Who ever knew that it would be such a difficult task to find a good home for my horse? Since Romy and I have been together the poor guy has had to move around a fair bit and I can’t figure out if he really minds it.
There are lots of considerations when choosing a barn – is it well managed, food easily accessible, water always fresh? are there good accessible trails? is there a good community of riders to hack (pleasure ride) with? Those are my main concerns but I’m not sure what his are.
Romy and Ivy – do they chat?
The first move was not so difficult – just down the street, with horses he knew.
Visiting with my Mom
The second was necessary because I had moved over an hour away and wasn’t seeing him enough. He called for his old herd for a couple of days and I visited him twice a day for weeks to try and reassure him.
Visiting with my granddaughters
Well now that barn has transformed into a cooperative, which means that among other chores you take turns shovelling stalls for 14 horses…not my idea of enjoying my horse. He once again joined a couple of horses he knew, owned by mature women like me who had moved because they too didn’t want to do the barn work.
The trails at our new place are breathtaking – rolling fields with the Blue mountains in the distance and leafy lanes leading to deep forests. I wonder if he resents leaving his pals behind though and if after all this time he thinks of me as part of his herd?
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Moving a horse can be very stressful for their owner, for all of the reasons you mention. My daughter has had to move her horse a few times, some transitions easier than others. I hope Romy is settling in beautifully to his new digs!
I hope you find the perfect home for your horse.
Romy is gorgeous, Carol! I’m sure he’s been a wonderful companion over the years. So glad that you found the perfect place for him. ~Terri
Thank you…Here’s hoping he likes it as much as me!
How lovely. I love horses and my granddaughter has one. 🙂
They are wonderful creatures – thanks for the visit.
Romy is such a beautiful horse. So glad you found a solution to your dilemma. You look so happy together. 🙂
Thank you. I’m very happy with him and I think after our time together he regards me as more than just a carrot dispenser😉
Hehehe
I hope this all works out. If not, I know some very good friends of ours who ‘do’ horses here in North Yorkshire who’d love to welcome him!
I think we’d both enjoy your very horse friendly country!
Someone loves you very much Romy… i loved seeing that last photo of you both. This is going to work out for you both… just perfectly!
Thank you for your visit Nancy!
It must be very special to have a friend like this. I’ve always been a little timid of horses. Lack of opportunity as much as anything. He is a very beautiful creature, and that last photo is lovely. 🙂
I was never rich enough to be part of the competitive equestrian set but always loved horses. I came to it late in life after deciding I wasn’t too old to try. So with buying a horse no one else wanted, basic boarding costs and other older women who just like to pleasure ride I’m surprised to find my life has taken this turn…but happy.
It’s lovely to know that. Maybe I should make the first move next time I spot a friendly horse 🙂
Go for it!😊
What a beautiful horse! And you captured him beautifully in these images. Looks like he is thriving.
Thank you for your comments – especially about the photos. Trying to convey the animal you see in the field is hard I find.
I know nothing about horses but love these pictures and this post!♡
Thank you – I sometimes feel that I don’t know enough about my Romy either but we muddle along.
Lovely photos and a beautiful horse!
Thank you Laura!
Looking at the last photo I can see Romy certainly thinks of you as his herd. What a lovely horse
And Ivy and I think of him as part of ours…although Ivy a little more resentfully sometimes😉
Romy is a beautiful horse and you look happy together in that last photo. The new place sounds ideal.
Thank you Clare I’m really hoping things do work out this time and we have lots of other good women, and their horses, to ride with.
I hope so too. Would you be able to tell if he was unhappy with the arrangement!
That’s a hard one, Carol. Hope you are able to find a good place you can ride regularly nearby. Romy is a beautiful horse. He is a lucky fellow to have you as his human!
I’m really hoping this new place works out – there are lots of mature women to ride with and they also dote on their horses so it’s a good beginning!
He’s a beautiful boy .. I bet he does think you are part of the herd. sounds like loads of poo for the garden 😀
I thought that my roses might enjoy it next spring!
What a handsome guy. Hope he’s happy in his new home.
Me too Ingrid! Please keep your fingers crossed.
I agree with denis1950 above and think that herd/pack animals need company. I don’t know much about horses, but dogs certainly treat humans as part of their pack. Romy certainly looks in beautiful condition and you look happy too and don’t horses pick up on things like that? Great to see photo of Ivy – what a well-behaved, patient dog!
I’ve been learning about horses as ‘prey’ animals and that’s helped a lot with my understanding of their actions. If a rabbit ran across Romy’s path for example, he might jump because he’s always expecting to get attacked…as opposed to Ivy who would see it as a great opportunity to chase the rabbit because she’s always looking to ‘hunt’! Ivy loves coming along for our rides when she can.
Romy is so beautiful and I feel he is happy so long as he has you.
Thank you Lillian – I know how much you love horses too.
I think you are very much his herd by the look of the last photo.
I do enjoy our time together and like to think he does too:-)
Romy is a beautiful horse. This is a great story with images and does provoke some thoughts. I think horses and dogs are very similar and often not fully understood by the humans they have to trust. They are both pack animals but also become very attached to specific humans. He looks very attached to you in the last image and that is the main thing. My last thought is both dogs and horses are for life when we take them on.
I too feel that companion animals should be for life and if we’re both lucky that will be the case. The horse community is slightly different though and many horses that compete get traded around for those reasons. My challenge has been understanding that horses are ‘prey’ animals and since we (and dogs) are hunters we have to learn a new way of ‘communicating’ – I’m loving the challenge. Thank you for your thoughtful comments.
Thrilled you’ve found a home for Romy where riding will be breathtaking by the look of the photograph and happy to finally see you and Romy together.
You have to come and see what I mean about the views! Romy doesn’t take photos so unless someone is with me…this one was taken by my granddaughter – she did a great job!
Glad to hear some of the other horses came too. The shovelling deal sounds awful. Good for you to make the choice.
Yes – it was a matter of spending more time with Romy and not spending time as a barn hand! Horses are really vulnerable to the decisions of their owners though so I try to take this all very seriously.
I suspect as long as he has you, he will be fine.
I hope so and certainly that goes for me too!
Shovelling stalls for 14 horses is not my idea of fun either:) He is a beauty!
He has a good heart although he can be a little stubborn sometimes – I enjoy our time together. Thanks for the visit.
At least a couple other horses made the same move. That should help ease his transition. The trails at the new place look so idyllic–and perfect for both of you to enjoy together.
It is a wonderful part of the province and we’re already enjoying our explorations.