Standardbred Riding Group Inc

 

Banjo’s Story

For lots of you that come to Standardbred Riding Group Rally’s, you would have already met my new best friend, Banjo. For those of you that haven’t had the pleasure of meeting him and hearing his story, I thought I’d put it down in writing.

I had heard about a small Standy that might need a home. He was kinda one of those kids that had been stuck in a custody battle. Mum had left home, dad didn’t really want him, so he’d been left in the paddock to fend for himself. The paddock was a decent size of 50acres, however not really a blade of grass on it, just lots of trees and bracken. With a phone call from the neighbour to the mum, it was warned that if nothing was done with the horse, the RSPCA would be called.

That’s where I got involved. I offered to take him on.

That day we went up to pick him up, his old mum, and me, the new mum. Old mum was extremely upset by what she saw when we found him in the paddock, I was extremely mad by how anyone could let a living thing become so poor in condition. We put him on the float slowly, as he was barely able to lift his legs. I took him home. The old mum said a sad goodbye, and I feed him a tiny amount of Lucerne, and promised I’d get him back to his former glory, and that he’d never be in such a bad way ever again! The only way from here, is up.

Seeing he was so poor, I had to watch every mouthful of food I gave him. He was placed in the small paddock with not much pick. Its so hard when they stand with there heads just off the ground, looking up at you with huge eyes pleading for more food, to be strong enough not to give in. I didn’t want him to become sicker, with giving him too much, too soon.

As I agist, I had to drive up to the paddock about 5 to 6 times a day to feed him. Doing a lot of home work, and talking to someone who has rescued many skinny horses, it was decided that small amounts of Lucerne hay, lots of times through the day during the first stage, was going to be the best for him, so that’s what I did!

During the first week he did give me a big scare. He suffered a case of choke, where a mouthful of Lucerne got stuck in his throat, it eventually cleared, after I panicked, as I have never had a horse do that before.

Through the second week I started to feed more at each meal. He was doing better, in himself, although his waist line didn’t look any better, but it had only been one week

By the middle of that second week, I started him on a tiny amount of hard feed, only milo mix and well watered down pellets, and studying how he was coping with it. All seemed fine, although I did notice him struggling with his poo’s. Another call to helpful people, and that problem was fixed. By week 3, I thought I could see a difference in his build, or if it was just wishful thinking! He had started to neigh every time I turned up, and it nearly bought tears to my eye’s the first time he cantered up to me for his dinner… he was starting to feel better.

It has taken a good 5months during the colder part of the year, but he was now healthy enough to take my weight, and see what he was like as a riding horse. His old mum used to trail ride him, so I knew he was broken in. I also knew that she hadn’t been on him for at least 12months. I put him in the float and travelled down the road to the local Pony Club grounds. They have a nice sand enclosed arena, perfect for either a fall, or a crazy horse. He proved, in not much time that he’s never lunged a day in his life…. So giving up on that, I jumped on carefully. Nice forward walk, no shying, no hesitation, good, no, great brakes. Left, right turns, stop, go, stop, and go!!!! All seemed to be going OK. Slowly I encouraged trott, he paced! I bought him back to walk. I asked for trott again, and he paced! This time I asked for trott, while in a pace, he got confused, and pig rooted. I started to rise, and he started to trott under me!!! Great, he does trott, Again and again I would ask for trott from a walk, he would pace, I would push him harder to trott, he would pigroot, and then he would trott!!

Our first ride wasn’t lot a long one, only 15min, but it was an experience. The second ride I thought I would tackle a trail ride, take him back to what he knew. This time with crop in hand, I was ready for his wicked pigroots this time. He only got the chance to give one, he got a mighty good smack for it, and he’s kinda lost interest in doing them since then. He learns quickly!! A good trait.

Banjo and I have been doing lots since then. We have competed in TTT Nav ride, (A high light). We have done trail rides, and arena work. He has a wonderful cheeky personality, which I adore, you just never know what you’re in for, from one ride to the next. He has a huge personal bubble space when out with other horses (Probably from being gelded when he was 9yo), he still thinks he’s a bossy stallion! Although he is becoming better and better every time we have an outing. I keep him away from others at the start of the ride, but by the end he is happy to be beside them. We are learning more and more about each other, and so far, I really like what I’ve got! (I just hope he does)

I can’t wait for competitions to get back into full swing, as I’ll be out showing him off to anyone that will look at him. Watch out Dressage ring here we come…….

Thankyou for reading our story.

KYM and BANJO