letting go

Letting go is hard...really, really hard.  A few weeks ago, I made one of the most difficult decisions I've ever had to make.  I decided it was time to find a new home for my wonderful Prince Charming horse, Bob.  No, it wasn't easy.  I thought, prayed, and cried for several days.  Several long days.  I felt like my heart was breaking.  But in the end, I knew what I needed to do.  The Lord brought Bob to me, and I've been blessed with him for ten wonderful years.  I want Bob to be used, and I want some little 4-H kid to experience the joy I had riding him for so many years.  It's time for me to pass on the blessing to someone else.  So, I called my 4-H leader, Marian.

And here's where it gets good.  Not only did she want to buy Bob from me, but I can come over whenever I want (even if she's not home) and ride my boy.  She has an arena...with jumps.  *eyes glaze over*  How awesome is that?!

We decided a trial period would be wise before she actually buys him.  He's an amazing horse (yes, I am biased, but it's completely true), but he's never been used as a lesson horse.  So, he's at Marian's place being ridden by some of her current 4-H kids...and he's loving it!

This Wednesday, I played with him for a while, then went inside and we signed the bill of sale.  He's not legally my horse anymore, but at the same time Bob will always be my horse.

my senior photo from 2007

I am so peaceful about this, knowing Bob is being used and that he's enjoying it.  Although I had a moment on the way home where I wanted to turn back, give Marian back her money, tear up the bill of sale, and say, "No, he's mine.  You can't have him!"  But...I didn't.
And that "ride him whenever you want to" thing?  I plan on taking full advantage of that.  I'm reminded over and over again what an exceptional horse Bob is.  He's such a spunky boy, but so gentle.  There's not a mean bone in his body.  And feeling all of that controlled power under me?  It's incredible.

I stop by on my way home from church every Sunday to say "hi" to Bob.  As silly and sentimental as it sounds, I don't want him to forget me.  If he ever didn't perk his ears up and look around at me when I call his name or whistle, I think my heart really would break.  I love Bob so much.  But I'm happy with the decision I've made.

And I thank the Lord for finding a good home for my precious, special boy.  He truly cares about every little detail in my life, and He provides.  His timing is amazing.

My bro will also be finding a new home for his horse, Dewey (once his leg is all healed), but we're going to keep my mom's pony, Freckles.  He's somewhere in his thirties, and has completely earned the right to enjoy his last years taking it easy in the pasture.  And I'll still have a horse to take trail riding on the trails behind our house.  So, it's all good.  It really is.

: :

Letting go is an area I've been growing in a lot the past few months.  Sometimes, even if it's something that's good for me, I get such a strangle hold on something (whether it be a person, a thing, or an idea), that I actually hinder the Lord from working in my life.  He's been gently teaching me that many times for His will to be accomplished, I need to let go and step back.  Let Him.

On the Farm | Spring

It's {spring}, people!!
I though y'all might want to see what's going on around here besides lambing.
No new lambs yet, by the way.  Sometimes, my ewes like to fake me out and keep me waiting. *sigh*

tulip bulbs

curious Dewey

getting to use the water hose again...and the water is back on at the sheep pens!  yes!!

shedding Freckles - there's white horse hair everywhere this time of year.

dusty horseshoes

horses who don't want their picture taken

The 10th was my Bobby Boy's 21st birthday!  Happy Birthday, Bob!  I've been blessed to have him since he was 11...goodness, I can't believe it's been 10 years!

spring seeding the pastures...the Bonnie dog was supervising.

waiting for this girl to lamb

floral wellies

Happy Trails, y'all!

Question: what's the first thing you want to do every spring?  I want to know!

gently falling snow...

...covers the ground as I walk down our driveway.

the Bonnie dog thinks freshly fallen snow tastes good...

...she's right.

it's also fun to run in!

this is her "no eye" side - doesn't look so bad, especially once the hair grows back.

my extremely dirty {and somewhat fat} Prince Charming...

he may be dirty, but Bob is always charming...

and no, that's not blood on his face - it's just dirt and melting snow. :)

soft eyes, velvety nose...

through the orchard...

the branches are bare, but there's a promise of spring...

...the grass is always green under the snow...

and back to the house...

.....

 I hope you all had a blessed Sunday!  I certainly did.  We're going through 1 Corinthians 13 at church.  So much to think about and ponder...and extremely convicting at times.  Okay, most of the time.  Ouch.

