Didn’t Miss a Beat

By Michelle Janka-Herriges

I brought my 27-year-old AQHA gelding Breezy (aka Almost A Breeze) out of retirement a few weeks ago. Breezy has been retired for the last four years to live the good life, but he seemed to me to be unhappy just being a pasture pet/retired having nothing to do. So I decide that it was high time for him to once again have a job to do. I pulled him out of the paddock and gave him a thorough brushing/spa treatment. Then I tacked him up and proceeded to lead him to the outdoor arena. I looked him in the eyes and told him, “All I want is a leisurely stroll around the outdoor arena. I really need this and you have a job to do to carry me safely.” Well, he lit up and had a sparkle in his eyes as if he understood that he now had a job to do, a job that he had done numerous times in the past.

As we walked into the outdoor arena, he walked by my side. I then proceeded to put him through the paces of Clinton Anderson’s Fundamentals program. I was so excited that he did not forgot anything! He impressed me with the fact that after being retired for the past four years he did not miss a beat!

This 27-year-young horse of mine has a heart of gold. I love him with all of my heart, and all of the money in the world could not convince me to sell my Breezy! Thank you, Clinton Anderson, for what you have taught me that I have in turn taught my horses!