Sponsored Horse: El Yireh Forte`

Posted by Christine on Jun 26, 2009 • (1)

Forte` came into my life 3 years ago. After examining possibly 40 or so potential ex-racehorses at our local racetrack, I picked her. Had I known then what I’ve come to know now, she would have been one of my last choices as my future competition partner! What we were yet to discover was that she had an incredibly hard mouth, a dropped hip, and a small amount of pain in the sacro-illiac area which could be treated but never fully cured.

Forte` was immediately turned out with the “herd” which consisted of my retired first horse and a companion pony and she has lived out ever since. We’ve never looked back and to this day she still lives as naturally as a domestic horse can – Outdoors 24/7, un-blanketed and unshod with access to ad lib grass hay and herbs. She had her teeth seen to for possibly the first time in her life at age 5, as well as her back which led to my discoveries as mentioned above.

Competition time arrived and we scraped by with only Forte`’s good nature going for us! She has decent jumping style but we’ve always battled to create a decent canter and I’ve always had to contend with the problem of her leaning on my hands. We persevered and made it up to the 1m classes but I will admit she has always been a difficult ride for me as I battle to see a stride. Earlier this year I made the tough decision to relook things and give up on jumping her for a while. The last few months have been extremely enlightening for me. Our first change was a big one and also our most successful – bitless. After a couple of months in the Corbin and Callisto bitless bridles, we changed back into a basic snaffle and suddenly my horse started to work in a much more consistent frame and is building topline for the first time since our unison. A few minor changes were made with regards to saddle fit as well as upping the body maintenance. Forte` receives acupuncture, massage and sees the chiropractor on a regular basis which seems to be doing her a world of good.

We are hoping to make a comeback into the ring some time in the near future but for now I am learning to be grateful for all of Forte`’s good points and the joy she has given me when things do go right for us!

Thanks as always to Beryl for the sponsorship – there has been many a time when I’ve thought to myself: “What would I have done without dear old trusty Calm Mix!”