 |
| Udex in the trailer. |
I must say I'm extremely upset/disappointed with Blogspot. I spent over a weeks worth of time writing a diary-type entry of Udex's traveling experience. When it was finished I was so excited to share!! I went to publish and to my surprise it showed up as a blank. I tried to look for a draft or any other way I could retrieve what I wrote- but unfortunately I could not. This entry won't be anywhere near as good as the original but I'll still try my best to write it as good as before! I'm going to do this in different parts so there won't be too much reading in each entry. In the title I have a general idea of what the part will be about and which part of the story it is. I'll also write a brief entry before so you can choose between reading the shorter less detailed version or the longer detailed version. Enjoy.
PART I
 |
| Excited to get this show on the road! |
Udex begins his long journey to the United States of America. This is the part where we say goodbye for a little while. Udex loads onto Guido Klatte transportation truck to travel to Lastrup, Germany. There he will stay at their facility preparing for his big flight which will take place on the 11th of April. He will be flying into Los Angeles, California. After a few days there he will be on his way to me in Casper, Wyoming.
The long journey from Europe to America began April 5th for Udex on a chilly Thursday morning. I went to the barn to groom him for the last time in Germany. It was a very sad session. Udex was acting happy and calm. He let me cuddle him and kiss him. I brushed his hair, curried his warm clipped body, and scrubbed his hooves. He was so happy, so unaware of what was to come. Would he think that I had left him? Would he be nervous? How would he react to so many different handlers?? So many questions echoed through my mind. I tried my hardest to not be nervous so he wouldn't be either. I pushed on and continued brushing him and explained to him what would be happening, praying to God that somehow Udex could understand exactly what I meant. My biggest fear was that over a years time of gaining this horses trust would be shattered by this long distance apart.
 |
Walking out of the barn... for the
last time. |
After I had groomed Udex to a presentable state I put him into his stall for the last time. He touched noses with his neighbors; the pony pals. My heart shattered. He thought it was another morning here, but I knew the truth.. It was his last time touching noses with the ponies. I turned away from the sad scene to get Udex his breakfast. It felt so wrong knowing this was the last time I would be feeding him in this country. I watched as he munched down on his grains and supplements. I couldn't help but feel a certain extent of deep sadness. Was this all really ending? For the first time it actually sunk in. We were leaving this continent that had been my home for so many years, and Udex's for his entire life.
I checked the time- it was almost ten. That meant the truck would be there at any minute to take Udex to a farm in Lastrup, Germany to prepare him for his big journey ahead. My mom, our close friend/photographer Sheri, and I were all sharing this big moment together. Our eyes were glancing from Udex, to the empty road, back to Udex, and then back to the road. The suspense was building. We were all so nervous, excited, happy, and sad; it was a big bowl of mixed emotions. I looked out on the road and then saw the massive red truck approaching. This was it. This was
real. We watched with wide eyes as the truck got into position to load Udex on. The nice driver, Christian, came out and said hello! I got such a great feeling from him- I knew at once that Udex would be A-okay. Christian seemed so nice and gentle, and was very tall. I knew he could easily handle Udex! We walked together down to Udex's stall.
 |
| Goodbye boys! |
 |
Udex taking one final
glance at his old
home. |
Udex being Udex was reluctant to have Christian take him out of the stall. Udex got into attack position! I put Udex's lead rope on instead and reassured Udex it would all be alright. I then handed Udex to christian and watched them walk out of the barn together. At that same moment my heart sunk. Watching my horse walk out with the first of his many handlers to come was bittersweet. My mom, Sheri and I watched as Udex was loaded onto the truck. He did so good, what a brave boy! Maybe Udex had understood when I told him earlier it was his last time here, or maybe he could just sense it, but you could almost just
taste the silence as Udex looked back at a place once called home for the last time.
We all said our final goodbyes to Udex. With teary eyes we watched as the truck doors were closed. I then handed over his papers to Christian. After a few moments of speaking with him, he said his final farewells and promised to take care of my baby. He then hopped into his truck and drove away. Even though it only took a mere 25 seconds until they were out of sight, it felt like two hours watching them go. It's hard being away from someone you love so much, especially when that someone is going to be traveling around the globe! Either way, it had to be done and the outcome would be (and was!) much more rewarding.
 |
| Driving away. |
***All pictures belong to our amazing friend, and photographer Sheri Vitullo! If you are looking for an equine photographer she is the one to go with. Not only is she talented, but she's an amazing horsewoman as well. Thank you Sheri for the wonderful pictures! Have a look at her wonderful photography website by clicking here!***
THIS IS PART ONE of FOUR!
"Rollkur opponents care for horses. Rollkur proponents care more for success."
Posts
.JPG)
I've decided to pitch the saddle... Well, at least for now anyways. My saddle won't arrive until sometime later this summer. To me, that's just too long to go without riding. The solution is simple! Bareback!! Stephanie was so kind as to lend me her bareback pad and bridle until I can buy one of my own. Now I'm able to ride just as I was before!! I actually prefer riding without a saddle now, it's so much easier. I can feel my horse underneath me so much better than with a saddle, and he can feel me better as well. I decided on a little plan that I hope I pull through with. Udex is still a bit underdeveloped in his topline area, his withers have no real definition. Because of his flat, skinny withers it's almost impossible to fit a saddle correctly to him. I have a special pad that I put under my current saddle, but even then it doesn't fit totally right. One thing I realized while riding bareback was that Udie didn't turn into a giraffe or throw his head like before. While trotting with my happy round horse I thought "Why would I want to put a saddle on him when it will only cause him pain? Riding without a pinching saddle he's coming down with his head very calmly and happily." If I ride him without a saddle until the end of summer then he should have enough definition to his withers to fit a saddle correctly and comfortably. I think if I continued to ride him with a saddle it would do neither of us any good- he'd continue head tossing and never develop the right muscles.
After Udex is a bit more defined I will buy a custom fit saddle for him and I. Until then I think it's a lot more fun, easier, and accomplishing riding him without a saddle. I'll even see about taking dressage lessons bareback. I'm so excited to go out and ride! It feels so good being able to have fun with my horse, and not having to stress over his head throwing or llama like behavior. I have a feeling this is going to be a very fun and successful summer for both Udex and I.
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
