He’s got speed. He can boogie. And I’ve watched him develop from this awkward horse that didn’t know quite what running meant to a horse that truly enjoyed going fast. It takes very little encouragement in the form of a smooching noise to get him to pop up into a canter. More smooching and he’ll push into a gallop. He loves the woods the best for all of this.
I can tell with all of his rehab for his injury that he truly appreciates what I’m doing to make him feel better. Its noticeable how much better he feels.
I’ve tried to bond with Orion. I care a lot about him. Evident in my efforts to help him out. And that’s why I’ve had such a hard time thinking about letting him go. I’ve put so much effort into him. He’s been mine. My first horse. But not what I’d planned on at all. Sooooo many bumps in the road with him. I’ve learned a ton taking care of him. I’ve dealt with many of his issues before in other horses, but not so directly. When I worked at a boarding facility for a year or so I saw a lot of different horse issues. But dealing with them head on like I have had to do with Orion has been different. Its been good.
I know he has the opportunity to mold into an amazing horse. I have in my minds-eye exactly how he’ll look when he’s fat and healthy. When his topline looks better, when his stomach barrels out away from his ribs some more. When he looks like the image of health.
But one thing is certain; I’ve had enough people tell me now that his conformation isn’t very conducive for endurance riding. And that is where my heart lies. He’ll probably be a great trail horse for this and that and whatever. But for where my heart lies, nope. And, also as people have pointed out, why should I pump so much money into a horse that is a toss up? I should pump money into a sure thing if I’m going to do it at all.
And so, I sold him to a very sweet girl (another redhead, score! –haha), and I know he will have a perfect life with her, and she will love the poo out of him! Jordan taking Orion is the best option. And I know he’ll bond with her. And he will be with his friends again. He will be spoiled silly. He’ll get to move slow like he needs with his rehab – as she has big plans for a lot of fun groundwork to build a bond with him. His recovery will be solid and shouldn’t falter. Its really the best option for everyone. Jordan gets her first equine companion – a dream for her like it has been for me. He gets the life he wants and deserves (if a horse could really want something). And I get a burden off my shoulders and have lots of doors opened [again] for me to go to grad school out of state, travel, learn, live.
Ultimately, I feel this sense of emotional attachment, and I hate giving up and getting rid of something I’d thought I would devote myself to for a long time – its just so hard giving up on something I'd wanted for so long. But, what I wanted for so long and what I got are two very distinctly different things. I guess I'll always feel a tug for Orion because he's my very first horse.
This morning boss-lady says, "Can I talk to you for a second?" I get up and follow her to her office not knowing what to expect only to hear these words, "We've been working 'behind the scenes' and I can say with certainty that we have funding to keep your position on through December 31st of this year, do you accept?" To which I immediately responded, "Hot diggity!" I'd just been mope-ily searching for jobs online. No more!!
I plan on sticking around until my Nat’l Ski Patrol training (OEC and on-the-hill work) is over. I may look into the feasibility of being a pro-patroller this winter to make money if my position isn't extended a second time. We will see. That would still be a big commute every day. I need to save up.
Once spring rolls around though, NSP training will be over. And I’m thinking harder every day about moving out to Oregon. I’m already enrolled in the Graduate school out there. I could take classes on-campus. I could find a job out there with FWS or FS or BLM or NPS or something. I could volunteer on University projects until an opening for a MS opened with a professor – and until then I will also actively pursue gaining my own funding for graduate school (a quest in itself).
Doors are open. I can go wherever I choose. This road or that. I know one thing for certain – its time I get out of my home state for awhile. WV has grown on me, and I’m happy here, but I need to explore and get a taste of somewhere else. Its scary, but I really need to do it.
