First World Problems

I have to start off by saying I appreciate the comments on my recent posts (well, all of them really, but the more recent ones the most!) I've never put this blog 'out there' or advertised it at all - it was just meant as a fun diary for me to refer back to, particularly as Ginny and I were going from full training to the 'wilderness' of the BC coast and no coaching at all. I figured I'd need some training notes and ideas to refer to now and again - and boy, did I ever! It's such an unexpected treat that there are others out there sharing this blog with me and posting such helpful and supportive comments.

I posted yesterday right after getting off the phone with the vet. I was panicking over just what I was going to do with Ginger - I've committed to a contract starting May 1st in Alberta and am scheduled to leave here somewhere around the 24th or 25th of this month. Ginger was supposed to come with me and I was really excited to get back to regular training and lessons and to hit a few shows. I didn't really consider that we wouldn't have a handle on vet treatment by then, or that the 3+ day trailer ride might not be a smart choice for a horse who isn't feeling 100%. Or that the barn in Alberta is for lessons and training - they prefer not to board if you're not actively part of the lesson/training program.

After venting on this blog and to poor G, I'm feeling much more positive. Talk about first world problems. "My pony is sort-of-kind-of not feeling perfect. Yes, she's happy and looks pretty good. Yes, I'm pretty sure it's something non life threatening. BUT...***sobbing*** I have to leave for work! I might not be able to ride her! I may not be able to bring her with me! She'll just be 'wasting time' in a big pasture with her old friends and excellent care!" Tragic, hey :) ? I needed a serious reality check. Besides, she's only turning 6 this year, so it's not like we need to be in a rush.

It's incredible just what a big part of my life Ginger has managed to take over in the one and a half years I've owned her. G teases me that I will miss Ginger more than him, and some days there might be some truth to that ;)

So the plan for now is to send her to her breeder's in a couple of weeks or so - it's worked out that some horses at the current barn need to go to a nearby town, so we're going to luck out and all be able to share the costs of the ride. Ginger's next door buddy Curly (of the super curly shedding hair) is going along with the rest, so she'll have a good friend to keep her happy on the trip :) We'll re-evaluate things in a month or two - she may still make the journey out to live with me for a few months - if not, I'll pick her up in the fall on my way back out to the coast. If we miss out on the Alberta experience, I do have a really great contact in Vancouver who can provide us with a working student/training type situation for a month or so once I'm finished my current contract. This could be the perfect set of circumstances to take her up on her offer and give me something to really look forward to.

If you're curious, here's a map of where we're heading. A = current location. B= Ginger's temporary home. C= Where I work. Total distance A to C = 1624 km/1009 miles (plus 2 ferry rides).