Pearl
HOMED
31.01.07
*You may click on the images to enlarge.
Pearl struck me as a calm, intelligent, and sensible girl from the minute I set eyes on her. She has a serene sort of feel about her. She is curious, gentle, and affectionate. I am certain that she has been handled well in her life, as she is an absolute dream to handle.
1.02.07
2.02.07
8.02.07
9.02.07
It's always interesting to learn just what a new horse does and doesn't know, as usually the horse's who find themselves here come with absolutely no history at all. It didn't surprise me at all to find that Pearl is an old hat at lunging.
12.02.07
Well 'D' day for precious Pearl. According to our Dentist Russell, Pearl may have never had her teeth done, and if so, it was a very long time ago. Russell puts Pearl at 9 yrs of age....a great age. He was very impressed with her temperament, and guessed that he thinks she could be an Appy x Arab. She behaved beautifully, and hopefully, is a lot more comfortable now. The up side to being a horse...you don't know when the Dentist's coming!
14.02.07
Peaceful Pearl on Valentine's Day.
4.03.07
Well..I always finding it a bit daunting climbing aboard a horse for the first time when I know absolutely nothing about it as far as it's riding history goes. I don't have anywhere near the confidence that I used to have, and I am well aware of all of the possible worst case scenario's. There is always the possibility that these horses have issues of some kind, and quite possibly, may not have been ridden for many years, or even be broken in.
We had a little lunge first, and then all we did today under saddle was to have a stroll around. I tested Pearly's brakes, steering, responsiveness to various aids etc. She was very light in the mouth, and to the leg aids. She's a forward moving mare, but we have noticed that with everything we do with her. She always has a forward, purposeful walk, whether she's being led or ridden. She seems to have some experience in going on the bit, but I didn't ask anything like this of her today, just a loose rein, and getting the feel of each other.
At this point, I would say that she is not going to suit a beginner rider. Not because of her temperament, or behaviour, but because she's very light and very forward.
16.03.07
Pearl has won the heart of one of our greatest supporters. Tony has expressed interest in Pearl from soon after she arrived home here, but I hadn't followed up on his queries because, to be honest, I thought she'd make a fabulous riding horse for someone (which she would). However, Tony has convinced me that this is my dream, and not necessarily Pearl's. Pearl is going to be joining Tony's other horses on his lovely property, and may have a rare ride from time to time. I cannot dispute that this is the best of homes, for any horse, but I guess I feel like a parent who has held dreams for the future of their child that probably won't be realised! The up side is that we will have regular news of the beautiful girl.
4.04.07
Pearl at her new home with Tony.
7.09.07
14.02.08
Having a snooze under a tree with old Tipsy Blue.
6.12.08
Pearl carrying a few too many pounds!
3.09.09
Since Pearl went to Tony's she has pretty much been living a life of leisure, with the occasional ride through the forest with Tony. Through our involvement with an equine relief effort following the Black Saturday fires ,we were contacted regarding a 14 year old boy who had lost his horse in the fires. We were asked to keep an eye out for a suitable loan horse for the boy. We were given assurances as to the horse experience of the family, and were further reassured that the parents rode, and that they regularly attended Pony Club. Well we had the ideal horse just sitting in the paddock, and didn't hesitate to offer Pearl as a lease horse. The family collected Pearl, but despite reassurances made at the time, we subsequently had great difficulty in obtaining news and photos of her, but were told that they loved her, that the team were doing fabulously at Pony Club, and that they had even started some jumping. We were emailed two photos of Pearl jumping after many requests, but she was a spec in the distance, and really, it was difficult to distinguish anything at all.
We invited the family to bring Pearl and their son along to a clinic we were running which was purely for children who were affected by the fires and their horses/ponies. Well, we were absolutely stunned at the appearance of Pearl when she arrived.
We were mortified that after what Pearl had already been through, and the care we'd shown her, that we had allowed this to happen to her. The boy was very attached to Pearl, and very upset, but at the end of the day, the horse has to come first, and clearly we could not allow Pearl to remain in that environment. So, we brought her home.
20.10.09
Pearl, always having been an excellent doer, has regained condition well in a very short period of time, simply on good grazing. It is extremely hard to imagine how she could possibly have sunk to the condition she was in at all, knowing her constitution. Anyhow, she is now well, and back to her life of leisure!
19.07.10
Well after much thought, we have decided to attempt to find an appropriate home for Pearl. Pearl is an absolutely stunning mare, who has so much to offer, and is still at a great age (approx. 12 now). Tony has very little time for riding these days, and our lovely filly Miracle has just arrived back at the farm from the breakers. Tony has not been riding Pearl at all since her return from lease, and he now has a young horse in Miracle, who must be ridden in order to follow on with her early education with the breaker.
If the right home cannot be found, Pearl will stay indefinitely. Pearl will only go to an experienced home that is known to Quest. We will be asking for a written reference from the Vet who usually attends to the horses of the interested party. This will be followed up by a phone call to the Vet.
Pearl has been out of work for some time, and although this has never been a problem for her in our experience, it should be born in mind that she will need to be introduced to work again gradually until her riding fitness is established. We feel that Pearl would suit a young teen, or an adult rider alike, but she is only around 14.2 hh, so not suited to larger/heavy set riders. More than happy to answer any queries.
2.09.10
Thanks so much to Bev and Amy for these lovely pics from Pearls new home 
Pearl already looks very settled, and you guys look fab in your Quest uniforms!
13.11.10
20.01.11
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