This message is from: Dave McWethy <4nh...@gmail.com>
First of all, thanks to you list members for your forbearance allowing the mention of horses for sale on the lists. When I advertised my horses for sale just now, it was only on these lists (plus NW ADS mailings, thanks, Peter!), and the response was huge. I figure the least I can do by way of thanks is to give a report of life after horses. It's been two weeks as of tomorrow. When I posted my offer for the horses, within 5 minutes of posting, I had my first call. Then a large flurry of response, tapering out over time. I had a total of 18 people who reached me. I think almost every one was a person or program that I could have considered. The common element was that they were well-prepared to care for horses, and in most cases ready to continue the horses' driving careers, with riding as well. I went from worrying about the horses' future to being confident of it. I wish I had had more horses to spread around to these great folks. My decision was to put the horses, Solven and Brisk, in the hands of Cathi Greatorex, a person not well known on the lists, but a horse driving friend who had groomed for me several times at Happs. She knew the horses, and already owned 2 Fjord mares, coming with a lifetime of horse dedication. Cathi and her husband Doc Hamill have their horses on 700 acres in NW Montana. Doc, with Cathi's participation, gives clinics around the US to help people learn to use horses for farm work. My - now hers - horses will likely be involved when the clinics are held at their ranch. Cathi tells me the horses are now living on a 20 acre pasture of yellow grass. Meanwhile I have watched myself to see what happens when the horses go. I miss the solitary pleasure of chores in the morning, watching the resident chipmunk and the crows as I gather manure, seeing the day begin, and giving the boys a pat while they dive into their feed like it's the first time they discovered hay. I miss that, but I have to say I enjoy lingering over a cup of tea with Pam instead of rushing out the door. It's nice to be able to make evening plans without factoring in feeding time. The new-found freedom is pretty nice, and it takes me by surprise. I still see the clock showing 6:30PM and start to take a step for the door. Old patterns don't go away so fast. One day last week I was at the farm (mile from home) cleaning the trailer and picking up the last of the manure. I'd look over at the paddock, just expecting to see the horses there as always, and I felt very sad. At this point, Tess, an Australian shepherd came by. We know each other. She belongs to a horse friend who lives a half mile away, out of sight, across a busy road. When her owner Karen rides a horse past the farm Tess is usually with her, but today there was no Karen. Before this I had never known Tess to visit on her own. Tess came up for a pat, then just hung around, which felt to me as the finest example of animal kindness I can remember. She stayed till I was done, and then I gave her a ride home. The rest of the time it's been okay. I have done some remarkable things with these horses as partners, some of which has been written here. If anyone wondered if a personal issue forced the sale, no. It was my plan from when I moved to Washington 5 years ago to sell them this year. Having them sold will free me up for some other engaging things in my life. And I hope it will make it possible for me to do more with other drivers and their horses. I'm not planning to leave the horse world - still have my life memberships in Fjord Registry and ADS! Anyone up for a 50 mile drive and camp on dirt roads in SE Arizona this winter? As to selling the horses, I am very clear of how challenging it would be if I'd had to accept big compromises in placing them. But in Cathi's hands, I know they will have the very best of care, and that she really knows and appreciates them. I look forward to accepting their invitation to visit and drive the horses in Montana. The horses are happy, Cathi too I think, and I am. Thanks all. Dave Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
