Newbie

[Alison]

Hi there,

Alison's the name. We recently moved to the EC from Gauteng. I work in Grahamstown for an Insurance Brokerage. Live 40kms (petrol price is killing us) in a small town called Riebeek East.

We have a SA Boerperd mare that we have had for  2 years now. Rescued her off a farm, starving and petrified of humans. Glad to say now she is very trusting and very vocal (specially if she thinks there is food involved). A real sweet girl and we love her to bits. She is now 41/2 and ready for backing, but unfortunately I have hurt both my knees so can't ride. Any volanteers out there 

It is really nice to see that there is a local forum and will definately enjoy reading and getting ideas.

[Willem vd Mescht]

Welcome Alison,

The forum is still very small, but I'm hoping it will grow to a major on-line meeting place for all us horsy people.

Unfortunately, Grahamstown is a bit far, so I can't help with the questions you've asked in your other post, but lets hope you get a response from someone.

You're mare sound like a very lucky girl to have you. Not all horses are so fortunate to be backed at 4 and a half. What is her name?

[Alison]

Hi Willem

We call her Girlie, but she does have a registered name. Not willing to divulge on a public forum due to a huge fight with her breeder.

When in JHB I had a Natural Horse Starter work with her. The first time she just lay down and wouldnt move. The second time, she went catatonic. I believe horses do that when they have been severely traumatised. We decided to leave her to her own devices until she decided she wanted to be friends. That is why it has taken so long. Also she was very immature, and I felt is was not fair to her to expect her to carry weight if she were not ready.

Happily now she is fat and filled out and looks like a horse and not a donkey. She did, don't laugh.. not being ugly, but her ears were so long she looked really wierd. She has now grown into her ears.