Equine Transformation - Mission From God with Maddy Hansen

This article is from the November 2019 Horse Deals magazine.

Tell us about Ranger. Ranger’s competition name is “Mission From God” as a reference to The Blues Brothers. Both my father and I have been obsessed and I felt that it was appropriate to have something that represented both of us. Ranger is 16.1hh by DeNiro out of an unknown mare. Both my unhorsey husband and I are Ranger’s owners.

How and when did Ranger come into your life? I actually managed to find Ranger though Horse Deals. He was advertised November last year and we picked him up late November.

What potential did you see in him? When I first rode Ranger he was out of work for the last 9-12 months due to his owner being pregnant and turning him out. When I went out, he was lighter than I was hoping, however when riding him, he didn’t mind doing whatever I asked of him without a fuss.

What was his condition and temperament like on arrival? Ranger has a wonderful temperament, but certainly has some funny little quirks that we have had to deal with. He was a bit grumpy at feed time and often does a pigroot when rugging. This has improved with time in work and constant handling.

What did you do with him in the first month? I actually did everything myself in regards to handling and training. We started with some very slight lunging, a lot of long and low trotting and building up muscles. Once I felt he was strong enough to be ridden we only trotted until his muscles built up. Ranger was put on constant hay until he put some weight on, a basic hard feed twice a day and kept him up to date with 6-8 weekly trims and his teeth were done within the first month of buying him.

What did you discover in your first few rides? Within the first few rides he lacked the strength to be able to hold himself in a frame, while he could when lunged. He really struggled to use his hind and used to seem quite on the forehand. Ranger’s canter was unbalanced to start with as well and this took a good month or so to get it upright and correct.
How did he progress over six months? Ranger slowly progressed within the first month, it seemed as though it had been a fairly big change for him. However, once that month passed, Ranger progressed extremely well and after three months we were out successfully competing.

What was his first outing and how did he cope? I purchased Ranger on the 25th of November and we attended Berrima Horse Trials early March. Ranger didn’t mind the atmosphere at all. He surprisingly didn’t blink an eye at everything that was happening. He managed to pull out the best dressage test I have ever had the privilege of riding and we finished 10th out of over 30 riders with one rail and some time penalties.

How did he respond to each new step in his training? Ranger wanted to do his job and he thoroughly enjoys making someone happy. Every time I have asked of something he has taken it with all force and ran with it.

What were the challenges? My biggest challenge was knowledge, I personally have only been riding for roughly 12 months before I got Ranger, and I had just come off a 19 year old bombproof Quarter Horse. It was a drastic change to learn about health, nutrition, body growth and how to ride a horse that isn’t 100% bombproof and can get a little offended. It was an interesting couple of months to start between both him and me learning together. However, we were lucky enough to have some guidance from friends along the way that pointed us in the right direction.

How would you best describe his personality? Cheeky – Ranger, if you’re not paying attention, can throw in a cheeky little buck when jumping to keep you on your toes. He only ever does some funny things when he is having lots of fun.

Does he have any special needs? Ranger does have slight roached back that has seemed to minimise since he has put on some coverage over his body. He doesn’t need anything as such, however, I am cautious on how much workload I expect of him. I do place him on a joint supplement so I can minimise the likelihood of it coming to his detriment in the future.

What is Ranger up to today? Ranger and I are currently getting some lessons in dressage, and currently training 1m showjumping at home. We will be attending a showjumping competition later this year that we are currently striving and training towards.

What are your greatest achievements to date? For the first few months of owning Ranger, he wasn’t suited to many other riders as he could get a little offended with some things, and use to run cross country with his head extremely low. I took some time to school it out of him and I was able to lend Ranger to a friend of mine for Equestriad due to her horse being a little lame. She hadn’t ridden him prior to the day before the event and went out and put him through his first EvA80 together and brought home a 5th.
What was the key to his transformation? Patience, lots of long and low trotting and love.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to produce their horse to a particular level? Patience, Ranger certainly taught me that you can’t just expect to have things now like my other horse. Also have fun, I am certainly not the best rider, but every time I step out there to compete I have a smile on my face and enjoy what I do.
What are your goals with Ranger going forward? Come late this year I am hoping to get Ranger around a 1m track in showjumping and push to get to Tamworth next year and compete a 95cm. I would love to be able to compete 1* by the end of next year.

Would you do it all again? 100% - I have been so privileged with owning Ranger for the time I have had him, that I will look for another project when it comes time to retire Ranger.

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