If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times, the best thing about horse people is their dogs. It's so true. It doesn't matter who the people are, and I'm including myself in this mix, but no one tells the complete truth when it comes to the horse they are trying to sell or trade. It just doesn't happen. Well, it does happen when we sell or trade. It's like online dating; when I was stupid and did that for a while back in the late 90s, I always told the truth about my age, height, weight, etc., but I was the only one who did.
So, here we are, just one day into having the horses on our land, when it became very apparent that the people we got the Paint mare from didn't exactly tell the whole truth about her. Sure, they said she was likely pregnant, and she is, but they also said they believed she had been ridden in the past and that she had been out in the pasture the last year or so. They said she was around 15 to 16 years old, and she's not. The good news is she's younger than they said, but the bad news is she's not really even halter-broke. She is, but she's only had one on her face a few times. She didn't know how to lead.
Not to worry. I will sell the mare immediately, and then, instead of getting myself another horse, I'm just going to let Laura keep all the horses. I'll feed them, groom them, watch them, love them, and video, but I don't need to ride. I thought I wanted to, but I really don't. I don't think my hips can take it. This cold air is really doing a number on me, so if I did manage to get up on top of the animal, I may not have the control I need, and that could turn out disastrous for me. If I got up there and couldn't get down, I can't guarantee any of the firemen in our area wouldn't laugh and post about it later.
Nope, I thought I wanted a horse. I really did. When they arrived last evening, and it was just over 30 degrees outside, and my mare decided to stay where she was in the big trailer she'd spent a few hours in, I stood outside shaking and freezing myself to the bone, hoping to get some sort of video. Laura had to put a little training into the situation, and when we got the mare into the paddock, she almost immediately began testing the fenceline. Nope...she's outta here! I asked Laura to post her on Facebook, and within a few minutes, we had several people interested. She's gorgeous! She's also pregnant, and a lot of people really like baby horses.
Am I sad? No. Actually, I'm not. I'm happy, really, because it means Laura gets another horse for herself, and I don't have to pay for feed, vet bills, tack, or anything. I'll continue to buy the carrots and treats, though. I will forever be the treat-lady. That's me. I can do that. I can brush them when it's warmer, and I'll hang out with them, but no, I don't need to ride. I'll have hundreds of millions of years to ride when we get to Heaven, and I won't worry about breaking something. I can just see myself falling off, being bucked off, or just not being able to get down from it - and needing to roll off. No, thank you.
Laura's little Arab-cross mare (Lady Sif) is an amazing girl. She's pretty, pristine, and polite. The paint is gorgeous for sure, but she's nosy, bossy, marish, and pushy. I don't need that. She'll make someone a good ride when they get her trained. We don't have the patience or time for that. With her being pregnant, she won't be able to be trained until after the baby is born and weaned. It will be June or July before the training can begin - I don't want to keep paying for feed and bills on something I can't use. If Laura wants to do something that, or if someone else wants to, that's FINE, but not for me. I only keep horses that are both useful and rideable. Anything else is wasteful. (for me)
At least I can always find Laura now when I don't see her inside at her desk. She's been non-stop hovering over the two horses since they were delivered. She's checked on them at least a dozen times to my once, and she's so giddy and happy...you'd think she had won the lottery -- she may need to. Horses are expensive. The other thing I always say is, "If you have horses, you need money because you won't have any if you keep them."
Photo Credit: Me (Jace)
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