^the picture that had me sold!
Flash back to August of last year (some of you have probably been doing this if you live in the northeast because it's cold as you know what), August 22, 2016 is when I received a ridiculously handsome chestnut off the track thoroughbred from Finger Lakes. Bandit City, an unraced, 2012 ridgling by Congaree out of Carson City Girl. The, at the time, 4 year old “stud” quietly walked off the trailer into his new home with me at friends place where he would be turned out for a few months to heal and until I could afford his castration surgery.
Bandit belonged to a Facebook friend of mine, Katie Conway, who’s dad trains a string of race horses at Finger Lakes Race Track and Casino in upstate New York. Katie shared Bandit’s ad from the Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbred adoption page to her own Facebook page, which I saw while in Tryon competing my last years RRP horse. The moment I saw his picture something said “you need this horse”. Meanwhile I was still preparing my current mount for the 2016 Retired Racehorse Project and knew that I would likely acquire another Darley/Godolphin horse for the 2017 makeover. But there was something about him that made me inquire to Katie and eventually talk to her dad. Bandit needed 2-3 months of rest turned out for a small non-displaced fracture right front cannon bone. Dan Conway provided me with his vet’s x-rays which I forwarded to my vet, who said the horse would heal just fine after a few months of quiet turnout. And just like that the decision was made, Bandit would become part of Dynasty Sport Horses…
^How could you not want to kiss this face?
But when Bandit arrived and turnout started, I realized he was a little depressed. He would stand in
his run in shed, head hanging or graze occasionally but still mopey. It became apparent to me that he
really just missed having a job and unfortunately he needed to stay on this quiet turn out until healed. A friend of mine had a yearling colt that I ended up turning out with Bandit so he could have a friend which seemed to help. But I knew he was happier the day I threw a saddle on his back and the reins over his head. He dove into the bridle as I held it in front of him to put on and I couldn't help but smile. My first ride on him couldn't have went any better, we started in the round pen at a walk and he was so good I figured why not trot around the large paddock. I'll be honest, I forgot my helmet that day (sorry mom) but I just felt that confident with him that I did it anyway. From seeing his picture to having him in my possession I knew we shared something and a few retraining rides in proved just that. His third off the track ride, he hacked down a dirt road by himself like he had done it all his life. And after less than 15 rides before December I decided he would be my second entry for the 2017 Retired Racehorse Project. I say second because I was offered and agreed to take on Good Response to represent Darley/Godolphin prior to deciding to take Bandit too.
^his happy place..
Alas this is where the title “Closet Worrier” comes into play. In reading everything above and seeing pictures, it may seem to you that Bandit is quite a confident horse. I mean he hacks out alone, he's turned out in a large herd but comes in without question, he walks quietly on the buckle and after a handful of retraining rides he hauled off property for the first time like a champ. But yesterday when I decided to take him for a hack down a dirt road less than half a mile from our barn for the first time it became clear that he is not confident, in fact quite the contrary. We turned right out of the driveway where we had to walk along a slightly busy main road before getting to the dirt road. He saw a group of 4 mail boxes and immediately went to turn for home. I caught him before he actually got all the way around but he was refusing to go forward, sideways…yes, backwards…yes. Forward? No. 4 years ago I would have gotten frustrated and taken it out on him (we have all been there). After a few thumps on his sides with my legs with no success I was going to get off and hand walk him past until he decided they weren't going to eat him. But in that moment I think we both realized something. He realized I was not going to beat him but I also wasn't going to give up. I realized how far I had come in my patience level over the years. And in that moment it was as if he said “ok mom, I can do this!” and past the mail boxes he went. We continued our walk along the main road, cars going 50+ mph past, walked a few miles down the dirt road, turned around and came home. All on a loose rein. It was THAT ride that I realized just how much this horse trusts me. The confidence he may give off to others while I ride him comes purely from my confidence on him. This is a horse who I won't actually start “working” until he lets his big breathes out. You know the big sighs of relief they give sometimes? Well he needs to give them to me before we do anything besides walk because that's when I know he's actually relaxed. But even prior to those sighs, he walks and he walks on a loose contact. He's a closet worrier. But none the less I look forward improving his confidence in himself and his relationship with me.
Stay tuned...
^Fancy pants
