BIG news

It's been almost a month since my last post, and I have plenty of reasons (excuses) for that, but mostly I've been a little down in the dumps. Between getting injured at work and not having a horse to work steadily towards a goal (Pepper the hony is probably moving this winter) it's been a rough month for me.

But never fear! I am about to be back with a vengeance, because..... Wait for it......

I BOUGHT A HORSE!!!!!!!!! :-D

Last week one of the boarders at home mentioned a horse that was available on the Mid Atlantic Horse Rescue. He had been previously rehomed but his new mom was not the perfect fit for him and he had been returned earlier this fall. I looked over his ad, obsessed over his videos, and sent him on to Megan for her opinion. The line that sold me on going to see him? "Perfect for a rider with talent but no money". Megan agreed it was worth a trip to Maryland, so I emailed Beverly Strauss at Mid Atlantic and set up our visit.

Needless to say, everything went fabulously, and I am the proud new owner of a 7 year old, 15.3 HH thoroughbred gelding named Reformation. His rehoming fee? One dollar. That's right. $1. UNO. Eins. Since Mid Atlantic is a rescue, they can't bring in new horses until other are rehomed. And Reffy needed to go ASAP. I can't believe how incredibly lucky I am. They are such great people, they just wanted him to find the best home where he would have a job and a purpose and someone who wouldn't put up with his testy TB nonsense.

Our journey begins as of next weekend. He will be coming home to live down the street until a stall opens up where I live. I am so excited to get him started on his way to being an eventer. I see lots of lunging and dressage rides in his future ;)

Yay Dollar Horse!!!!

Always the guinea pig!

Since I'm the kind of person who will basically ride any horse without question, and I haven't passed the "bounce when you fall off" stage of life yet, I get recruited to do all sorts of fun things. Like be the first person to find out if Karla's percherons are broke to ride. Meet Belle! Next time, it's Lois' turn.

Frankenstorm!

It's been a scary couple of days here on the northeastern side of the country. Hurricane Sandy ravaged the coast and left millions homeless, without power, and facing months if not years of cleanup and rebuilding. Luckily, here in the Lehigh Valley, we didn't get hit as bad as some areas. At home, we only lost power briefly during the early hours of Tuesday morning. I don't know if she had anything to do with it, but if so, thanks to one of our boarders, Audra, who works for PPL, for making sure we have electricity! Boots and Saddle, on the other hand, is still in the dark. Nothing like mucking 30+ stalls in the pitch black.
Boots also sustained some damage, mostly to the slate roof of our ancient hay barn and to one of the pastures and the lower outdoor ring where a tree fell through a power line and the fences. Still no word on when we'll be back on the grid. Hopefully soon!

I hope everyone and their horses are safe in the area. And prayers to the people in coastal areas who have lost so much.