Libra’s House
High Road Farm
Virginia

Hello Lori and my friends at Last Chance Ranch,

It was beautiful weather here all week. Then the nasty storm hit. In spite of the rain and snow I have been having all kinds of fun. Today the weather is perfect for a horse. It is about fifty degrees and sunny.

My good pal Goliath is living with me in the little barn. Sampson was getting bent out of shape because of all of the attention that I am getting so he moved back to the main barn. It was getting tricky to slip me a lot more food than Sampson. He figured it out pretty quick and he was pitching a fit. Goliath and I eat about the same amount so it is much easier. It is great having my buddy right next door. Or should I say next stall?

Candy and Mom tacked me up the other day to get me used being tacked up. I have a chestnut close contact saddle, a chestnut hunt bridle and an egg butt snaffle bit all my own. I was so good that Mom and Candy could not resist jumping up on my back…not at the same time of course. They both gave me a try and were impressed with how sane and smart that I am. I have a lot to learn about riding and I am sure that I will learn fast. Neither one of them could keep me in a collected trot because my toes are so long that I stumbled. I understand that I have a wonderful, comfortable trot.

I got my feet trimmed. You would not believe the “conference” that Mike, our nice blacksmith and Mom had about my feet. They were both very concerned that my first blacksmith experience in my new home be a good one. Mike was so patient with me. He talked to me the whole time that he was trimming my feet and then gave me a carrot after each foot was finished. I was very scared at first and then we got through it just fine. I will not be so scared next time.

Mom and Mike were laughing because it seems that every time a new horse comes here they have toes too long and too little heel. Mike says that it takes a year for a full good new foot to grown. But I should not worry because all of the horses here get good nutrition so they all have good feet. That means that I will have good feet too.

I am learning all kinds of new things. I have learned to stand in the cross ties without trying to bolt. I have learned to get a waterproof sheet put on when it is wet and cold out. I have learned to stand still while my mane gets braided to train it to stay on one side. I have learned to spit out the bit when I am told to so that it does not feel as if it is being ripped out of my mouth. I have learned to come when I am called and to stop on cue. Every day I learn something new. If I keep this up I am going to be a well-educated horse.

I have a new name. I am still Libra around the farm. In order to show I will need a show name. All of the horses here have a barn name and then either a paper name or a show name. We draft horses have the farm name, High Road, in our name because that is the tradition with draft horses.

Goliath’s other name is “High Road’s Wild at Heart.” His papers were changed to that name. I promised that I would not tell anyone what his first paper name was. I will give you a hint it has something to do with a little black bug that crawls on the ground. Being that he is a big, brave, bold and strong horse (his words) it had to be changed.

Cramer’s other name is “High Road’s Heart like a Wheel.” Cramer will never show but no one wants him to feel left out. It is important that he have a special name too. The vets had all but given up on him and he has proved them all wrong time and time again. He has a heart like a wheel because he keeps going and going.

My other name is “High Road’s Unbridled Heart.” I will be registered with the Virginia horse show people with that name. Mom is convinced that once I realize that I have a good home forever that I will become an incredibly confident boy. She says that I have presence and a winning attitude.

Notice all of us have heart in our name? It must have something to do with love. I think that this is very cool….having another name. I am hoping to show as a green hunter in the fall and do equitation by next spring.

Our nice farm chiropractor, Dr. Carol (all the horses call her the little red headed girl) gave me a complete exam and then adjusted my back and neck. This is a truly wonderful thing. I was carrying my one hip a little higher that the other and now they are even. I had a few sore spots from pulling that darn plow around. I slept like a baby after being adjusted.

Sampson has a chronic lower back problem so he gets adjusted about once every six weeks. I should be good for a couple of months. Mom will keep an eye on my neck and spine once I start learning to ride just to make sure that things stay in the right place.

Every once in a while Jesse’s neck goes out and he has to be adjusted. I understand that it is no mystery when this happens because Jesse walks around almost side ways. We think this problem started from some stupid person yanking too hard on his mouth and his resisting. Jesse can be quite stubborn. Sometimes he acts like he has cement in his feet and it is almost impossible to move him. Mom has learned to just wait him out. She thinks, that at his age, he just likes to feel that he has a choice about things.

My legs continue to get better and I continue to be an angel when I have them worked on. Mom is getting a little impatient about the rest of the leg-swelling going down. It took a long time for my legs to get this sore. It is going to take a while for them to get all better.

I am not picking up weight the way that I should be and that is a cause of some concern. I got wormed the other day, YUCK!!!! Hopefully that should help.

Once a day I get some alfalfa as a treat. That is the most delicious stuff I have ever tasted. I always ask for more. Mom says no that I will get a tummy ache if I eat too much.

As you can see I have had a lot of new experiences since I last wrote to you. I am starting to feel much more secure and am taking most of these things in stride. I am no longer head shy. I am becoming more outgoing and beginning to crave attention from my new family. I am smart and sweet and I love to learn.

Thank you for finding me such a good home where my beauty, talent and sweet nature are appreciated. Can you believe that a former plow horse is going to be a show horse? Who would have ever thought?

I send you all a big hug and remember you in my prayers.
Love, Libra