Cold Cash aka "Cadence" - SOLD! to Emee Ermel of Houston, TX
We
received two firsts our first time out - Cadence even received
8s on his canter! Not bad for my 'internet horse' -
as people say at the barn!
October 31, 2007
Hi again, Elizabeth!
We went to a dressage Halloween (and dressed for the occasion)
show on the 21st! It was a great debut! Cadence was so wonderful!
I am so proud of him.
He was nervous in the trailer, but once we
got to the warm up arena, it was like he knew what to do. He looked
at the people and other horses, but was very calm. He was relaxed
and all business during our warm-up and once we entered the arena
for our test, he was great! I think he enjoyed showing off in front
of everyone:)
We rode two training level tests and scored 63% and
69%. We received two firsts our first time
out - Cadence even received 8s on his canter! Not bad for my 'internet horse' - as people
say at the barn!
I think the show gave him more confidence because
since then he's been so focused and enjoying our rides. I've
really grown attached to him and can tell that he has with me as
well. He has such a great personality - he will just put his head
right on my shoulder and stand there while I'm talking to
someone, like he wants to be in the conversation, too. Anyway,
I think we're going to go to one more show this
year, so I will be sure to send updates!
Happy Halloween!
Emee and Cadence
September 25, 2007
OTTB - Cold Cash makes his dressage debut!
Hi Elizabeth,
I have been so neglectful in sending updates...and photos. But,
here are some to show our progress! Cadence is doing so well. We
had almost a month back in April-May timeframe where he was lame
and then again in August. Some days he would be fine and others
he would be lame after flexion tests in the front left leg. I took
him to a lameness specialist and the only thing he could diagnose
was that he has mild arthritis in that knee he injured last year.
He said that days/weeks like this will just occur, could be a misstep
or something else that aggravates it, but that the best thing to
do is to keep him working. So, that was good news for us!
In just the seven monthsCold Cash has gone from not knowing how to
go on the bit or canter to the right to schooling solid first level movements,
some second level.
He has progressed so nicely in such a short time. In just the
seven months that I've had him, he's gone from not knowing how
to go on the bit or canter to the right to schooling solid first
level movements, some second level. He is a natural at dressage
and has really come a long way. The pictures are of us giving
a demonstration for a clinic. The photos aren't the best, but
my parents came for a visit and took video clips which show him
really in action. I don't have them downloaded yet. When I get
those, I will send some snapshots. His canter is so light and
soft now! This past week was a breakthrough for him. He'd been
very heavy and unsteady lately in the canter, but this week everything
seemed to fall into place. I'm so proud of him - this was his
first 'public' debut and he handled it very well.
Ex-racer - Cold Cash is excelling in his new career in dressage.
We've almost survived the heat in Texas - whew! He had a tough
time this last round of high humidity and temperatures in August,
but he's pulled through with a good attitude. We've even started
a little jumping for fun, although he's definitely not a natural!
It's funny to watch him when I let him out in the front arena.
He did jump one on his own just for fun - showing off for us
watching! His natural ability is dressage, but I want to make
sure he doesn't get burnt out on it.
Hope all is well with you,
Cadence and Emee
April 13, 2007
Hello from Texas!
You would not believe what a small world we live in...I was looking
on your
web site yesterday and saw the training notes you just posted.
Believe it or
not, the YouTube clip
you've shown is actually a trainer here in Houston.
The grey Arabian she's included in the video (named Sabi) is actually
owned
by a co-worker of mine. What a coincidence!
So, Cadence has completely recovered from his infection he got
from a cut
near his hock. He was off for about two weeks in March, but it
gave us time
to get to know each other even more. He's got such a great personality
and
I've definitely completely attached to him. He's even trusting
me to fly
spray him now without too much fuss (this was a huge hurdle to
cross b/c he
was petrified). If I don't come to see him for a day, he'll give
me the cold
shoulder for a few minutes and try to ignore me. It's very funny
how he
reacts to me.
