I was going to blog about the "white ears" but I will put that off for a day or two due to the 2 followers I have here LOL......as we have a Standardbred in common.
When I came back to horses the one GOOD move I made was to let my daughter pick out a horse.
We saw an add posted in a tack store showing a Standardbred for sale he was a 4 year old gelding 16.2hh he was in the upper price range but worth taking a look at.
My sister and I went and took the first look.........I say this with all the love and respect in the world, but holy crap that horse had a BIG head:) I left thinking for sure my daughter would take one look and say no way. However my sister was sold on the big headed horse, she loved his kindness and quiet way.
So, as fate would have it my daughter also fell in LOVE with the big headed horse.....his name is "Red Star Tropic" AKA "Red" and yes he was the BEST move that was made in my return to horses!
I need to explain that Red had some challenges that come with every 4 year old horse, even a quiet one.......I got much of my help from one of my followers... Mellisa.
Mellisa runs an online group that helps folks who are taking a Standardbred and re-training for sports other than racing......Standardbreds-starting-a-new-career.....on Yahoo groups.....a really great group by the way!
With all this said I want Mellisa to know that Red horse is and will always be part of my family.With his rock solid mind and brave heart Red taught me to believe in my ability to ride again and ride well......Red helped me to find the courage to work with a young horse that had never been handled, she came from a feedlot and was headed for slaughter.
So as fate would have it again, at the point where I needed to focus on the young one and help her to be the best she can be, my horse trainer told me about a wonderful young couple looking for a BIG quiet good minded horse.
I knew having Red standing in the pasture feeling like the odd man out was completely un-fair, also as long as Red was in the pasture I would not ride another horse......he was my rock.....so with that in mind I decided to care lease Red to the nice couple, Piper and Derek, so he may have a great time out in the trails with them and their other horse Edgar.
This has been yet again a very GOOD decision, even though I miss Red terribly at times I've been a big girl about it, although I write this through teary eyes, but I trust I have made the best decision for all of us......I happily follow Reds adventures on Pipers blog and Mellisa please do the same, you will get a kick out of the Red horse saga as always.....he's such a character and a beauty.....yes when I look at Red now I see Beauty at it's finest, 17hh with his strong features and brave heart, Red is the best the horse world has to offer....he can do well in any discipline and is happy to try his best......but what the Red horse loves is the trails.
So Red has along with loving new care givers and riding partners, a nutty old horse lady ready to open her arms to Red horse whenever and for whatever reason he may return!
So far this has been a great thing for Red and all involved, I thank Piper for taking such great care to make sure Red has comfortable equipment on and that he is happy and healthy when he's out on a ride........ for all of us with the "Standardbred in common"......may this be a wonderful and safe riding season.........a big thank you to all, and of course......happy trails Red horse, happy trails to all!
I had a few tears in my eyes before you even mentioned you had tears! :) Thanks for the very nice posting, I am trying my hardest to make sure Red is very happy and content with his new environment and caregiver! Things work out in mysterious ways and I am so thankful that I reconnected with Shannon because it has lead to some great things and I look forward to continuing with those relationships that have now been started and restarted..
ReplyDeleteThank you Piper.....this is a great way to stay in touch I'm really glad you inspired me to do this if nothing else for me LOL.
ReplyDeleteI also need to say I don't consider you and Derek just Reds "caregivers",maybe I worded that wrong, I do consider you his new family......which is maybe why I had the good cry.......letting go is hard.....but moving forward is good!
To a great riding season.......may we ride the trails together often.....hug that beautiful boy for me will you:)
You can call me whatever you feel Gerri, just be sure to call me sometime to go on a ride with you! :) I'm looking forward to watching you get out and barrel race as well...
ReplyDeleteI just saw this :) Been busy finding a new place for and then moving the horses. Too make a long story short the barn owner had someone offer her more money per stall and I couldn't match it, so last Thurdsday morning she left me a note tacked to the barn door asking me to have all four horses out by that weekend because the new people wanted to move their horses in on April 1st. Ya, nothing like a two-day notice with no where else to go... I got lucky. Found a better barn (former show barn) and pasture for almost $200 less a month and they have been wonderful to deal with so far. Being asked to leave suddenly has actually been the best thing to happen to me and my horses in a year. The stress of dealing with a barn owner who had multiple personalities was wearing on me emotionally.
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