He told me what to do

[Barbwire]

Since I have decided to sell Amante and have made it public, I have gotten a lot of feedback from people. Almost everyone has tried to talk me out of it. Most folks have been nice about it, but some have been downright mean, basically telling me I'm an idiot. I haven't really listened to anyone, I had made a decision and I was sticking to it.

Yesterday, I got half a dozen phone calls from some people in Boston who were wanting Amante..BAD. I gave them the names and numbers of his breeder, farrier, vet, and a bunch of people who have ridden and seen him in action. They called everyone on the list and made arrangements to come out next weekend and stay in a hotel so they could ride him for two days. They were really jazzed. They asked that I please ride him this week so he wasn't too fresh for them to ride by the weekend.

So today I tacked him up and took him down the road. He was full of himself snorting and head tossing asking to go faster, faster, faster. After a while he slowed to a walk and I decided to get off him and walk him home so he could cool out.

After I dismounted, he turned his head to me and did something he has never done, something I have heard lots of you describe, but never have any horse do to me. He put his head over my shoulder and pulled me into his chest. He just held me there, quietly breathing. He didn't try to rub his head on me to scratch or push me forward to move, he just stood there holding me. I burst out crying like an idiot. I stood there bawling and he just held me for a bit. Then he gave a huge sigh, like everything was OK.

He told me what to do. I should have asked him first, horses never lie. Needless to say, he is no longer for sale.

[dana]

Well, Crud, barb, now ya got me headed for the kleenex box. glad you listened. he must of heard you talking. what a guy!
:D

dana

[paintedhorizon]

Oh Barb!!! :cry: That is just so wonderful that he did that! What a horse!

[Pasogirlz]

Always listen to the horse and you can't go wrong. ;-)

Glad to hear this Barb. Now GET OUT THERE AND RIDE THAT HORSE. 8-)

[Jane Hurl]

I am delighted to hear that you're keeping him, Barb. I think that working with him will be the way to get your weight off. (I can hardly wait 'til I can do that myself.)

By the way, when a horse pushes you around with his face, basically he's telling you that HE's higher up the totem pole than you are -- that's all. After you rode him, you obviously did some stuff right because he decided that YOU were the boss, not him, and he was acquiescing to you.

Getting off and walking him home to cool off is a grand idea. Those long walks back are excellent pound removers. You go, girl!

[ErinC]

me to I am crying,

I am so happy for you!

I love when my horses do that!

it makes life all seem OK!!!!

[Terri]

Yeah!!!!!http://bestsmileys.com/horses1/7.gif Now get off your butt and go ride your horse everyday!!!! You will lose the weight and feel better! Get Amante a big hug for me! YEAH!!!!!!

[Heidi]

...and there are still people who think animals are 'dumb'... Animals understand a lot more than we give them credit for and your story had me moved to tears about your first 'horse-hug' from Amante. I remember my first horse-hug...parents were arguing and went out to the corral crying and my teenaged mare gave me a 'hug'. It didn't fix anything but it sure made me feel better!
Way to go Amante!

[Carol Nelson]

Until you've been hugged by a Paso, you just don't know...you just don't know... ;-)

[Blameitonbrio]

Barb, that is wonderful! You know that I supported your decision and never thought your family was pressuring you. I understand your reasons for wanting to sale, but this is an amazing and special thing. I am so happy for you! And you know, you could teach him to drive and take your family with you.

[motorgypsy]

To me paso finos are very slow to give their hearts but it's well worth the wait. People who have owned boarding barns have told us that our horses are unfriendly - and then they see them come running when we arrive. And no we don't do treats all the time. But it took a while to win them over.

Enjoy and slay that weight dragon while you're at it. It's a tough one but then you're a very tough lady too!! We love you Barb!!!

[DebbieS]

I must have missed the 'for sale' thread. Why did you want to sell him??

Anyway, I'm glad he changed your mind.

I have an old gelding here that can't be ridden anymore.... hubby keeps saying to take him to the sale :roll: I could NEVER do that. He will stay here until his last days..... he gives the best 'horse hugs' ever!! When it comes to 'horsanalities', he's my favorite.

[Pasogirlz]

Speaking of horse hugs....
I have always hugged my Arab Mare Princess over the years, and she often hugs back.
I thought the day would never come when Tequila would enjoy my hugs. *I give them whether they want one or not. :twisted: But one day it happened and he hugged me back. I was shocked. :shock: I know he enjoys it now....even gets a little jealous if I stop and hug someone else first.

I started hugging Mina last week. She looked at me all wide eyed like what are you doing crazy lady? But one day she will look for them too. ;-)

[CarolU]

:cry Oh, that made my day!!!

He's such a sweetheart!!!

