I have never done this before. Never thought I would. But I did. He left his home today. He will arrive at my barn tomorrow. This is the email I received today.”Hi, Merlin is on his way, loaded ok but not happy to be leaving, he’ll settle down soon… LOL He’s been off grain for the last week while I was gone so you can start him back on whatever feed you like. There is a bare patch on his right hip that is slowly growing back hair, I think it was from the betadine irritating his skin when we laid him down to geld (there’s one on the inside of his right rear leg, too, same thing, same time). Other than that he is looking good and has healed up nicely from his gelding, no problems I know of, my neighbor said he was fine all week and seemed ok today to me. I had his feet trimmed two weeks ago so he shouldn’t need anything for a while. Karin, he has never cross tied, I don’t like those things, so if you guys do that at the farm just be aware he’s not done it before. He’s never heard or seen clippers, either, I don’t own any. Thanks !” So, I am going to write a diary about this dear sweet youngster. I hope it will be fun, with lots of good tales and not much sadness. I live really far North without the compliments of vets and blacksmiths I have been so used to while riding in the FEI level. Join me on this trail and I look forward to getting to know Merlin, along with you. I will attach each entry to this one, and if it gets interesting I will make a section for it on the website.
The Arrival: Who knew…I would have never imagined trying to catch a youngster in a trailer. It happened today ! Merlin was shy. He had traveled 24 hours with a 4 year old stallion who kept him awake for most of the journey. The stallion was dropped off at 4 am, Merlin settled allowing the drivers to rest quietly, for 2 hours after that…then they traveled on to Northern Michigan arriving at BreknRidge at about 11:30. We were patient and about 30 minutes later, Merlin quieted and allowed the handler to take him by lead, and he stepped off the truck and went willingly into his fresh stall. He stayed inside and rested, drinking water and enjoyed his 12/12 salt block and some hay. Welcome MERLIN !
Merlin, light on his feet....welcome to your new home !
Catching, brushing, walking, and staying safe for all of us is the name of the game this week. He’s gentle, then shy, then excited, then wary, he is a million things to each person that is now in his “new world !” Today he walked in and out of the round pen, unaccompanied by his buddy Twister. He was a good boy, then the sprinklers went on…yipee. More pictures and stories soon….
