Munchkin’s Foster Horse

It’s been a bit of a crazy week already at the horse rescue, and it’s only Tuesday when I’m writing this.

Monday morning found us back at the ranch ready to get back to work. Munchkin thought that she’d be fostering Sadie, but over the weekend, Sadie was adopted by a really great family which is wonderful news for Sadie. Thankfully, we had talked about this possibility prior to arriving at the ranch, so while she was disappointed, it wasn’t a huge let down. With what happened next, it quickly became the last thing we were thinking about….

Shortly after we arrived and learned the news about Sadie’s adoption, the owner, Izzy, headed to pick up some hay for the horses for the morning feeding. While she was gone, we heard someone flying down the road at a really high speed – not even slowing down when it came near the ranch. Next thing we know, the person hits a goat and keeps speeding down the road. Yep, it was a hit and run. The goat died not long after that. This goat, Billy, had been at the ranch since the beginning, so we knew this was going to be a tough day. We covered up the goat before Izzy got back, so she wouldn’t need to see poor Billy that way.

Obviously, she took the news very hard. I ended up driving the old farm truck so we could get the horses fed which was an interesting experience in and of itself. Munchkin and I figured that we would just get things done around the ranch, and then we’d head out. We didn’t think Izzy would feel up to doing any training or rides that day. Well, it turns out we were wrong. Munchkin learned some beginning training in the round ring, and we also went on a short ride as Izzy decided it was best to just jump into her work.

On Tuesday, we headed over to the ranch. A family was there who had set up a time to go on a short trail ride, so we all pitched in on getting them set up with their horses. We also were assigned horses to ride as we were going on the ride too. Munchkin road bareback again on a different horse than she road on Monday. I got to ride a different horse as well. My ride wasn’t exactly a pleasure ride as my horse was being used to help a blind horse on the trail. It was an interesting, tiring, and good experience all rolled up in one.

After we got back, got the tack put away, and cleaned the horses, we were able to meet the new horses that came in that morning – 3 beautiful Polish Arabians. Munchkin immediately connected with one of the mares. There were two mares – a mother, daughter pair. Dixie, the mom, had some injuries to her head due to a trailering incident that happened on Monday, so Munchkin asked if she could take care of those injuries and put a fly mask on her. The next thing you know, those two were spending more time together. Izzy saw the connection and decided to have Munchkin take her to the round ring for a little riding.

While Dixie may be good for riding right now, her daughter, Gypsy, is a pistol and needs training. After talking things over with Izzy, Munchkin decided that Dixie was going to be her foster horse. Izzy will also teach us how to train Gypsy in hopes that one day I’ll be able to ride her. So, we’ll get to continue to learn how to train horses from square one while Munchkin enjoys the benefits of having a horse that she can ride right now and train with on riding techniques. To say that Munchkin is excited would be an understatement.

Once again, the Lord has shown that His plans are even better than our own.