Cob Jockey

On Sunday I made the just-over-an-hour drive to Connor's breeder's to pick up the pony I'll be leasing for the next four months, Castleberrys Aeres.

Aeres (the Welsh translation for, and pronounced just like, the word 'heiress') is a nine year old mare that up until about a month ago was in a Dressage and breeding home with the lady that bought her as a filly. After the owner decided to pivot away from breeding Welsh Cobs, she offered her back to Connor's breeder.

I am the first human this horse ever saw when she first opened her eyes after being born, does that give me some street cred with you? Maybe?

We will all be honest and say Aeres isn't the prettiest thing in the world right now (although I fully expect a glow up over the next few months as she develops a topline), but she has exceptionally valuable bloodlines, being one of only two Gwynfaes Culhwch mares in the US. And she's had one gorgeous baby for her previous owner, so she's definitely worth having around as a broodmare, hence her coming home. 

It's too late to breed her for a 2021 baby, so she'll be open this winter, making it the perfect opportunity for me to give her a job and take her off Connor's breeder's feed bill temporarily.

Grandpa is a stunner

She's no slouch as a Dressage horse either. At the time I took her, all I knew is that she'd been shown through rated First, since there's video of that, scoring low-mid 60s. I've since learned that she was schooling Third, going in a double and had changes with her previous owner, which is a lot more than I was expecting out of a "hey can I borrow a riding pony for a few months" situation!

She's been sitting idle for a while and is in no condition to hop right back into any of that, especially the double. But it's nice to know that's in there.

Surveying her new home

She's been home for a day and a half now and I'm starting to get to know her. She's reactive but not stupid in a way that I think will be really fun under saddle. She's very aware of her surroundings, but doesn't react to them in a dangerous way - she just wants to check things out before committing to walking onto the trailer (where she paused for maybe three seconds before walking straight on and standing quieter than Connor ever has, lol) or walking through the wash rack to get into our barn (which she didn't hesitate to do, but there may have been a bit of neck arching and blowing involved).

Old man retired Quarter Horse: "WHO are YOU?!"

She's slow to trust new people UNLESS you have treats, and then it's like a switch flips in her brain from 'stranger danger' to "OHAI NEW FRIEND!" I spent the second night feeding her treats, grooming her in the crossties, and starting the process of pulling her mane, which she was completely fine with.

She looks miles better just getting rid of that orange mane! Now what to do about that orange forelock...

She had just recently in the few days before I picked her up started dropping a lot of feed at dinner, so I'm waiting to put a bit in her mouth until my vet sees her this week, even though I can't wait to get started. I also plan to put her on a round of Nexium just on principle. Anxious horse, lots of upheaval in her life recently, a nearly cross country trailer trip - may as well act like there are ulcers in there.

Since I know this will be fun to look back on:

Current conformation photo. Connor's Aunt Mary: "She's got WITHERS, girlfriend!" Which is hilarious because her mom is an actual table with legs.