Sleepover

That's what I'm calling Fiona's trial, an extended sleepover.  She's still mine, but she's just staying over at a friend's place.

I dropped Fi off at UNH today.  I have been to the facility a lot of times, but it was my first time going into the barn. It was big, orderly, and very airy.  I was impressed and very comfortable dropping my girl off.  Of course the Princess didn't mind trailering by herself or going into a new barn.  What she did mind was the deep bedding in the big stall that was waiting for her.  It was a finer type of shavings than she's used to and at least fetlock deep.  She stopped, snorted, and wouldn't move for about thirty seconds while she stared at the bedding.  After that, she dug into her hay and just watched the world go by, already settled in.

Tomorrow, her trial will start.  I'm not sure what the plan is, but I've dropped off everything they'll need for her except for a saddle and a girth.  We'll see what she thinks of being a teacher and we'll see if UNH likes her quirky little self.

Part of me wants her to do really well and find her forever home, but I'll admit, part of me wishes she could just come home again and be my princess.  Leaving her there was much harder than I thought it would be.  But the bright side is that whatever happens next, Fi will have a safe place to call home.

Letting go

I've been awfully quiet lately, and I don't think anyone is surprised.  I've been making preparations for Fi's move to UNH, and it hasn't been easy.  Despite my foot dragging and uncertainty, the time has arrived.

Tomorrow Dorkzilla's owner is giving us a ride up to UNH.  I'm dropping the Princess off for her thirty day trial to see if she's a fit for their dressage program.

Today I went for a ride.  I haven't actually ridden her in a couple weeks, but there was no way I was going to miss my (potential) last chance to ride her.  We kept to the ring since the last thing I needed was for her to pull a shoe or get hurt, but we had a good ride and worked on the things that the teenagers don't ask her to do.  It was a good reminder of how far we've come from the borderline out of control ride that she was three years ago.  Three years ago?  We struggled to canter a circle at one end of the ring.  Today?  We worked on our counter canter, collected trot, and ten meter circles at the canter.

Afterword she got a full bath and clipping.  I want her to look the part of a show horse when she arrives tomorrow.  All of her gear has been packed and clearly labelled with her name.  I'm sending her with a good bit of her equipment because, again, I want her to go in there with every chance of being impressive.  Her own bridle, half pad, boots, and fly mask are bagged and waiting to go with her.

Her shoes were just done, all of her shots and paperwork are in order, she's current on everything, and she's as shiny as a new penny.  I've done everything I can to stack the deck in her favor for her trial.

Tomorrow is going to be a very, very rough day.