Dressage Life |
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CARIBA "Northern Wildfire" 1969 - Sept. 1992 Morgan / TB cross 15.1 hh, Bay, Gelding Bought Sept. 1982 Memories Of A Faded Dream
I knew which horse I wanted. It was Cariba who was a school horse at Redstone Farm. Cariba was a morgan, thoroughbred cross, bay gelding at 15.3hh. I had been riding and part boarding this horse since 1979. The day before I was to ask the owner of the farm and school horses about buying Cariba, tragedy struck the farm. The team of horses that the owner of the farm Kuni Von Rothenstien also known as Mr. R, was driving while taking a group of kids on a hay ride bolted. The wagon flipped over trapping Mr. R underneath. He passed away two weeks later in hospital due to his injuries. We were all very sad at the barn due to what had happened and that no one knew what was going to happen to the farm and horses. I went to the executor of the estate and talked to him about buying Cariba. He wanted $1000 for him which I thought was too much because I knew that Mr. R would not have asked that much for him. Mr. R knew how much I cared for Cariba and that Mr. R always made sure that I was just about the only person who ever rode that horse. I agreed to the price as that I just wanted to have my horse.
I did everything with this horse. I competed in Pony Club Rallies, Hunter/Jumper, Eventing, and finally Dressage under his show name Northern Wildfire. I competed in Dressage to the Medium 1 level. I have up to 300 placings from competitions in Dressage and Hunter from riding Cariba.
I lived so close to the barn where I boarded at I even rode him over to my house
a few times and surprised the neighbours.
Cariba taught me so much not only about riding, but everything else you need to know about caring about a horse. This really came about when I was taking Cariba over some jumps during my lesson. I was cantering up to a single fence and went into the two-point position too soon. Because of this Cariba was not able to jump the fence and somersaulted over it landing flat on his back. I seen his head disappear, so I bailed out by pushing off with my hand on the pommel of the saddle. I was fine, but so scared and upset to see my horse laying there with the wind knocked out of him not wanting to get up. The Vet came right away and was afraid that he may have broken his back or pelvis. After Cariba laid there for about 45 minutes he finally got up. The Vet gave him a through exam and didn't think that anything was broken, but he would be very sore for some time. Cariba's jumping days were over. I felt so guilty about this because it was my fault and there was nothing I could do to go back and fix it. A couple of months after Cariba's fall he still wasn't moving well and wasn't rideable. I knew of a Chiropractor that did horses nearby, so we loaded him into a trailer and took him there. Thomas Offen the Chiropractor thought that Cariba might fall during treatment so he opted to do him outside. Cariba stood there and didn't move at all. When his pelvis was done everyone heard a loud crack and then immediate relief from Cariba's face and a big sigh. After a month of hand walking and numerous treatments I was finally able to ride him again. Cariba had some slight stiffness at the beginning but worked out of it. He felt great. I was so happy that I had my horse back. Thomas Offen called Cariba the miracle horse because of his great recovery at the age of 17. Cariba would have to have a treatment every three months or so, but I thought it was worth it for Cariba to be out of pain.
I sent him to a friend's farm north of Barrie to live out his retirement. At the age of 23 I decided to put him down. He was having a very hard time getting up after laying down. I didn't want him lay down outside when it would be very cold and snowy and not be able to get up again. I gave him the summer and said goodbye to him in Sept. of 1992. His paddock mate Crackers was put down at the same time. She was 27 years old and blind, so she relied on Cariba while turned out and would be lost without him. I had Cariba for 10 years and he was the best. Not only was he my first horse, but also my friend. May his spirit live on in the hearts of all those he touched.
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Contact InformationPlease e-mail me about any questions you may have. General Information: gerri@dressagelife.com Webmaster: cariba@sympatico.ca
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Cariba was the first horse I bought and I was only 17 years old. I had made a
deal with my mom that if I bought the horse she would pay the board until I was
working full time. This agreement worked very well.
I retired Cariba just before the age of 22. He told me it was time. This horse
hated to be turned out so he stayed in his stall and was very happy. How he told me it was
time, was by jumping over the wheelbarrow when his stall was being cleaned and going
outside to play in the stream all day. It was if he said I've done my duty I
just want to play now.
