2/1/2025
Hi everyone
Well what a year 2024 turned out to be!
Johnny and me have had lots of fun over the last 12 months. My favourite memory has to be taking him to Emma Carmichael’s yard near Morpeth for three days of camp back in July where we had our first attempt at cross country.
Being able to look back on these times fills my heart with both joy and a little sadness. Johnny has given me so much fun over the past few years, but the time seemed right to find his new forever home. With work commitments, I feel I haven't given him the time he deserves lately. With over 100 heifers to calve, on top of milking and calf rearing over the next few months, I sat with a very heavy heart and wrote Johnny’s sale advert.
I was inundated with enquiries for him and a couple of viewings were soon arranged. A little overwhelmed, I made it clear to potential buyers that he would only leave if I felt the home was the right one. I had a lovely mother and daughter come to view him at the end of October. After lots of talking and a long viewing, they went away very happy with plans to arrange a vetting.
Vetting day arrived in early December and with lots of nerves on my part, having never vetted a horse myself, I wasn't sure what to expect. Eyes, heart and lungs all passed with flying colours, so onto the work up phase. Johnny trotted up after each flexion test sound and it was onto the final part of the vetting. Asked to get his heart rate up, we lunged him in canter for 5 minutes on each rein, so that the vet could check his wind.
I waited with bated breath before the vet announced he had passed his 5 stage vetting with no concerns. I couldn't be happier to know I have produced a happy and healthy animal. His purchasers weren't present on the day of viewing, so I had another couple of days with him before they came to pick him up for his new life in Yorkshire. He has settled in beautifully and they absolutely love him.
For the first time in over 20 years I don’t own a horse, which feels very strange. There is no plan to give up though and although I'm not actively looking for another friend just yet, I still have plenty of horses to ride for others when I can fit them it in.
Happy New Year everyone. May 2025 bring you joy, happiness and lots of horses!
Lots of love jess xx
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