Downsizing and Saying Goodbye

So my dream has always been to be a horse rescue. A year ago I rescued a thoroughbred I called Prince from a lady who races horses. She usually ships them to the auction when their racing careers are over where they end up in Mexico slaughtered but this horse won them a lot of money, she thought he deserved more. She gave him to me. I have spent the last year fattening him up, giving him love. I rode him a couple times, but didn't have the time to truly spend with him being I have 4 other equines.

Well today, or a couple days ago I found him a new home. My heart still hurts but it was the right thing to do. A man who works at the Old Mill Feed Store, Bobby has a family, and two mares, only one which is rideable. He is looking for a riding horse for himself, being his 4 kids ride his other horse. I told him the horse I would still consider "green" needs lots of work and ground work. He is not "kid safe" and doesn't like dogs at his heals. He promised he would give him a good home, and 30 minutes ago Prince left in a stock trailer looking scared and neighing for his pasture buddies who cried ( neighed) goodbye as he drove down the street. I wept like I haven't cried for a long time but I know I made the right decision. He won't end up at a slaugherhouse and will have a active family to spoil him rotten. His new family, his wife and 4 children followed behind in their minivan looking excited to have a new member of their family.

I am so sad that he is gone but who am I kidding. I have now 3 horses, one pony and hardly enough time to ride a horse a day. Prince was the low man on the totem pole, and was considently kicked and bitten at, he looked like he was always being picked on, and that isn't good for him. He was down in weight due to always shuffling from one feed trough to another, he will have lots of weight on him now being the only gelding. He is going to a home that has two mares waiting for him. He will be the king of the place now, something that makes me very happy.

With the economy the way it is, I will save about $75 a month by giving him away. I could have sold him, but I got him for free, I am playing it back. Bobbie promises if he doesn't work out he will give back to me, and he has good references from people at the feed store I checked with. He said I can check on him whenever I want, he lives about 2 miles away now. That $75 will able me to pay down my credit cards faster, something that Suze Orman or Dave Ramsey would be happy with. I am just sad but I know I made the right decision.

Now I will go finish watching Nascar and spend the reminder of my afternoon with 4 horses. Downsizing is a good thing and I hope Prince lives a happy, and full life.