At 9:30 this morning, Steve Merka, with www.haulinghorses.com pulled up with our precious cargo! Slim was in the back, so we got him off first. As I walked him in the driveway, Siegfried came over for a closer look. I saw Buddy come off the trailer and his right hind leg was very stiff, sore and ouchy. We put them in a stall with hay and water to let them stretch and settle in for a few minutes, so I could formulate my game plan of walking them up thru another pasture and other horses to where they will reside.
Cindy & Slim
Fortunately I had several folks here today with me--Rachel, my farm helper, Alan, my husband, his sister Stacy and Tommy, my fencing handyman! I asked Rachel which one she wanted to lead and she choose Buddy, thinking he would be slow due to his hock. So out I go with steady old Slim, turning behind me to see Buddy leaping and hopping, full of himself! Ooops guess she chose the wrong horse to lead ;)
Rachel and Buddy
Stacy almost managed to keep Willie from coming over to check out Slim--Maggie never bothered to get in on the action. Thru the final gate to the home stretch! Alan was on camera duty while Tommy maned the gates. Quite a spectacle we were!
Cindy & Slim on the left and Rachel & Buddy on right
Once we got them into their new paddock, we hand walked them for a little while and then set them free! Buddy had a lot of nervous energy to lose, while Slim just followed.
Buddy & Slim
They both dropped for a good muddy roll and proceeded to check out their new surroundings. They have a nice view of the pastures and other horses--probably stimulation overload for Buddy on the first day, but they will quickly settle in.
Buddy has a beautiful high stepping action and is in the lead!
Buddy has been retired at a young age due to osteoarthritis in the right hock, and Slim is older and had just slowed down enough to not work anymore. Both have spent most of their lives with Fantasy Carriage Company in Michigan and were well taken care of. They are both very sweet boys. Buddy has quite an outgoing personality, while Slim is more laid back.
Buddy & Slim
We look forward to getting to know them and serving them in their retirement! Thank you to all who have been supportive of this opportunity to share our lives with these two magnificent creatures :)
Cindy Daigre is the founder of Ferrell Hollow Farm, a unique retirement farm for senior and special needs equines in Tennessee. www.ferrellhollowfarm.net or cindy@ferrellhollowfarm.com
What great pix. couldn't have had a nicer Christmas present! Many happy days to the new retirees.
Posted by: Keria | Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 08:20 AM