Well today was the big day. Selena rode both the OTTBs for the first time. Neither of them could have cared less. Benny, the four-year-old, had not been ridden since the end of last September, Rummy who is now five, finished racing in October and was ridden three times after that. I don’t know if either of them have been ridden indoors before. I would be very surprised if Benny had since we bought him from the breeder’s farm with no indoor in sight.
They were both wonderful. The biggest excitement was looking at themselves in the mirrors. I had seen Rummy ridden briefly in a very muddy and very small paddock. I had not seen Benny do more than trot up in-hand. Anne Marie took videos for me so that I could enjoy the action. I am thrilled with both of them. They were quiet and attentive and seem to be enjoying themselves, what more can we ask for. The video today is Rummy on his first trot in the indoor. We are so pleased with his workmanlike attitude.
Today was also ‘vet’ day. Our vet, Dr. Mark Rutherford was rubbing teeth and making sure everyone who is going south is up to date on all their vaccinations and paperwork. It is quite a palaver and our local border has been making ordinary horse owners broker their horses across the border if they have permanent papers (staying longer than 30 days). I don’t know if this is at all the border crossings or we are just unlucky. Selena goes back and forward so often that she knows most of the border guards and the vets by sight and they know her, this at least makes it a little easier. It’s always an adventure. You never know if it’s going to take ten minutes or four hours to get through. We have seen both ends of that scale.
