Long Over Due Update

12 February 2009

Wow it's been like six months since I last posted. I never had time for Drum when I went back to work end of July, I was working 12hr days, 9days in a row. I saw him on my 3days off but because he hadn't been worked, it just wasn't a good idea to get on and go for a ride. He lived at my Mum and sisters farm and they looked after him. He went a bit wild they said, he was only settled and happy on days I had visited, the rest of the time he thought he was a wild stallion. I felt awful for neglecting him.

Early Decemeber I found out I was pregnant so quit work just before Christmas. Let me tell you, morning sickness and 5am milkings do not mix well. Nor does all day sickness and bouncing around on motorbikes and tractors during the day... Then milking in the heat of the summer afternoon. So glad to get out of there.

Anyway my partner and I had decided we were going to move to the deep south, Invercargill, home of Burt Munro, Worlds Fastest Indian back in the day, to work and study for the year. Partner is earning the big bucks, Im finishing my second year of vet nursing and popping out a baby in July. We searched for grazing down here for Drum but found none in time before we moved. Drum stayed home as I probably wouldnt have time for him again. Im sorry Drummer.

I had arranged for some girls to ride Drum for me but none were confident enough. My sister arranged for Drum to go away for schooling for at least a month. My sister is a good, confident rider but didnt really have the skills to bring him back into work. And because of my confidence issues, I know I will never be in the position to school a young horse again. Some say I should sell Drum and buy something more experienced and safe but I would rather keep Drum and spend some money getting him to the point where I wouldve considered buying him as a more experienced safe hack. So off he goes. When he comes back my sister will ride him for the rest of the year, then we will share him when I get home. I will have a baby then so will still need help with him. The trainer he is going to requires that all horses she schools, continue to get lessons from her after they go home to ensure horse and rider still understand each other and are still heading in the same direction.

So I hope it all works out. He is only rising 7. We have plenty of time to get back in the saddle, he doesnt mind living the good life! Big paddock, good feed, good mates, no work. Lucky boy.