extra large control headcollar came into Proper Job on the very day that I was planning to go and buy one after work. Coincidence huh?! It fits Will a treat, and so I've been working on getting his respect on the ground, and now he is being very polite, especially about things like not walking out of the stable door until I ask him to, even if his friends are already on the move.
So finally, after managing to find some tack to go round his enormous bulk, and a couple of quiet practices in the yard, we went for a ride around the block yesterday. He's not much used to a bit at the moment, so I currently have his control halter on too, with rope reins, and ride as if in a double bridle, so he needs only the lightest touch on both. He marched out beautifully, poor Captain, supposed to be escort, struggled to keep up with Will's walk, even at a joggy trot! An excellent first time out - he even passed his old home, with no more than pricked ears, and a whinny to his friends the goats, but he never stopped or baulked at riding on past. Traffic is fairly new to him, but again, once stopped, he led the way through. So, I'm hoping that things will continue on well, and he'll be a great little horse for me! I've been sorely missing Red, and his bouncy attitude and powerful stride. Captain is a dear, and perfect for the fey-daughter , who adores and trusts him, but if I'm completely honest, I like a bit more attitude :)
