and so it begins...

WOW. It looks like we are on our way to becoming horse owners! We looked at zillions (well, okay - dozens) of horses last weekend, but came back to what we suspected to be true: Tobbi is the one. As often happens with things like this (big life changes, divine occurrences, major decisions), there is a great story to go along with it, one that you usually don't know is unfolding until it's all said and done and you go, "Oh, right. Of course." But we wanted to look around (not just because when else does one get to say, "oh, I can't ___ tomorrow, I'm going horse shopping"?) but also to be 100% sure that we weren't just going with the first horse we saw (literally; but more on that in Lindsey's post), or being impulsive, or whatever. So just like with our house and my wedding dress, we saw the one we wanted, but then looked around anyway, and came back to that know-it-in-your-gut first one.

In case you're not familiar with the breed and are wondering why he looks short or shaggy or stocky or what have you . . . that's what Icelandic horses look like. They are as strong as other breeds, easily able to tote around a full-fledged adult (uh, hello, Vikings?) but are shorter in stature, averaging between 12 and 14 hands (Tobbi is 13.1). Aside from their unique appearance, it's their personality & disposition that (at least for me) sets them apart from other horses: I swear they can read our minds. Gentle, kind, intuitive . . . all you have to do is stand near one -- or, if you're as lucky as we were last week, within a herd of them -- to feel the energy I'm talking about. Alert, smart, loyal, trustworthy. I swear to god I would put my 2 year old on Tobbi's back right now.

The picture of him with Lina (his current owner/trainer/mom) totally captures his personality. He's like a big golden retriever, but a lot calmer, and without the jumping on the lap or the tongue hanging out. He's like someone you've known forever and ever. He's like a member of the family -- already.

Stay tuned . . . I'm not sure of all the logistics . . . there's a lot to iron out, but it looks like the decision has been made: he's our guy. YAY!!!