Oh my, so much has happened in the past couple of weeks. Where to start? I need to go back and reread my old posts so I can remember where we last had our big adventure.
Okay, in last week's episode, we watch the Ho (that's me) visit Sad Sophey and discover that all is not as appears. Then she leaves for Palm Desert with the Colonel to have fun in the sun but still whine and handwring over the fate of the good and angelic Trusty. During the trip, we watch her whine and negotiate with Trusty's Evil Owner. Then!!! Oh, my goodness!!! An email arrives:
Hi Heidi,
Life is an ever changing playing field, which I suppose is what keeps
it exciting and interesting...after I saw you on Monday I learned that
I got into Occupational Therapy school in Spokane. This is totally my
dream and the profession will open up so many doors. But it's gotten
me thinking about where I'm at in my life right now being single and
going to grad school makes it more difficult for me to own an adorable
little pony named, Lucky. I've been so fortunate to get to keep him
for as long has I have, but it's only going to become more difficult
both financially and time wise.
My mom and I talked this morning and we think it would be best if we
sell him. I know that you've been interested in solidifying your own
little herd and I wanted to you to be the first to know that we're
going to have to sell him. Do you have any interest in buying him?
I know that this is kind of sudden, so please take your time and we
can talk more when you get back from your trip. I just know that you
would give him the such a great home because he's already so happy
where he is :)
Signed, Lucky's owner
And this is what fate has wrought. I now have the golden opportunity to own Trusty's twin, who by the way, can be ridden by children, is a champion driving horse, very healthy and has perfect confirmation and has a stellar show record. He and I will also be doing Pet Partners next year! He is also Trusty's best buddy. I did think, for a second, well perhaps TEO wants him? But of course that thought was instantly gone. He is the 15 year old gelding (like Trusty) that comes with his own harness, cart, saddle pad and accessories for $1800 that she wishes she owned. Several people have already expressed an interest in him, so I'm really lucky to get Lucky. It's true; the good ones are never advertised!
Fast forward to this week's episode. The Ho delivers Valentino, the black mini, back to Trusty's Soon To Be Former Evil Owner with a check ($4K is too much, but she had me over a barrel, so I'm over it) on Friday. He is not going to kids' camp and will be forever mine.
I will wait a few weeks before I rub it happily in her face!!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Sad Sophey
She was not the horse in the picture. When the trailer pulled up, out stepped a muddy brown, disheveled little horse. Her feet were long and she had a peculiar gait. She had her tail in a bag and her forelock was tied into knots. Upon closer inspection, her ears were covered in black gunk and her eyes and nose runny. I scraped some mud off and discovered rain rot. I asked if she had recent vet care and they were proud to tell me she had received the West Nile Virus vaccine last year. The base of her tail was short and rubbed raw, generally a sign of worms.
Her pronounced club foot was explained as a confirmation flaw, but she seemed okay, except that she laid down alot. Didn't have time to clean her up and, oh, I couldn't find her paperwork. They didn't keep a blanket on her because she didn't like it. From the way she kept biting herself and rubbing, I suspect she has lice.
I noticed a smell of rotting meat in her mouth and was informed that she had never been floated.
What to say, except I can't save them all.
A very sad day.
Her pronounced club foot was explained as a confirmation flaw, but she seemed okay, except that she laid down alot. Didn't have time to clean her up and, oh, I couldn't find her paperwork. They didn't keep a blanket on her because she didn't like it. From the way she kept biting herself and rubbing, I suspect she has lice.
I noticed a smell of rotting meat in her mouth and was informed that she had never been floated.
What to say, except I can't save them all.
A very sad day.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Current Events
I brushed and brushed and furminated and then did it some more yesterday because today was our MOCK EVALUATION. Yes, our final class to prepare for the Pet Partners exam on April 7th. Trusty was quite stunning with quite a bit of hair stripped away and a freshly shorn bridle path and whiskers.
We were last up, so he hung out in the trailer eating hay until it was time to perform. Just to shake off his jitters, we trotted up and down the street until I was huffing and puffing. We went in and put on his tiny tennis shoes and off we went. He did very well, calmly walking around cones, ignoring a big ball, politely avoiding a demented volunteer in a wheelchair and not reacting to a strange dog approach. He did pull his head back a bit when she touched his ears, and then when a woman approached him with her ring extended, he violently pulled back. We were all surprised and somebody else tried it and he wouldn't touch it. That was a very unusual behavior and his little nostrils were flaring and trembling. He completed the rest of the test and we tried to figure out what the issue was. Another woman came up to him and when he sniffed her ring, she felt a static spark. He had been shocked!! No wonder he spooked.
So all that brushing and grooming and then coldness added up to a little hairball of electricity just waiting to be sparked. I will be very careful the day of the test not to let him get wet, lest he accidentally electrocutes himself.
