*NEW 'Stories Shared' blog series! First story from @pony_nuts
Hello and welcome to our new 'Stories Shared' blog series!
I am so pleased with how much you all enjoyed the 'Confidence in the Saddle' series.
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I decided it would be really nice to do something different now that we've finished that set of blogs, and to get you involved by all of us sharing our horsey stories and memories. It's always interesting to hear what experiences other equestrians have been through.
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Although we have quite a few posts lined up, there is still time to share your story. If you have a memory you'd like to share, please email it to me, danielle@dvrequestrian.com. Maybe it was a moment that taught you something, the story of how your horse came into your life or a funny story, we'd love to hear and share it.
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So without any more delay, moving straight on to our first post!
This touching story comes from equestrian vlogger Gracie. Links to her youtube channel and Instagram can be found at the end of the post.
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"Dan was part of a research project at Newmarket where they were trying to develop a blood test to show how many months in foal a mare is. Danny’s mum was called Rosie and she was one of the mares being tested on.
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The government funded the research on the condition that the foals were to be slaughtered at weaning and used for vet students as cadavers (bodies to use and experiment on), but luckily the vet college did not need them, and the head nurse in charge of the project made it her job to find homes for these foals.
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Danny’s first owner brought him from this lady for £25. I contacted this lady and she told me that he was absolutely wild and she was going to send him back at one point. When you tried to lead him he’d turn himself inside out, bit and boxed you in the stable, as well as kicking. He also used to hate weather and refuse to move if it was raining. The lady that broke him in taught him the ‘go Danny go’ whisper which makes him gallop faster and is still what I use today!
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But gradually a lovely little soul appeared, and he became a horse of the lifetime for his first owners daughter. When she moved onto horses, he was sold to the daughter’s instructor for her son. They had him for 8 years and when the boy grew out of Dan, the lady couldn’t bear to part with him so began riding him herself, only to realise he needed to go and make another little girl happy.
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He was put on loan to a young girl but being a typical stubborn pony, had to be sent back for refusing to enter the ménage! That’s when she responded to a wanted advert from my mum looking for a pony that I (currently with a broken wrist after falling off my previous pony) could ride.
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3 years down the line, we’ve got 3 national titles and he’s made me the rider I am today. Knowing where he came from has really made me realise what a special pony he is.
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At our first national champs together, the NSEA County National SJ Champs, Dan’s old owner and her son came down to watch our 70cm round and he made them both cry by winning the class - he’s always been a show off!!
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He’s still extremely stubborn and there’s been many times when I’ve come flying off, but that's what makes Dan, Dan and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
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Funnily enough, he still really disagrees with being ridden by anyone else except me (and my little brother who is now learning to ride on him!), and one of my friends who has ridden him even went home with a broken finger!
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We still keep in contact with all his old owners who are absolutely lovely and I’m forever thankful to them!"
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Click here to go to Gracie's Instagram
Click here to go to Gracie's Youtube channel
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Join us next week for our next story from another rider...
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