We are starting to count the days down to spring here in upstate NY. Our ever loving winter weather has already graced us with its bitter cold winds and snow flurries as it desires . I have been keeping warm and keeping busy by riding, giving lessons, sending new adoptions on their way (Yay!!) and purchasing some new friends to add to my herd!
In fact this post is my introduction of our two new members to the family. You may be wondering if I've completely lost it and why on earth I would feel the need to purchase TWO more horses making a grand total of four, yes, FOUR.
Like every other horse person on the planet, you never stop looking at horses for sale. You love your big bay gelding in the barn but you cant help but think what it would be like if he was a 17hh grey with show miles, picture perfect knees over fences and oh yea, spend less than $3,000 for said horse. It's in our DNA to desire an upgraded model after a few years. So like just like everyone else, I stalk the Facebook market for just about anything I could justify buying. Sometimes I tell myself its for a friend but mostly, I'll be honest, I'm looking for good opportunity unicorns. I found myself in this dark hole one morning half awake scrolling through Facebook and came across an add for a bay thoroughbred mare. I quickly realized the post was made by the adoption agency I acquired my first horse, an OTTB named Simple Simon. I quickly commented and said "I'll be by to chat about her!" A few hours later when the coffee kicked in I realized I committed myself to looking at a horse I wasn't positive I needed. I had been looking to add a lesson horse to my clan but an OTTB wasn't exactly what I had in mind. Non the less, I stopped in "just to look!"
To no one's surprise she was cute and a big sweet heart. I secretly was hoping she would be a cranky mare so I could dismiss how nice her video online was and continue on my way. Deeper into the hole I dug myself. When I described to Melissa (one of the program coordinators) what I was looking for, "One a little nicer, something that I could half lease out as well as use her in my program, the second one I'm looking for is a bomb proof beginners horse." Melissa's eyes got wide and asked if I would entertain another horse.... I knew this "looking stop" was a bad idea. She introduced me to a fat hairy mare.... another mare..... without a name. She told me about how dead quiet she was and how she would be a great lesson horse. To say I was skeptical was an understatement. Sure she munching quietly in her stall and looking at us with a sweet eye, but that's how they get ya!! I agreed to come back and ride them both. Again, in hope's that they would be wild ones and I could let my ideas go.
A went back a few days later with saddle in hand to hop on. Sweets was just as lovely as her video's.
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| Sweets |
I was impressed with her calm behavior and "kick ride" style. I knew I was forcing myself into a decision that I hadn't stopped thinking about since I had laid eyes on her. Off of Sweets onto miss No name. Again, I was pleasantly surprised by her dead quiet demeanor amidst the craziness of the barn she plopped along just as quiet as ever. Her main motivation was to stop and get back to her hay pile as quickly as possible.
Then came the decision. Miss no name was un registered and without a name.
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| Willow |
Due to a conformation flaw that kept her from racing I questioned her soundness/limitations for the career path I had intended for her. Although much less demanding than racing I still had to be sure. I scheduled a pre purchase exam for the both of them and decided I would let the vet choose my fate. PPE came and went and both passed with flying colors. I was left with the decision my Facebook scrolling had brought me to. It took me almost an hour to write the check for not one but BOTH horses with every pro and con running through my mind. Eventually the pro's weighed out the con's and I decided at the least if they didn't work for me, they would be wonderful horses to work with and to place.
Within the week I put two lovely mares on my trailer and brought them home. I am SO excited to have them in my barn and to watch them as they progress in their education. I know they are going to be exactly what I need and for the anti mare person I am.... They have won a place in my heart. Miss no name has been registered as Willow Santina with the barn name of Willow. I would like to give a big thank you to Melissa Porter and Julie Smith of Finger Lake Thoroughbred Adoption Program. FLTAP has a string of lovely horses and some are truly quiet and good minded coming off the track! Don't pass up the option of adoption when you are searching for your 17hh grey unicorn!
Stay warm with your family, friends and horses and don't lose hope..... our horses are about to start shedding!