No word about his ownership. I am going to look at Sophie, a five year old teeny tiny mare tomorrow. She has been a Pet Partner since she was two and shown and driven, too. Her owner is going off to college and I hope and don't hope that she is perfect. If she is wonderful and I get her, then Trusty potentially leaving won't be as bad. If she is and we get Trusty, then I will have two, oy vey. If she isn't wonderful and Trusty leaves, it will be most sad.
We were last up, so he hung out in the trailer eating hay until it was time to perform. Just to shake off his jitters, we trotted up and down the street until I was huffing and puffing. We went in and put on his tiny tennis shoes and off we went. He did very well, calmly walking around cones, ignoring a big ball, politely avoiding a demented volunteer in a wheelchair and not reacting to a strange dog approach. He did pull his head back a bit when she touched his ears, and then when a woman approached him with her ring extended, he violently pulled back. We were all surprised and somebody else tried it and he wouldn't touch it. That was a very unusual behavior and his little nostrils were flaring and trembling. He completed the rest of the test and we tried to figure out what the issue was. Another woman came up to him and when he sniffed her ring, she felt a static spark. He had been shocked!! No wonder he spooked.
So all that brushing and grooming and then coldness added up to a little hairball of electricity just waiting to be sparked. I will be very careful the day of the test not to let him get wet, lest he accidentally electrocutes himself.
No word about his ownership. I am going to look at Sophie, a five year old teeny tiny mare tomorrow. She has been a Pet Partner since she was two and shown and driven, too. Her owner is going off to college and I hope and don't hope that she is perfect. If she is wonderful and I get her, then Trusty potentially leaving won't be as bad. If she is and we get Trusty, then I will have two, oy vey. If she isn't wonderful and Trusty leaves, it will be most sad.
 |
| Little Sophie |
Monday, March 12, 2012
If It's Meant To Be....
Okay. Normally, and this isn't normal, I wouldn't post private email stuff. BUT.....this is the response we got from offering a lifetime home after giving Bombay to them....
"Hey.
Daughter and Daughter have" come around" and have been helping me look for another Trusty boy Mini that they are satisfied with...........which means yes, when we find a little pumpkin head as wonderful and talented as him we can/will sign him over to be yours.
Just updating you on my search. The best..........most like Trusty gelding I've found is a little gelding similar to Trusty and has potential for being as calm with the handicapped kids, as well as our camp and lesson kids. .............and he has done a ton of pleasure driving which is fabulous! ( don't know if you have had a chance to drive Trusty yet or not but he is amazing) Unfortunately the owner won't let him go for less than $5, 000 as she is not excited to sell him. I have a few others to go look at in the next cple weeks all in the $3-5 k range as well. The good ones with the training and experience he has are not cheap.
I have helped my vet out with a mini horse rescue and brought some home in hopes of finding a little diamond in the rough. They were a mess and all need extensive training/work so we have cleaned them up and are in the process of choosing foster homes for them.
I plan to keep looking unless that amount would be fine for you.
Give the boys a kiss for me. Hope you are not too soggy after today's rain.............so wishing the sun would come out soon."
Me writing here.....I plan to sit on this for a few weeks and think hard. My first thought is; prove that you actually have this "replacement" and my second was, well, "I haven't seen a 16 year old mini going for more than $2000, good luck with that" (truth). It isn't really about the money, but the principle for neglecting an animal 11 months out of the year kills me.
I am disappointed, but we will all push on...
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Fun With All Creatures Small
Is there anything better than kids and horses? No, not really. Perhaps kids and puppies, but eventually puppies bite and then there is crying and snotty noses and stuff. I prefer the general slapping of necks, poking of ears and pulling of tails without a lot of fuss.
If you recall, this is my little hero, Audrey, who held horses while the ambulance pulled me to safety and rebuilt nose. Her little brother, Brady, is stinkin' cute and loves horses, too, which is why he is perfectly content to pull Trusty about while filling his diaper.
A word about Trusty and his future. While we are bonding and committed to the Pet Partners program, alas, he is still not "mine". I have been in negotiations with his current owner for a few weeks, and she is still not giving me any indication that she is willing to let him have a loving lifetime home. I know I have given her two little horses much needed care and love, much more than they ever had, but....she can take them any time. It makes me very sad, but I am resigned to staying positive and giving my best to these boys. They deserve it and I deserve it.
A word about Trusty and his future. While we are bonding and committed to the Pet Partners program, alas, he is still not "mine". I have been in negotiations with his current owner for a few weeks, and she is still not giving me any indication that she is willing to let him have a loving lifetime home. I know I have given her two little horses much needed care and love, much more than they ever had, but....she can take them any time. It makes me very sad, but I am resigned to staying positive and giving my best to these boys. They deserve it and I deserve it.
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