From: rlt@cbnewsl.cb.att.com (R.L.Taylor KB2OOA)
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
Subject: New horse, and new twist on the Name Game
Summary: A pleasant surprise
Date: 6 Apr 92 14:28:41 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: AT&T

Okay, we've had lots of creative suggestions for names;  anybody
good at taking a weird registered name,and coming up with a barn
name?  In this case, we're talking about a TB mare named Co Kay Sem.
She's a big bay with only a tiny bit of white on her face.  And I
haven't a clue what to call her...

Those of you who know me, know that I can't resist a hard-luck story.
So it's really not surprising that this girl followed me home.  I had
gone to the tack shop at a local stable for a pair of splint boots.
Standing regally in a paddock was a gorgeous horse who was just a
little too tall and leggy to be a QH, and had no spots, therefore was
not a paint...Knowing that these are the primary breeds this stable
deals in, made us suspect that one was just passing through. :-)  Linda
inquired, and sure enough, it was a TB mare.  Lisa, the dealer, made
a few disparaging remarks about mares in general, and TB's in particular.
I, on the other hand, prefer mares, and have wanted another TB since I
lost Pooka.  The price on this gorgeous 7-year old was too low to be
true, so I asked what was wrong with her.  "She's never been ridden."
Hmmm...Well, I know some folks who are good at starting off youngsters,
and this horse was destined for the killers on Wednesday, so of course
I took her!

A couple of hours after we got her home, we put one of the more daring
fellows up on her.  She bucked a little, and danced around, then settled
down and walked around fairly quietly.  (This with only lead ropes on
her halter, and no saddle.)  Yesterday, I tacked her up to lunge her,
and she was as good as gold.  No chewing on the bit, didn't mind the
saddle...So I got on her, and she walked around like she'd been ridden
every day.  I think the dealer got her signals crossed.  It seems that
the people she got the horse from, bought her for a brood mare, and
*they* never rode her.  But apparently her previous owners (the farm
where she was foaled) must have taught her at least the basics.  I've
got a lot of work to do with her, I'm sure, but not so much as I would
have expected.  She's got a sweet disposition, and a willing attitude,
so I think we'll get along fine.  Of course, my other horse is one
pissed-off Palomino (she's the jealous type) and the dealer is kicking
herself for selling the mare so cheap.  But I figure it's her own fault
for not at least working with the horse to see what she knows.

So, now I have this beautiful mare, sounder than the proverbial dollar,
(even my vet is drooling over her!) but I don't know what to call her.
The only things that seem to come from her name are Casey (we already
have a horse by that name at the barn) and Coco, which I'm not crazy
about (sounds like a chimp).  Help, please!  Also, if anyone can help
me decipher her lineage (I have a printout, but I don't understand
some of the markings) and/or knows who's who in TB bloodlines, please
drop me a line.

It's funny, except for her size, she looks nothing like Pooka (who was
a flea-bitten grey).  But she reminds me of her in a lot of ways:  bugging
out at the wind;  a whole lot of power just waiting to be asked to run;  a
big affectionate oaf who's kind of scared by all the stuff that's happened
to her lately, yet who's looking for a friend.  If Pooka stops chasing
Pendragon through the clouds long enough to look down, I think she'll be
pleased.  The best tribute I can think of to give her is to save another
horse's life.

Sorry this got so long.  What can I say, I'm a proud parent!  And a little
scared, after last year.  But life goes on, and every once in a while it
gives us a real pleasant surprise.

Roberta
...and Chablis and Co Kay Sem, who desperately needs a nickname!