DULCE SWEET VELVET

I acquired Dulce as a 6 month old foal; I’d seen her running wild in a yard and instantly fallen in love with her. Unfortunately she was weaned too soon and didn’t take kindly to being taken from her mum; she was confused, shocked and upset for quite some time so Lizzie took her under her wing and became a surrogate Mum.

Dulce has always been quite a feisty mare, full of character and attitude, but she also loved to follow me for walks with the dog or just into the arena to play with the jumps and trotting poles. She used to trot behind me over the poles and jumps but one day changed her mind and cleared the wings, almost landing on me in the process! She then floored me with a kick from the hind leg and from that day on she realised she could use her size to her advantage, cue Diva Dulce.

Dulce is a quick learner and very agile; she regularly trampled through fencing and hedges to explore the farm and nearby fields. She would always make her way home when she’d had enough – she is not one to be told off and one of her ‘mare stares’ could silence a nation. As Dulce matured she has become more willing to work with me rather than against me.

As a 3 year old, I decided to break Dulce in gently to give her something to occupy her mind. She took to it beautifully. Dulce could walk, halt and trot. We went out on roads and in traffic within 2 weeks, she was brave beyond her years. However, she decided to start napping, bucking, broncing and rearing. One day I had to dismount for my own safety after an hour of being thrown around in the saddle and as I returned her to the field she double barrelled me. Narrowly missing my head, but caught my arm, chest and leg. The damage left my leg misshapen and it was 2 months before I could get close to her without her baring her teeth, snorting and charging at me.

I was advised by many to sell her on, but instead I put her to my stallion Jasper. Dulce produced a beautiful foal, Lunar, and after weaning Lunar at 14 months I gave Dulce a few months rest before attempting to re-break her.

There were a few teething issues and it’s taken me a year to feel that I can handle her temper, agility and stubborn ways. There have been times when I’ve thought I couldn’t cope with her, but I’ve persevered, albeit slowly. She has settled into being the beautiful Diva I always knew she’d be. I’m proud of how she has turned out. We have a long way to go but she is a pleasure to ride and is a wonderful mum to Lunar.