LISA McCANN HERBS

Well, what to say? I've been an avid (and incurable) animal lover all my life, and developed a special fondness for horses at a very early age. Most young girls love ponies, so I guess my parents thought it wa sa phase...their still waiting for me to 'grow out of it'.

As a young girl I would attend riding school once a week, or as often as I could. There I learned the minimal basics. Age five, I made my first horsey connection, and fell in love with a gelding named 'Wirey', a stb/tb cross of 14.2hh. He was dark dappled brown with black points, and looked like a little stockhorse or riding pony cross. He belonged to a family friend, who taught me a few more things and let me 'take the reins' with Wirey.

I never had much support from my folks in regard to the horses, so I had to do it alone. At age 11, I saved up $500 from pocket money of $20pw, and bought my first horse - an OTT TB gelding, whom I named 'Saint'. Unfortunately, he didn't quite live up to his name, and long story short I was ripped of pretty severely. A good lesson, but a hard one at only 11 years of age.

Heartbroken, I despaired of finding a horse for me, but then I had the opportunity to buy Wirey for just $150. He was 14 at the time. I had Wirey for a further 8 years, until I was forced to lease him and my Andalusian/QH mare when I left home at 17. My heart was ripped out when the 'leasee' took off with both of them, as they were unbranded. I have never seen either horse again, and have never enjoyed the partnership I had with Wirey with any other horse thus far.

Nowadays, I have 2 lovely TB geldings, one white/grey 15.2hh 11yo named Hugo, and a 17hh, 8yo liver chestnut named Pie. Pie has been through the wars, the poor dear. I got him OTT quite under condition (but not too bad) as a heavily raced 6yo. He was pretty high-strung and skittish, but showed a lot of ability and promise. After being spelled and taken off the race feed, along with some consistent work, he improved dramatically. His coat brightened up, he came fit again, and looked a million dollars.

Then, to my regret, I found I didn't have the time for him as I started my diploma at TAFE. Around the same time, I was approached by a lady who was interested in leasing him, and after seeing her ride a few times, I decided it would be in everyone's favour to lease him. Although, this time I was much more careful, and got all her details and drew up a contract.

However, to my dispair, 9 months later (the lease was for one year), I came out to find a very scrawny, lice-riddled chestnut in my paddock....I didn't even recognize him. He'd had half of his BEAUTIFUL long, thick tail chewed off, and was all skin and bone. He's on his way to recovering now, but still has some way to go. Hugo provides good company (even if he is a bossy boots). Pie is a very soft, affectionate horse, and is quite sensitive. His feelings are easily hurt, and it broke my heart to see the poor boy in that condition. My resolve? Never to lease off the property again!

Hugo has had his share of ups and downs! He recently came down with colic (the new flush of grass), and while being treated the vet revealed he had a heart murmor. However he is still a fit, healthy, strapping gelding and the murmor is only minor. The vet tells me he is perfectly sound to ride, but it will make him lethargic, and possibly not so competitive in the higher-octane disciplines.

A shame, as he's a brilliant jumper...but I will see how things go...

Right now, my partner and I are building our first home together, on a 2.5 acre block in Mt Barker WA. I get lovely post & rail/elec fencing, and hopefully stables eventually! I'm working 4 jobs at the moment, but I'm sure the hard work will pay off!