I've taken two lessons with him to work on going
to the right
and bending--it's another great coincidence that you mention
the training
tips on lifting the inside rein and pushing to the outside b/c
that's
exactly what we worked on this week. He's progressing beautifully
and is
definitely at a solid first level already! I will send pictures
soon; it's
just been raining a lot here and so it's been hard to get anything
decent.
Hope all is well with you!
Emee and Cadence
April 4, 2007
Hi Elizabeth!
It's been up and down the past few weeks...I had to go on a business
trip, came back, rode two days, and then got a call from the
owner of the barn. Cadence's back leg had completely swollen
up and he couldn't put any weight on it at all. We called the
vet and put him on antibiotics. It looks like a small cut near
his hock was the source of the infection. He was eating grass
and putting weight on it an hour later. He was still very swollen
for about five days, but by Thursday he was looking much better.
The swelling had gone down significantly and he was full of energy
again. Whew. I was definitely worried that it could've been something
serious with his hock. A friend of mine who also owns a ex-racehorse
Thoroughbred told me her horse has the same reaction to any sort
of cut (immediate infection with swelling and puffiness). She
thought maybe they are more prone to these reactions since they
tend to have such sensitive skin. Regardless, at least now I
know what to do if this happens again...
So in between the small injury and travel, I had also been searching
for a different saddle. The one I had was definitely starting to
give him problems and he was not comfortable. He was shortening
his stride and hollowing out his back, even kicking out at times.
So, I'd found a web site that advertised used Hennig saddles. They
are definitely an investment, but I recommend it for anyone who
is looking for a fantastic dressage saddle, especially for our
higher withered Thoroughbreds. I'm not one to push products or
write reviews, but I think this one is worth mentioning because
it will benefit anyone with saddle issues. I recommend working
with Jen from www.mahtowameadows.com .
Cadence is extremely sensitive in his back, but when I test rode
a Hennig last weekend--wow! Amazing--he was so much more comfortable,
his strides were longer, and his back was relaxed. If anyone has
similar problems with their horses, I definitely recommend trying
a Hennig and/or one of the
Thinline pads. When
I tried the saddle with the pad, he even moved out more. They are
really thin, which is great b/c there's no bulk and you still feel
close to the horse. I don't know how, but it really helps loosen
their backs.
So, I've blabbed enough for a while...all in all, Cadence is still
doing great and his time off has given us a chance to grow closer
(as corny as that sounds!). It's been great. He's even decided
that fly spray is not such a big deal! And this was a great breakthrough
b/c he would throw himself into a frenzy every time he saw the
bottle. He is such a character and a favorite at the barn. Everyone
always admires his movements and laid back, amusing demeanor.
Hope all is well with you. There are so many great horses you have
listed!
Emee and Cadence
February 1, 2007
Hi Elizabeth!
It finally stopped raining for a few days and so I tried to get a few pictures of Cadence outside.
He's doing so well--as usual! I've found that he prefers to be ridden daily and have a 'job' to keep him busy. The more routine we are, the happier he is. It's amazing how far he's come in such a short time. We can canter on both hands now. He's learned turn on the forehand and has started leg yielding with no problems. I rode him bareback the other day for fun and he corrected me when I asked for transitions to halt! I literally only had to 'think' halt and he would.
I look at your web site daily and can't believe how quickly you
find horses new homes. I love reading the other success stories.
It's a daily pick-me-up to read them!
Talk to you soon,
Emee and Cadence
OTTB - Cold Cash aka "Cadence" and his new mom Emee Ermel of Houston, Texas - December 19, 2006
January 14, 2007
Hi Elizabeth!
I hope you had a great Christmas and New Year celebration! I just wanted to keep you updated on Cadence. He is such a character! He's settled in very well and gets turned out with the other horses daily. He really enjoys making new friends and getting everyone as excited as he is about running around. Just in the three weeks that he's been here, he's put on weight and is gaining muscle. It's amazing how quickly he's developing.
