Gogmagog

Alternate titles: Bebe horse, Ben gets a little brother, Welcoming chaos into my life, Goggles, and Ben 2.0

While Emma was baby horse shopping, I did some shopping of my own. Actually, I didn't, really. I had been not really looking for a second horse for a few months. Ie if one fell into my lap (or Facebook messenger inbox) that felt right, I was open to it, but I was not actively searching. And in fact had removed myself from most horse sale groups on Facebook. Apparently others had not though. And Amanda, like Presto, lives to bring chaos into people's lives. She sent JT a link to Ben 2.0, a just turned 4 yo OTTB with TRRAC in Pennsylvania. She had clicked on him because of his pedigree, then realized he was very similar in appearance to Ben. JT then sent him to me with a "if you're serious about a second horse this might be one to jump on." 

If you recall my fall post whining about the time commitment for training level and wonder what the heck I'm doing, you are not alone. I am right there with you. He is living at JT's barn though which means he'll be getting training rides and could potentially have some rides under other people there looking for some extra saddle time. 

But practical concerns aside, something felt right. I could provide all kinds of backwards rationalizations for the why, but we'll leave it at that. So, I made my first sight unseen horse purchase. Bebe horse arrived after a 24 hour trailer ride looking understandably tired. But he was easy to handle and sweet. He eyed the mini a bit and was unsure on the field waterer, but did nothing more than give them the side eye and then cautiously approach. 

Meet Sense a Giant, a 2019 thoroughbred gelding. He is out of a Giant's Causeway mare and by Street Sense. In very non horse breeding terms, he is Ben's cousin; his dam sire is Ben's sire's sire. Sense a Giant raced 5 times, last in December. He placed second once and had a lifetime earnings of $10,898. JT and I toyed with several barn names, but settled on Gogmagog, the giant from Jack and the beanstalk. It's a whole mouthful of a name, but has a delightful number of nicknames. 

Goggins, Gogs, Magog, Goggles for the right eye that always has a bit of sclera exposed

One of JT's working students helpfully commented that he looked bigger than 16.3. Oof. When TRRAC called to let me know he had loaded with the shipper, she also added he looked like he'd grown. Might be 17 hands then. 

We're going to have a chill couple of weeks exploring on the ground while we figure out a saddle and get some shoes and weight on him.