>>> We do foster care and prefer that our kids come to us and never leave, >>> so we don't very often have a new kid but occassionally something >>> changes. I think kids new to our home (Stephanie is the only one we've >>> ever taken that had language) feel they've fallen into the hands of >>> benevolent captors. I have that same feeling with some horses. We seem >>> nice, but ... they didn't ask to come here.
That's a good way of expressing it, Nancy. It's a little different with Tivar - at least somewhat. He knows us and he knows the farm. He lived here for six months, two years ago, then came back to visit for three days last October. And he obviously remembered the horses - he seemed very happy to see Loftur. He seems more settled in already than some horses seem in a month, and he's only been here for three days. Still, I know Tivar is adjusting too. It has to be hard on every one of them that changes home. But, some DO seem to adjust much more quickly than others. I feel pretty confident that Tivar isn't holding his feelings back TOO much. I've seen him when he was an angry, unhappy horse, and he's not that horse any more. He's a living testament to the effectiveness of the Florida Fat Circus Pony Program. I hope to ride Tivar by this weekend. I don't see any itchy patches under his saddle or girth area that look very fresh, and we're still 4 days from the weekend. Even so, I won't ride him for long - maybe a few minutes in the ring just to test saddles and pads, then maybe we'll head out for a very short trail ride. If he gets any new itchy spots though, or if he seems irritated by the saddle or girth, all riding plans go on hold. And, I think it helps that I've ridden him before, here too. Karen Thomas, NC
