My daughter and I should never look at craigslist together. I'd logged onto Craigslist to put our mini mare, Sunny, in an ad. I started looking at the horses for sale and found one in my price range that sounded like a horse anyone could ride. I'm always on the look out for a horse that I can put friends and relatives on so we can go for horse back rides.
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| Jammer |
Anyway, I discovered Jammer, a Tennessee Walker. My horsey daughter read the ad, then called the number, and we scheduled to check her out at 8 am the next day. We got up on Tuesday, gave her kids and ourselves enough food to tide us over until we got back since it was a 45 minute drive to the place. We arrived a few minutes late after getting gas and stopping at the bank to get the cash.
Jammer was tied to a post in the dry lot pen with three other horses. The hook on the lead rope was broke so she was only being held by a curved piece of metal. A 2 year old filly came over and made herself a pest. All the horses looked like they could use a little more to eat. The man said the horses belonged to his wife who was at work. He knew little about them but said he'd been out of work due to an accident and they couldn't afford to feed them all.
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| Jammer wanting a close-up |
My daughter looped the lead rope over Jammer's neck, tied the loose end to her halter, and I gave her leg up. She rode around the pen bareback putting Jammer through her paces to see what she knew and how she responded. She did everything and didn't appear to have any movement problems. After my daughter's inspection and ride, the man said the older mare, Angie, was well trained and kids could ride her. And best of all she was free.
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| Angie |
I'd picked up an old gelding a year ago for my oldest daughter's two girls. He has been a wonderful horse for the girls and they love him to pieces. So when they get settled, they'll get Angie and both girls will have a horse to ride. Right now I have her on grass and trying to fatten her up a bit. I found out later the poor thing has had 15 foals! No wonder she is looking thin and haggard at 23!
I'm taking Jammer to Princeton this week so we'll see how she does on hills and in sagebrush. I might even get my non-horsey husband to go for a ride. The good thing about the whole deal...my penny-pincher husband told me I couldn't get Jammer unless I talked the people down $100. But I had the last laugh by calling and saying, "I got two for the price of one!"
6 comments:
You know, sometimes the best horses are the free ones. It's almost like they appreciate being taken in and given another chance.
Glad you found friends that matched your family. Jammer's a cutie, too!
JM- We've found that to be true with dogs so I'm thinking it could be the same with horses. Thanks for commenting!
A bargain at any price. If they're both gentle, they're priceless.
Stephanie, They are both gentle and sweet. Perfect grandkid horses!
It sounds like you've found a lovely pair of horses. I hope they work out and you get years and years of enjoyment out of them. They're beautiful.
Thanks, Jess. I believe we will get a lot of good years with them.
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