We were thinking about getting a husband horse and companion to Eli. This way my husband and I could take lessons together and when we weren't at the stable the two could be companions to each other. Seeing as how Eli is an ex-race horse and well broke we thought that maybe we could rescue a horse that needed a little work. We also thought should one of us progress in training and become interested in Dressage or Jumping a different horse may help us with that as well as Eli has an old track injury that prevents him from ever being a Jumper.
Additionally, environment wise Eli being thin is blanketed when it's cold out in order to keep weight on and avoid him shivering it all off so we could easily blanket another horse while we are there. The breed aspect was also important with regards to stamina. Eli has quite a bit of stamina and in the summer on a trail or riding outdoors together we were hoping to have two horses of similar go, this way we are not over doing it with one - over working them with the intention of them keeping up to the other. Ella has comparable stamina, if not more and she can free feed and eat grain or pellets no problem as she too is on the thinner side being a Standardbred. We blanket her when it's cold just the same we do Eli and don't have to worry much about her overheating.
The other very important aspect of deciding which horse and why was whether or not the owners were interested in keeping in touch and if they were concerned with whether or not it was the right fit in their eyes. Ella's owners made time to sit down with us over coffee and snacks and discuss in detail our interests, intentions and answer any questions we might have had - we didn't feel rushed and we didn't get the impression they wanted her gone as soon as possible. It was quite the opposite, we go the impression they may decide we are not the right fit for Ella being so green and made it clear that they were in no rush to re-home her. Lucky for us they didn't decide that we were not the right fit and we were able to schedule a day when we would official buy and relocate her to the stable were we board Eli. I was very excited.
over the next week or so while we were approaching the purchase date I received video updates on Ella's progress and how she was doing - included below. I also got some tips and advice and when it was time to move her to the Stable they even drove her out for us.
Shortly after we got her I was sent a picture of the foal she had prior to being rescued. He's so cute, to me the foal looks like a combination of Eli (with the star) and Ella (being bay).
After we got Ella to the Stable and all settled in we decided we had to name her. I spoke to my Mom about names and she suggested I name her after my Grandmother (her Mom) who once owned a Filly and absolutely loved horses so much so that she never stopped talking about them until her last days.So we named our Mare 'Elsie' after my Grandma Elsie and we call her Ella for short.
The last memory I have of my Grandma Elsie is going back home for a very short rushed visit and my Mom taking me to go see her. My Grandma said asked me how I like living out West and if I get to see horses, she reminded me how much she loves them. Then she said " I will come out there and you and I will go for a ride, how about that" I said I would love that.
(at the time we didn't own a horse, but we did see them)
Not long after returning home from my visit my Mom called me to tell me that Grandma had passed away peacefully in her sleep. I didn't get to say goodbye but to be completely honest I don't think I needed to. Every time I go out to the stable she's with me and she meant it when she said she'll come out and we'll go for a ride. She just wasn't specific about how, but she's there - she even made her presence apparent to me in the first photo my husband took of me and Ella - just so I wouldn't forget.
Since then we have been working with Ella on the basics that we were able to learn and practice with Eli. Ella's trainer Robyn has been doing a great job bringing this sweet willing Brood Mare up to speed with Lunging, body language and verbal commands, can't forget proper ground manners ~ just as important.
I am really glad we met Ella and the couple who Rescued her and the two other Brood Mares. Through them we were able to help rescue a horse as well and she's more than worth it.
Ella's first ride with a bareback pad and no one walking her
Additional video of her with a bareback pad
Ella's next ride including being tacked up and was under saddle
Additional video of the same ride and demo of a trot.
Above is the picture of Ella's head where the image appeared. I tried to blur out around it so that it is the focal point to aide in being able to see it - if you can't see it that's fine too as it was meant for me.
Ella's Baby
ABOUT THE STANDARDBRED
Breed of light horse developed in the U.S primarily for harness racing. The foundation sire was and English Thoroughbred imported in 1788; his progeny were bred with other breeds, especially the Morgan, to produce speedy trotters and pacers. The Standardbred's height is 15 and 16 hands (60, 64 in 152, 163 cm) it's weight is 900 to 1,000 lbs (410 or 450 kgs) Color varies, but the most common is Bay. Standard refers to ta requirement imposed in 1871 that , to be registered, a horse must meet certain standards of speed: e.g. trotting a mile in 2.5 minutes.
(information from www.answers.com)
Standardbred Wikipedia
click on link (green Standardbred Wikipedia above) to read about the history and definition of the Standardbred Horse
OTSB is the Acronym for Off the Track Standardbred
Hambletonian - Wikipedia
Dan Patch, Significant Standardbred Sire. - Wikipedia
OTSB is the Acronym for Off the Track Standardbred
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