Post by lindad on Jul 28, 2009 0:50:16 GMT -5
In 2002, my daughter, Lisa bought an emaciated, ill, lame, depressed, stunted 2 year old Kiger filly and nursed her back to health. She saw the Spirit in Miley's eye that compelled her to take a chance on a sick, lame, filthy horse and a breed she knew nothing about. It turned out that Miley is a Steen's Kiger daughter.
Later that year, her other 2 year old mustang/QH in the pink of health, spooked and trampled Lisa breaking and dislocating her collar bone and hurting her chest. Four months later, just as Lisa recovered from that disaster, she was hit head on by a drunk driver. Lisa was catastrophically injured, crushing all of the bones in her legs, shearing off her hip, crushing her chest, damaging her heart and lungs and re-breaking the collar bone, traumatic brain injury with bleeding on the brain, was scalped, had broken wrist and teeth, neck and back injuries. She died three times at the scene. Absolutely no professional believed that she could survive such horrific numerous life threatening injuries. She is all rods and pins, suffers relentless pain, migrane headaches, 4 herniated disks in her back and neck, etc., etc. and is disabled, but lives for her horses and other critters. I tell you this so that you can understand why small things mean so much to us.
As crazy as it seems, and IS, last year Lisa fulfilled her dream to start her own mustang, by riding her Kiger, Miley. I know, what the hell is she doing even riding let alone starting a mustang. The other Mustang QH was started by a friend about 6 weeks before Miley and within a week, Miley's training surpassed Sally's. Miley only trusts Lisa, is extremely sensitive, wary, and smart! Pure alpha in a petite package, (which would double as a description of Lisa). I guess when you survive when all of the odds are against you, you have to just go for it no matter if it is insane or you will loose your mind and your spirit. Lisa's preoccupation the year she found Miley and was injured was the movie Spirit. I think it prepared her for what lay ahead.
Lisa was having some issues with Miley this year with her gaits and decided to ride her bareback surmising that poor saddle fit might be the issue. Lisa always rode bareback as a kid except when she showed. Given her condition she has been using a saddle. Lisa can't ride for long and she pays dearly after she rides. But then she pays dearly when she sits or stands or walks. She did not have a mounting block, and did not want to attempt the leep method of pre-injury days, so she climbed on the round pen and Miley was too far away to mount. Miley turned and gave Lisa a look and voluntarily moved in closer to allow Lisa to climb on, every time Lisa mounted her, without even asking her. She made perfect side passes to close the gate. Lisa said ,"mom, it is just too easy with Miley". And yep, she is a joy to ride without a saddle!
And that is my blessing for this week! Yet another Kiger proves to be the perfect partner! Lisa rescued Miley, and now Miley takes care of Lisa. The healing power of love.... the melding of spirits.
I always enjoy seeing how Tesoro blooms under Amanda's care. It reminds me of how bad Miley was and how she blossomed with Lisa. Indeed they became soul mates.
Linda D
Later that year, her other 2 year old mustang/QH in the pink of health, spooked and trampled Lisa breaking and dislocating her collar bone and hurting her chest. Four months later, just as Lisa recovered from that disaster, she was hit head on by a drunk driver. Lisa was catastrophically injured, crushing all of the bones in her legs, shearing off her hip, crushing her chest, damaging her heart and lungs and re-breaking the collar bone, traumatic brain injury with bleeding on the brain, was scalped, had broken wrist and teeth, neck and back injuries. She died three times at the scene. Absolutely no professional believed that she could survive such horrific numerous life threatening injuries. She is all rods and pins, suffers relentless pain, migrane headaches, 4 herniated disks in her back and neck, etc., etc. and is disabled, but lives for her horses and other critters. I tell you this so that you can understand why small things mean so much to us.
As crazy as it seems, and IS, last year Lisa fulfilled her dream to start her own mustang, by riding her Kiger, Miley. I know, what the hell is she doing even riding let alone starting a mustang. The other Mustang QH was started by a friend about 6 weeks before Miley and within a week, Miley's training surpassed Sally's. Miley only trusts Lisa, is extremely sensitive, wary, and smart! Pure alpha in a petite package, (which would double as a description of Lisa). I guess when you survive when all of the odds are against you, you have to just go for it no matter if it is insane or you will loose your mind and your spirit. Lisa's preoccupation the year she found Miley and was injured was the movie Spirit. I think it prepared her for what lay ahead.
Lisa was having some issues with Miley this year with her gaits and decided to ride her bareback surmising that poor saddle fit might be the issue. Lisa always rode bareback as a kid except when she showed. Given her condition she has been using a saddle. Lisa can't ride for long and she pays dearly after she rides. But then she pays dearly when she sits or stands or walks. She did not have a mounting block, and did not want to attempt the leep method of pre-injury days, so she climbed on the round pen and Miley was too far away to mount. Miley turned and gave Lisa a look and voluntarily moved in closer to allow Lisa to climb on, every time Lisa mounted her, without even asking her. She made perfect side passes to close the gate. Lisa said ,"mom, it is just too easy with Miley". And yep, she is a joy to ride without a saddle!
And that is my blessing for this week! Yet another Kiger proves to be the perfect partner! Lisa rescued Miley, and now Miley takes care of Lisa. The healing power of love.... the melding of spirits.
I always enjoy seeing how Tesoro blooms under Amanda's care. It reminds me of how bad Miley was and how she blossomed with Lisa. Indeed they became soul mates.
Linda D
