So we took the opportunity this year to take our family vacation during the school’s Spring Break instead of hunting for a camp, etc for them to do.  We decided to go to PA to enjoy some hiking and a trip to Hershey Park, while not having too long a drive to deal with.

Of course getting there became interesting when 2 days beforehand Asher was diagnosed with Scarlet Fever (Positive Strep test and a rash on a chest/neck) and had missed most of the week of school … Fortunately he bounced back immediately after getting his first day of antibiotics, but then we had to worry about the rest of us ending up with Strep while gone!  Thankfully that didn’t happen, though Skyler spiked a fever after our drive up at dinner randomly, but was fine the next day.

Overall we had a fun week of doing very little aside from Hershey 😂  Hiking, minigolf, rollerskating and playing in the snow, and of course board games and movies hanging out.

Since I have decided to start looking for my next riding partner, it also ended up being an opportunity of circumstances to be able to check out 3 horses while on this trip … An arab/walker cross gelding and 2 very different standardbred mares.   I can say this time around I’m more ‘picky’ about what I am looking for…not only a physically capable partner, but an emotionally and mentally stable partner without all the baggage.  While I didn’t find what I’m looking for in these 3, I learned more about myself in the process of trying them. I’m in no rush…
Ideally I think I want to find another Tesla.  We were able to ride out alone, did well in groups, had a love for the trail and was generally the same horse every time I grabbed him; he was sane, sound and healthy.  Sure we had some falters with saddle fit and getting his back adjusted in the beginning (along with trailer loading that got figured out), but our last ride together at Gobble was everything I wanted for us and couldn’t wait to see what the next season would bring aiming for 50s…

In the end that means I have an ad out there currently with my ISO criteria – for the “unicorn” everyone is looking for.  Several have popped up of interest that I’ve removed from contention after talking with the owners and gaining insight into personality or health.  I’m just slowly going through the options to find the right one and timing.

When I visited Prophecy upon our return I found him napping with his buddy.  After he decided to get up I spent a good hour on grooming (ended up covered in his shedding coat!) and touching up his hooves.  He pointed me to a few itchy spots and just enjoyed the time together.  I also added a fleece cover to the nose of his halter with the muzzle on it as it is already starting to rub some… at least he hasn’t lost it again!

He is rarely in a rush to leave my side at turnout and I usually have to walk him back into the pasture some and encourage him to find his buddies.  Today he got to enjoy “one last” massage with Sarah… I’ve decide where he will be retiring to officially, as no companion lease situation has presented itself for us, now it is just working on when…

Sleepy eyes after she was done

I still get sad/mad when I think of what might have been… if I had the money to throw at the potential of fixing him would I?  If only looking him as having physical issues, then yes money could fix it…but physical isn’t the whole horse -> it is the 3rd part of his being that would come along if the other 2 (mental & emotional) are balanced correctly… So no, I wouldn’t keep pressing him further as I am not capable of correcting those aspects. Tough thing to come to terms with, but as I have learned there are very few people who can really ‘fix’ a horse.