Saturday, February 04, 2017

a new member of the family......

Road trip on this extremely cold winter day....and if you look in the background of this photo...you'll see there's a horse trailer...

Yup, were going to check out a new horse. Butch called the other night saying he was pretty sure he found just what we've been looking for...so we met up with them and are checking it out.
As it turns out, this horse is with the same broker who we got duke from. His operation is much bigger than it was when we bought duke and he now deals mostly with riding horses, but now and again he gets drafts..and this is what he had. I feel sad that we'll break up a team...but I don't need two more horses 
This boy is way bigger than I thought and when I first saw him I really wasn't sure . But Burch brought him out and began to check him over for us. I trust his instincts and just watched and listened closely.
I would have liked to see him hitched but the day was so bitter cold, it almost wasn't safe to be outside. Fortunately there was an indoor area to work in, so I was able to ground drive him. He's really big, but seemed gentle...
And after a bit of time and being with him...decided we would take him. I'm not so sure if he likes this idea..he seemed pretty bonded to his grey team mate and I really felt awful about splitting them. For a half second I consisted taking both but then knew I didn't want to take on more than I can handle.
I went to do paperwork and pay while ed and butch got him ready to leave. I couldn't bear to watch him leaving his pal...I had a lot of questions about him, which they couldn't really answer. I guess they came in for auction..so were buying an unknown. 
He loaded beautifully and butch has confidence in him and us.. So well give it a go..
He certainly takes up the trailer....and like duke ..whinned as we pulled away from the farm. I wish I could tell him what his life with us will be like...but he's just going to have to see for himself.
The ride home was uneventful. We stopped a few times to make sure he wasn't too cold, all was good. He unloaded...in the dark...like a gentleman. And of course caused quite the excitement when we brought him in. Hewas cross tied while we set up a stall.
And settled in quite nicely...
Everyone was excited to come and see him. They can't get over his size. I'm beginning to wonder how the neck I'm going to harness him. Guess I'll be working on upper body strength!!! 
And ....we need to come up with a name... Because he was just horse number 134....
And as special as all of this is...Dad wanted to come see him. He was so sad for me when we lost duke and even though Dad is feeling really awful right now..he had Becky drive him up so he could see this boy. I brought him out to show Dad ...it was too cold for him to get out of the car....and Dad took these photos ..



And then we came up with his name....Abraham!!! 


So,our newest member of the family......