I've got it figured out.

Yep. I spent all morning cleaning stalls for Christy. She was down at the far barn fixing it up so that it will be suitable for some boarders that she's getting.

While having my alone time (or as alone as I could get, her horses are 'lap' horses if you catch my drift), I tried to put myself in the scenario, which could possibly be real very soon, that I had to break the news to Casey that I was leaving.

I don't like to lie, and more often than not the truth DOES come out. Honesty is always the best policy. I thought to myself, *if* I do end up accepting my friend's offer, which is incredibly tempting, how to I tell Casey the truth without seeming like I came to uplift a school horse off her and run? Obviously, that was not at all my intention, and the farthest thing from my mind.

So I have decided that should it come to be that I move to the new barn, I will simply catch Casey when we have a private moment, and tell her that an old friend of mine has invited me to be a part of her barn's show team for 2011, and I have thought it over and accepted the offer, and that I hope it will not cause any hard feelings but I and (insert horse name here) will be moving over there.

I have decided it isn't going to be dishonest of me not to say anything right now, because nothing is for certain now and there is no reason to start up about it. I mean, nobody benefits from it. Even if, say, things got ugly when I mentioned it, I could just go over to my friend's barn immediately and have her help me with my horse search, simple as that. I just don't want that unnecessary drama right now, although I don't think she would be like that...it's hard to explain. Basically, I don't want to go tell the farmer how many chickens I've got before they hatch. (You guys know you loved that analogy!) You know? I mean, it's way early - who knows for sure if I will buy Amber, anyway? The conversation will be 10x less awkward if I don't (but I have decided to not let that stop me if I feel she is the right choice for me).

And I WON'T know anything until I buy the horse. In fact, if it's Amber, I won't be saying anything until Casey replaces her as a school horse. She needs one by the spring, so I could definitely be relieved of that obligation by then. I would NOT say anything to her before that point, because I would not want her to feel pressured to replace Amber so I could leave. If not Amber though, I'd probably leave sooner.

I'm thinking I'll stay through January at least, I am positive I'll have made my choice by then. Move over in February if it's NOT Amber - if it is - then I'll probably end up moving in March, although it may be February depending on how quickly Casey finds her school horse. The only thing I'd hate to if it's NOT Amber is bounce the poor thing around from barn to barn with a new owner in such close time frames.

Of course, it would be one move with Amber, and we would already know one another. See why I'm SO keen on her? No, she's not glamorous. She is very homely, actually. Roman nosed, short-backed, upside down neck (although not conformational, improper muscle development), and somewhat short legs...BUT. I think that could improve with more muscle development, and you can't ride pretty. She's a sweet natured, down to earth horse. She's got plenty of trail experience. She shows potential as a dressage horse/hunter. And I have the opportunity to ride her more than just once or twice, and have the opportunity to experience the best and worst of her (and the worst...really isn't too bad I don't think. She's been in heat and I can barely tell, until I put her out with the other mares!).

That's why - there are so many bonuses to her - including the fact that all my tack fits her! And we get along so well. I've never liked a horse this fast before. I'm a picky rider, and usually I am critical and take a while to adjust. I've been quite fond of her from day one. So all those bonuses, and we have good chemistry? Well, it would be hard for ANYONE to not be partial to her.