A Week Of FIRSTS

Unfortunately, I do not mean First-Place ribbons! But, I'm not giving up! Actually, I do intend on winning AT LEAST one ribbon with my mare, but I will probably have to get up on her back first!

So, a week ago yesterday, we picked up my very first horse I have owned in my adult life (I had one from seventh to tenth grade- a Paint/Quarter Horse gelding that my parents sold without allowing me to say goodbye- Yay Mom!). I had groomed racehorses up until the summer before last, but I quit that, started work in "the real world", and now, FINALLY, at 28, I own a horse that I will never have to say goodbye to.

I am pretty sure that Missy had not been ridden or messed with much for the last six years or so. My fiancee' found out from the AQHA that she has never been shown, but she was entered in a race in which she did not compete back in 1998. He found her in a feed lot with three other horses and cows all around.

We are starting out pretty slowly and carefully with her. She is beginning to do well with daily lunging, as long as both of us are there- one to hold the line and one to hold the whip and follow behind. We saw her TROT for the first time the day after we brought her home. No lameness problems there! We gave her a bath- she stood EXTREMELY well for that, as she does for any grooming. She will not stand in the outdoor cross-ties, though. We have to hold her for now. We had her in the indoor cross-ties for a half an hour on Saturday. We have attempted to pick up her feet on numerous occasions. She WILL NOT let us! At the most, she will pick them up for a split second- long enough for us to croon, "Good girl! Good girl, Missy," and then she has already slammed her foot back down. We have not been able to use a hoof pick at all, but she will be okay. We just need to keep on working with her. We ordered a tranquilizer from the vet for the first blacksmith appointment, set for the end of this month. Maybe we won't need it. Who knows?

Also, this past Saturday, we put a bridle on Missy (just for a few minutes- we had an emergency- one of the kids fell out of the hayloft and hurt her shoulder pretty badly, but she'll be okay), and we lunged her and had her CANTERING both ways twice! She still tires easily, but it won't be too long now, and she'll be ready to begin riding and training for shows and trails! Hooray! I have put the saddle on her a couple of times, but until I get a longer girth, I will not be able to work her in it. Hopefully, I can get that done later this week.

Today I noticed that she is in heat. So did the miniature donkey. Yikes! I rescued my beautiful mare quickly! I don't know if he is gelded or not, and I don't want to find out- REALLY.

So we're really looking forward to the surprises that WEEK 2 of horse ownership will bring us. The vet comes on Wednesday. So far, everyone who has seen Missy around the barn or on my camera phone has been impressed with her. Hopefully, the vet won't find any problems. More later!