Delia

I had a friend haul my mare home for me today- my truck needs brake work- and sensible mare that she is, only took a few minutes to load her; she had only been loaded once before. She is 11 years old, has raised 2 sons, and was started under saddle last year. Yes, she is green, more so than I was looking for. However, I had come to the conclusion that I wasn't going to get everything I wanted unless I was willing to spend a lot of time -and money- looking. When I heard about this mare, who was only an hour away, I knew I had to go check her out. I had seen her granddaddy Wranglers War Leo in the show ring years ago, and absolutely loved him and always wanted one of his get. Her bloodlines are all reining. As we drove into the yard yesterday where she was I knew as soon as I laid eyes on her that this was my horse. She just had that look that I like, short, stout and pretty. The gentleman who was selling her is the one who started her under saddle- he is 69 years old, had a broken back a while ago and broke a rib in December- but he saddled her up, did a little ground work moving her feet around, and climbed on and rode.

 He has a gentle touch and I could see that the mare was really calm and willing, no silliness in her. I rode her too in the round pen- oh what a smooth trot she has- and then he got on another mare and we rode out on a little trail ride. Mud, ice and snow, bridge crossing, logs, creek crossing- all good. The only time she tensed up was when she heard one of the horses from back in her pasture calling, but it was easy to get her attention back on the job at hand. I felt right at home on her.
He wanted me to come and ride her a few times to be sure that she was right for me, but I knew that this was the mare for me. He also had checked me out beforehand by phoning some mutual friends and asking about me (he admitted this after we rode) and he liked the way I rode and talked so he agreed to sell her to me.

She's checking me out....

Anyway. we got her home and I turned her in with Josie. I usually keep a new horse separate for 2 weeks, but since I only have 2 pens and no extra panels due to having to use my round pen for fencing when the landlords took away my corral fence, I had no choice. It went well, Josie tried a couple of little squealing rushes and was quickly put in her place by this mare who is very experienced in the herd. Pinned her ears, threatened to kick, and Josie got real respectful quickly. I think she is just glad to have a buddy again.

The cows really got her attention! She spent the better part of an hour watching them, probably hasn't been pastured near them before.

She has lovely little ears!

I watched them for a bit, made sure everything was good and safe, then had to head up to Janice's place to pick up Tess. She has been looking after Tess the last few days and taking her to see Moss, the dog who sired her last 2 litters- yes, I bred her again because now it's my turn to keep a pup and I have several people who are asking for pups. May 1st or thereabouts! Puppies! Thanks Janice for helping me out, it's a long drive so it was really nice that you looked after that for me.

When I got home, of course I headed right out to check on the girls. The mare is  still really looky but is settling down a bit. Her barn name has been DeeDee, but since I have a cousin by that name I wanted to change it but keep it similar since she is used to it. So I call her Delia.
She was up at the far end of the pen, I called... Deeeeeeliaaaaaa and her head snapped around....

She turned and trotted briskly towards me.....

until the cows distracted her....

I'll go check on her  again before bedtime :0)
Tomorrow I'll take her around the yard in hand and show her all the sights and sounds including getting closer to the cows, as well as measuring her, I'm guessing 14.2 hh, and trying my tack on her to find the best fit for saddle and pad. I plan on hauling to the indoor arena for the first rides to get  a little more familiar with her and teach her about me and how I ride. I'm hoping I will find someone to ride with there that will go down the road with me after the arena schooling.
This horse gives me a happy!
I plan on riding her for 2 years, and if her 5 panel test is clean, I'll breed her to Beamer once Josie is a little older and broke to ride.