Purchase Power
This is a pencil portrait I did of Power in 2003
|
“Lacie turned to the group. “Imagine chewing with a pencil between your front teeth. That’s what life’s like for this horse. Talk to anyone who has TMJ issues. They hurt. People dealing with horses in this condition say things like, ‘He doesn’t like his head touched.’ ‘I have to take his bridle apart to put it on.’ ‘I can’t get near his ears.’ ‘He goes ballistic if I tighten his noseband.’ For this horse, eating is painful.”
She might as well have punched me. I swallowed hard, tears welling in my eyes. She closed the speculum and massaged Power’s cheeks. He relaxed, his eyelids drooping. “It’s understandable he never needs points filed since they arise from the grinding process, which he doesn’t do. He needs to hang his lower jaw for comfort.” She turned to me, pained, and said, “Never force this horse to close his mouth.” The figure 8 noseband fiasco leapt back into my mind, and shame flushed my cheeks. Power wasn’t saying, “Don’t you dare restrain me.” He was saying, “I’m out of my mind with pain when you clamp my mouth shut.” Excerpt From In It for the Horses, A Journey from Whips to Whispers Nancy K. Camp This material may be protected by copyright. |
|
A Formidable Presence
I absolutely had to have Purchase Power from the moment I saw him. Two things stood in my way. Another person was also interested, and to afford him, I had to sell my Quarter Horse mare. Months of anxiety followed until the other potential buyer deemed Power's feet would not hold up to the high-stakes competition she pursued and lost interest. But the broker still actively marketed him. I thought I’d lost him for sure when she took him to a sport horse sale in Salt Lake City, but he returned, still for sale. When my mare sold, Power’s feet became my problem––and it was a blessing in disguise. That beautiful chestnut gelding with four white socks and a striking blaze challenged me to grow my knowledge about hooves and connected me with a mentor acknowledged in my book, Doug Frazier, farrier extraordinaire. Power’s independent spirit taught me more about humility than anything else in my life. The horse I almost didn't get shaped everything that came after. |
|
|
Playful Canter Departs
My show nerves were off the charts, and every horse I rode reflected them. Judges frequently wrote in my dressage test comments: "playful canter depart" when Power bucked to pick up a canter. I'd later learn it was my attempts at precision—executing the canter aids with such zest that I literally spurred a buck out of him. Add a poorly fitting saddle and his undiagnosed dental condition, and well, I had a lot to learn. |
A Cherished Memory
Power had a habit of stopping dead to survey his surroundings. There was no keeping him going, and any interference with his quirky surveillance was met with a surge of power beneath me that cooled my jets. I often felt foolish being in so little control.
Then I met a jockey who had ridden him when he raced. At the horse broker's office, the jockey's face lit up with recognition when I mentioned I had Purchase Power. He chuckled. "Ah, yeah. I remember that horse. I'll never forget one day when I was in a hurry. It was early, so I hustled that horse out to the gate. He didn't take to being rushed and stopped dead in his tracks, throwing his head up to look around." I laughed—I knew exactly that behavior.
"Of all days," the jockey continued, "I didn't have time for that nonsense, so I reached around and cracked his butt with my whip."
He landed in the dirt. Power trotted calmly to the infield fence. "That's one opinionated horse," the jockey concluded.
I couldn't have agreed more.
Power had a habit of stopping dead to survey his surroundings. There was no keeping him going, and any interference with his quirky surveillance was met with a surge of power beneath me that cooled my jets. I often felt foolish being in so little control.
Then I met a jockey who had ridden him when he raced. At the horse broker's office, the jockey's face lit up with recognition when I mentioned I had Purchase Power. He chuckled. "Ah, yeah. I remember that horse. I'll never forget one day when I was in a hurry. It was early, so I hustled that horse out to the gate. He didn't take to being rushed and stopped dead in his tracks, throwing his head up to look around." I laughed—I knew exactly that behavior.
"Of all days," the jockey continued, "I didn't have time for that nonsense, so I reached around and cracked his butt with my whip."
He landed in the dirt. Power trotted calmly to the infield fence. "That's one opinionated horse," the jockey concluded.
I couldn't have agreed more.
My pictures of Power are not digital, and only a limited number of photographs of him exist.
A magnificent memory, he lives on in my heart. |
|
Thinking back, I frequently experience a pang of regret wishing I had the wisdom I have now. Then, I remind myself that mistakes are meant for forgiveness, not retribution, and shift my focus to honoring this exceptional teacher.
|
|
Agreeing to Be Ridden
Whenever I mounted him, he'd freeze as if to say, "You know, I could unload you in a nanosecond." I was obliged to say, "Yes, sir." To which he responded, "Alright then, we may proceed." |
|