[appyday]

After the hug did he push you down on your butt to tell you what he thought??

[PasoJoy]

:hug :hug :hug
:cry
:rearing :rearing :rearing
:yay :yay :yay :yay :yay :yay :bsmile

[jodiTowne]

Barb...you got me all chocked up!!! I want to go out and hug my guys and gal NOW!! I am so happy for you!!!!!!!!! And Amante. And Mojo gets to keep his buddy!!

I have almost always got off and walked the last 1/2 mile to the house. At first my family would wonder if I had been dumped. But, I find it gives me a little quiet one-on-one time with the horse and is good exercise!

[baileyholc]

:hug :yay :cooldude Barb just got tamed. :lol:

[Minouri]

Yep, Amante is becoming a people trainer. I wonder if the hug was really Mojo's idea........ ;-)

[LynnG]

That is good news Barb for you and Amante and Mojo! Ya'll all 3 are a team!

I wonder if your demeanor or body language was different when you went and rode him since you had decided to sell him, like you had disconnected or wasn't trying to please him, and he sensed something was different.

I bet you'll have many good times ahead riding. Most every horse has their special some one to connect with..that is just right for them. I have two like that towards me, and they are priceless.

[Barbwire]

I called my husband at work and told him what happened and he said, "Geesh! I've been hugging you for 10 years and you don't listen to a word I say."

He told me we are just going to have to find a way to afford keeping Amante, because he is irreplacable. I'm a lucky girl. :D

[Pasogirlz]

My dad always says he wants to be reincarnated as one of Mom or I's animals....says they get better treatment than he does. :lol:

[LynnG]

Barb, get creative with some fundraising ideas.

maybe rent-a-mojo for public relations and your tent signs..that sure looked like a big hit and attention getter.

Tack cleaning like you said or even tack or horse blankets/sheet repair. Personalize tack or blankets/saddle pads. composting, barn/tack room organizer... just some thoughts off the top of my head.

[DebbieS]

I went back and found the 'for sale' thread (it was disguised :roll: ).
Anyway, I'm glad you told your hubby what happened. Sounds like he is a smart man - you just need to get him to ride with you!!

[Edurne]

way to go Barb....... I used to love walking with Primero and the dogs, especially in the woods.... it was a time that we got to know eachother much better. :D
p.s. I have to say that Amante is very beautiful.

[motorgypsy]

you know driving is great fun but once I got lost on an endurance ride and did a long loop twice. It was around huge pastures of corn and other crops with hedges around the sides filled with singing birds. The smell of the sun on the ground and the feel of that wonderful mare carrying me foward step after step after step was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had.
I'm so glad you're keeping him. There are plenty of ways to make money. I love the "Rent a Mojo" idea! He's so cute!!

[Mellifluous]

You could have some fun with the "rent a Mojo" idea.

You could go Austin Powers style with the ads "It's Mojo baby"

Hmmm. Bright colors, cute pony - the possibilities could be endless!

[GeorgeGuns]

He told me we are just going to have to find a way to afford keeping Amante, because he is irreplacable. I'm a lucky girl

Your hubby just won 1000 points!!!

Horses are so funny like that. I don't care what anyone says, and I do believe horses are horses first, but they are so much more. Just from some very interesting personal experiences I can tell you that critters can know what is going on.

Pasos DO hug. So do other horses, but Paso hugs are the best.

LOL - Mouse gave me a hug once. ONCE. Many years ago, soon after I got her. Some young girls were fussing over her at the fence when I drove into the farm. Mouse knew my car by then, and man those girls were chopped liver. I didn't even have to call her, she just LEFT them, came right over and gave me this big hug. I never got another one, she is just not a mushy horse, but I've cherished that hug for 18 years and counting.

There is such a big difference between being head butted or rubbed, and that comfortable head on the shoulder that ends up folding you right into the sweet spot... I'm really glad you are keeping him. And you CAN drive paso finos!

Say - Mojo would sure be a hit for pony rides, ya think? Hire out!

[Moniece Dickerson]

Oh Barb i'm so so SO happy for you,Amante,and Mojo!!!!!!!!!Your post brought me happy tears!I hope he'll give you hugs now from her on out!Your friend,Moniece

[lalecl]

You know Barb when you are funny , you are really funny. When you are sharp, you are really sharp. But girl!!!! When you want to bring this bunch to happy tears you can do that too. Like you I wanted to lose weight so Blessing wouldn't suffer I kept saying. I got a lighter saddle from 25 to 15 but it was not until i decided to want to do it for myslef that i finally joined curves but i actually started losin before that. I simply decided it was for ME and if i had support so be it it not oh well. But now I am having a great time just taking 30 minutes for me. I may not lose I am having a great time. I wish you the best of luck and SO happy to hear about your paso hug and no matter what, yet proud you were sticking to your guns about Amante but very sad you had chosen to do so. No way would i ever say you were wrong for doing what you felt was right for you but again at the same time praying hard something would happen just for you and it looks like it did. YOU GO GIRL!!! Amante will let you know how he feels about you riding him. Like someone told me once Blessing will gain more muscle and stamina if i rode him and at the same time I was losing he would be gaining muscle and energy and I have found that to be very true.

