He's Back - and the Decision is ...

...It’s time. I knew when I started this project that this could happen – and probably would. When my husband said (more than once) that he thought Whisper was the best horse of my three (he’s knows little about horses but in general I respect his opinion – especially when it coincides with mine); when he said wistfully ‘Whisper is my favorite but Doc is my charge,’ I knew that Whisper would be staying with us. The logistics are difficult. Board for three horses isn’t cheap. Training for Whisper isn’t either but I don’t have the expertise to teach him the fine points he needs to know even to be a competent trail horse and I still hope that he will be more than that. Keeping three horses ridden and in decent physical shape is definitely a challenge although Spice would be perfectly happy to be fat and out of shape. Her goal in life is to be a pasture ornament. So, I’ve decided. We will go from two horses to a small herd of three and have relayed this intention to the appropriate individuals. I'm assuming a pro forma response but haven't heard back yet - ok, it's only been an hour or so.

ETA I emailed the request at 9:54 am; at 9:57 am I received a message indicating the official paperwork is being drawn up. Guess I should go buy celebratory apples all around.

On the injury front – Whisper is back in his pasture with his buddies. It took him about 90 seconds to re-establish his “I’m in charge and that’s my hay pile’ credentials. I watched with some amusement as I haven’t seen Doc & Spice move with such alacrity since Whisper first joined them. Spice is such a suck-up. She was soon munching hay right beside him. Doc decided to pout for a time at the top of the pasture but was soon moving Spice to another pile so he could claim hers. Maybe this will help my slightly chubby charges become a little more svelte.

The plan now (I know. I have a new plan every time something changes) – is to work Whisper for 20 minutes every day for a week to get him back into shape mentally as well as physically. He’s gotten used to being a fawned over pet in the past six weeks. The injury to his leg caused only minimal lameness and he is showing no sign of lameness now but I think easing him back to work is best.