When and where Mouse was
born, no one from the Riding Academy knows. All we do know is that Mouse
was found grazing in a field owned by an Amish farmer. The farmer was selling
Mouse, not because she was unable to pull their carriage to and from the
farm, but for one more important reason. Mouse would decide when it was time
to go back home. Sometimes this did not necessarily coincide with the time
the farmer was ready. The farmer would many times come out of the store in
time to see Mouse and his carriage heading back home without him. So, Mouse's
career as a cart horse was short-lived.
This is when Mouse came
into the lives of Robert Mayer Riding Academy (ROMRA) in Pittsburgh, PA.
Mouse's spirit continued to be one of her best qualities and everyone
at ROMRA has stories about her spirit. When Mouse was in her early training,
the students would take her out in the winter when there was snow in the
outdoor arena. They would ride her bareback until Mouse would decide their
turn was over and buck them off into the fallen snow. The next person would
take their turn until, again, Mouse would buck them off. This would continue
until Mouse would wear out the students or they would be too cold and wet
to continue.
Mouse's spirit, size and
conformation made her the perfect school and vaulting horse. Mouse was a
wonderful Dressage school horse and became the favorite of everyone that
had the opportunity to ride her. She still holds the record for dragging
the most students, interns, and trainers back to the barn, getting loose
from the lunge line, and evading the hoof pick with the famous Mousie
Shuffle.
In her later years, Mouse
was no longer able to be a school horse, but no one wanted Mouse to be sold
and leave the academy. This is where I came in. I, like all the other students
that rode Mouse, loved her. I was given the opportunity to own Mouse. Although
she was an older horse, her spirit was still as strong as ever. Because of
the way she was built, she was known as the moving couch. You barely moved
in the saddle when she trotted and she responded to a very light seat or
leg aid. But, don't ever let down your guard, because Mouse would look for
her opportunity to test your skills by practicing her bucking skills. Mouse
managed to throw me off many times, but always stood by waiting until I would
get back on her.
Mouse loved the attention
and grooming I gave her and would always look up from her stall when she
heard me in the barn. I will always remember her long mane and tail blowing
in the wind as she would trot and canter around the arena, stand for as long
as you would groom her, and look at you with those big brown eyes wondering
where her apple or carrot was.
I know Mouse is running
in the pasture in the sky, her mane and tail blowing, waiting for a brave
angel to try to stay on her as they ride her in the clouds. Mouse, you will
always be loved and missed by many people, but mostly by me. Thank you for
the few years I had with you and for allowing me to climb on your back and
ride you. Thank you for giving me the love you did and allowing me to love
you. Run free, Lady Mouse.
Lady Mouse 
