BY BARGE, SAILBOAT, CAMEL, HORSE OR BIKE!         
Noel & Jackie's Journeys
  • Our Travels
  • About Us
  • Our Books
  • Gift Store
  • Contact
  • Travel Photos

The Boys are Back in Town!

2/27/2017

14 Comments

 
Reuniting My Family

​I’d been (im)patiently waiting for this moment for three years.

In fact, this event fulfills a life-long dream.

Backstory
A few years ago, we adopted five Standardbred horses and trained them (well, they trained us) into a team and we tackled part of the Bicentennial National Trail together. The full story is here.

The bond between the seven of us was extraordinary. I grew up with horses, but living and relying on each other 24/7 over many months meant a unique relationship formed that would ultimately tear my heart to pieces. We were family.

A member of my (human) family was poorly and I felt I needed to be in the UK. Reluctantly the five horses were split. Stevie and Spirit went to one home, Charlie, Ned and Dom to another.
Picture
(l to r) - Stevie, Spirit, Dom, Charlie, Ned. This is only a few months before we departed company.
Fast-forward three years.

During during those years not a day went by when I didn't miss those boys.

Returning to Australia, it worked out that we could have Charlie, Ned and Dom back. I counted the days.

Nine days ago today, we picked them up. Charlie needs more food than most. At 16hh he is not only tall but bulky, his big thick legs show no breeding of daintiness – whereas Neddy is a ‘good-doer.’

I fretted over Charlie on the eight hour trip back to our place. He’d not fared well and I thought he’d break.
​
‘Horses are far more resilient than that.’ Noel reminded me.
Here are the boys on their first day home.
Charlie hadn't fared too well
Charlie's last foster home didn't have enough grazing for him - the hay didn't do much either.
Dom had done a little better.
Ned had fared really well - he's a good doer.
I thought Charlie would break on the journey home!
Dom's a bit boney.
I watch Charlie eat every mouthful.
Neddy-boy
Charlie's lost his beautiful round shiny bottom!
The boys took a while to recover from the journey.
Their forever home.
My cowboy!

Amazing Transformation

The pictures below were taken nine days later.

We have great grazing and the speedi-beet is working wonders. After worming, grooming, feeds and loads of love – their eyes are bright and I’ve caught them doing the odd buck and head-toss with pure glee.

Do they remember us?
Yes. Ned has already rested his head just above my tummy and sighed with relief –  he used to do this on the trail after something scared him. He can be quite nervous can our Neddy-Boy.

Charlie talks to me. He only ever chatted when there was food. Now I call him, or just walk down to say g’day, and he says hello. Gently he rubs his head against me and breathes his own sighs of content.

Dom, well Dom loves everyone and everything. He’s the first to come to us, ears up, with the kindest face. He’d play with butterflies if he could. I call him little Dom, but he was a baby when we let him go and he has grown!

They are all so big – how did I ever hop on board Charlie!

They are at their forever home. Everyday, I hope to receive a message to say we can have the
other two back and reunite our complete team. I’ve asked and asked….

My life-long dream has been to own my own land with my horses. Of course, I share this with Noel who is just as happy to have our boys back. A good man, lovely horses, and a beautiful home - life's pretty good!

Everyday I smile, I’ve fulfilled a life-long dream and have my family back.

I need nothing more…
14 Comments
Lynne Boichel
2/27/2017 11:53:40 pm

Well Jackie, you may be smiling, but you have the knack (often!) of bringing me to tears. I'm so happy for you. Wonderful that you both have your boys back and that they have a beautiful forever home. Love flowing in all directions. xxx

Reply
Jackie link
2/28/2017 12:07:22 am

Oh, bless you Lynne, there's been a lot of tears here too - now they are tears of joy - really!
Thanks for your lovely comment - almost set me off again - big hugs and love right back at you too - I am such a lucky girl! xxxxxx

Reply
Vallypee
2/28/2017 12:33:45 am

Beautiful to see how they are 'coming back'. They were so thin!! This is so moving, Jackie! Happy tears indeed, sweetheart! Lovely!

Reply
Jackie link
2/28/2017 12:16:16 pm

Thanks Val - it's been a busy time! Lots of happy tears here!xx

Reply
Jill
2/28/2017 02:54:50 am

Jackie I am so happy for you! And those lovely boys. At last they are home and your family are together. And what a beautiful home. I'm looking forward to reading more. I sincerely hope the other two return......big happy hugs to you all from me. xxx

Reply
Jackie link
2/28/2017 12:17:22 pm

Thanks so much Jill - I keep hoping for the other two as well. That would be the icing on the cake! Loads of happy hugs back xxxxxxxxx

Reply
Susan Jackson
2/28/2017 04:28:11 am

Coratulations and I hope,things continue going well for you. I owned an American Saddlebred growing up and know how expensive it can be--best of luck fattening them up.

Reply
Jackie link
2/28/2017 12:18:46 pm

Thanks Susan - your horse sounds lovely.
Yes, they can be expensive - fortunately we have good grazing... and I have a wonderful husband who will build a great shelter for them for the winter.... they maybe expensive but oh so worth it xx

Reply
Val/Roy
2/28/2017 12:07:45 pm

Lovely new picks of boys, my are they looking good, Even dear Charlie is much better. Love their shiny coats a real good sign of happy and contented inmates. Love to you both xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Reply
Jackie link
2/28/2017 12:15:02 pm

Awwww - thanks. Such a relief to see them putting on weight and happy.... Neddy is doing a few bucks and Charlie is tossing his head - Dom just gallops suddenly and stops suddenly - high heads and high tails - love it!

Reply
Denise
3/1/2017 02:05:28 pm

Beautiful - a credit to you both. Dxx

Reply
Jackie link
3/1/2017 06:41:52 pm

Thank you! xx

Reply
Lexa link
3/24/2017 08:32:46 pm

Awww my eyes welled up with tears of utter joy for you, Noel and the boys. You and Noel certainly have lived a life worth living...stuff people only dream about, a life only read from a book.
Your journey and much dreamed about forever home is now a reality. Bravo for daring to 'live'!


Are you far from Bega?
My mum was born in Bega and I spent some time there last winter filling in a few gaps to our ancestry. Recording our history is now complete.

Oh it is such a rich dairy land with plenty of rain.
Oh the way to Tathra, I pulled over to watch the procession of beautiful dairy cows with heavy milk filled udders walk their 2kms trail back 'home' to be milked. Sights like that are priceless.

Hope to eventually see you and Noel....our paths will catch up one day.

Soooooooo happy for you all!
The boys are home.......

Cheers, Lexa xxxxx

Reply
Jackie link
3/26/2017 05:18:42 pm

Hi! We are 15 mins from Bega.... can't believe we missed you! Thanks for your kind comments - we are having such a wonderful time (working our butts off) but it is all great galloping fun! Can't wait to see you one day! xx

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Follow us on FB to
    receive new blog posts 

    Further Reading

    Read more on our sailing, horse, barge and bike escapades here

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    October 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.