Tanya and Shar were going to come down this morning for some Danny goodness, when I got a phone call from Tanya. She was calling to say sorry we can't come because we are going to go have a look at a possible horse for Shar! Did we want to come for a day-trip? DID I!!!! Dragged Al out too and off we went. Met at the girls' place which is in Cockatoo, beautiful sort of suburb in the hills. Met their cats and the foster kitten (they foster kittens in need of homes or respite care) who is MENTAL! Then off we went to Pyalong, which was 2 hours drive away! In order to get there we had to drive right through were the Black Saturday fires raged in Feb this year. I have been avoiding going up there because I didn't want to be a looky-lou, you know? We headed into Tolangi State Forest, that was the first look I got at the devestation. I was last in Tolangi some years ago on a school excursion, back before the drought. I remember vibrant green, as far as rain-foresty you can get this far South. I remember the deafening bird sing, the under currents of insects, and the rustling of un-seen small creatures. When we stopped at a view-point to stretch our legs, I got some photos. I stood next to the burnt trees and looked up at the burn marks, so far over my head.... and shuddered. We travelled on into Kinglake itself. The burnt out houses, collapsed barns with their beams all warped and twisted from the heat, excavators everywhere, Aussie flags flying proud, all to often at 1/2 mast. But you could feel the spirit coming through. It was the weekend and LOADS of people were up there. The Melbourne community has come together and everyone heads up to the areas on weekends to put coins in charity bins, buy food from the local shops, and take photos which will one day form part of this nation's history. But not of properties, not without permission. You never know which house someone was hurt in, our passed away in. Photos below the cut of what we saw. Vid clip loading at we speak of the drive up through Tolangi. Despite the vast, vast tracts of burnt out land, the green is coming back. In fact, nature is coming back faster than the man-made stuff! In a years time the scars will remain, but they will be almost hidden by the new growth.
Shar's new horsey is a Clydie x Arabian gelding. Well, he's not technically HERS as yet, the sale is pedning a vet-check pass, of course. I forgot how old he is, 11yrs old I think? he was an oppsy-daisy foal; the mare was supposed to be infertaile, her owners had been trying to breed her for a while to another Clydie (I think it was?) but with no joy and she was declared infertile. The people who took her on had an Arabian stallion who needed some company so in she went with him. Some year and a bit later.... :-D You would think a horse with this breeding would look a bit odd, but in fact he's quite perfect really. Imagine a Clydie but finer, and you have this little guy. Little at some 16hh! BIG white blaze, socks, and one of his eyes has white eye lashes :-D VERY lovely boy. Very calm, willing and a bit or a slow-motion rocking-horse type :-) I did the eagle-eyed-horsey-friend thing and watched his every move. He dishes ever so slightly but nothing atrocious. His hooves are in need of some attention and he could do with some muscle and fat but all that will come with time. Tanya rode him and he was a real gentleman. I hopped on and did some VERY basic flexation with him at a walk, trying to feel how his back moved under me, how his legs felt and how willing he was to give his mouth to me. Considering he'd only been ridden 3 times since November, he was incredible. If anything, a bit on the slow side, but he's going to be a school-master/pet, so a steady, gentle personality is a must. He didn't feel ponderous like I thougt he might, quite cat-like on his feet. A little resistant when I asked for his head but once he understood what I wanted he was happy enough to drop onto the bit. He felt like I was driving a big ol' comfy V8 cadillac :-) PLENTY of power in reserve but happy to be in cruise control :-D Shar hopped on and was led around to see how she liked him and I dare say she did! He's hunted and his mane was roached so it's growing back all funky now, but his forelock is sooooo long! Lovely deep mahogany colouring. No sigh of scratch on his fetlocks even tho they are pink-skinned. In all, a friendly little guy. If he passes vet check, he's off to a VERY loving home. AND I get to ride him up in their area when he comes home :-D I need a cherry-picker to get up there, but I'm already very fond of him. Photos under the cut, of course.
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