Four years ago today!

Four years ago, on February 22, 2009, Pie, Sly Pioneer, and Sovereign, Suave Lord, two off-track-Thoroughbreds, arrived at the farm to be our forever horses. Little Pie, above, was only three years old!

The plan was to foster and retrain these two little imps and then help them find happy homes. That is why an early post and graphic said "Foster Thoroughbreds' First Lesson" (below). Anyone who knows me, though, knows that was a very silly plan. As soon as the two sweetie boys walked off the trailer, my heart leaped forward with glee. I knew that instant they were already home. 

My riding goals were unusual. I needed to find a way to make these guys feel happy and secure because I wanted to ride every single day in all weather. I did not want to ever lunge them or use a round pen, even at the beginning. Also, I did not want to use a bit. I planned to ride only in a bitless bridle or halter. I wanted to ride primarily outside of the ring on trails and through fields for an hour each day. 

Miraculously, Pie and Sovereign both allowed me to ride and work with them in this new and exciting (to me) way. We added our sweet little Foggy, Found in the Fog, another OTTB, to the mix in January of 2011 and wow, what an amazing trip it has been! 

Just yesterday, Foggy and I were returning from a safe ride through the woods with high winds whipping around and the temperature barely above 30 degrees. A truck from the auto auction whizzed by us and his hood unlatched and flew up slamming into his windshield with a crash. He hit the breaks causing all the vehicles behind him to screech their tires. We were out riding near the road but Foggy just looked and kept on walking as if nothing happened at all. Our work together, which I like to call "Lingering" has made them calm and trusting. I got my dream horses!