Firefly has moved!

[kigerfan]

the hauler and I met at the ranch at seven am yesterday morning. Firefly loaded with no problems, even with all her friends calling to her. And even though she had been about three quarters finished with her morning meal.

When we got outside of Prim, we found the mountain pass had been closed and we had to wait for it to re-open.... Yes, our mountain pass barely qualifies as a bump elsewhere, but here, they have to close it when it gets even an inch or two of snow on it. Then clean it with a snow scoop. We waited for well over an hour, probably close to two before we got to move again. During this time, we opened Firefly's window so she could stick her head out. She got to entertain all of the folks in their cars by tossing and shaking her head and nuzzling us and munching on carrot pieces. Finally we were able to move again. Just before we got to the California agricultural station, we stopped at a rest stop and got the girl a drink, of which she didn't drink too much. After a short break, we got on the road again and through the check station with no trouble.

The whole trip was marked with all sorts of levels of downpour with small patches of dryness in between. The whole trip took over eight hours when it should have taken at most, six. We got her hay put away and then backed the trailer up in the area of her stall. She unloaded beautifully and went right into her new stall. She pranced and snorted and played in her stall and when she had settled down a bit, I gave her a flake of hay.

I spent about another hour or so out side with her, giving up when I felt either my nose or my fingers were in danger of falling off.

She spent the night well and this morning I came out and called her name, she came running over to the side of the stall for snuggles and love before getting her morning flake of hay. She has a WONDERFUL view. Better than WE have! She will have tons to look at.

As soon as I find the cable to my camera to hook to my computer, I will post pictures of her new home.

[JoanMRK]

Congratulations on a successful move and on having your horse live at home with you! That's definitely something I take for granted, but shouldn't considering how many people have to board. Looking forward to seeing pics!

[fantasykiger]

Congrates on getting your girl to her new home safe and sound, I too look forward to seeing pics of her new location with a view

[canadiankigers]

Wa-Hooooo!!!!
Congratulations!!!! Can't wait to see the pictures of her in her new home!!!!

[lindad]

Shelley,
I've got a big silly grin on my face, I am so happy for you and Firefly! Way to go girl! She sounds so happy and obviously trusts you so much. Let the Happy Trails begin!
Linda D

[kigerfan]

The funny thing is, the fellow that hauled her for me said she was the best behaved horse he's hauled in over two years. He liked the fact that when he told her to pull her head in, she did. He didn't have to push her or anything to get the window closed. She learned that from me telling her to do that at the rails of her stall. She snuffled at the trailer a bit and wasn't real happy about leaving her friends, but she walked right up into the trailer and turned sideways to have the pannel shut. She's on her second night at the property. I played with her some today and worked around the place so she saw me back and forth even as I was working. Hondo went down to see her a bunch of times too, and the people that we're renting the place from came to see her too. She was having fun using me as a scratching post, I had to put a stop to that because I didn't want to get pushed over. Sometimes I have to remind her that I have my space that I need. She's a sweety though and I love her. My next purchase has to be a round pen. The spot for it is already graded. I just need to come up with the bux. I have a few things for sale right now and if they sell, I will have money for the pen, etc. I'm moving along as I can with her

[DianneC]

Ahh, a dream come true. I'm so pleased for you and Firefly both. Sounds like you are both enjoying it!

[kigerfan]

I went out this morning to give her her breakfast and I peeked around the oleanders to see where she was (the oleanders are not near her). She was standing just about at the rail of her stall, looking out over the valley below her, ears pricked. I think she really loves her new view. It really is quite beautiful. There are no horses in front of her, but there's a whole valley full of all sorts of goings on that catch her interest. I've had her out for a walk along the perimeter of the property yesterday and she got to talk to the neighbor's six or so dogs (not really sure how many they have, more keep popping up). She was nose to nose with them. They were a bit hesitant but when they got brave and went nose to nose with her their tails were wagging.

I'm not sure if the woman who was going to bring her horse over for care, is actually going to do it. I think she is going to make the mistake of selling her dream horse and then when things get going well for her again, unfortunately, the horse will no longer be there for her. I can offer to help her, but I can not force her to take that help. That will have to be her ultimate choice.

Firefly is looking wonderful. I'm keeping a good eye on her to make sure she's settling in well. Here stall is about half full of water right now and the fellow that owns the place is going to use his Bobcat and level out the ground more to the side of her stall so it actually drains. She's got plenty of dry space to stand on so I'm not concerened. I have also read so very very much about our modern day horses having hoof problems because their hooves are not exposed to a daily dose of standing water as they would be in the wild when the horses go to drink.

I'm very very happy to have the girl home I can't wait to get my round pen so I can continue her further training. I'm letting her eat the native grasses little by little so she gets used to them. As time goes on, I will be able to let her graze more. I'm also thinking of getting a seed mix and spreading it over the wild grasses so she can have a good mix of the different things she needs.

On another note I have three cocoa plants arriving here on Thursday. I'm going to learn to make some things from natural cocoa. My husband is a diabetic and he lovessss chocolate. I'm going to see if there's a way I can make it with steevia which is a naturally sweet plant that doesn't affect him.