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I was a "Newbie" when I bought Jake, never having owned a horse before and only having taken a handful of lessons. Consequently, I got "taken for a ride" - pun intended!

Thank goodness. This was the absolute best thing that could have happened to both of us. Read on to find out why.

Poor Jake had serious physical and psychological injuries arising from prior training methods that involved brute force and lack of compassion. His right front and left hind had abscesses, and he had been kicked in the right shoulder - by his prior owner - separating a muscle and leaving him dead lame. This was done AFTER I bought him but before I brought him home. I was NOT impressed!! >:-( This purchase was an "unintentional" rescue, in that I had no idea what I was getting Jake out of or me into!

Be warned: When a seller demands that you be exactly on time to view your prospective purchase - not 15 minutes early or late - then he is probably drugging the horse so he will not show his true temperament or physique. In addition, when the seller demands that "all sales are final - no refunds under any circumstances" there is likely something very wrong with the horse you are about to buy.

When we got Jake home his problems immediately manifested. He was simply unridable and would have been doomed were it not for my daughter, our farrier, our instructor, our vet, and many others.

Achievements

With a team approach, Jake's physical injuries were slowly healed and he was rehabilitated to full soundness over a six month period. We used stall rest, massage, stretching, graduated exercise and swimming while his feet were lovingly tended to as well. This went pretty well.

Jake's psychological injuries were another thing altogether. You see, Jake had been taught to fear men as the source of torment, fear and pain. Every piece of training equipment and apparel had been used to hit him and he was terrified of it all. Most of all he was terrified of me.

The first time I swung a leg over Jake I got the singular pleasure of watching the clouds wheel by between my feet as I headed for the ground. And the second time, and the third...

Anyway, our instructor helped us get over this and eventually Jake was going well in the arena. He just needed to know that a mistake would not lead to a beating. He would still panic and bolt outside, however, and he took me on some merry romps indeed!

Along the way I learned to appreciate the shock-absorbing qualities of a variety of surfaces in intimate detail. They range from springy alder boughs - very nice, I highly recommend them - to frozen dirt road - OUCH!!

One time when I asked for a collected canter we blew past our instructor in a flat out run on a dirt road. I heard her cry "Holy Sh!t !!!" as we flew past. Let me tell you a TB at a full gallop is a heck of a thing to find yourself perched atop and clinging to for dear life when you are a newbie!! We did a full mile in a minute and a half that felt like forEVER. We met a log truck head on. Jake sidled to the right and we zipped past it safely. The driver looked even more scared than I was. After he stopped, poor old Jakey blew hard for three hours and he peed buckets.

What a ride! Took me a while to learn but now I'll intentionally ask him for his best effort as a reward for putting up with going slower than he'd like for a couple of hours.

Anyhoo, it took three years, but eventually Jake and I learned not to be afraid of each other. Along the way he taught me so much more than an easy push-button horse would have.

Now we are into all the English disciplines and a lot of trail hacks. We have been going bare back and bare face in the arena and even jumping bareback with a halter only - no bit or bridle.

I love Jake with all my heart. What an absolute pleasure to know we played a part in saving him from certain destruction. He now has a comfortable life and a long future ahead of him!

Just remember folks, if you are selling never sell a dangerous horse to a newbie and only sell with the new owner's full knowledge and consent. This one went well eventually, but I have paid the price in blood, sweat, tears, and broken bones for my equine education. It could have been a disaster.

If you are buying, take special care not to get "taken for a ride".

  • Rider: Mike Ackermann
  • Owner: Mike Ackermann
  • Breeder: unknown
  • Telephone: 902-522-2172
  • Country/Region: Sherbrooke, Nova Scotia, Canada

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My riding resumé, such as it is! :-D