Horseless

Big, sad news. I've decided I can no longer afford to keep Willow. It's a very painful decision I've been creeping reluctantly towards for about the past six months, and let me tell you, there were many tears. I bought Willow as a four-year-old, and I'm incredibly attached. So much so, in fact, that I couldn't face the prospect of trying to sell her myself. The only bright spot in the whole deal has been my dear friends/former trainers Wolfgang and Suzanne, down in Texas, who immediately stepped in and offered to board and market Willow for me.

So, on February 11 the Equine Express truck pulled up to the barn and picked up Willow. She was delivered to the ranch south of Blanco, TX, on Valentine's Day. Suzanne said she walked calmly off the truck without a scratch on her. Here she is, minutes off the truck, enjoying the Texas sunshine:

She always has been an extremely self-sufficient mare.

And so, here I am, still technically a horse owner, but horseless. It has been over twelve years since I haven't had a horse to work five days a week. I'm feeling fairly adrift (although sick for the past week and grateful not to have to head out into the rain every evening).

I've already had an offer from an eventer who trailers into the barn once a week for lessons. She has two TBs and not enough time (and I get the feeling dressage is kind of like Brussels sprouts for her), and she has offered to let me bang around on her horses whenever. Also, there's a new Halflinger at the barn that may be free for me to ride once a week or so. So once I get back from Ireland, I'll be exploring those possibilities. I'm pretty sure, one way or another, I'll find a way to keep riding, so this blog probably won't be going anywhere.