DefinitelyDressage.com

Since apparently we've got a New Horse party bus happening around here, may I step on?

Meet my new filly! Look, she's bay!

I had the yen for a new prospect, but I learned that I have champagne taste and a Pabst budget, so I decided to just go ahead and go equine dumpster diving instead.

So this is Hope. I pulled her out of the slaughter pens. She is 2yo, a registered QH, and actually pretty well-bred to work cattle.

She was also little, skinny and missing half her hair. She was also completely untouched and wild as a march hare. Just what everyone wants in a prospect, right?

So, it has been.....interesting.....at first, but she has settled in now, is eating enough for an elephant, so is filling in nicely, and is actually turning out to be much cuter than I expected when I first got her She's starting to like us humans, and is learning many things about being a civilized, domesticated pony.

Anyway, we are just playing around with stuff, and I sure am having fun having a baby horse again. Plus, when she is just loose, she moves like a cutting horse, and I can't WAIT to see what she does with a cow Although you know that dressage is in her future, too.

So give me a seat and pass me a margarita, folks, and let's get this party bus rolling!!!

Whoa! Look at that trot picture! She's really coming under herself nicely! She's lovely, and sounds like she has no baggage as far as training goes, so hopefully you can turn her into a good citizen. I have no doubts! Congratulations!

Cheers! Welcome to the party! She's a cutie for sure. What a pleasant working expression!

She's Cute!! So many on the new horse party bus!! Congratulations:)

Awesome! My party bus happened 6 years ago but I toast the new additions as I roll along.

Kelo one of the best things about a budget buy is that everything is a bonus. SHe is sound, bonus, she is filling out nicely, bonus, she is learning to like people, bonus! She does look like a balanced mover in that photo. I love bays too.

Wow, she won the lottery when you decided to go dumpster diving and plucked her out! Congratulations, looking forward to your progress with her!

Yowza, what a cutie. However, in keeping with the new horse theme, she should be chestnut! Have fun with Hope!

No Maragarita but I am having a glass of wine as I look at all the videos and pictures. I am just along for the bus ride, and vicariously enjoying all the new and about to be new horses. Your filly is a nice mover! She will be fun to watch as she progresses.Please post lots of pics!

I'm so happy for you! If I had room to retire a horse if they didn't work out I'd do some bottom feeding of my own. I'm so glad to get to have vicarious enjoyment of your process. You'll be a fabulous home.

Wow, it's going to be a busy winter on the new horse bus! Congratulations, she looks like a very nice little soul!

I’m looking forward to reading about your adventures with her! Lovely!

Hope! Nice name for a pretty girl. Congratulations!

Thanks guys. It's been fun to see her develop already and I'm excited to work with her. When she is loose, her first instinct when she turns/moves/shifts is to rock back on her hocks and crouch. That unexpected athleticism, along with her good mind, makes me so excited for her future, although I'm a little worried about the first time she wants to say "no" when I start riding her (I better have my seat under me ).

Chisamba wrote:Kelo one of the best things about a budget buy is that everything is a bonus.

That is so very true

The expectations for a $500 2YO are waaaaaaay lower than for, say, a mid-five figure weanling/yearling

I had quite a culture shock when I started shopping....been a long time since I bought a horse, and foolishly thought buying a prospect would be affordable. In other news, I have exquisite taste in weanlings and yearlings

She reminds me of a QH filly I had 25 years ago. She went on to be a fantastic roping horse for my (back-then) farrier who he passed on to his boys to learn how to ride. She was very catty but luckily had a great mind and not just a 'can do' attitude but a 'will do' attitude. Congrats on your new addition.

I am sure you will do wonders with her. Congratulations and I look forward to hearing all about her progress! What is her breeding? (A kill pen horse had papers?)

Nice filly! Best of luck with her.

She is a cutie! Can't wait to follow your adventures with her. Welcome aboard the New Horse/Rescue Horse bus!

LeoApp wrote:What is her breeding? (A kill pen horse had papers?)

She is double-bred Peppy San, Smart Little Lena, Doc Tari and the immediate family of Freckles Playboy. So bred to work cows eight ways from Sunday.

Yes, they left her papers with her - and it saved her life. So whatever else they DIDN’T do for her, at least they did that.

I have a friend who also got a registered filly from the kill pen. Actually, that is why I took the risk. That filly turned out to be a decent little horse.

Hello Hope! Welcome! It's fun, and sometimes scary on the bus....

Nice breeding! She is related to my big bay mare.

Kelo wrote:

Chisamba wrote:Kelo one of the best things about a budget buy is that everything is a bonus.

That is so very true

Agree! I feel the same about my budget mare. Hope is really bred to the hilt! I look forward to updates and her adjustment to a good life. So fun to read about the new horses.

She's adorable, and you can sit right next to me on the new horse bus. *scooches over to make room*