This message is from: Phillip Odden <[email protected]>
Jan, Good to hear form you.
It is exciting to hear that you have a new pony. I thought your Fjord
was pretty good but it sounds like you have found something you feel
will be better. It would be interesting to hear how you went about
choosing the new steed.
I have had a young 14 hand Welsh gelding here the past two winters in
training for a client. He has been slow to mature and not easy to
trust but when he is on his game he is absolutely wonderful with big
extravagant movement, lots of balance and very athletic. The problem
with this individual is that he can shatter in an instant and it is
then difficult to gather up all the pieces and put him back together
again. He has lots of heart and a great work ethic but he anticipates
and is very very smart. One can never relax with him. I like to relax
while driving or riding my horses. With the Fjords I have chosen to
work with I am able to relax. I have often told the Welch Ponies'
owner that if he could ever relax and keep his mind in the game he
would be a mighty competitive pony at CDE or Pleasure Driving. But I
am sure his owner would never be able to handle this individual pony
at a show as it is now. Some say Welsh are often slow to mature
mentally. Perhaps he just needs more time. But how long?
In contrast Fjords should be quite trainable even as three and four
year olds but they get real steady at five or so. Some blood lines are
much slower to mature in their mind in my experience and some lines
just have a mental disconnect and for me some individuals can't be
fully trusted. I need to trust my ponies for the things I like to do
with them. It really comes down to the individual pony but
conformation and performance potential figure in. Form and function.
I have seen Shelly Temple's pony at work. Does she drive a Welsh? He
is one of the finest CDE ponies I have seen. I am sure your pony is in
mighty good hands if she is training him. I think it makes a lot of
difference in the end as to how a horse is started in training. Each
one is an individual. Yes, good luck with your new horse.
My plan was to do the Kentucky CDE at Intermediate level this fall and
then the National Drive. A family wedding has been scheduled at that
time so the Kentucky trip is off. Last year when we were at the World
Equestrian Games we decided to try to get back in 2011 for the CDE. I
started a new member of my Fjord pair with Frode the red dun gelding
( by our Stallion Smedsmo ) at Prelim level. Even though we had the
best overall prelim dressage score at both Metamora and Hickory Knoll
with Marcy and Frode I don't feel he is ready for Intermediate. I
could use Herger but my intention is to get Frode in the game. This
fall I will be working on two more very promising performance geldings
Odden's Indreberg and Odden's Ildar. Ildar is a red dun as well.
Hope your new job works out good for you. We certainly need creative
thinking and competent teachers like yourself for our young children.
Like horses, it is important that our children get a good start in
life as well. Its all about life long learning.
Take care and be safe,
Phil Odden
Important FjordHorse List Links:
Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e
FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