And I do apologize for not coming through with that Saturday Matinee post I promised.  I'm not a perfect blogger, and I do not have all of my posts for the week written and scheduled ahead of time.  I usually type them up at the last minute...why does that just sound like my life in general?  There was so much fun crammed into this weekend that the last minute came and went without me even noticing.  Anyway, yes, there will be one this Saturday.  Not promising, but chances are good. ;)

Happy Trails!

Miscellany

Last week was crammed full of fun and business.  Kellie and I had a marvelous time at Pickin' on the Prairie.   As Kellie said everything I wanted to say in her post (and as I didn't take any pictures), you can read her post here.

David Tennant sings.  The end.

Also, I really, really, really want to see Catherine and David in Much Ado About Nothing.  They're so great together.

I went for a lovely little ride on my Bobby boy this morning.  Just hopped on him bareback and took off, with the Bonnie dog trailing along behind.  About 30 minutes later, I remembered why I don't usually ride him bareback without a bareback pad - he's got the most uncomfortable, bony back ever.  I think I'll be walking funny for a few days...but it was so worth it.

Dewey, my bro's horse, has been getting the royal treatment here lately.  He shed the frog (sole) of his hoof, and being the big, flat footed, tender foot that he is, he got sore feet.  (shedding the frog is normal, btw)  Tom, our farrier, recommended soaking his hooves twice a day for a while to prevent abscesses.  So, every morning and evening Dewey's had his front feet soaked.  15 min. per foot in warm water and epsom salts.  He's feeling very special and is definitely on the mend.

As much as I hate to admit it, it's definitely starting to feel and smell like Autumn here.  There's an unmistakable crispness in the morning and evening air.  *cringe*  Noooooo!!!  I love Autumn, it's my favorite season, but I'm not ready for summer to be over yet!  However, I am looking forward to pulling out my sweaters, scarves and hats again.  There's always a bright side:)

My brother was at the fair today selling and signing his books and playing with his Bluegrass band.  He and Christopher (one of my "extra" brothers) came home with pizza and donuts.  We ate them while watching Megamind.  The perfect way to wrap up our day.

Speaking of the fair, I'm looking forward to going this year.  I'd love to catch the rodeo, especially since I haven't gone for the past few years.  The jokes some of the clowns were telling were rather crude and vulgar last time I went, and I haven't been brave enough to go since.  But, I'm feeling brave this year.  I love a good rodeo:)

Happy Trails, y'all!

r i d i n g

First off, to all of the mothers reading my blog...

Happy Mothers Day!

I hope you all had a wonderful day:)

The weather was simply lovely here today - 70*F with a soft breeze - perfect for riding.

saddling up

I love my saddle.

Actually, I love all of my gear.

Because Bob has rather prominent withers (shoulders, to those not familiar with horse terms), it was hard finding a western saddle that fit him correctly.

We finally loaded him into the trailer and brought him down to the saddle shop and tried saddles on until we found just the right one.  It happened to be a barrel racing style saddle.  I love it because it's not as heavy as other western saddles.  Some western style saddles can be quite heavy, especially the older ones.

I put name tags on all of Bob's gear while I was in 4-H.

Sure didn't want to lose any of it.

My Prince Charming, all ready to go on the first official trail ride of the year!

*squeal*

Up the mountain we go...

The mountain behind our property is state land, which means anyone can use it.

The view is breathtaking.

Although I didn't see any wildlife today, there were deer and elk tracks all over the place.

Bob's about as "bombproof" as they get, and seeing deer and elk don't bother him, but I'm thankful that I've never bumped into any moose or bear while I was up there.

I have no idea how he'd react to them...and I really don't care to find out!

Bob is soooo cute.

Yes, I am biased, but...

he is!

I kept our first trail ride brief because neither of us is in very good shape after a winter of staying indoors.
Plus, Bobby turned 20 this year.  Not feeling his years at all, but I'm being a bit more careful this year.

In September, we will have been partners for 9 years.
I can't believe Bob has been mine for that long!
 We've been through a lot together - several years of 4-H, trailer loading issues, cowboy mounted shooting (shooting balloons while on horseback is awesome!), horse camp, two cases of colic, and everything else that goes with horses.
At this point, we are really and truly a team.
I trust him and he trusts me.
There is no doubt.

And back home again...

My bro was in the front yard and graciously consented to take some pictures.
Thanks, Alex!

Happy Trails, y'all!