Super Saturday

Okay, so nothing really made today "super" but it rhymed and I couldn't think of any other title.

Before I start I wanted to say "thank you" for everyone who is following our blog. It's nice to know who's reading!

It's one week into 2011. So far things are going pretty well for Denali and I. Nothing really worth complaining about, although I'd be lying if I didn't say the massive die off of all of the fish, crabs, birds, etc. didn't freak me out a little.

I haven't been out to see Denali since Tuesday. Tuesday! Bad horse mom. BAD. I had to run errands with my friends this morning, and although they wanted to go see her, it's not exactly in a "stop by and visit" location. It's almost 50 miles from my house.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow I will go see Mare and see how she's doing. It's amazing to me what turn out has done for her. She seems so much happier, and she is getting stronger by the day. It makes me realize that she really needs to be boarded where she has turn out in a herd, or at least a buddy. There is so much stuff she needs, thinking about the next steps freaks me out. It isn't going to be for a while (hell, maybe even a year) but I'm going to send her somewhere else for training. I want to find someone who has re-started OTTB's and has a successful record of doing it. Not that I don't like our old trainer, and wouldn't want her to work with us again, but I think this would be best for Denali. Who knows...I'm rambling, and that probably doesn't make much sense. As my mom always tells me, "Don't worry about it until it's time." That's easier said than done.

What I want in a boarding facility.
1. Stall at night (pretty much so she is looked at each day and if something looks wrong, they call me.)
2. 8-10 hours of turn out in a large enough area that princess could kick up her heels if she wants to. (7 days a week.)
3. Indoor arena (with level, non-cement footing. Not too deep, not too thin.)
4. Willing to feed her supplements to her.
5. Consistency. At one point at one of our barns the person who did turn out was afraid of Denali. Denali sensed this and was a HUGE pain in the ASS. Naughty mare.
6. Quality Hay. I'm terrified of her getting EPM (if she doesn't have it, which I don't think she does.)
7. Lots of quality hay. I get nervous when they have 10 bales for 30 horses. I've been there. We're not doing it again. I also don't like switching up the hay source all the time.
8. Less than 30 miles from home, or work. (Which means anywhere between 30-35 miles.)
9. No automatic waterers. I like knowing how much she drinks, and I know of someone whose horse coliced because the waterer stopped working and no one noticed.
10. Price. Price is a huge issue. However, I fully understand that you get what you pay for but I'm not going to pay $700.00 a month


Our old barn had almost all of this except Denali didn't get turned out with a buddy for long (sorry Ophie's mom.) The arena needs fixed. The trainer fully understands this, but the owners have been dragging their feet. With the weird nero thing, I want her to know that when she puts her foot down, the ground will be just as level as it was the last step. I actually really like our old barn, but we're both high matenence and I would feel bad "demanding" the big pasture for her. The arena would need fixed too.

As for a trainer (which does not need to be the same as her boarding facility.)
1. Kind. No cowboys with bad attitudes.
2. Will consistently work her 4-6 days a week (when she's ready...yes, yes, I'm dreaming.)
3. I don't care about discipline. She likes the thinking in Dressage. She is much happier when she is made to think, so I think that's our way to go. However, not sure at this point how much collection she will be able to do. I just want someone who can give her a solid (SOLID) start.
4. References, I prefer someone who has worked with OTTB's (and maybe idiot owners.)
5. Close enough that I can go check on her once a week. I am willing to ship to an approved trainer.
6. Willing to be gentle and start her slowly. I don't plan on sending her until she is physically ready, but I know there are SO MANY trainers out there that I want to start this search early.
7. Someone to build confidence in her. Being with the herd has helped this so much, and yes, I know I'm a HUGE part of the confidence, but I'm working on myself.
8. Miles. She needs lots and lots of miles.

I'm sure there are more things I should look for. I don't know what else I should look for. I'm pretty set on someone who has worked with OTTBs.

I'm really glad that I have to worry about this. Really, really glad. I figured, even though it might not be for a year, I can make my wish lists now.