EEEEEE! 1 Year Owniversary Today! :D **LOTS**

[Loony]

I've dreamt for so long of doing one of these posts, and finally the day has come when I can make one :D and it's including the best horse I could've possibly found. :love:

I'm not sure there's a soul on here who hasn't heard our story, but if you haven't you can find it here on this link, its the very first entry. There is also new diary entries for anyone who's following:
http://www.equine-world.co.uk/horse-forums/showthread.php?p=301967#post301967

To cut a long story short, it was obviously fate that brought me and Bailey together. This is coming from a cynical, boring cow who doesn't believe in fate!! But how can it not be?

He came to me very fat and very unfit.. it took a lot to look through all that and see his potential to be a very stunning horse. But I've always loved unusual horses, always. I used to wonder how horse owners of bay's could find their horses in a big field, I thought surely they all looked the same?! :lol:.

I won't lie, I didn't do much for him to lose the weight. I took him off his hard feed when he came to me and a rode him a few times a week, and it all just fell off. He also surprised me with how beautiful his coat was during the seasons, he's like a technicolour horse!

He is absolutely everything to me. I've been upset the past month, off and on, thinking one day I'm going to have to sell him. I still live at home and I've reached that point where I crave my own independance and I want more than anything to move in with Josh.. and I keep thinking, the only way I can afford to do that is to sell my big man. And it upset me so, so much. My boyfriend is absolutely one in a million though, and he's said when he finds a full-time job, he'll only let us move out once he's earning enough for him to afford the rent, bills etc.. so that I won't ever have to sell Bailey. And he promises me that. :)

I can't imagine not having him now, he 100% completes me. I always knew there was a space missing in me before I bought him, and I yearned for my own horse so badly, and he's come along and he's filled it. He's the most amazing horse I've ever met. He's superbly well mannered, a big gentle giant, tries his hardest to please under saddle and is the perfect mix of safe and giddy, for a nervous nelly like me :o. He's restored my confidence in so many ways and I thank him so much for being such a kind and generous horse.

I love him more than I thought possible and he's brought me so much joy over this past year, I can't even begin to describe.

So here's pictures from the beginning of my gorgeous man. :love:

Trying him out
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf0596y.jpg

A lady who came to ride him before I did
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf0599y.jpg

At his old home, waiting to load onto the trailer
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf0611y.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf0614y.jpg

Ready to load
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf0615y.jpg

And arriving at his new home, making me look very small!
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf0630y.jpg

He seemed so settled in already
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/b11.jpg

The next day he got lots of visitors
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/b6.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/b5.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/b4.jpg

And eventually I found the courage to ride
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf0680y.jpg

We got to know eachother a lot more over the next couple of weeks
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf0664y.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf0653y.jpg

And he showed me how cheeky he was, and his love for rolling at the worst times!
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/still4.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/still3.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/still1.jpg

A month later and he looked so much better already
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf0706y.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf0703y.jpg

And then it was turnout time...
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf1259y.jpg

We cracked on with getting to know eachother, I still thought he was so bouncy and uncomfy to ride!
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf1282y.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf1302y.jpg

And we tried some new things
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf1396y.jpg

Doing what he does best!
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Img_4342y.jpg

He started to pile on the pounds again
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Img_4378y.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Img_4343y.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Img_4396y.jpg

We slowly started to get the hang of things
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Img_4464y.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Img_4483y.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Img_448888.jpg


And then had some fun
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Img_4594y.jpg

Loving life
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Laydown.jpg

Unfortunately I learnt (by myself!) that he had sweetitch.. so out came the fly rug!
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/SP_A0766.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf1571y.jpg

Having fun in the school
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf1591y.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf1596y.jpg

I made my first mane disaster, and his coat came through beautifully
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/bails.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/38070_10150221912415058_592025057_13574329_7502343 _n.jpg

Unfortunately my poor boy got an abcess through a small crack in his hoof that the farrier had dug out, and he was hopping lame and on box rest for a week
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/39336_10150221917215058_592025057_13574492_5450215 _n.jpg

But we nursed him back to health in no time
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/cuddle.jpg

He had his first bath with me, ready for....
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/SP_A0801.jpg

...the fancy dress sponsored ride!!
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf1681y.jpg

We went as Cruella De Ville & The 101 Dalmations
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf1687y.jpg

He was fantastic as always
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf1692y.jpg

We discovered our love for hacking, and ventured out lots over the summer
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/SP_A0810.jpg

He started to look better and better
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/bails2.jpg

I splashed out on a few things and Bailey humoured me..
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/SP_A0828.jpg

And looked after the kids on the yard who loved him.
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/SP_A0838.jpg

The big doofus stood on my big toe and broke it :(, this is a few months later
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/SP_A0841.jpg

