They asked if I wanted to say goodbye to her in the trailer, but I said, "Oh, I'm sure I'll see her again." Emotionally, I had no more goodbyes to give her.
***
On her final day here, I spent the day getting her showring ready for her new family.
I actually enjoy shampooing her white legs with Baasha's whitening shampoo because they turn out so very white. However, washing her tail brings no such satisfaction - it looks exactly the same afterwards. Feeling sentimental, I cut out a section of it (from the middle so it wouldn't show). She has 4 different colors in her tail and I wanted a memento. Thankfully her tail is so thick lately you can't tell I took any.
I've still never bathed this horse, and I wasn't going to start, but I brushed her with a sequence of brushes, as you're supposed to do, to get every bit of dust out of her coat. I even used a damp towel to get her coat perfect. She felt like satin, and dapples were showing in the sun.
I rebraided her and used a wet towel on her face, which she loves. She's the only horse I've met who loves her ears rubbed, and she enjoys the wet towel as long as it's not dripping.
She was cleaner than many of the horses at Equitana last year. (Who brings a horse to the world's largest horse fair and fails to wash their white parts? Geez.)
After she was clean, I took her out to let her graze on the street, and walked her through the long wet grass to get her hooves clean too. I periodically re-cleaned her hooves and applied more vinegar, her feet and frogs are looking awesome this year, with only vinegar!
I love the way my leather halter looks on her, and it was fun to enjoy the results of my hard work, she was eye candy.
I took lots of photos on her last day here.
I'd forgotten something and tied her to the plum tree for the first time. This is something I am proud of teaching her because for so long I was afraid to tie her hard, and was very picky about what I tied her to. Now she can be tied to trees and she doesn't fidget.
She discovered the wind chimes and in this photo you can see her purposefully ringing them.
I stepped into the greenhouse to get this odd perspective photo of her, where her ears look huge. I think you can see dapples in this photo.
The dapples are easiest to see on her sides.
After all that getting cleaned up, there was nothing left to do but wait for the family's arrival.
This is how I will remember her - her "waiting for feed" face as she stares at my front door.
***
At 7 PM the family arrived and gave us the rest of the money and didn't waste much time getting their new horse outta here.
J had taught her to stretch for treats "like an Arabian" - I think that's what she's doing here.
Luna figured it out right away, that the horse was posing for food.
The mother is down there putting on silly leg protectors. I remember when I thought those things were important for travelling.
Wow, a real vehicle to haul with!
She always goes right in, making a good impression. Oh, I must tell you what the driver said to me - she only said one thing to me, "One does not give a horse like this up!": )
Bye bye, be good!
In the video Luna asks, "May she eat carrots?" using the proper, most polite form of the language. What a good kid. You don't have to ask us, she's yours: )
***
It feels odd and quiet here with the most important species missing, and distinctly different from the tragedy of the last time it happened. I am filled with an overwhelming sense of relief that she is gone. S thought for sure I'd regret this, but so far, nothing but happiness. I now know that I was feeling a sense of pressure and dread about her, and that weight is now lifted.
Bellis saw the horse get into the trailer, so she spent the first night looking at the road and listening for cars. It was sad, but I am spoiling her as best I can, giving her better care than ever (daily mashes, walks). It's sad, but it won't be forever. "Bellis," I tell her, "We have the same problem - we both need a horse."
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20 comments:
It's good to know you feel relief and not regret, especially after the insensitive comment the driver made to you. But they don't have the whole story. The new owners look like they know what they are doing and will take good care of her.
NM, Anne is an experienced horse owner, and the kid just makes it all better. I think the comment of the driver was meant as a compliment - that's how I took it. Maybe I translated it wrong in my blog. I had a twinge of emotion as I cleaned up the last of her poop from the pasture, realizing I'd never see her galloping like crazy over our field again, but then I reminded myself how bat-crazy she was just last week and I felt fine: )
Bittersweet I'm sure. I will never forget my first horse going to his next home. A brave teen with a horse trainer Aunt. Like you I felt relief.
