I don't know if this post belongs in the Pasture, Winners Circle or Snark Factory..
So I'm finally back on HEE after taking a rather long break to deal with real life. In the last year and a half I have lost my pet bunny Elvis, my uncle, my boyfriends grand mother and grand father, and my boyfriends father was diagnosed with cancer (I'm exceptionally close to his family - they are my family). My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and my dad is seriously sick in and out of hospital (the doctors don't know whats causing the problem). To top that my horse got diagnosed with Thyroid Carcinoma.
That brings me to the winners circle! Finally, after dreaming of it since I was four, I have my own horse - I co-own her with my best friend! We bought Sunbird (AKA Birdy) in April last year. Birdy is a 18 year old American Saddlebred cross South African Boerperd Mare. She was a rescue case, we were not planning on a rescue horse but she stole our hearts the moment we saw her.. This has been the most amazing and rewarding experience of my life! We are doing some very much needed physical rehab for her so she is on a strict training program and currently not being ridden. (We are giving her a year off of riding and focusing on just doing ground work to help her find her natural balance again). She suffered a lot of damage done to her body, the cancer left undiagnosed and untreated by her previous owner being the least..
In spite of this Birdy is now healthy, happy and very loved. I don't know how I would have made it through the last year without my daily cuddles with her.. Now for some pics
http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t652/Shazza1000/047%202_zpsfodsbooq.jpg
She has the softest, kindest face.. :)
http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t652/Shazza1000/104_zps55b9pruo.jpg
Coming up to say hello
http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t652/Shazza1000/011_zpsjj8ropew.jpg
You can really see the American Saddlebred in her here..
http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t652/Shazza1000/17499412_10154166955586566_8005387273389562963_n_zpsidrlb0b7.jpg
Walk work - training her to stretch and relax
http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t652/Shazza1000/17458434_10154166955461566_1377355600264252568_n_zps1maszyek.jpg
Trot work :)
http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t652/Shazza1000/006_zpsoxtsz8dj.jpg
Happily grazing in the field
http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t652/Shazza1000/eqwrg_zpsbgh85bqb.jpg
Stretch exercises
http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t652/Shazza1000/031_zps4xwl4bmw.jpg
My favourite photo of her!
Thanks to those who took the time to read this lengthy post!
Breezy and Pleasant
