Kope's Excursion

Kope, pronounced co-pay, is back home in his summer digs after wintering at a dressage barn with an indoor ring. The big Hungarian Warmblood is so happy to be home that he cannot contain himself. So, he proceeds to remove the top rail of his paddock fence and jump out.

 Kope, who has a touch of stringhalt in his right rear, goes goosestepping up to the riding ring where Connie is riding her horse, Nitro. Feeling inspired, Kope spends several minutes going through his paces at liberty until Sam shows up looking for him. Next stop is up the hill to visit the mare's paddock and see what they are up to. Nosing around the upper barn, Kope hooks his halter on the water hydrant and wrenches it completely out of the ground. This produces a wild-eyed charge still farther up the hill through the top fields and into the woods.

Here, Kope decides to take a breather and see if anyone comes in search of him. Before long, Connie shows up riding a trusty old horse bareback. Next on the scene is Ali, racing up on a four wheeler. The ATV causes Kope to run down the far side of the hill, jumping fallen trees and any other obstacles he encounters until he reaches the town reservoir, another pause on the shore until the approaching ATV spurs Kope into action and into the reservoir he goes. Swimming along with just his nose out of the water, it begins to look as if he will swim clear across. Thinking better of it, Kope returns to shore and heads back toward the barn.

Halfway back, having had enough fun for one day, Kope decides to give himself up and accept a halter and lead. Somewhere during Kope's excursion, his right rear shoe has been lost. The loss of the shoe is reported to his owner without the details. She got some funny looks from the staff when she asked if she should look for the shoe.

Matthew Rice working on his CJF horse today - with Autumn Kelly at Ira Brook Farm & Guest House - Vermont Farrier's Association

Midwestern Farrier's Association

Oregon Farrier's Association