Leb wohl, how nice to have such a perfect word for this goodbye. I am glad you have no regrets, the little girl looks happy, what could be better than a beautiful new shiny horse! Eventually you (and Bellis) will find the right match.
Camryn, did you read my blog when I bought her? I named her Mara because of the Biblical meaning "bitter" but always thought of her as bittersweet because I'd just lost my first and only horse after 25 years. I'm glad you can empathize with me, it's total relief: )
So glad you found the right family for Mara! I remember that same feeling of relief when I sold my mare. Sounds like you're already thinking of finding the right horse for you. :)
I'm very happy for you that it all went so well. I think it makes things easier when you know the will have a good life and be loved.
Whew. We didn't die, and we learned a lot. That's worth something.
And now: onward!
(I hope you have an experience similar to mine when I got on Fiddle for the first time: "I feel so at home here. So safe. This horse isn't perfect, but she suits me so much better than the last one--Toad--ever did!")
The first two sentences of your post made me tear up. It is agreed by all that she wasn't the right fit for you, and it looks as though she is going to have a really good new home. The smiles on the little girls face are telling, I hope they have a long happy life together. Again, you did a wonderful job with her.
It is kind of you to be extra attentive to Bellis as I am sure that she is missing her pasture mate. Hoping for brighter "horse times" ahead for you.
Can you ride Bellis or is she too small?
They sound like great people for Mara. And I'm certain the right horse for you (and Bellis) is out there somewhere. I'm glad to hear that you seem to be in a position where actually letting Mara go isn't such a big deal any more. After such a long time of agonizing over whether to sell or not, you deserve a break. Good luck with the horse-hunt.
PS: I want their car! :-)
So happy for you and I completely understand the feeling of relief when you find a new home for a horse that isn't a good fit.
Bittersweet is definitely a good word for this story. It seems like you've found a good home for Mara. I understand the feeling of relief...I've been through that with 2 previous horses. Not a fun thing, but part of horses, I guess. I hope you can find the right one for you over the coming months.
I am a little teary, but I also know that feeling of relief in selling a mismatched horse. Despite the empty pasture, the stress is gone. I have sold more than one (poor fit horses for my husband and horses that came my way.) I think a lot of problem mares need little girls. It really is such a good match. I think it shows for better and more mature horsemanship that you can let her go instead of having an unhealthy, obligated, guilty emotional attachment.
Aarene, I didn't know that you felt at home on Fiddle the first time you rode her - that's cool.
Kay, I've decided to put more training into Bellis during our walks. Although she'll never learn to stay out of my personal space, she can at least learn to walk on a loose leadline during our walks. So far, she seemed to get it right away, no pulling on the line, at all! Also she has to learn to be tied to trees when I take a break on a bench.
Ellie, I wish I knew how to train a donkey to carry a person, cuz she's not too small. I need a professional, I think.
Miss T, I agonized for months, but had a few catalysts - losing the arena, and losing the good trainer. Also, having my American friend come and ride her and give her opinion.
Picoolo, well now I know that it's not a terrible thing to sell, at least if the horse is not broken.
Laura, "part of horses" - you're right: )
KB, I hope and pray that they have better luck with her, and I think in a barn environment, she'll develop into the perfect horse. I sure felt the guilt and obligation for a while there: )
And well you should have felt that. It shows your not callous. We all go through that, "I can fix this" phase, but the better part is that you knew when to let go.
I am so behind!!! What a wonderful end to your and Mara's story. It's okay to send a horse off to an owner who can offer something different. I am sure Mara will be happy in her new home. :0)
Lytha...do you know if Nuzzling Muzzles(sorry I don't know her real name) is okay? Her blog is set to invite only all of sudden.
I'm so happy you found such a great home for her. I've felt that sense of relief before. It means you definitely did the right thing. She just wasn't the right horse for you. I hope you find the right horse for you when you're ready.
I've been pretty busy so haven't kept up with the blog world. I knew Mara was for sale. Glad she found a nice home and I hope it will be a good fit. You tried and tried. I wish you the best of luck finding the right horse for you.
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