So, tomorrow morning it will be official. I'll be a horse owner. I'm meeting with Coda's seller to pass papers and check at 8am. The past two weeks I've had him on trial during which if I thought we wouldn't do well together, or if the vet came back with some not so good news, I could opt out of buying him. It's a little like the home inspection contingency when you agree to the P&S. Funny thing, in this case the vet had a couple issues with my horse. He is calf kneed in the front and has a weak hind end. Yep, my horse got a weak butt. The vet would not have had a problem so much with these faults per se if Coda's asking price was lower. So, I talked with his seller, told her what the vet said (a vet she knows and respects) and they dropped the sale price considerably. I'm happy, Jeff is happy, my trainer/instructor Jenn is happy and I think Coda is happy. The vet said he has a great mind and excellent attitude. His feet are great as were his flexion tests. I'll be proactive and start him on joint supplements, get him shod and work him up and down hills and do lateral exercises to build his strength. He is, as everyone at the barn says, a great guy and terrific first horse. I absolutely love the silly bastard and tonight we went out on our first trail ride together. The place I board him is a mere 15 minutes from work and home and right across the street from tons of trails and horse friendly park land. The barn is also home to the most friendly, laid back horse folk I have ever met. I went out tonight with two ladies. One named Kirsten on her Paint mare Taya and Carol on her Appy gelding, Nugget. They were so patient and kind with us I must have said thank you a hundred times. The Big Man was a little nervous this being his first time out in unfamiliar territory but he did GREAT. Okay, I was a little worried at first when he wouldn't walk between a couple boulders and we had to go around through some shrubs instead to get to the road. And this was just at the back end of the property! Then he balked at crossing a wood bridge but with a little soothing and encouragement from Kirsten and Carol we got over it. I have him a big pat and lots of praise. Aside from that, he was terrific. No spookiness, no rushing or prancing. I love him. On the way back he got right on and over that bridge like it was just another bit of dirt trail and then he walked between the boulders no problem. He really is a good boy. And I a very, very happy girl.

On a bit of a down note, yesterday was Jimmy's birthday. He'd have turned 39. It's been nearly five months and it still doesn't seem real.