I would like to make an official post for everyone to meet Annie!
I first "saw" Annie on a facebook post by my dear friend Tina. She had went with a kind woman named Lura to the Sugarcreek Horse Sale barn on a Sunday night, and they were given special privilege look at the horses who were already sold and tagged for "meat"... Lura's partner in saving horses, Terry told them to get one more. Tina insisted they consider her seriously as the one.
They ended up pulling Annie.
Annie Above, the day they brought her home.
Just look at those ears!
I saw the post, thought she was cute, but I wasn't looking. Nope. Not looking. I have a dear sweet pony that I had made a lot of progress with, I wasn't looking. And, she was a mare. Mares never really interested me much, even though I had rode a lot of nice ones, I never pictured owning one. And again, I wasn't looking.
Tina owns a mare that was located near where Annie was. I wanted to see her new mare, and, heck, while I'm down there I might as well look at Annie. (She was on my mind, for some reason, just looked so, so honest). And there was a gelding that had been pulled previously, I wanted to look at him, cute little palomino, not too tall. I'm not looking, but it never hurts to look.
Went down on a Thursday with Tina and Jamie. Okay at this point, I should prolly admit, I'm kinda looking by now. I'm here, I might as well. The gelding seemed great, he passed all the tests while tied in the cross ties in the barn. Jamie got on him and we headed to the field....he was not a good fit, she knew right away, he was not a fit for me. (plus there was this hernia thing, which wouldn't have been a big deal if he had been a good fit). Okay, so we mess with her mare, Izzy.... and then we get ready to go see Annie. It's getting close to dark by this point.
We arrive, and catch Annie, who basically came to the gate when she saw us there. Wow. Those early photos do NOT do her justice. She's pretty. I tell myself not to get excited. Well, Lura takes her to the arena and jumps up on her bareback with a bridle... she goes off and about like it was her job, no issues at all. I'm cued in at this point. I want to see her under saddle. I know Tina has rode her, I want to see Jamie ride her, and then I want on.
We grab my saddle and tack her up. She does awesome for Jamie, she even gaited in the frozen uneven ground. I decide I want to ride her. My nerves are not what they normally are, climbing onto a new, unknown horse... (thank you previous bad experiences for that)...a slight nervous twitch, but not the paralyzing kind.
I get on, after some help..LOL carharts, many layers and her being taller were NOT working in my favor. I get on, and off she goes.... carefully... watching her steps. Around and around the arena. I want to ask her to gait, but on my terms. I ask her, and she gives her best effort to me. Short burts at first. I think she could feel I was tentative. It was amazing. I was in love. I was not looking. I was not looking........I was not looking and she found me.
There was one other time in my life this happened. I was not looking to date. I did not want to mess with any more "boys".........then Seth and I found each other. That turned out great. I think Annie will too.
The story doesn't end there. I come home, I talk to Seth. I tell him I'm sure I've found the one...a long while ago Seth and I had a conversation about a situation like this. He asked me if I found the right horse, would I be willing to sell Dakota, so that someone else could enjoy him. In that talk, I said yes, yes I would, as it wouldn't be fair to hoard him to myself. He tells me to tell Lura that I'll take her. Most excited text I've sent in a long time.
She came home with us Friday. That's right...the next day.
Our First arena ride at Jamie's
Getting use to a new horses' movements, is like driving a friends car: the controls are the same but they all feel a little different.
Annie learning to stop and stand at the mounting block.
On our first solo ride. She did WONDERFUL
Below are some of my favorite shots of her so far. I couldn't resist breaking out my DSLR for some nice shots, even though the weather that day was nasty.
Those eyes, oh Annie, those eyes!
I look forward to sharing the adventures of Annie with everyone. From equine babies to trails and learning to correctly ride the gaits.... Here's to years of enjoyment together!
Pistol Annie, Annie Oakley, Annie-belle.......