Yesterday, he kept calling to me whenever I would walk to the tack room because he couldn't see me. He is so personable and just wants to be everyone's friend. At one point, there was a horse standing near him and he leaned his head against the other horse's. Unfortunately, I didn't have a camera at the time. It would've made a great picture...speaking of pictures, the weather has been so rainy, we haven't been able to take any good pictures, but I will as soon is this predicted sleet storm passes (can't believe it for Houston, but they're predicting it's going to be bad). We've walked, trotted, and cantered on both hands and are working slowly on transitions. No challenge is too hard for him; I just tried turning on the forehand a few days ago and he did it without any hesitation. He naturally goes on the bit, which was a huge surprise--I can't wait to take photos of him in motion.
People at the barn can't believe I bought him without ever seeing him, but are so impressed with his personality and abilities. Thinking back, I can't believe I did it either, but I absolutely could not have asked for a better horse. I have grown very attached to him and could not imagine not having him around!
Hope all is well,
Emee and Cadence
December 19, 2006
Hi Elizabeth!
I have photos! They don't do him justice and there's only one of us, but I
will send more in the next few weeks. I know I just emailed you updates, but
I have to tell you about tonight's ride. He's absolutely the calmest horse
I've come across in a long time. I lunged him for about 20 minutes and then
got on him for about 15. He was so relaxed. We did figure eights at the walk
and even a few trot walk transitions. He is very sensitive to my seat and
legs and stretches through his neck (and then at the end turns his head
around to say, "Is that all for today?!")
Until next time,
Emee and Cadence
Cold Cash aka "Cadence" was Emee's Christmas present to herself!
December 18, 2006
Hi Elizabeth!
Sorry it's taken me a few days to write since I called. I have been spending lots of time at the barn with Cash! I couldn't decide on a new barn name, so I took a poll. Everyone thought Cadence fit him best, so he's now known as Cadence. He's such a character. Even after only a few days of being here, he's adjusted very well. He has never spooked or anything. He's taken everything in stride, even though he's never seen a lot of these things before--indoor arena was a little strange to him at first, but he only hesitated for a second and then just walked in. I've lunged him the outside arenas, too, and he just casually looks around.
He's very smart, funny, and much further along than I thought. Eileen really gave him a good foundation b/c his ground manners are great, he knows how to lunge, and I've already been able to ride him. He likes to work, so I'm just trying to keep him engaged. He definitely favors going to the left, so we're going to work on building up his balance and muscles to the right. He's also going to learn about side reins and lunging to help him build those muscles.
He has tested me a few times yesterday about going back to the barn or turning back to the gate when he decides it's time to go vs. when I say it's time, but even then he didn't really object. A firm no and bending to the opposite side and he continued on. He stopped once and tried to back up to the gate, but I kept my seat and legs and loosened the reins, and he realized he wouldn't fool me that easily, so he just walked on.
He's definitely a one person horse. He already calls to me when
he sees me and even lays his head on my shoulder when I stand
next to him (and it's only been 4 days!) He's got so much personality!
I definitely think this was meant to be and can't wait to send
updates years from now! Thank you so much for your help--without
your web site, I would've never found Cadence. You are an angel
to Cadence and we cannot thank you enough!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Emee and Cadence
P.S. I took pictures yesterday at the barn, but they didn't turn out very well because no one else was around to take them. I'll take new ones tonight and send them tomorrow.
This was the information on "Cash" when he was a Prospect Horse for Sale.
"Cash" is a gorgeous 16.2hh, seven
year-old Thoroughbred gelding. He was purchased as a dressage prospect
for resale by the wife of a vet who works at the track. He is lightly
raced. "Cash" has a big floaty trot.
He is totally sound for any discipline. His owner is selling him
because she is a dressage instructor and has the opportunity to
get a FREE lease on an upper lever dressage schoolmaster and she
needs a stall. "Cash" has a blemish on his knee from
banging it on the gate. He has never been unsound on the knee and
the scar is below the bend of the knee so it is only a cosmetic
issue. He is one of the best priced horses on this Web site. He
has great training away from the track already. He has been on
a farm and away from the track for quite a while. While his owner
states that he is a great "dressage prospect" his soundness
does NOT limit him to only dressage. Hurry, this boy will go fast!
- GONE! SOLD! to Emee Ermel of Houston,
Texas.
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