SOPD, long post, but it's totally worth it!

A month ago before my parents went to Haiti my mom found a miniature horse for sale online.  We talked to dad, and it was not easy to convince him but eventually between his love for me, and his love for horses, he caved!
We called on that horse, and actually a few other miniature horses, and nothing seemed to be working out.  Dad said, "wait until after Haiti," and we could look again.  I was very disappointed.  But then later the next day at a homeschool race, I found out that a friend's sister had a miniature horse that she wanted to sell.  Mom made some phone calls and we made arrangements to go and meet the horse.  On June 10th mom drove me to Albemarle to meet the horse.  I could barely wait for the thirty minute ride, I was so excited.
When we arrived I saw her, and I knew it was love at first sight!

Even though she was still shedding her reddish winter coat and needed a groom, she was beautiful to me.  I also loved that she was super sweet.  She didn't have the temperament I had been warned that many mini horses have of biting and kicking.  She is very gentle, but still has a little spunk, kind of like me!  I had brought my helmet, and I still weigh well under 90 pounds so the owner tacked her and I got to go for a ride!



I rode her around the field, and even a little on some trails behind their field.  She was easy to ride, even out of practice, so there were a few times that she was more interested in stopping to try to eat some grass.  Riding her is so much fun, and she's such a petite little thing, I loved how it felt like we were connected.
It was neat that our friends happened to have a saddle that fit her and fit me!

Our friends had named her Bitsy, because she was so small.  We liked that name, but I have renamed her.  Introducing Sweet Opal Pixie Dot Ray.  

Mom also fell in love with her right away too.  Right away we started to figure out exactly what we would need to be able to have a horse. Even though nothing would happen until after my parents got back from their mission trip, it wasn't going to be easy to "make" and save the money that we needed to start out with a horse, plus the horse money, but mom had some ideas of things that we could sell, and also that we would need to stop spending money on things that we don't need, or that were wasteful.
We actually decided to try to sell Felicity and Josephina.  They are still listed for sale, so if you are interested, email my mom through blogger or leave a comment.

Yesterday dad went with mom and I to visit Opal for the second time.  I'm planning to call her Opal by the way.  She has finished shedding her winter coat and we spent some time brushing and using the curry comb on her as well.

  You can see her coloring a little better.  She's half Appaloosa.  I always wanted an Appaloosa horse!  Looking at her she is mostly blue roan, with black and white hairs.  But her Appaloosa patterning is very apparent around her head and hind quarters.  Her reddish brown mane flips part way down to the other side, and under her forelock is a large star and strip of white!  You can see the white and reddish brown on her tale as well.  I absolutely love her coloring, she has black, white, red and tan hairs all at once!  That's why I named her Opal.  All of those colors together give her a shimmery appearance and her coat has lots of variance just like a real opal!
In less than two weeks we will pick Opal up and bring her home!  I am having a hard time waiting again.  In the mean time, dad is preparing our back yard and a stable for her.  Mom and I went shopping today and bought some things that we will need.  We still need to get a few more items and then there are some items that I want.
The saddle that I was riding won't come with her, but her harness, bit and bridle will.  Mom and I think that I am going to get a bareback saddle.  I have already picked it out and if everything works, we will order it soon.
So, the seller said that last spring Opal was around a stud, and she may have bred! This wouldn't be her first time being a mother. It's hard to know for sure without a vet testing her, but her shape has changed some from when she first went to their home. She has gotten rounder. Time will tell, we aren't planning to have her vet checked yet, but it's possible she's pregnant! If she is, the stud was a full Appaloosa miniature horse, and she would foal in the spring.  If that happens, the chances are high that the foal will look similar, or have more spots!  I will post more as I have updates!