Monday, September 24, 2012

Moved up the move

We are now moving on the First. October 1!!

It occurred to me that it may just be better to move on the first, rather than wait until Saturday. It keeps us from having to prorate the first months board, and as long as Kevin has time to haul us we are set to go. As usual the kind Kevin, Mr.Sure Honey, said yes. And the new BO, Denise, said that works great for her, so are are leaving in a week from today.

Yesterday I took our little pickup, Tacoma, to the barn, and loaded up all the things I don't need for Pippi right now. The jumps, poles, saddle racks, saddles, etc etc. Holy Motherload of crap. I am taking this move as an opportunity to organize, clean and perhaps pitch a few things. It is amazing all the items we have accumulated in the last four years. I left with an entire truck load full. FULL!!! of equestrian "must haves."
Drove slowly home so as not to jostle anything out of the truck bed as I had to leave the tailgate down due to the poles sticking out. Our garage now looks like a dirty tack store having a yard sale. MUST GET IT TOGETHER!!

We had a mini Horse Show at Donna and Kevins this weekend, it was exhausting but so fun. Cleaned stalls all Thursday evening, washed five horses Friday evening, and had a show Saturday. Whew!! And yesterday I had to get caught up on sewing, so I a bit frayed at the edges today.

Chance, the mini that Miranda normally shows (she is taking a break due to nursing school), was a GIANT PAIN IN THE .........!!! He fought me hard, and knocked me to the ground when I was putting hoof black on him. The little bugger. Then he kicked out at me during the halter class! So I lunged him, and he got his act together. He is just one those horses that needs his "ass beat" as Miranda says. (Not really beat, but he sure needs intimidation and a strong hand.) The judge clearly did not favor him, nor did "our horses" enjoy having strange horses on their home turf. Not the best showing for us, but as usual we had a great time.

Grandma (Donna's mother) came down and watched. I drove her down from the house, and she stayed for several hours. When I was taking her back up the barrel pattern was still set in the grass, so I drove the full pattern and Grandma Laughed heartily. I had rolled down my window and hollered "WooHoo" at the top of my lungs. She stated "you are just a bit crazy" and patted my arm three times. I Grandma speak that means "I adore you," as she is not the most verbally effusive.

So a great weekend. This coming weekend is the Reality Farms Equine Center (whew, mouth full) Annual Fundraiser Weekend. I have the shirts ready, and we hope to raise lots of money for Breast Cancer Research. 

Thursday, September 20, 2012

"That sounds good."

Just hung up the phone after a very productive chat with the Future BO, Denise. I like her, and I like her attitude towards horses and training.
We seem to have the same overall attitude about horses; take care of them, put their needs first and your ambitions second, and use them in the discipline they (the horse) are most suited for. That does not mean that you don't push and train your horse, but be honest and open minded enough to see what the individual horse can and can not do.

With this move I am trying to iron out future issues before they occur, be clear in my expectations and know theirs. I plan to ride in the evening, Denise rides during the day so that is fine. I plan to ride between 7 and 9pm, and Denise would like me to leave at 9 at the latest so that is fine. I plan to come over Monday, Wednesday and Friday around those times, and at differing times on the weekend. That is all fine. Denise already feeds the feed I use, No change -YAY!!
Denise understands and even applauds my mind set on waiting forever and three days before I resume training/riding Pippi due to the Tendon injury. I told her that when Pippi is cleared for riding, I still want to wait more, and Denise agreed whole heartedly.
I told her that if this injury proves to have changed Pippi's riding discipline, so will I change mine. If there is to be no more jumping, we will switch to Dressage I think. And Denise said that she never decides what a horse will do, the horse does. (she is a Trainer btw). What does the horse excel at? What does the horse seem to enjoy doing? What is in the heart of the horse? (a spooking horse does not a great eventer make, regardless of athletic ability.) Sure training can do wonders, but there is a reason NBA players are tall, and gymnists are short, and lawyers are attorneys. Just sayin'......

The move happens October 6th. I am ready, I think, but dread leaving Donna and Kevin. Kevin dreads Pippi leaving, and offered to buy her for a whole $100!!! So that tells you two things, he loves Pippi and knows that the actual amount is astronomical (due to me over pricing her as much as he undervalued.) Donna and Kevin are the best. The absolute best! And was it not for my wish to ride, get a hillside field, a bigger stall, an indoor arena, and not have to spend all my time feeding and scooping, Pippi would never leave their place. No place will ever be better for Pippi in terms of love and affection and care. She will miss them as much as they will miss her. But I hope to cajole them into visiting her as much as possible. Kevin is hauling her over there. He'd like to see the new place, and make sure it meets his approval for "his best buddy." Donna gets quiet and blinks her eyes a lot when we talk about the move, and I am sure there will be tears all around.

Pippi sure is a special horse to inspire this much emotion.......

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

I'm Alive, just real busy

Quick update for those who wondered if I fell off the planet, or perhaps a horse which put me in traction and therefore  I am unable to blog. I did neither, just got busy, and tired. Too tired to ruminate online....

Pippi and Miranda went to the "big show;" Pippi spooked in arena 1 due to HUGE wide, busy looking jumps, but did quite well in arena 2. So a 50% success. She did however pull a tendon in the front left, no idea how or when, but is on rest until healed. Not sure how long that will take, but committed to giving recovery all the time it takes and then some.

Miranda is super busy with, and committed to, nursing school and is taking an Equine break to concentrate on that. She plans on taking over a friends horse in the spring, and continuing her riding with him.

Pippi and I are continuing our adventures alone, with occasional visits from Miranda. With the lack of activity Pippi is kicking about, and put her back legs through the fence, causing all kinds of booboo's. So with the fornt two being wrapped to support the tendon, she now has both hinds covered by meds to keep infection in sores at bay (and flies). She was in a small confined area, too small to run, but giving her a chance to stretch her legs for a moment. Rolled, and well there you have it.

In other news: Pippi is moving to a place that will give me some help (full board), her some room (for when she can run around again), a larger stall (while she is on stall rest), and an indoor arena for us to use through the winter, and the company of horses her own size (may she realize that she is EQUINE and not HUMAN!!!!) The move will happen early October.

"2-Point Bling" is taking off quite well. The breast cancer fundraiser is September 28 & 29th, and I have most of the shirts done for that ($10/shirt goes to the fundraiser). Have other orders also, so I am keeping busy. Spend most of the evening, apart from the time spent walking Pippi about, in the "sweatshop" as my hubby named it.

So there you have it......