July goes to a new home

[42many]

Last week I took July (a TX Rescue mare) up to the Silver City, NM area to her new adopted home.

July is a mare that was rescued by h.com forum member donations last year from a Mexico slaughter house (along with 3 other mares). She was a wonderful addition to my family and I loved her dearly, however I unexpectedly found an ideal home for her that I couldn't pass up.

The lady who adopted her owns rental cabins and a general store up above Silver City (a BEAUTIFUL area!! Pics later). She has a very sweet gelding that is very well taken care of and friendly. A friend of mine used to keep her horses up there as well, but she moved and had to take the horses with her - so he needed a companion. The lady wanted a companion horse that would be rideable but only for light riding (a few hours once a month or so) and a sweet, loving personality because she likes to just spend time out loving on the horses. This is July to a T!!

For those of you who know her story - she turned into an excellent riding horse. When I decided to adopt her out, I started riding her several times a week and once or twice out of the arena. She did great! Always mellow and easy going, responsive and knowledgeable. She does still have fairly bad arthritis, though, so she would be unable to have a job as a constant riding horse.

I will give details on our EXCELLENT trip in a little while - the kids just finished up in the tub, though, so I have to go!

[starkitten]

What wonderful news!!! On to your new home July - Congrats :)

[vicklynn]

I know it was hard for you. July is such a sweet girl. Im glad you found a good home for her.

[zoel_222]

Awww I'm gonna miss hearing about July. I'm glad you found a good home for her, though.

[42many]

Thanks all! Vicklynn - it was very hard indeed. I kept almost deciding not to, right up until the trailer ride there. I cried on her shoulder before I left her, but she was pretty happy - I'm sure she will do well there.

I drove her up in the trailer myself with my 2 little kids (4 hours) so that I could check everything out and meet everyone in person. She loaded perfect but then gave me such a sad, surprised look when I left her in without adding anyone :(. Trip went great - 4 hours with a 4yo and 2yo, so not exactly quiet...

When we got there we had to turn her out immediately with her new companion due to room issues and they got along instantly - no kicking/biting/anger at all, and I kept checking up on them for the 24 hours or so I was up there. I had also agreed to haul my friend's 3 horses from up there to down the mountains for someone to pick up the next day and we had to juggle horses around leaving no room for separation. They have a medium sized paddock area with run-in at the cabins for night-time and then during the day the horses go down below into a separate 3 acre pasture area.

Because I was only there for a short time (staying overnight and leaving the next morning with the other 3 horses), we decided to get her out and take a quick ride after a couple hours of down-time.

She was AMAZING. Really. I was so very proud of her I was about to burst (still am, thinking about it!). I rode her around the dirt parking lot for 10 mins or less and decided that she was basically utterly calm and not going to explode at all, so I put the lady up on her. Not only did they do great riding around the lot, they ended up going on a trailride around the forest/lake area with the other horse! When they came back, the other horse was acting up (dancing around, over excited) but July was calm and cool as a cucumber. They told me she went over a bridge without missing a beat, past vehicles on the road they had to cross, and I saw her walk calmly past a guy on an ATV as they came back. This was her first trailride in at LEAST 4 years, and she is only 8 years old (I've had her a year and she was on the resept farm for at least 3-5 years - before that we have no idea what her history was)! Wow.

Anyhow, I ended up doing the deal as an adoption rather than a free-lease. I decided that it was just easier on all parties for her to flat out be solely responsible for the horse and not just a long-distance "borrower". I printed up an adoption contract that I had the lady sign - it basically just says she has to keep her up to general horse care standards and that if she ever can't/won't keep her anymore I get her back (or I can take her back if I find that she isn't being cared for appropriately). I went ahead and got her microchipped just in case she somehow ended up in a "bad place" - hopefully such a place will scan for it like they are supposed to. I know those things aren't fool proof at all, but I plan to visit periodically and she is in a pretty entrenched location with a person that I know some background about.

