Capote

I will introduce my new horse Capote to you - in English, as I guess his Portuguese part of the family may want to read this chapter too... In Portuguese, Capote means coat. I understand it is the coat that the toreros wear in a bullfight. His breeder is Vinhas stud located near the Sado river in Portugal. They breed horses for bullfights. I learned a lot about Portuguese breeding while I was in Portugal to see Capote.

After five weeks in Germany, this 10yrs old gelding of the Lusitano breed has really shown stamina. He is about to move to our house in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, he and Cockpit are both staying at a nearby Equestrian Center. The best news is: they are best friends already.

Coming to say a few words about the character of this horse. I think if you make a friend and you have to take such a decision as to have a horse travel from Portugal to Germany, there is never sufficient time but a very first impression that makes you think he is the right partner for you. It is a little bit like gambling. It was not so easy. Then, the days after his arrival in Germany, are not typical either. Some horses are really excited, others are just insecure - they just need some time to adjust and adapt. Now five weeks are over.

Capote is a very strong-minded but friendly horse. All his neighbors at the stable he is friends with. And most remarkable, he knows me from my steps. When I come, he comes running and neighs. He is extremely close and this will be even stronger once he lives at our house. When he is in the arena, he does not care about any noises and machines around him. He is bomb-proof.

Capote is like me when it Comes to eating. Just show him the hay and he gains 10 pounds. This is certainly something to closely watch but I am confident we will find our common diet. Together.

Strolls in the fields are nothing he seems to have much experience with. He spooks with little kids in Bobby cars as well as bikes riding closeby. But we will be working on that. Unfortunately, it seems all my saddles (I have quite a few) do not fit him well. I discovered that recently with my riding instructor. To me the saddle looks good on him, but apparently something gives him pressure. So I have to get that checked. In the meantime, we do a lot of work at hand and some exercises for working equitation as the sideways pole...

We also do training in loading to my red Ifor Williams trailer, and we do training in separating the horses as at home, I can only ride or work one at a time. But all this seems to be lightweigth and easy. So there is quite a bit of challenge ahead until we are really the working team that we were with my wonderful Tabasco. It is too early to define goals beyond these. I will keep you posted.