Joey's New Home

DF Touch of Mojo, "Joey," came to us in March of last year.  He had been living in a herd setting and not getting quite enough groceries, and hadn't seen the world beyond his birth place or been handled very much.

Joey soon after arriving

. Over last summer he became fat and glossy, and learned about bits and saddles and maybepossiblysomeday--trusting humans! 

I ponied him out on the trail with faithful ole Blaze, and Joey loved the sights and smells--and water!

hmm, fun!

I had some personal drama end of last year and the first few months of this year, and I had to come to that sad decision to pare down my herd. I had never known what my exact intent with Joey was, beyond getting him fat and healthy and on his way to being the great little horse I knew he could be. I started searching for a home for Joey, but it was a long process, with lots of "tire kicking" and enthusiastic phone calls and emails that rapidly petered out when it came down to making any real decisions. A few nice folks actually came and checked him out, but he wasn't the right match for them. 

Things began to settle down for me in the last couple of months and in my mind I had pretty well stopped looking for a new home for Joey. There was still one ad for him left posted, and a nice lady, N, called a few weeks ago, very interested in him. I was skeptical as usual but N and I had a few extended phone calls chatting about Joey, horses, and Arabians in particular. She understood the Arabian brain, loved it, and was ready for another companion for her mare, after losing her 32 year old Arab gelding 6 months past. I could tell she was not only an Arab fan, but an incredibly conscientious horse owner, which was only confirmed after meeting her at her home.

I decided to take a chance, so my husband J and I dropped Joey off to N yesterday. She has a beautiful little barn and acreage in the shady foothills of Grass Valley. 

Walking up to the new digs.,

Joey's new barnyard 

N was thrilled to have him home and we put him right out to meet his new pasture mate.

Joey's new pasture mate is a gorgeous blue roan half Mustang mare who threw one good left hook at Joey before they headed off up the hillside together to graze busily and ignore humans.

Here comes Isabella, Joey's new boss ;-)

 Meeting for the first time

 hmm, let's see if we can be friends..

 Left hook not pictured, but here Isabella takes Joey back up the hill to their grazing spot 

 Re-homing a horse is bittersweet, no doubt. Joey taught me quite a bit in the last year, including some of my own limitations! He and I never quite clicked personality wise but he is a smart, sweet, gorgeous boy and deserves a golden future. I am happy for Joey and N, and excited for their future together. N and I exchanged all our contact information and will be keeping in touch.

Happy Trails, Joey boy!