Reality Check

Mae's owner is coming back! I don't have an exact date, but it will be soon -- probably within the next two weeks. I knew all along this was going to happen at some point, but I feel really unprepared. I practically had a free horse of my own all summer and now it's about to end. It's possible the lease will continue (though I haven't talked to the owner about that yet) but it won't be the same because I'll never know when I'll run into the owner. It's kind of awkward when I'm grooming and tacking up Mae to have the owner suddenly appear and then kind of stand around watching me. Makes me feel self conscious, or like a weird horse stalker or something.

If the owner is okay with me continuing the lease, then I probably will. I haven't heard any news from Other Barn about that TB, and I don't really feel like pushing the issue. Again, if it happens, it happens. Right now I feel that Mae is my comfort zone.

As far as horse hunting goes, I'm taking it slow. The last thing I want to do is rush into buying a horse who doesn't totally suit my needs. Also, I think I really want it to be at least part draft, if possible. :)

Just for fun, here are some drafties I looked up on DreamHorse. I didn't specify location so they are kind of all over the place. I'm still fairly new to horse hunting online, but I already have a hard time believing most of what I read. :)

Belgian cross, apparently has some dressage experience: http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=1277899

Shire cross http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=1199285

This one is younger than I'd prefer (I generally search in the 7 to 15 year age range, though about 12 would be perfect) and I can't tell from the ad exactly how advanced of a rider she needs: http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=1257226

Percheron mare, also young: http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=1230466

Sounds like a good all-around horse: http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=1174319

Percheron/TB: http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=1248067

I'm not 100% married to the idea of getting a draft/draft cross, but it would be nice. I'm hoping that if I just keep my ears open, the perfect horse (for me) will one day appear in my area and it will all work out. It's nice to not be in a hurry. Plus, casually browsing the listings takes my mind off the fact that my lease with Mae might be up in the air soon...