Ferrana
Active Member
It has been ages since I've been here. Hello again, everyone.
A little over a decade ago (2004), I found my first (and still only) mini via this community. Firefly is still with us, 16 years old and still every bit of the fiery red headed mare.
My life has turned upside-down, though, as severe medical health issues forced me to take a medical retirement from teaching after 17 years in the classroom. I had brain surgery in January and am doing absolutely amazing in comparison to where I was before, but it is clear I still have neurological issues.
In the midst of my health storm, Firefly was trained to drive as I struggle with balance and strength issues. She's been amazing--absolutely incredible in how quickly she took to training, and how incredibly responsive she is to cues.
I'm hoping to take her to her first driving show on Sunday, not to participate, but just to get her exposed to the atmosphere. Next month we may venture a class or two.
As for my biggies...well, I lost my beloved screennamesake in 2011 to degenerative suspensory ligament disease, and then I just lost my newer boy(had him exactly 3 years) to a persistent, nasty, nightmare of a colic a couple of weeks ago. Three emergency vet calls in 3 days weren't enough to save him. Oof...my heart is still raw from this. It was awful.
I will not be getting another full sized horse until I know I am physically capable of safely handling one again--which rather breaks my heart.
Which is why I'm glad Firefly is there to pick it up for me.
A little over a decade ago (2004), I found my first (and still only) mini via this community. Firefly is still with us, 16 years old and still every bit of the fiery red headed mare.
My life has turned upside-down, though, as severe medical health issues forced me to take a medical retirement from teaching after 17 years in the classroom. I had brain surgery in January and am doing absolutely amazing in comparison to where I was before, but it is clear I still have neurological issues.
In the midst of my health storm, Firefly was trained to drive as I struggle with balance and strength issues. She's been amazing--absolutely incredible in how quickly she took to training, and how incredibly responsive she is to cues.
I'm hoping to take her to her first driving show on Sunday, not to participate, but just to get her exposed to the atmosphere. Next month we may venture a class or two.
As for my biggies...well, I lost my beloved screennamesake in 2011 to degenerative suspensory ligament disease, and then I just lost my newer boy(had him exactly 3 years) to a persistent, nasty, nightmare of a colic a couple of weeks ago. Three emergency vet calls in 3 days weren't enough to save him. Oof...my heart is still raw from this. It was awful.
I will not be getting another full sized horse until I know I am physically capable of safely handling one again--which rather breaks my heart.
Which is why I'm glad Firefly is there to pick it up for me.
We were justifiably (and clearly) last in every class, but did NOT care. I'll make a separate (and likely pic-heavy, hee!) post about it.
