Xena Comes into My Life

I found Xena when I came across Barb’s ad to free lease her.

I was cruising the online ads, looking for a horse that was either retired, lame or unrideable; a horse who could be a groundwork partner for my budding Parelli Natural Horsemanship™ skills. I was thinking of this as a volunteer opportunity, where the horse would benefit from a little exercise and I would gain some valuable experience – free of charge. Seemed like an ideal trade-off to me.

I found Xena’s ad on Horsetopia simply by chance, and even though she was being offered as a free lease, I sent Barb an email to see if she “…might be interested in someone playing the Parelli™ seven games with your mare, until she is leased out…”. Barb responded the next day, “I would really appreciate it if you would find the time to do that. She is basically a gentle horse but very timid and fearful.”

Xena and I met three days later, for what I thought would be the first of 3 or 4 play sessions. I never dreamed that 14 months later, I’d re-prioritize my life and sell my house, just so I could own her.

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