I used to train horses. I was training by the time I was 14 and I later went to a professional equine college. I drove horse carriages, I rode dressage, jumping and western, I guided trail rides, I healed nasty, horrible wounds without a vet...I was a true equestrian. I had been stomped on, bitten, fell on, bucked off, smashed, thrown, dragged and charged. I played chicken with a stampeding horse with nothing but a small handwhip and came out the victor. I've had broken bones, stitches, concussions and sprains. I had a scare where the hospital actually thought I broke my neck. My friends called me fearless...except for one, who knew that when my jaw set in a certain way, I was actually scared. I'd stand up to a 1500lb animal without flinching...but when it came to birds, I was a coward.
My friend and I would go into the petstore and she would bravely stick her fingers into the bird cages and scratch on the birds. Everytime I tried, I always pulled my hand back very quickly...and thats like inviting a bird to bite. When I did manage to stick my fingers into the cage, I was always bitten...and so I figured birds weren't for me.
Except for those finches...I always wanted a finch...I just never actually got one.
Well, I was down in Georgia training foxhunting horses and polo ponies when my husband knocked me up.
There went my equestrian career.
I went from training and caring for 40-some horses...down to sitting around and being pregnant. I had interviews in several different states who wanted me as a trainer, and I had to cancel them all. For 9 months I got my horse fix by feeding my inlaw's horses everyday and when the baby was born, I did some on-off training at a friend's stable. I worked one horse western pleasure (gag) and another as a trail rider. I was also putting some reining moves on the trail rider since she showed potential.
The baby is now almost 2 and this year, I've hardly touched a horse at all. I feel empty and restless. I don't like looking at horses anymore because they just depress me. I figure that horses will never be entirely out of the picture for the rest of my life, but I do understand and realize that we have a family now, and that my daughter and family are top priority. The expense of a horse is just out of the question. Period.
So I got some finches. They were fun. I tossed seed at them everyday and watered them. Then I got more finches, and added to their diet. My confidence grew. I branched out and brought home a more expensive finch. I added to their diet. I bought cages online and brought home some more birds. By that time I was hooked.
I wake up every morning and instead of feeding horses, training them and tending to their injuries, I make salads and balanced diets for my birds, change their cage paper, clean their water and add vitamins and make sure they're all healthy and happy and singing. They reward me with singing all day and filling my house with the sounds you never hear in the city.
It gives me something to do...something to make me feel complete. I'm caring for animals who depend on me. I love it. Instead of frequenting equine forums, I'm chatting and making friends with avian people online. I'm building a relationship and volunteering at a bird rescue, and I'm enjoying every minute of it.
I'm a little nervous about my lovebird. I'm very, very excited to get him/her and I feel I've done enough research to get me started...but its a bigger bird than the finches, and I'm worried if I'll win or fail at raising it. Thats always a constant worry of mine. My self esteem has always been low and its something that always has to be nurtured and fed. A lovebird is definitely the size I like, and the personality is something I'd prefer in a larger bird. I do want a clingy little love bug that will want nothing more than to be my best pal and I hope to raise it right. I've never raised one though...so I'm nervous. Luckily I have the internet and friends that will help out if I get stuck.
And because I haven't posted pictures recently...heres one of Native!
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