Rogue's Sea Chanty age 18 (2011)
Chanty arrived in my life in Sept 2004 after my other horse Sally had foundered for the 3rd time and was unable to continue being ridden regularly. Chanty's previous owners found her hard to handle and rode her with both a twisted wire bit and a tie down to slow her (I know this is shocking, especially to those of you who have entrusted your 6 year old to her). After several attempts to control her this way, the young girl and her mother, who owned Chanty from age 5, decided to take a break. Soon after, the mother died and Chanty went out to pasture until she arrived at the stables where I was boarding Sally. She was 11 and very overweight. The young girl, now in her 20s was selling Chanty. She was a registered Morgan, bred from a saddle seat champion mother. Because of her sturdy build and broad back, she was trained not only to ride, but to pull small carts. I recognized them both, as I had boarded at the stables where the young girl had kept Chanty in her early years.
I was in the market for another horse, but Chanty, a bit chubby and very unfriendly, didn't seem like the prime candidate for me. She was a solid horse, but stood at only 14.3, while I was used to riding horses 15.2 and above. Then, Chanty foundered after being on unlimited grass for several months, including the two months since she had arrived at our stables. The girl was desperate to find her a home, as she was planning on moving out of the area. I, unfortunately, knew a lot about caring for a foundered horse and in a moment of weakness agreed to buy Chanty from her for just $500.
Our relationship did not start off on a good note. I was just beginning to delve deep into "natural horsemanship" and let's just say, it didn't go very well. Chanty was scared, unsure of herself and ME, while I was inexperienced and way too aggressive with her. I remember a lot of pulling on her mouth and riding her from one wall to another, just to slow her down. She responded to even the slightest leg pressure or contact with extreme forward movement. The only reason I kept Chanty during all of this turmoil and beyond, was that she never once tried to buck me off. She tolerated my ignorance and my heavy handed methods for several years. In the days and months to follow, I would hear myself saying "I'm sorry" to her again and again. They are such forgiving souls....
I started this blog 5 years ago because I knew that when we write down our moments of discovery, it gives us a way to mark time and especially the progress (hopefully FORWARD progress) in our lives. This blog, of course, is all about my horse life and the peaks and valleys of that life with Sally, Rose and Chanty as well as other 4 and 2 legged friends that have joined us (including my beautiful girl Image). What I've noticed is that as the years have passed, the peaks have been higher and the valleys, not as low. I credit that to my dear Chanty. Since taking her to my first Centered Riding clinic in 2009, my life with her, and my life in general has changed for the better. She and I had gone on many trail rides, small gaming and open shows as well as trips to the local fairgrounds, but it wasn't until we started on the path to becoming teachers of Centered Riding, did life really become a wonderful adventure. My confidence and abilities as a rider took off and I discovered something called "balance". Not just the kind that keeps you from falling down or off your horse, but the balance in life that comes from looking outside yourself to see what is really important: Love for other people through sharing of your knowledge and experience AND the beauty in watching nature's most perfect creature, the horse, move on the ground as well as in harmony with a rider in the saddle.
Chanty was with me when I received my certification as a Level 1 instructor. It was one of the proudest days of my life and I was so happy to share it with her. She and I then began to give lessons and from the first one to the last one just two weeks ago, Chanty performed like the steady, reliable partner that she was. We now spoke the same language and she understood that I was asking her to accept many different riders on her back. She was patient with each and every one, but she made it clear that she would not tolerate the tension in their body or the gripping of their legs, nor the pounding of their weight on her back. When this would happen, Chanty would come to me and politely explain "you need to help this person to release their tension and explain how to move their body with mine". As I improved in my teaching, our conversations during a lesson occurred less often. She would simply give me a look and I would check the rider's position, followed by a small suggestion to help them change something in their body, sometimes with just a simple breath in and out.
I believe that Chanty's favorite moments were the time spent with the kids. I know they were mine. It was difficult in the beginning to shift gears from working with adults, mostly women my age, but slowly I began to acquire more and more youngsters. I had to tap into my imagination and use small toys and games to keep the lessons fun and easy. I've always played music when I ride or give lessons and I think Chanty enjoyed the rhythms that it inspired in her riders, young and old. Because of Chanty and the many kids she taught with me, I was fortunate in meeting some wonderful parents and families. The smiles she put on their faces will remain in my deepest memories for years to come.
Chanty gave me so much and allowed me to share it with so many people. As sad as it was to say goodbye to her, I know in my heart, she will always be there when I need her. I'll think of her when I'm riding another horse or when I'm giving a lesson in the arena. Most of all, I will think of her on those beautiful days when I will travel over to Willow Grove to see the shimmering reflection of the sun on the water, the soft green hills and the sand on the beach. It was one of our favorite places to spend time together because we could just walk right off the property from the stables and be there in minutes. I think, though, my favorite place to ride was the trails at the end of Stella and Harmony. She and I would canter into the woods,up steep hills with my husband trailing behind us on his mountain bike. I like to think that Chanty is in heaven right now and she would say the same words to me that Brian says at the end of this video, "See you guys later, have fun."
