One Year Of Bridget

Plus, it's her birthday! Happy B-Day little mare!

As the title suggests, this week marks an entire year of owning the Midge. We've put a ton of miles on in the past year and done a lot of things. We've had a lot of fun, and a lot of difficulties too. We're not at all where I thought we'd be, but I have no regrets. I originally bought her as a confidence boosting, easy project to sell at a later date, but 1 out of 3 isn't bad ;) She may not be perfect but she's mine and she's here to stay! In celebration of that and her 6th birthday, here are 6 things I love about the Midge:

1. Honey Badger
  Bridget gives no sh*ts about anything. The normal things you expect baby ponies to worry about? Not an issue. Go ahead, clip her, bathe her, take her to a new barn, ride out on the trail with 50 friends. Jump a ditch full of zombies. She cares not. She's got so much common sense and trust in her handler it's a little freaky. Of course in true honey badger style that means she also cares not about pleasing anyone or conforming to anything. Unless it means food, then all bets are off. Luckily the two of us are a lot alike ;)

2. Or, Is She a Dog?
  As an extension of her non conforming ways, she likes her horse friends alright, but doesn't need them. No marishness, no herdboundness. She's much rather hang out with her people and get scratches and eat treats. We joke she would happily live in the house with us and go for car rides if only she was a bit smaller.

3. She's Funny
  She makes me laugh, and that's always a good thing. She's actually quite a serious little pony, and she has some pretty serious opinions about some trainers and situations. Her BS meter is remarkable. Usually our opinions match so I secretly enjoy it when she calls BS on something or someone and quietly makes their life very difficult. I might not like it when I'm the target, but I still have to laugh. She's independent, smart, and not afraid to tell it how it is. If she was a person, I think we'd be besties.

4. That Trust Thing
  While I can't always trust her to do what I ask or even be on side with me, she never makes mean, dumb or dangerous decisions. I was away this weekend and a girl from the barn called wondering if she could borrow Bridget for a ride. Sure, but Bridget's saddle was at home with me. No big deal, borrow her and ride her bareback. I love being able to let other people ride her or handle her and have zero worries anything weird is going to happen to pony or rider. Bridget looks after herself and isn't going to let a new rider do anything Bridget doesn't want to do, but I know she'll still look after them.

5. The Definition of Easy Keeper
  No shoes required. Feet naturally wear evenly. No grain needed. Ride every day for a week or don't even go to the barn for a week. Put her in a pasture with a herd, keep her in a gravel paddock alone.She'll still be fat and shiny and happy. I'd venture to say in a catastrophe she'd be the last pony standing, likely still fat and happy on a diet of brambles and tree roots.

6. She's Cute and I Like Her.
  I know you can't ride pretty or cute or whatever, but there is a lot to be said for going to the barn and enjoying the pony face that greets you. As far as that other intangible, liking her, I just do. I know it's a little weird to have that on my list, because obviously if you own a horse and pay all that $ you better like them. What I'm trying to convey is that relationship beyond 'she's mine and I love her'. The partnership that just works because you feel like you 'get' each other and there is an extra level of respect and trust inherent in that. It's a surprise that came in a rather unexpected package and at an unexpected time, but that seems to be the way all the very best gifts in life arrive :)