This message is from: katiewi...@aol.com This is from Katie Andraski, Northern Illinois
Hi there, What a warm group of people you are. I've been enjoying the digest for the last few weeks and thought I should introduce myself. A year ago we were busy renovating our farm house and wondering if we'd ever move in and live here. My husband I both grew up on farms as kids but we never, ever thought we'd move back to the country ever again. We both still shake our heads in wonder. People would ask me if I'd have horses. I don't think so, I'd say. Sheep maybe. I could learn to herd sheep with my Aussies. Horses have woven in and out of my life since I was a baby. But I'd pretty much closed off the part of myself that loved horses, since I sold Beau, my Arab Quarterhorse about sixteen years ago. He'd been good for me, helping me over some grief. I'd pretty much focused on showing my dogs-a couple Bernese Mountain Dogs and Australian Shepherds. I've done conformation, draft with the berners, and agility with the Aussies, with obedience tucked in around those other things. But I was a goner when our neighbor walked her two quarterhorses down the road and I stepped out to talk to her. Then came the Boone County Fair and conversations with the halflinger and Fjord people. (By the way, the Boone County Fair has a wonderful pony show and great premiums. Some halflinger people said they went home with 700$ in premiums. It's the second week in August. It seems to be a well run show.) I was referred to Patti Jo Walter who opened an extensive email conversation with me about the horses. When I decided to drive up to visit her place, I told her I wasn't going to buy but I wanted to ride a Fjord and learn more. I was also pretty honest about how my last horse helped me with grief and I needed a horse to help me get over the NIU shooting. I hadn't stopped crying with the arrival of summer. What I liked about Patti is that she took me seriously. As soon as I got on Tessa's back I felt a surge of confidence coming up from her. We clicked right away. Well, I brought her home a month later. Another thing that is wonderful about working with Patti Jo is that she has been there for me as I've worked my way back into horses and have been learning how to manage a horse I tend to, which is different from when I was a kid and different from boarding. She's taught me so much and has been there for me. She's right when she says you make a friend for life. Well, it became evident that Tessa needed a companion, so Patti offered her coming two year old, Paske Morgan. She just arrived about two weeks ago. What a doll she is, ambling over to visit, preferring my company to hay. She has been well handled, so even though I have lots to learn about bringing along a young one, I think I'll be able to manage. I feel a great responsibility to do right by these horses for myself and the next person. We're blessed here in Northern Illinois20with lots of choices for trainers, so I should find some good help. My work with dogs has given me a good sense of how training should go. Well, that's all I know. I'll go back to lurking and learning from you all. Thank you again for your warm hospitality. Blessings and all good things, Katie Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
