Whew! What a day. The front gates of the barn today resembled a revolving door at a busy department store on December 24th. The day began and ended much the same- rainy and with strange horses in the barn.
Yesterday, eveningish, our friend Tracy from Vermont nestled herself and a horse in to the main barn. The big horse was relieved to step off her trailer and enjoy a refreshment of hay for the night. Early this morning, the big guy got an opportunity to walk off his horsey version of jet lag before he re-boarded for the second leg of his journey. They departed for Houston and we sent well wishes for their 17 hour ride today.
It's horseshow season and that means that Quarter Horse people are on the move! Horses are showing, selling, and generally moving around these days. As the day progressed, we prepared for some of our residents to be picked up for their return trips home. Broodmare Jasmine, her 4 month old Chevy daughter Luka, and show gelding Hank readied for their chariot to arrive. We usually ask travellers to call us when they are one hour away so that we can be ready for their arrival. The one hour notice came about 3:30pm and we got everyone ready. And we waited. And we waited. And we waited. Unfortunately, the rainy day caused more than a small delay due to an Interstate traffic accident. The trailer arrived to pick them up 5 hours late!
In addition to the trio returning home to Pennsylvania, we were also expecting a trailer with a friend travelling from Michigan to Georgia to arrive this evening. These horses were in need of a soft bed and a meal for the night before continuing on their journey south tomorrow. In the master scheme, we would send Jasmine and Friends along their merry way, eat dinner, and then receive the Georgia show horses. Of course, the universe seemed to have its own ideas regarding our schedule tonight.
Although they had travelled from polar opposite directions and for over 14 hours collectively, you guessed it, they arrived at the exact same time. After a graceful dance which would have been the envy of even the most experienced tractor trailer driver, both trailers delicately manuevered themselves and lined up side by side.
Crew Number One set out to load Jasmine and Friends onto the Pennsylvania trailer. They were clearly anxious to get underway since they had suffered a nearly 5 hour delay. Crew Number Two proceeded to unload the Georgia horses and settle them into their accommodations.
And, in less time than it took to read this accounting, everyone was introduced, loaded, unloaded, and ready to go about their individual business.
When travelling great distances, it is both necessary and desireable to allow horses an opportunity to rest from the movement and rolling motion of the trailer. Many horses are reluctant to drink or even eat properly on the road and it's always great to have a haven that is clean, safe, and quiet in which a horse can relax. Also, with so many trailers travelling long distances, it's also convenient for owners to car-pool and find rides for their horses whenever they can.
We are always happy to see our friends and to host a weary traveller (or two!). As someone once said "We'll leave the light on for you."
Khris
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