Well, it's over, I think

[altivo]

John and his friend Dennis are on the way back to Pecatonica with Dawn in the trailer and her vet papers and bill of sale in the cab. The signed transfer is in an envelope, stamped and ready to mail to the registry folks in the morning.

I knew, really, from the beginning that I probably couldn't keep her, and I should have done this a year ago. Now I'm attached to her even though she seemed not to care much for me any more, and it hurts more than I want to admit. She is going to a good place, and John is eager to start working with her again, including harness work. That's in her blood and she should excel at it. And she is just absolutely beautiful today. She went from corral to her stall without a fuss. When they came to get her, she walked to the trailer and stepped up into it with very little urging. She only whinnied once when they closed the doors.

I honestly think she knows where she is going and is eager to get back there. She made a choice and did her best to let me know that life here is too boring and restrictive for a wide-eyed teenager. Things will be a bit more quiet here with her gone, though. (Actually, that's a major understatement.)

Comments

[bariki.livejournal.com]

It always hurts to say goodbye to a horse that we've cared for, regardless of whether we knew that they'd be with us forever or not. You've probably seen more of this than I, but I do know how it feels. It hurts, and it sucks.. but at least you have the knowledge that you're doing the right thing.

If you can ask yourself "will she be happier somewhere else?" and answer it truthfully with "yes", and do something to place her elsewhere.. then you've done right by her. We all love our horses. We all want them to be happy and healthy and to reach their potential. Ideally we want that to be with us, but sometimes that just doesn't happen, for whatever reason. Being able to see that, being able to let go for /their/ benefit and understand that is to me the sign of a true horseperson, regardless of their inclinations.

For that, as I have said, you have my admiration. Now that it's happened, you have my compassion also, for I remember how it feels...

*nuzzles you softly*

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Your words really mean a lot to me.

And I do think she will be happier this way. She is one damned smart horse, all of us who have been in contact with her agree on that. Too smart for me. I don't have the experience or the time to give her what she needs.

This must be akin to what parents with high school educations feel when their children graduate from college and take up careers that are unintelligible to them.

[bariki.livejournal.com]

As equally unintelligible as when their children, with their expensive education and phenominal IQ, decide that working with horses is best for them. Hrm, no perhaps that's another emotion. :P

It'd be interesting to see her another year down the line, having been around these older mares and with people that are equiped to handle her little games. I wonder how she will be then...

And, hay, no worries. ^)^

[ducktapeddonkey.livejournal.com]

*whuffles*

[altivo.livejournal.com]

*nuzzles quietly*

Thanks. And that is one cool icon. It should have appeared in kaysho's recent discussion about being hypnotized by animated LJ icons.

[dragon-punk.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry bud. *hug*

[altivo.livejournal.com]

*hugs back till you squeak a bit*
Thanks.

[dragon-punk.livejournal.com]

Anytime bud. :)

[murakozi.livejournal.com]

Bariki said it better than I can. For some of us, our cats/dogs/horses/birds/whatever are the closest we'll come to having kids of our own. It's hard to see them leave home. We bond with them and feel like we're their parents. Even when you know from the start you're not going to have them forever, it's still no easier when they leave.

I hope you'll go visit sometime and see how she's learning and growing and take pride in what your filly's become.

You made a tough decision when you chose her needs over your desires. I really respect you for that. It wasn't an easy thing to do.

*hugs*

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Yes, I have every intention of keeping close track of her future. I expect to be posting pictures, even. :)

[pokeypony.livejournal.com]

The horse world be such a better place if other horse owners were as intellegent and unselfish as you.

You tryed and thats what was important and you relized that her long term quality of life would be improved by a more experienced trainer in a bit of a differant enviroment.

Out of the 5 horses that I have had of my own over the years I always got them from a rescue situation with the exeption of one of them,but in the end gave them all away as I saw a opportunity to drasticly improve thier life or surroundings.

It hurts,but almost always when you love someone the day comes when you have to let them go.

Given the right time,the right circumstances and the right individual,we will all find the one that we were meant to be with whether that pertain to humans,equines or otherwise.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I haven't found my "ideal" horse and probably never will. It is too hard for me to acquire them and then find a good place for them if they don't work out. My mare Tess is OK (Dawn's mother) and I can settle for her. She is cooperative and well-behaved.

But I can't help feeling that she doesn't really care if I am ever around or not. Sigh. I really need a horse that wants me.

[kaysho.livejournal.com]

Sometimes you have only the satisfaction of knowing you're doing the right thing for someone. *hugs*

[altivo.livejournal.com]

*hugs back* I'll take hugs any time, thanks.

Yes, you're right of course. Though as it turns out, the relief of tension around here was very obvious within 24 hours. My mate was on a razor's edge and now he's back to his normal lovable self. So it was a choice for us as well.

My mare Tess, who was distraught the first time her daughter went away to the trainer, gave one good-bye whinny this time and that was it. She has started to pay attention to us and to the other horses now, which is good for everyone. This evening when I got home from work, she was still in the pasture. I went to get her, and was astonished to have her come galloping to meet me as soon as I stepped in the gate. She was leaving the other two horses behind to do that too. Never has she shown such eagerness to be around me. As you might expect, I was delighted.