I took some GORGEOUS pics of the lake and surrounding area up there, as well as some of July and her new beau. I didn't get them off the camera yet, though, which is with my hubby at work still - I'll have to post tomorrow.

Sorry for the drawn-out story, but I don't have anyone else to tell that will really care that much or understand the emotional baggage!

[vicklynn]

AWWWWW((HUGS))
We love hearing your story.

[zoel_222]

That last post got me all teary eyed :(

On a side note.... you can microchip horses?

[Equine_Woman]

What a wonderful new chapter to July's story!!! I'm so happy for her that she found you to be her halfway house and take such good care of her and find her such a wonderful home!! It sounds perfect!!! You have a wonderful heart 42Many!! Can't wait to see pics.

[Equine_Woman]

That last post got me all teary eyed :(

On a side note.... you can microchip horses?

Yep!! My Sterling was microchipped in 1996 and it hasn't shifted in 12 years. (she was one of the first done I believe. . luckily haven't ever needed it but it makes me feel better!)

[Gypsy Rose]

I'm glad you found July such a good home. I'm sure you miss her very much, but you can look at this as a sucess story.

[livaward]

Thats great that you found her such a wonderful home! Best of luck July!

[42many]

Zoe - it was only $15!! I almost had her just do the rest of my horses, but I didn't have the time to catch them all up. Quick, easy, cheap - although you do have to then submit your info to the chip reading company so that your information is recorded. I haven't done that yet, so I don't know how much it is - my dog's microchip was only $20 or something lifetime to register as I recall, so I don't think it will be much.

I have these pics all ready in my album to post, but I'm not sure how to do it. I'll go look it up and be back!

[Mandzanita]

You are the type of owner every horse deserves :) I always thought that was so neat of you (and you Zoe!):) to take one of those mares...now having had her a year and she's a great riding horse! That's just so heart-warming. Now this new home is like a success story to a success story, lol. It sounds like an amazing July family just fell into your lap and I'm so happy you decided to do it, even though it must have been so hard :( I love her arrival story! I think they will really enjoy her, she's exactly what they need and vice versa. You gave her an amazing "interum" home :) July, you better make momma proud!

[42many]

Thank you so much! I really hope that it will be a huge success - they seemed to all get along marvelously. I can't help but feel that I let her down some, since I know she genuinely liked me and her home here. However, if things don't work out I'm pretty sure they will let me know and I can go get her! The one thing we are worried about is if the cold up there will end up being too much for her arthritis, but they are planning on putting her on some stronger stuff than I had her on so we will see.

Okay, pics as promised!! First, here is July at my home last month or so - it was just a nice pic with a clear view (she is the one on the far left).
http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=100&pictureid=659

Here she is in the first day at her new place - this is shortly after she met the new gelding, and you can see how well they are doing already (her rear is facing us)!
http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=100&pictureid=648

This is the next day, right before we left. She still seems to be very at-ease with her new buddy (she has the white sock).
http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=100&pictureid=650

An expanded view of their area - this is a small paddock up top (right next to the cabins). During the day they go back behind and below this area to a 3 acre field close by.
http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=100&pictureid=653

July with her new mom on the first day, going out on their trailride.
http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=100&pictureid=649

[42many]

Here are some general pics of the scenery up there. Man, is it nice - I would love to go up there and ride sometime. Maybe when it is Springtime next year, my hubby and I can take the kids up for a visit and I can go on a nice ride.

The lake very close to the cabins (and the main reason people come up there to stay at the cabins!)
http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=100&pictureid=652

The little cabin we stayed in - the kids loved it! It had a bed for me and 2 little beds out in the other room for them.
http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=100&pictureid=646

Close by scenery while driving up.
http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=100&pictureid=651

Lower level flatter lands on the way up the mountain. I would love to live in a place like this, although it would be hard to be so far away from a bigger city (I've enjoyed living somewhat closer to a big city than I used to, so far!). Also, I'm sure it is practically inaccessible during a large portion of the winter!
http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=100&pictureid=654

[Mandzanita]

I'm not seeing any pics :(

[42many]

Aw man - and I was so proud of myself for getting them up there :(

I can see them - can you see other ppl's pics? Just not mine?

