Hey Jude!!

Meet Jude, Maggie's new 6 year old American Quarter Horse.....

...Jude came to us from a barn in Sterling, Nebraska. Her trainer brought her to Norfolk to meet us on Saturday morning. Maggie had no idea that we were "looking" at Jude, she just thought it was a horse with a soft lope the Kristine wanted her to ride. She was pretty surprised when we asked what she thought of her. We have ALOT to learn, but she's a sweet horse with a great disposition. She and Maggie are already great friends. I hope we made the right decision!

Jude will live at Arista Ranch, where Maggie has always ridden, for the foreseeable future. When Maggie is a little older we may consider bringing her home for the warmer parts of the year. We'll see. As you can imagine, we spent a lot of time in the barn this weekend (thank goodness its only a mile away). Maggie would have stayed all weekend if we let her. On the way to school this morning she was already asking if she could go back RIGHT after school.

Already telling secrets :)

Gracie got in on the action too. She doesn't seem to have the same love for horses Maggie
has, but she has NO fear of them either.



This was right after we told her she got to keep Jude, I think she was so stunned she
couldn't even move! (Miller Vrbicky hung out with us for a few hours Saturday, I didn't kidnap anyone).

Saturday night Arnie took her back to check on Jude and "tuck her in". She definitely didn't want to come home.

Sunday morning after church we made a stop at Tractor Supply for a few things we needed. Maggie is not very fond of spending her money, but she was happy to use her allowance on tack and even a toy for Jude.

Then the realty of horse ownership sunk in a bit....she scooped it all with a huge smile and even suggested she clean the rest of the stalls in the row.

 

 

After I figured out how to tie her halter (Maggie said it took FOREVER), they headed off on a walk.

She talked her dad into one more trip back last night, to read Jude a bedtime story. Maggie took the book "Maggie and Bramble". It's a story about a little girl named Maggie who finds the perfect horse. I think Jude enjoyed the story :)

I hope they have many many years of friendship ahead of them. I know they'll do a great job taking care of each other.

Update- Here is a video of Jude's bedtime story tonight.... they are a pretty sweet pair :)
http://youtu.be/pErTGGJEgLY