Trying to find boarding in April/May is complete balls. It's so bad. Everything is completely booked up, anyone with any chance of dealing with a bronc has a full dance card. I'm starting to think putting Theo in my garage may be the solution. Everyone keeps saying 'it can't be that bad, let me ask so and so' and then finding out yes, it really is that bad. Spring is when people bring their horses in from having a winter off. Everyone wants to knock off the rust and get show ring ready.
I wouldn't wish barn shopping in April on anyone.
With no training options and very little in the way of arenas available, the reality is that Theo will not be going back into work when I get him. He'll be sitting in a pasture getting fat and lazy. My hubby so politely requested I not go get on the bronc when my chiro is still not happy with my C7. It seems a reasonable request. So with a lot of tears I realized that Theo was going to be parked in a field and do nothing. At 17, he was done for no reason other than bad timing and the wonky discs in my neck.
Then Trainer Z reached out to me. She doesn't have a spot now but she will this summer and she knows what she's getting into. She's seen first hand the heights Theo can reach in his temper tantrums. Heck, she might even be able to finish installing that flying change once he's back in shape. I certainly wouldn't mind Theo becoming a Third Level horse. One day he might be old enough and sane enough for me to safely get on, it would be cool if he had all the moves installed.
The current plan is to park him in a field starting in May and leave him to just be a horse until Trainer Z has a spot, probably in July. A couple months off will probably settle his squishy little brain. Trainer Z also thinks that being less fit is a good idea. Considering how high he can get up in the air when he's fit? Yeah, I can see why she'd want that.
I'm still struggling to find a field for him. Why do barn owners not return communication? Like at all? There's a barn about 7 minutes from me that has pasture board and it would be perfect. We've traded emails, she wants to talk on the phone. I hope so. I really hope so.
If Theo lives in my garage, that means I don't have to mow my yard . . .
Fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think Trainer Z is onto something, let the horse get fat and lazy before sussing him out.
ReplyDeletehope you found a field. Shame as I have a field right out my door but...location:) Good luck. I do find persistence with barns. It is amazing how many dont return calls or emails. Hope someone gets back to you soon!!
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