The Secret Life of McKenna & Dorito: Growing pains
Realizing that you’ve outgrown the abilities of the horse you love is a painful experience. Junior blogger McKenna Oxenden reflects on the journey that has led her to this fork in the road.
From McKenna:
Growing up, every birthday I would cry. I would say “I don’t want to grow up!!” and every birthday, my mom would explain that growing up was a good thing; that if I didn’t get older, I would never be able to go that one extra bar on the monkey bars, or go shopping all by myself. And then with a bit of convincing, I would wipe my tears away, put my big girl panties on, smile and embrace growing up.
Sometimes growing up isn’t easy. It requires you to face your fears, make hard descisions, and live your life to its fullest. Most importantly, it pushes you out of your comfort zone to make descisions that you know you must make, but are extremely difficult.
Ever since I’ve gotten Dorito, it’s been a constant battle of hearing about how I needed a new horse because he was taking me nowhere. Six years later, he’s taken me to my first training level event and is still going strong. Together we have proved everyone wrong, defied the odds, and conquered the world.
However, it has become apparent that our compatibility is beginning to come to a close. I am needing something a bit more than “a pony” and something that can hopefully take me to preliminary down the road. Through working with Emily, I have discovered that there is still a whole, whole lot to learn and Dorito just can’t teach me those things.
I can tell you it’s one of the hardest decisions I have had to make, and maybe even more so difficult, is facing the reality that it will soon be time to move on.
As much as I wish I could keep Dorito forever, it wouldn’t be fair to him, or to me. He deserves to go make another little girl as happy as he has made me.
So Horse Nation, it’s time for me to put my big girl panties on, and reach for that next monkey bar….
Until next time, I’ll be figuring out a lot of things and have lots of news, and changes coming your way.
Love,
The dynamic duo, McKenna & Dorito
- Send an email to wylie, the author of this post at wylie@horsenation.com
McKenna, it sounds like you’re making a mature decision that has both yours and Dorito’s best interest in mind. When I was 16, I was forced to make a similar choice: My 15-hh Arabian that I’d had since he was 3 had gotten me to Training level eventing and through my Pony Club H/A, but it was clear that he was athletically tapped out. As much as I LOVED him, finding him a new home where he could teach someone else the ropes was the kindest decision for us both. He won many more blue ribbons at the lower levels, and I had the opportunity to advance on a new horse. Loving your horse means making tough choices sometimes, and it’s hard, but it will pay off for you both in the long run, I promise!
That is rough! But it’s good to acknowledge it…and also remember that there is another girl out there who needs to learn the things that Dorito can teach her. You’re not getting rid of him…you’re passing him along to the next person who really needs him.
As hard as it is- you are definitely making the right decision. Six months ago, I sold my 13.2 pony that took me up to novice eventing.. I absolutely LOVED the pony so much, but I knew the fair thing for her was to let her teach other kids as much as she taught me. I still miss my pony, but my current horse has been so good for me.. it is possible to have another really successful partenership, and love your next horse (nearly) as much
Good luck with making your decision.. huge fan of the Dynamic Duo
As a person who has actually met both you and Dorito, I know you will do the best thing for him no matter what. He is sound and a great age and has great experience and will be able to terrorize (educate) other young riders too! Good luck, make sure and keep lots of pics. And be nosy about prospective owners. Good luck, McKenna!
Here is another way to look at the situation. Do you have the means to support him as an adult? How old is he? Will you be able to see him through to the end? If the answer is “no,” then find him a good FOREVER home while HE is still young and strong. Let his new owners have some good times during his good years, and move on … if you can’t go the distance. P.S. Consider leasing a horse, rather than buying so that you, and the horse, won’t have to go through this again.