When I got Houston back at the beginning of the year I was so happy. I was pretty heartbroken when I quit riding (which as you know didn’t last long). The woman that had him mentioned that it wasn’t a good fit anymore so home he came. I brought him to a local clinic and had a full work up done. He was very over due for his annual maintenance and needed his teeth done but otherwise he was in good shape.
Initially he got some time off and got to hang out. After some time to reset I started riding him and slowly tried to jump him. Needless to say it did not go as planned.Β The past few months I have come to accept that Houston really doesn’t want to be a jumper.Β We have been dressaging, trail riding, and hanging out. He is so much happier when he knows he won’t be asked to jump. AfterΒ varying opinions and efforts I finally came to accept that Hue wanted to be a dressage horse.
Here’s the thing though… I don’t want to show in the dressage court outside of events. Because Houston is awesome and I love him dearly I planned to keep him indefinitely. He is a very sweet horse with oodles of personality. I wanted to maintain control of his future and have a say in where he ends up so I just assumed I would have him indefinitely. He was on a semi half lease for a bit but that ended and it was back to just me. Not exactly how I saw things panning out but I love this horse. I would be lying if I said it didn’t occur to me that I could be spending money on another horse I could compete though. Especially with all of the baby horses (unborn and IRL at my barn) in my life.
Until a friend posted about how a student was looking for a horse just like Houston those things were all just thoughts… Β they ended up trying him and then there were some negotiations. What was originally going to be a lease ended up being a sale with a detailed contract about my rights to buy him back first or their responsibility to give him back to me if he needs to be retired and they can’t/ don’t want to care for him down the road. I have to say that I feel so much better about this.
I will share updates as I get them but for now Houston is lapping up attention from a lovely family and he will get to dressage to his hearts content. Bittersweet but I think he will be really happy getting more attention and getting to strut his stuff. π
Oh this sounds like the perfect situation for Huey! I’m glad this worked out for you guys π
Thanks Alli. It was the perfect storm so to speak of great circumstances.
Aw, so hard to let the good ones go but this sounds like the PERFECT situation for Huester <3
Congrats on a happy new chapter for Houston and peace of mind for you.
Sometimes it seems like those perfect situations just fall into place when they’re meant to. I’m so glad that all worked out for you!
So glad Houston will have a chance to be a fancy pants dressage horse!
What a great place for Houston, finding a dressage home π
Hard decision I’m sure, but sounds like a great home for him. Sometimes they just don’t want to do our job!
Such good news! Always enjoy seeing pictures of Houston – what a great looking guy!
Sounds like a great solution. π
Aww. Definitely bittersweet. I will miss seeing Huey’s adorable face via the blog and instagram, but it sounds like he will have a great new situation with someone who will enjoy fancy prancing with him.
Bittersweet, but sounds like a great situation. And now you can spend all your time on Miss Annie!
Good for Houston! I’m glad he’s got his own person to do dressage with him. And it sounds like your wrote up a hell of a buy back so he’ll have a good life. I know you’re missing him, but congrats on the happy solution.
Bittersweet indeed but glad that his future sounds bright!
Congrats on finding such a promising home for Houston!
It’s never an easy decision, but sometimes we have to let them go off and be loved by someone else. Sounds like it’s a great situation for all of you!
Sounds like a good fit for everyone involved.
Wow, that sounds like a great fit! Good for you about being honest about your goals and finding your horse a home where he will be happy/participate in a discipline he’ll enjoy π
Horray!!! Sounds like a wonderful situation for the Houey! … Am I just making assumptions or are you hinting at possibly buying/breeding/somehow acquiring a foal in the future?! hmmm? lol!
Haha I am keeping my eyes open…
Aw, yay for Huey! Sad to see him go, but happy that he has a great place to go and play dressage all he wants!
Aww Huey! I’ll miss his updates but so happy for you both that he’s in a good situation βΊοΈ
Sounds like a great situation for you both!
Love that they were ok with your conditions- that makes us horse moms sleep better at night π