Onto the Next Phase

So with Buddy and Pro still Fresh on my mind...My sister bound and determined to find me a better ride....  We tore apart local classifieds, Kijiji, forums you name it.  Lookin for a horse to restore my confidence and re-energize my belief that a life with horses was something I did deserve and was capable of.  That even though we did not grow up around horses we were entitled to be apart of their clubs, niches and even the industry.  We had about a dozen horses we liked..not one we could really put a finger on.  My sister, Robyn bent over backwards to help me.  She went out to look at horses, talked to owners and offered to pick my horse up, board it through the winter and then bring out to me in the spring (Remember she's in Calgary..I am in Yahk!) She went out to see a 7 year old, 15.2 HH overweight, putzy little pally paint mare named Candy.  She was stubborn, just coming off her last foal from the summer..and still abit green.  The current owner had been working with her for a few weeks and she was coming around.  She had great ground manners, super easy going, loveable, could groom her all day.  Didn't ever want to run, was accepting and consistent in her actions.  She was a perfect "get back on the horse" horse.



Riding on the Mountain Range

I renamed her China because she was bald faced and had black eyeliner.  She reminded me of a China doll.  She was complacent, kind, forgiving and very solid.  She was perfect for what I needed to get back into the saddle and bump up my self esteem.  We spent 3 years together.  She enjoyed spending time with me..she was always first to the gate.  We did lots of mountain riding, some arena work.  Took her up to the Yahk Cattle Range and did a Posse Run.  Climbing a mountainside in a team, looking for "bad guys"..we took 2nd place! 



Portrait by my sister Dee


There came a time....I just started getting abit tired of her laziness.  She just wanted to putz around.  She never wanted to "GO"..Her responses were always sluggish..she preferred walking to get anywhere.  I loved her dearly..but our relationship was not optimal.  She deserved a better life, more suited to what she wanted..and I deserved an upgrade!  We were not growing together anymore.  So I put her up for sale and she found a fantastic new home in Nelson with a lady who needs exactly what China has to offer.  They were made for each other