We Have a Buyer!

In anticipation of selling, Carrie has started to ride Pockets more.

He's been on something of a break, so she wanted to give him a boot camp on manners.

I don't remember which days Carrie rode, but she hopped on at least 3 or 4 times over the course of the week.

It was well timed, because Sunday a Scottish woman named Jacqui came out to see Pockets. Carrie has been Facebook friends with Jacqui ever since she sold her a trailer a decade ago!

Gay came and helped out by riding and presenting Pockets. I watched some of the proceedings before I was charging a dead car battery (more on that later).

I checked on the ladies from time to time and saw them all out riding in a trio after an hour. Jacqui was on Pockets, Carrie was on Eddie, and Gay was on Maddie.

I took the Subaru on a test drive and found everyone riding the bridle trail as I approached the house. Carrie waved me on, so I kept driving! I turned around a few miles down the road and they were on the back trail, so I could come in safely.

Jacqui was interested. She'd always wanted a mule! Carrie was interested, too, because she's seen how Jacqui has treated her other equines over the years (Carrie is always interested in 'forever homes').

Monday, Jacqui came back with her trainer. I don't know the woman's name, but she was from Estonia and Carrie spoke highly of her.

I looked out from the window as I taught and saw some of the trainer riding. My first thoughts: Wow, she's riding Pockets hard. She looks like she's really pushing him.

I asked Carrie later and she said, "It was humbling. In one hour, she pushed Pockets to do things I haven't been able to. I thought I spoke mule, but she spoke mule."

The trainer had pushed Pockets on purpose to see what he knew and how he'd react under stress. Jacqui has had some ongoing health issues, so she needs a mount with the right attitude and training.

Pockets passed the attitude test with flying colors, but didn't know much beyond the basics. We definitely paid too much for him originally. 

So it was no surprise when Jacqui made a lower offer. It was more than the trainer thought Pockets was worth, but her heart was set on a mule and she liked Carrie. 

We accepted. 

Yes, it was lower than we'd hoped, but Carrie thought it was probably the best we could've got for a good home. If we can get a boarder to take Pockets' place, we'll recoup the difference in a few months. 

Jacqui won't be able to pick Pockets up until February, so he's hanging out with us in the meantime. He follows me around whenever I scoop his poop.

He'll lower his head and ask for ear rubs and loving. He doesn't care that I'm allergic.

He may not be the most trained mule in the world, but he loves people and attention. It didn't work out here, but I hope he'll be a fantastic friend for Jacqui and that everyone walks away happy with the deal.