And we rediscovered our love for jumping
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/jump4.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/jump3.jpg

My favourite head shot
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/bheadshot.jpg

By this point his personality was in full force, and he got sillier and sillier!
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf1936y.jpg

:pmsl:
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf1934y.jpg

And he grew more affectionnate every week
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/bwformum.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf1987y.jpg

Winter came and I got to spend lovely, snowy days with my big man :)
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/snow5.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/snow10.jpg

And he started to lose his coat again
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Img_0100.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Img_0108y.jpg

More snow
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Img_0111y.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Img_0155yy.jpg

He didn't have turnout anymore, and we continued to bond even more as I spent more time with him in his stable
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/BaileyKisses3.jpg

And I conquered fears
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/IMG_0139.png

He had lots of fun getting rid of all the energy he had!
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/prance2.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/prance4.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/prance6.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/prance11.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/prance12.jpg

And he loved to show off whenever he could be bothered!!
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/prance10.jpg

Beginning to moult
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf2057y.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Img_0359y.jpg

And he became such a mummy's boy
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Img_0367y.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Img_0372y.jpg

He started to look more like the gorgeous boy I saw him as all those months ago
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Img_0403y.jpg

A couple of weeks ago, we moved yards
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Img_0671y.jpg

And had another bath, looking all beautiful and clean(ish)!
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Dscf2154.jpg

Him and his new neighbour, finally getting on!
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/IMG_0713.jpg

And a couple I took today, to show his weight.
(YOU CAN SEE RIBS!!!!)
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Img_0716.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x271/g167/bailey/Img_0717.jpg

And it was his birthday the other day and I COMPLETELY forgot... my big fat man is now 12!! :)

I couldn't of asked for a better horse & best friend. I love you Bailey :love:

[kaylea941]

aw he's gorgeous hun. He looks so happy.

[Tanner]

Awww, what a lovely post. He is such a good looking lad, I'm so happy that you found him :)

[smellycat]

Can't believe it's been a year already!
What a lovely boy :)

[annmarie]

i love your story xxx

[Elliebellie]

He's so gorgeous and a great weight for this time of year too! - who'd have thought you'd ver be able to see ribs this time last year eh?!!

[Loony]

I know! Its amazing! Everytime I see his ribs I always hysterically shout, "BAILEY YOU'VE GOT RIBS! like a loon, everyone must think I'm crazy! :lol:

Thanks everyone :)

[Anni~Bell]

What an amazing post!! I really can't wait to meet the hairy beast!

[Loony]

I am free whatever weekend Annikins!

[~*Danni*~]

What a fantastic post!! :D It's fab to see how well you've got on with Bailey - Happy 1st Owniversary, here's hoping you have many more owniversaries!! :p hehehe.
He's a gorgeous Horse :D xxxx

[Loony]

Thank you very much :) x

[fofo]

Congratulations on your first owniversary :D
I'm so pleased you found the one!

And will Bailey let you keep the BF? :cheekywink:

[beks the artist]

The handsome Bailey :) xxx

[Loony]

Ahahaha Jane! Well he's already sized him up.. But I think he passed the test!!

:) :)

[Evening Star]

That year has gone soooo fast!
Its been so great to hear all about your adventures with Bailey after so long waiting for you to find your perfect horse. The wait was certainly worth it, he really is perfect for you :D

[classic astra]

awww you two are so well suited!!x

[injioho]

It's never a year already :shocked: Doesn't seem like two minutes since we were getting updates of your horse hunt!

You two have come such a long way in a year and the amount of times he's changed in appearance is mental! He looks different in every pic! :lol:

Here's to many more happy years of Loons and Bailey :D xx

[My Crazy Clan]

HAPPY ANNIE lovely pics.

[Madbee]

Love seeing you and Bailey, and it really does sound like you've found your perfect horse :) It's so good to hear about how well you've bonded - I'm pretty sure it can only get better.

[Kelza]

Great post. I can't believe it's been a year!!! He's such a lovely horse

Ooh and happy birthday Bails, hope you had a great day! x

[Pie_x]

Awwwwww!!! Happy Ownii :) I love reading Bailey posts!! x

[Osci]

Happy Ownerversary! Cant believe its been a year already, you look like a great team xx

[Loz]

Happy owniversary, it's gone so quickly!
You look so happy together and I'm so happy for you to have found him.
Here's to many many more years together!

[Loony]

Aah Soph, I wondered if you'd ever really seen my big lad properly, I know you were thoroughly involved in my search then dropped off the planet once I'd got him! I was like, boohooo!! xxx

Thank you guys :) I can't believe it either! It's gone so quick and at the same time it's like I've always had him!

[daytona]

Cant believe its been a year already where has that time gone. He looks really happy and so do you. Lovely boy.