[WashingtonBay]

They pictures are fine... mandzanita's the one who is messed up :)

[Mandzanita]

I must be messed up :( Boooo...my computer is not in the social picture mood apparently.

[Diane of Buck's Hollow]

I think you have taken excellent care of July. I am glad you will make sure , no matter what, that she will have a good life. I still feel like those four horses that we saved...were meant to saved by us. That is how I feel. I believe July was supposed to be left with you and that you were meant to take care of her, which you have. You have done a great job. July is loved and she is wanted. Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for July. I know she knows you love her.

[Equine_Woman]

I don't see any pics either!!!!!!!!! Waaaaa!!!

[PaintedLady]

MEEEE EITHER!!! :( :cry: First I thought it was just me. Thanks for speaking up!

[oursarge]

I can't see them either! I hope July is happy in her new home.

[Toodlestoo]

I can see them and they're beautiful. I'm so happy that you found July a beautiful permanent home. It's been quite a journey for her and it's wonderful that she found a happy ending!

[WashingtonBay]

I found the problem :) 42Many... When you made the album, you set it to (Private - only visible to contacts and moderators) That means the pictures were only visible to me and the people already on your friends list.... not everyone else.

I changed it to Public - because I think that's what you really want in this case. It's something to keep in mind when making albums.

Everyone should be able to see them now.

[Mandzanita]

I can see them now! WB....waiting for "Ok Mandz you weren't messed up" :)

[WashingtonBay]

Mandz.... you were absolutely NOT messed up! :) <---humble smilie

[Gliderider]

What a beautiful place. Looks and sounds like a great home for July. I bet she will be very happy there.

[42many]

Thanks Gliderider! I'm glad the pic thing got figured out; it was so pretty up there I really wanted to share. I left a message last night for the new owner to see how she was doing - she's supposed to call me back today!

[vicklynn]

What a lovely place. July looks very at ease. Im happy you found her a good home.
That cabin is awesome. I love those things.

[Equine_Woman]

Beautiful!!!!!! Glad i got to see them!!! What a fun trip to take with your family as well. July looks like she is going to do really well there!!!

[zoel_222]

Great pics! I'm glad she's happy with her new home. It looks really beautiful there.

[42many]

UPDATE -

I talked to July's new owner a few days ago and she assures me that they are doing GREAT together. They are in love!! Yay!

I'm told that July now has shoes on the fronts to keep her from getting ouchie on rocks. She's gone out on another 3-4 trailrides or so and has done very well on all of them. Her smooth smooth trot (which I have always admired!) was commented on as being ultra-nice and comfortable, even with the little arthritic "hitch" and she has retained her mellow, easy-to-deal-with attitude.

Apparently July and the new gelding buddy are still getting along, as well, although I understand that she went into heat for him promptly upon arrival - GIRLS! hmpf.

I asked about the cold weather and apparently she isn't doing too bad (even though it gets VERY cold at night there compared to here). They are blanketing her each night and so far it hasn't affected her much at all. Daytime temps are still up in the 70s, so at least that is cozy.

I'm so happy and content! It sounds like this was a perfect match. I am re-assured that this sounds like a forever home for my sweet girl.

[vicklynn]

Very good news!! Thanks for the update.

[JackieB]

Great news! Glad to hear that July is doing so well. Wonderful of you to rescue her and such a great home for her now.

[Annasmom]

thats great news sounds like she will be very happy!

[jeezitsjacki]

sounds like everything is going great

[zoel_222]

Great news! I'm so glad she's enjoying her new home. Thanks for keeping us updated :)