Sunday, December 23, 2012

Offically retired

Today, I hauled Cash and Saga out to their new retirement home - 11 acres of rolling grass pasture, with goats, a (terrifying) mini, and cows for neighbors.

We made the hour-long drive without incident, although about halfway there I confessed to my husband that I felt like I was abandoning my children or something. I'd packed the boys' feed, blankets, treats, Cash's meds, and had a full-page sheet of history and instructions for each of them. Me? Obsessive anal horse owner? Nah!

We pulled in, unloaded, and fed the boys dinner in their new pasture, in hopes of keeping them from doing anything that would annoy Saga's fetlock (for example, running around the pasture like lunatics). That only sort of worked... there was one short burst of speed, and then Saga settled for a showy trot:

 Cash was really not so impressed with Saga's antics.

Next, they had to sniff all the poop...

... meet the new neighbors... 

... do a quick check to see if I had any treats on me... 

 ... and then do some more neighborly gossip while sampling the local flora.

Here's the rest of their pasture... all 11 acres. That's hubby standing by the gate. Nice, isn't it?

We unloaded all the boys' feed, went over the instructions (including detailed medical history), and then said a final farewell and told the boys to stay out of trouble. I haven't heard from the BO yet, so I'm going to assume that all is well.

I know they're in a wonderful place, and that this is the right decision for them - especially Saga, who is still young at heart, even if his fetlock is all but destroyed. Having so much room to roam will be good for them both, and I know the BO has a watchful eye on them.

Sniff. I'm gonna miss them. Regular visits are no substitute for having them right out the back door, you know?

SNIFF.

19 comments:

  1. Oohh! It looks lovely - I'm sure they'll be very, very happy there. Hugs to you because I'm sure it was very difficult to leave them behind.

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    1. They could have cared less about me leaving - they were too busy checking out the new digs! It's like dropping off your kid at school and them leaping out of the car and running off without saying goodbye. Oh well!

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  2. The best thing for the horses but heartbreaking for the humans...

    Glad you found such a fine facility for your boys.

    Warmest holiday wishes to your family!

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    1. CFS, thanks, warm holiday wishes to you too! And yeah, the best thing for the horses is often the hardest on the humans.

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  3. What a lovely place for two very deserving horses. Many hugs to you- I know it's hard letting them go. But you know you did the right thing.

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    1. LL, yes, I *know* I did the right thing, absolutely. I'll just miss them.

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  4. Hugs for you. Atleast you can take comfort in that you are doing the right thing. I'm sure they will enjoy themselves, i'm not sure what horse wouldn't with all that space!

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  5. Bittersweet. They look like they will be fine and have plenty of room! I'm glad both of them will be together, should help them settle in nicely.

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    1. SL, they were definitely settling right in! I know they are going to love this place, and them being together is just the icing on the cake.

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  6. I bet they'll be happy with their new digs though I know it's tough not having them at home!

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  7. 11 acres and they get to be roomies? I bet they'll love it. Hard to let go, but it's for the best. :)

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    1. SB, I know they'll love it - heck, *I* would love living there!

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  8. I feel your pain... you know you're doing right by them, but it's still hard. It looks like a lovely place, and at least they have each other!

    I hope you and hubby have a merry Christmas!

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    1. in2paints, you've been there too I know. It is hard to not have them right here, but as you say, they have each other in a lovely place.

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  9. I am sorry that you have to be separated from them, but I am also happy for you. Saga is okay and pasture sound. Saga and Cash get to have each other and lots of "wild horse" space to roam and enjoy. All retired horses should be so lucky!

    Happy Holidays to you!

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    1. Val, you're right, this could not have turned out any better. Saga is pasture sound and they get to be together with lots of room to roam. Considering the lows with Saga over the past two months, this truly is a wonderful Christmas gift!

      Happy Holidays to you and yours!

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  10. I have done it both ways--turned out in pasture and here at home in big paddocks--with my old, retired horses. I will say that there are plusses and minuses to both approaches. But you seem to have found a really ideal situation for your boys. I hope they have many happy years there.

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    1. Laura, thanks! Of course I wish I had 20 acres at home for them, but that's just not in the cards. They are definitely loving the new place though!

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