I remember getting Ziva. I wasn't looking for a horse. I went to see if she was suitable for a student (too big). I liked her eye. She was 9 years old. It was March. (2013?)
I picked her up to see her move. Funny looking movement. It appeared she had bad spavins. Her hocks flexed fine.
After I paid for her (I did 't negotiate her price. Maybe I should have). I found out she had extreme anxiety. Rearing and bashing against the stall door. Riding her? She would be ok then refuse to go. Rearing. couldn't touch her behind the saddle without her humping up against my touch. It took from March to September before we could tighten her girth another hole (she tensed up against the pressure of the girth. Not that we did it up tight. I like to tighten the girth from just touching her to being able to slip a hand between the horse and girth. Only the vaulting horses have a tighter girth.
Mentally and physically Ziva was a wreck. But she had a kind eye.
Every year was Ziva's best year. This year was also her best.
The moral of the story is to be really careful of who you send your horse for training.
Ziva went to a local trainer that liked to destroy a horse's mind. Either the horse shut down mentally or was so agitated and afraid the owner can't do anything with the horse. It was only last year that Ziva was able to canter with any semblance of balance and control. She tried hard. Ziva was a very special horse.
I read an article about dogs that have been abused as puppies turn prematurely grey. Ziva had lots of grey hair on her face. Even Miss July and Lily don't have grey hair like she did. They are 4 years older.
