French Forum

From AlexBrownRacing

French Forum, n/k/a Madeira, was everything I wasn't looking for! I began my horse search for a quarter horse or paint horse gelding. The last thing I wanted a mare, much less a thoroughbred mare. I just didn't feel experienced enough (even after 12+ years experience) to take on such a sensitive, complicated horse. After 2-3 months of looking at lame horse after lame horse, I was at my wits end. Desperately, I sent out a prayer for help, asking for physical signs when I found the horse God wanted me to take home. The next weekend on Saturday I drove 3 hours away to look at a paint gelding who was, surprise(!), LAME. On a whim I drove an additional 10 minutes down the road to look at a few OTTB's for sale, thinking if there was a nice gelding I'd at least settle for that. I was shown some sweet mares in a pasture, but they didn't do a thing for me, despite their honest, sweet tempered, curiosity towards me.

I wandered into the barn and saw a horse napping in a dark corner of the stall. I stopped in the middle of the aisleway and approached the stall. The horse walked into the light to meet me and my heart almost stopped. I asked if this one was for sale and the owners replied that she was the last one they were going to show me. They turned her out so I could see her movement and she threw out the most ground gobbling, flat kneed trot I'd ever seen. She cantered around the pasture on both leads and even threw in a few flying changes to show off. In disbelief I knew she was the one. I arrainged to see her again the next day, Sunday, with my trainer in tow. As soon as I got into my car I hyperventilated and my heart was beating madly. These were the signs I asked for!

Sunday morning I was watching the news and they were discussing Madeira Beach on the west coast of Florida. As soon as I heard it I knew it was "Frenchy's" (as she was being called) new name. 4 hours later, with a trailer, my trainer saw Madeira and said she liked her a lot and within 45 minutes we were on the road with my new horse. I was beside myself in excitement. I wanted a Quarter horse or Paint gelding and God gave me a Thoroughbred mare! Yikes!

During Madeira's training she has shown herself to be a quick learner and very bright. She doesn't need a heavy or harsh bit and she prefers to be ridden through seat cues more than rein cues. With her continued training, she's well on her way to learning how to be ridden without the need of a bridle! Currently, I'm riding her in a copper loose ring snaffle bit with a lozenge. She's never bolted or bucked or tried to throw me or my trainer out of the saddle. After two years of consistant flat work training, I sent her to "just be a horse" on a few acres without a care in the world. After 6 months she's even more relaxed and becoming an exceptional pleasure horse.

She's sensitive under saddle, but on the ground she's got a Quarter Horse personality. Real laid back, without a mean bone in her body. She's even defended me against another horse that lunged after me. She gently bumped me with her shoulder to push me out of harms way, then lunged after the offending horse, putting herself between me and the meanie. She's constantly aware of where I am in relation to her and she takes great care to never step on me or hurt me. Another great example is when I was cleaning her hind hoof one day. The flies were annoying and she lifted her hind leg out of my hands and turned to look at me. She just waited like that. I got a funny feeling and stepped back away from her while she watched me. I never felt threatened, but something was on her mind, so I gave her the benefit of the doubt. Once I stepped safetly back, she lifted her hind leg up higher to her tummy then struck out and stamped her foot, throwing off what must have been a biting fly. She relaxed and I went back to work without further interruption.

Every horseman has that one horse of a lifetime. That one horse that was so much a part of them, they were practically blood family. Madeira is that horse to me. I've heard the stories of thoroughbred's and their strong, loyal bonds, but I never experienced it myself until I bought Madeira. It's as if her maternal instinct has adopted me. All around, my OTTB has far surpassed my expections and God gave me exactly what I asked for.

These are the most recent pictures from May of '08. She's only 6 years old.