Plain truth, without rose colored glasses

The search for my horse ran in tandem with finding a way to pay for our hobby. Driving to and from the pasture to feed everyday meant at least an hour and a half of time plus gas. Whenever the car broke, we had to inconvenience friends to drive us to the pasture. A second vehicle would have been useful, but the cost of having OReilley cut into any new car purchase. An additional horse would cut into the budget even further.

We just weren't making enough money. Although, we weren't really putting out that much cash. The pasture was $150 a month for 3.2 acres. OReilley had more than enough grass for himself. We only had to buy a bale or two of alfalfa and grain for supplement. We purchased a hoof rasp and clippers to try to save on farriers and kept OReilley unshod. We've had to call in the vet for shots and other concerns and blew our budget each time. But overall, we felt that if we could save for the purchase and transport of the new horse, that we'd be able to maintain them well. We'd also be able to enjoy riding at the same time!

We needed to find extra work. After due consideration, we decided to find Melissa work in the horse business. Perhaps she could find work as a barn helper at some well run place. She looked at and applied at several places, but found we would be making less. One stable was really promising, if only we could have had OReilley at the stable for free.

Week after week, we searched the classified for a suitable horse-related job. In the mean time, Melissa go accepted into a volunteer position at Thumper's Therapeutic Center. This would be a good place to get the training and hours towards the goal of certification with NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Assc) . The schedule created constraints and conflicts with her regular job as an apartment manager. So, I had to cover for her while she did her volunteer work. At the same time, I was getting more technology classes to teach. More work for me to help pay for the horses and more experience for my sweetheart. What a deal!

While at Thumpers, she made friends and learned a lot from their manager and trainer. I learned how they operated on donations, the complete sponsorship of the landowner and free labor from lots of volunteers. If the aged landowner died, there would never be enough income to pay for any kind of lease. The fees that the parents paid for their handicapped kids were woefully insufficient to make this non-profit a going concern. I figured the only way to make a business out of a Hippotheraphy Center was to have physical therapist on staff and bill insurance for much higher fees. In addition, more parents and kids who had insurance coverage could become clients.

While at Thumper's, we met Fancy, a newly acquired 19 year old Appaloosa mare. She was to be the newest and youngest of the theraphy horses. Unfortunately, she wasn't settling well and was too spooked. Her owner was moving and could not take her back. So we made the best offer we could make. It was waaayy below the original asking price. Fortunately, after checking out our pasture and knowing she would be going to a good home, the owner agreed to sell.

We arranged for transport and on the day she arrived at the pasture, OReilley bucked, squeeled and danced in delight. He had a mare! This confirmed our choice!

First thing we found out was the spare saddle didn't fit Fancy. So we had to squeeze a bit more money out of the budget for tack that fit her. Thanks for Portland Outdoors' try before you buy consignments, we were able to test several saddles before purchasing one. We also needed to supplement with more hay because there was a drought that summer. She was also quite dominant and chased OReilley from his hay. But I had my horse and we tried to make to most of it.

There was now twice as much poop to shovel.