When Unicorns Come Calling...

A friend of mine has been on the lookout for a new horse for about two years now.  He has my old mare, Suki, who is 30 this year and Sprinkle (the appy) who is probably 20(?).  He wanted to find a young horse (preferably a morgan or morgan cross) to work with and take along on long distance trail rides.  Suki is in great shape and still loves to go out for walks and short excursions, but she has slowed down and is not up to 16 mile rides anymore. 

This horse shopping thing has been super a bit frustrating for me because when people ask for my help, I get right on it and never know what to do when they don't keep up.  This has been more of on-again/off-again thing where I get a random ad sent to me or I send something to him, but nothing ever happens.  I'd give up for months at a time and then, boom, a bunch of new prospects would show up in my inbox.  I'd  find one I like and say, "hey, check this one out".  Then I'd get the excuses...no time, second shed isn't finished, too far, wrong color, gotta buy more hay.....

Most frustrating horse shopping EVER!

I try to be understanding because it is a big decision and I can dither as well as anyone.  I am super good at dithering.  However, once I finally do make a decision, shit starts happening!  It may take me two years to decide to buy a horse or build a house, or buy new boots, but once decided, it's gonna happen come hell or high water.

So, couple nights ago, I stumbled on a horse I really liked and I just knew this was the right horse.  She is a five year old mare, the sire is a purebred Morgan named Amberfields Desperado with a solid reputation for making nice, sound, babies with sweet, even temperaments.  The mother was a Cleveland Bay/Canadian Sporthorse cross.  This mare has had a good foundation in ground work, but has not been started under saddle.  Since longevity, soundness and distance riding are important here, I like that, she has been allowed to grow before being worked hard and this is a great cross.  I liked everything about this horse except for her color, but that is like complaining about a unicorn being too white (actually, I like the body color, but not the blue eyes and pink nose, but that is just me). 

Every time I've had a feeling like this about a horse it was dead on and has never failed.  Every time I have tried to talk myself into or out of it, it was a disaster.  I saw this horse and just had that feeling so I sent it right off to Bill then, just to be sure, I sent it through messenger too.  I dreamed about her that night and the next morning I sent another message.  I got back a lack of enthusiasm that made me want to reach through the computer and strangle the man.  The conversation eventually went something like this:

  Did you hear back about that horse?  Are you gonna go see her?

Oct 13, 7:47 PM

you must really like that horse. no haven't heard back yet. 

I do.  If I needed another horse I'd snap her up.

What don't you like about her?

don't have my shed finished yet. 

I find you a unicorn and you can't come up with a place to keep her!  It's like complaining that the gold on her horn is too shiny.  I give up.

It's a big decision

When you find a unicorn, you have to decide if you want to go adventuring or stay home.

talking to her now

Good.  I want a full report:)

alright i'm going to see her tomorrow. 

Good!  what is her story?

sounds nice. Older woman has her, originally wanted to keep her. 

but she's been slowly downsizing over the years. she has a stallion and another mare left

Bill • Oct 13, 8:51 PM

I hope you like her.  Let me know how it goes, I will be waiting to hear.  I am not a huge fan of creamello, but I have a good feeling about her.

I'm not a fan of the color either, but everything else sounds nice

I'm glad you are at least going to look at her.  She's been buzzing in my brain all day.  Good luck. 

Oct 13, 9:14 PM

You are a bad influence...😉

😉

😉

😉

Thats me, a bad influence and proud of it!

Did you buy the unicorn????

Yes I did! 😁

😁

😁

😁

😁

I KNEW IT!  What is her name?

Gift

HAHAHAHA!  What a name for a UNICORN.

She's a sweetheart. Young and untrained but I think she will do well

A month at the trainer's could do wonders.

She responded really well in the little bit of time I had with her. I think she will be a fast learner.

Gotta get her house finished....

Nothing like a bit of motivation:)  Congratulations!

1:45 PM

You'll have to visit her. Hope to get her next week.

Bill • 5:46 PM

Yeah, I'll have to get up there.  I'd like to see Suki and I want to meet the unicorn.  Are you going to change her name.

 2 new messages 

If I don't I'll never be able to look in her mouth....😜

 actually I don't know. I'll have to think about it.

Lots of enabling going on lately:)