That one reminds me of the paint by numbers I used to love as a kid.
Don't worry, Dakota is ok. It's just that......
That fat mare following him is going to miss him. Cause I have sold him. The good news is that he is going to a great home, will be ridden a lot by a 13 yr old girl who was raised on horseback and the very best news is that they are just around the corner from us so we will still be able to see him whenever we want.
He isn't technically sold yet because I told Zach, my neighbor, to take him home this evening (it was too late last night) and try him out. But I know Chelsea (the 13yr old) will love him cause she has ridden him before and LOVED it.
Stephanie has not ridden in over a year. She just doesn't have the same love to ride as others do, not to mention her knee is still bothering her from where Dakota kicked the poop out of it on July 4th. (He didn't do it on purpose, he was just glad to get back into the pasture and see his mare so he kicked up his heels and unfortunately made contact with Steph's right knee....ouch). She and I had already discussed selling him since I had given him to her after I bought Jones.
I will take a pretty big hit in price from what I paid for him but that is ok because he will be in a good home and that makes all of the difference in the world to me, and the rest of the family. Not to mention the fact that the bottom has fallen out of the horse market in these parts (and a lot of parts) for the past 2 or more years.
I also realized something last night after Joe made a comment. He told our neighbor that ever since my friend Mary was tragically killed almost 3 yrs ago, it kind of took the 'want to ride' drive from me. I had not put two and two together but he is right. Mary and I had so many plans, so many good times ahead. I had finally found a best friend since 1997. It really did knock the wind out of my sails when she died. I thought about what he said last night and shed a few tears and realized that he was so right. I still love to ride horses, don't get me wrong, but it changed me. I had never realized just how much until that moment last night.
We'll miss seeing Dakota running around when he gets excited, his tail straight up in the air, kicking and bucking like he does when the urge gets him. But knowing that he will do what he loves to do which is be ridden and used like he should be makes me smile. I have a really good feeling that he has finally found his forever home.
9 comments:
It's a good thing you're doing, and think how happy he and his new owner will be. It's great that he'll be close by, maybe you two can ride together.
He so reminds me of my Dusty. I am so sorry you lost your good friend. I believe you will have the passion again, it will never be the same, but you still have the love for horses. The young girl will love him and cherish him. Wish you lived close, then we could ride!
Sounds like a wise & well considered decision.
It sounds like it will be best for all concerned. I hope that he has a great home with the young rider.
Well done. Never an easy decision, but it sounds like a good one.
Dan
As we say in recovery, more shall be revealed.
Sounds like Dakota will have a great home, and at least it's close by so you can see him!!
Beautiful animal. If we had more land, we would have horses...and cows..and chickens...
I lived and breathed horses for the first 45 years of my life. I used to ride with ladies in their 70s and I'd think, "that will be me." But a series of events (none tragic, just life) changed that for me. I still have 2 horses. I still love horses, but mine are pasture decorations. I think I could get on a horse and ride, but it's just not the same once you've lost the passion. Like other things in life, it's the wonderful memories of trails and riding buddies that I'll always cherish with no regrets.
My horses have a companion goat. The horses like him, but he can be a pest. My old riding buddy has a companion donkey for her horse. She says that works well because the donkey doesn't raise a ruckus when she takes the horse out, they don't get herd bound like 2 horses will. And hers is a rescue donkey from BLM, so that makes it twice as good.
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