I swear I should have been British. They say British people only show affection to horses and dogs. While I know this is terribly stereotypical, I like the saying because it pretty much describes me. Hug a horse? Of course. Hug a pup? Sign me up.
Hug a human? Well, if it’s a social situation where it is otherwise inappropriate not to do so…but can I have a beer first? Yea, I’d say I’m kidding but I’m really not.
A big part of “me” is my obsession with horses. Before I traveled I rode, and I still had a horse that moved from Wyoming to New Hampshire about a year and a half ago. I’m happy to say said horse–Sterly (aka her official name is Almost Sterling)–arrived in Virginia! And I can now visit/ride when I please, in a beautiful area near Shenandoah and an easy drive if I time it right with the traffic. She’ll have a life of semi-retired luxury, pampered, with little responsibility except to eat, drink, and learn how to use a shed again. Yes, someone thinks there are monsters in sheds (after previously believing that raindrops were going to kill her), and would rather stand outside and shiver. Sigh.
While riding in the past prevented me from wanting to travel very much, Sterly won’t be in consistent work or competed anymore, so there will be none of the pressure to keep her in shape. I’m excited to go feed her wheat-thins (her favorite), and maybe get dear husband to get on her (as long as she’s well behaved, otherwise she’s all mine to deal with). I know Toasty will be a little jealous, but I think her and DH secretly like their hours of snuggle time while I’m out at the barn.
A huge thanks to Equine Express for delivering her safe and sound–I’ve used them twice and if I have a choice, would never ship with anyone else. They are SO nice and Sterly has traveled so well with them.
She’s already settled in well, and annoyed that I was disrupting her eating for photos. Monday, I hopped on her for a quick ride, and she was perfect and excited to get brushed. Most horses come running for a grain bucket, Sterly comes over when she hears the plastic wheat thin bag rustle.
Spoiled? Yes. Happy? Definitely.
