From Bones To Beauty: It's been a while

It has been almost 3 years since I updated this blog. So much has changed in that time.

When I last wrote, Elly was only 8 weeks old (😢) and I had just returned to work. Elly is now 3 years old, I have a 1 year old daughter, I'm back to horse ownership, and starting a new job next week.

Clara was born on 06/15/2016. Two years and three days apart from Elly. She is an amazingly happy, bright, and smart child. I love watching their bond and relationship grow. I honestly never thought I would have kids, but I can't imagine my life without them.

When Clara was about 4 months old, my friend gave me a 4 year old Standardbred mare. She was going through a rough time and needed to find her a new home. Memphis is a wonderful horse. She is very quiet and easy going. I will always appreciate her, for getting me back into owning horses. I sold her to a girl that had been leasing her from me. Memphis (now Aurora) was the perfect match for her new, beginner, owner.

While I was discussing selling Memphis, I looked at a gelding on a whim. The trainer who gave Memphis's then lessee lessons, posted two 8 year old newly gelded geldings on her page for a client. They had some groundwork training, but needed attitude adjustments and careful handling due to biting and kicking tendancies. They were both orphan nurse mare foals who had limited training and grew up together alone.

I chose to look at the taller of the two, who was 15-16 hands (lol). His name was Champ and the current owner thought he could be a Friesian cross. The trainer was very honest about him. He had bitten, kicked, hard to catch, only been sat on once, needed an experienced handler. But also said he had tons of potential with the right training. For whatever reason, I decided to look at him.

When I got to the location, Champ was cooling down tied to a tree while the trainer was working another horse nearby. I swear it was love at first sight with this horse. I went up to him and gave him a pet on the nose. He was curious but pushy. He was about 15 hands, not a Friesian cross, I thought Morgan cross. The trainer brought him into the round pen to show what they've worked on. He was very responsive to her cues. I took a turn free lunging him as well. It took a few minutes for us to get into a groove, but he became responsive to my cues. We did a little ground work on the line. Throwing the rope alll over him, picking up his feet, etc. I really liked him.. we instantly had a connection. The owner said she was jealous because he obviosuly respected and responded well to me. Lol

I left really excited but nervous. Nervous because I wasn't in a position to take on another horse, if the sale fell through with Memphis. I went to see him again the next day.

The horse that Champ grew up with was, quite frankly, a shit head. Always stirring the horses up, making it hard to catch the others. Still, I caught him fairly easily, and headed to the round pen. We did some free lunging and groundwork, like the day before. He was so calm and responsive. The owner said he was never that well behaved. I remember the second I decided I needed him. My sister was recording us and I gave her this look (it's a really weird look.. please excuse lol).