introducing Ziggy - "Brindisi Desire"

I received a call the other night about a mare who had been rescued from being sent to the doggers 8 weeks ago and needed a new home by this Friday due to loss of agistment. I was a bit dubious, but at 16.3ish, 8yo and quiet, I thought I'd go have a look anyway.

She was in poor condition (though clearly better than in some of the older photos the owner sent through, kudos to her for saving this sweetheart and introducing her to this thing called food!), but at first glance she had a beautiful kind eye, quite good legs considering her hard life, and with fat and muscle in all the right places looked like she'd come up nicely.

She was, however, very foot sore on the rock hard ground due to a dodgy trim that left her cut back way too far and walking on her soles, poor darling! However I knew I needed to see how soundly she otherwise moved if I was going to take her so we gave her a quick lunge. Lunging manners, yep; total ignorance of the commotion going on 20m away with a shed being pulled down, yep; acceptance of the bit in running reins after a quick in hand lesson (she didn't have a clue at first but learned very quickly), yep; trotting decently in a frame, yep; canter leads, yep; flying changes if she picked up the wrong one, yep; maintaining frame and not disuniting in canter, yep!

Despite being concerned about how sore she was and whether it was anything worse, I said I'd take her. Her type reminds me quite a bit of Matty in the early days and that is just my kind of horse, so I figured it was worth the risk - too many nice horses end up at the doggers!

She was reluctant to get on the float but once she did, she travelled like an absolute dream and while excited and curious when she got off, she was on her best behaviour when introducing her to her new paddock and companion. I was most impressed to see her bravely walk straight over ditches and jump up and down banks getting up the driveway to the gate - eventer much?

When we let her go in the paddock, she buddied up with her new friend and off they trotted..I had the camera out and actually put it down as my jaw dropped - when she started trotting on the better ground, she looked absolutely stunning despite her condition. It appeared I'd found a very elegant mare hiding in a scrubby package!

I can't get over her temperament - she is quite willing (excepting the float but we'll fix that soon enough) and just isn't fazed by anything. The sheep gave her a fright at first and she just stopped with her head in the air, snorted, then soon enough walked straight past it to get to the trough having figured out it wasn't that scary. She can put up with a bit of pressure as we discovered on the lunge, she just isn't that typical nervy TB type at all!

She has quite an interesting history, which I will explain in further posts - but in short, she was infamous on the track for being a head case. She is very intelligent and was often misunderstood causing some problems. Luckily she had a kind, caring and understanding trainer who made a big effort to always do the right thing for her. The trainer kept her on at their own expense when she retired, until they could find a good home. Sadly, the home wasn't right and within six months she was a serious rescue case. The lady I bought her from had been told that the meat man's truck was on its way and that if she didn't pick her up within the half hour, that would be the end for the mare. Lucky for Ziggy, as we now know her, the lady DID pick her up, and she will be my new project horse as she continues her journey back to health.

So for now, the plan is to fix her feet, start fattening her up, and have chiro/dentist both check her over, and start doing a bit of light lunging to begin building up some muscle and fitness. When I'm allowed to ride again we'll take things as they come and see how she turns out as a riding horse (I haven't seen her ridden, only a few photos as we had no gear!)

Here is the big girl, Ziggy - she raced as "Goodonya Ziggy", but in keeping with the Muse theme, she will be "Brindisi Desire" after the current single which has fast become one of my favourite Muse songs...the lyrics are just perfect.


I know you've suffered
But I don't want you to hide
It's cold and loveless
I won't let you be denied

Soothing
I'll make you feel pure
Trust me
You can be sure

I want to reconcile the violence in your heart
I want to recognize your beauty's not just a mask
I want to exorcise the demons from your past
I want to satisfy the undisclosed desires in your heart

You trick your lovers that you're wicked and divine
You may be a sinner
But your innocence is mine
Please me
Show me how it's done
Tease me
You are the one

I want to reconcile the violence in your heart
I want to recognize your beauty's not just a mask
I want to exorcise the demons from your past
I want to satisfy the undisclosed desires in your heart

Please me
Show me how it's done
Trust me
You are the one

I want to reconcile the violence in your heart
I want to recognize your beauty's not just a mask
I want to exorcise the demons from your past
I want to satisfy the undisclosed desires in your heart


BRINDISI DESIRE