I love Saturdays! I am off work, and people come by. Last weekend we entertained a wonderful woman and her son from 200 miles away. They came to spend the day looking at horses in hopes of finding "the one". I had had a feeling that they would like Bell Valley Titan. She is one of the sweetest horses we have had here. She never pulls on the lead line when you have her out, and stands and waits patiently alongside you. She is quite intelligent, yet quiet. One of the first things I noticed about her was she seemed unflappable in the barn area when she first came, with cats and dogs and other horses around. Last weekend we introduced her to a large stroller. It was colorful and it had plastic all over it and some was flapping in the wind. It had precious cargo inside, and if I wasn't fully confident Titan would be okay, we would never have exposed her to the new object. Titan, being her wonderful self, sniffed the stroller and its contents. Then, the stroller and Titan and her potential adopter walked side by side down the driveway. Titan didn't flinch. Long story short is that Titan found herself a loving family who will enjoy her for many years to come. She is a true friend and her adopter and her are a great match!
The same day that Beth and her son came, we got unexpected visitors from La Crosse. It was a family of four, all adults, and they had come after hearing about our program. The one gal, Megan, was particularly interested in Standardbreds. She has owned other breeds but has never really ridden a Standardbred. I showed her and her family around the farm, and, of course, I have to tell the story of each horse and how they came to be here at our farm. The family took pictures and "oohed and aaahed" at the many faces that looked longingly back at them. Meg mentioned that she would like to come and donate her time, in addition to adopting a Standardbred. Seeing her expertise and confidence around the horses, I was very pleased at the offer!~ She fell in love with Taser Gun, and within a short while she had him out walking him and lifting up his feet. Taser Gun enjoyed getting out, and even got a little bit feisty (Taser??? NAAAHHHHH!) Megan and her fiance braved the cold and roads during the week to come down, but didn't make it before dark and I had already completed my feeding duties and had come inside. We still got to have a great talk and I got to know them better. They share the compassion for animals and all the pets here at the farm can certainly tell that, as they gravitated to them! Today, they returned in bitter temperatures again. After greeting all of the horses and giving treats, Megan asked to take Taser out. She lunged him in the indoor arena and then got on him bareback. I took Arne out to work on his long, thick mane while she led Taser back and asked me if she could put a saddle on. I was elated! So she tacked him up and, after a bridle adjustment or two, she jumped up and rode Taser around. She couldn't resist, and before long was trotting him QUICKLY around the arena. They looked so great together! She had him doing barrel patterns and almost did some side passes! By the end of the hour or two they spent together she really thinks she would like to adopt Taser and keep him here at the farm. I told her I would agree to it only IF she PROMISES to join us at events like the horse fairs and events at the race track if Taser is showcased! She said, "Yes". So, I think, Taser and Megan are also a match!
Meanwhile, many people are knocking on ASAP's door to place their horse. There are many desperate stories. We are trying our hardest to help. Christmas is coming.....
I'll write more before we leave for the NFR in Las Vegas. IF I don't, I promise to write and send pictures after we return! Pray for me, as I hate flying more than anything in the world!
My best to you,
Susan