YOu simply do what you feel best. And Amante knew how to tell you just what that was. Just goes to show you really can talk to and understand yiour paso. YOu understood Amante.

Keep up the good work. Noone say raising our kids makes for perfect days every day. So enjoy the good days and trust the bad days will soon pas and each day is a new one.

[Minouri]

Barb,

I love your husband! Sounds like a good man.

The whole story made me keep hugging Tony. Poor man, he's like.....get off of me...what's wrong with you? lol Scooter was the same way.....lol I can't help it. You made me want to go squeeze both of them.

[Barbwire]

I left a message on the machine of the the people who were interested in Amante telling them I just couldn't part with him. This was their email reply:

"Got your phone message. We respect your decision; Amante must be a wonderful horse. If you change your mind, please let us know. If we liked him, we would be willing to offer more than you are asking for him."

I'd better erase that before Steve sees it and changes his mind about trying to keep him. :lol:

[Terry Wallace]

Whew! Yeah Amante...it took you long enough!

And now to Barb.... Remember when I posted a story here of how I told my mare she was going to be sold...and I got some flak for it...because from that point on she "KNEW" she was for sale and acted accordingly?

I will still say...horses know when things aren't quite right, some know they are for sale... good for Amante for taking a moment to acknowledge
it. See...he does not want to leave.

Good for you for being able to see this action for what it was...for giving Amante a moment to show it, for recognizing what it was. ;-)

Yeah...horses are just so darn stoopid!!

[cowboy ed]

barb, i have a really nice mare that i will trade even/steven for him............. ;-)

[Barbwire]

http://bestsmileys.com/hitting/2.gif

[Tami Pinell]

Can't wait now.... since he has hugged you, I can't wait for the stories of you leaning on him and then him leaning back - they have great shoulders....
dig my avatar!
Cas hugs me all the time and I hug him.... Buds are buds no matter what is happening.
With everything that is going on here now - I almost live for his hugs!
Way to go Barb!

[Monty]

First time Monty hugged me - he did it so hard - I couldn't breathe ! He pressed me against his side ! And I have to admit - I had tears in my eyes - Before that we had "sort" of bonded - but ,after that things changed! For the better - :D
It took 4 years for him to do it to my hubby ! It was cute - he came in all excited and had to tell me ! :lol: Considering Monty isn't too keen on men ,it was a break through! He is still really leary of other human males -
Onna the Percheron can really "HUG " you ! That was an even bigger cause for celebration - considering how abused she had been!

[Minouri]

I've always wondered if horses could tell who is here to stay and who might leave.

With our two horses Scooter is my first horse and he's got a forever home. I knew that from the day I got him.

Snowy, my Appy, was free and I took him because he was perfect for Tony to learn on. I ride him 8/10 times to excercise him to keep him in shape for when Tony or other people ride him. I lunge him, feed him, groom him daily but I didn't want to get too attached for a long time. I didn't know if Tony would really take to him or not and he's not gaited so he's not really my type.

Scooter acts like the world does and should revolve around him. He is affectionate...but not overly so. He likes to rest against you more than being touched while you're there. He's given me a few hugs over the years and I've treasured them......but they aren't a common occurance. He likes to rest a head on your shoulder.......or stand close by. But I wouldn't say he's a cuddly horse. And he doesn't come running.....he'll come. But he won't run.

I've often wondered if Snowy knew that if Tony said he didn't want him we'd have found him a new home. That horse is a people pleaser. Never a complaint. Always a joy. Runs from across an open grazing field to see you. Would hug you 24/7 if you let him. Loves any and all attention you're willing to give him. He closes his eyes and savors it.

If there is food involved and I want to say goodbye......Scooter is not likely to look up from his grain to see me off. Snowy puts his nose right out for a kiss no matter what is in his dish.

Kinda makes me sad to think Snowy might know that he wasn't secure here. He offers me the softest jog I've ever felt on a regular horse and my nongaited friends all say they can't believe how smooth he is.....but I wonder if he knows that he always falls short for me.

I'm going to have to give him an extra hug tonight. Maybe I should also go explain to him that he's here to stay now.....

[Jane Hurl]

Yes, Minouri, it IS time. From the sounds of it, he deserves it. You're a good "mom".

[Brigitte]

Aaaaw so sweet!