Vet Appointment

Today I got a voicemail that used both "Denali" and "Good Girl" in the same sentence. I was really worried that the vet grabbed the wrong Thoroughbred mare. (Seriously.) She didn't need her teeth done (good) and got her shots. The vet forgot to do the microchipping, but will do that this week. I need to fax out her papers tomorrow to do the brand inspection.

BAH! I wish decisions were easy to make. Today the idea of shipping her somewhere random that I haven't visited made me really nervous. I really hope the references were all telling the truth. I am planning a trip in June/July to go check up on her and make sure she's happy and healthy. I talked to the guy tonight (I am SURE that I'm going to drive him nuts) he is planning on coming over next week. I am now trying to decide if I go visit her one more time this weekend, or if I just wait for the day he is coming to go see her and say goodbye. I can't tell what is going to be easier. I'm sure that either way is going to probably suck. It will probably suck a lot.

In other, cheating on Denali news, I have a lesson tomorrow on Vera. Her owner took back her saddle because her other horse is back into training. SO, of course I sell my saddle and 3 weeks later have a horse to ride. FAIL. Hope we can figure that one out. I guess I could learn a lot bareback? (kidding!)

Cheating on Denali.

Vera-the-Wonderpony...

Not much a pony at 16.2.

I love my trainer. I don't think I can express my love for her enough (at least without being that creepy girl who no one likes.) She is taking a full lease out on Vera so that I can lease Mare from her (and it makes it cheaper for me!) Hopefully she'll get to stay a "bit" longer. Still not getting too attached. She could sell tomorrow for all I know.

She sent me a text last night saying it was almost all figured out, but to go and "ride away." Today was my hubby's 32nd birthday, I have a huge meeting at work tomorrow, a job interview tomorrow night, and a million and one things to do. BUT who could resist this face?

Whatz you meanz you ride me now?

 My friend sent me a text this morning, and talked me into going out and riding. I got as much done for work as I could, Ifinished up things for my husband's surprise birthday dinner, and got to the barn around 11.

Ms. Vera was napping in the sun when I showed up. She sort of reminds me of a tank. She's not the biggest horse at the barn, but she is by no means the smallest. Like a good pony she stood still while I got her ready. She likes to paw while in the cross ties, but today only needed reminded once to STOP.

There was a horse already in the indoor arena, so I opted to go in the outdoor to ride with my friend. Ms. Vera was a saint while I hoped up and got situated. She did take a few steps, but nicely backed up when asked and stood there.

We did more circles and figure 8's. I swear I need one of those things that keeps your shoulder's back. I kept rolling my shoulders forward, and then she had no support in the outside rein. I'm sure we looked drunk a lot! We made it a bit farther today  bending correctly, and going forward. I'm sure it's 99% rider error when we look drunk. When I could remember to keep my shoulders back (Or as Ophie's mom and I use to say, "Tits up") it went much better.  Our trot was less racehorse like today, and she was a peach the whole ride. I was a bit nervous because there were 4 geldings in the field next to the arena. That didn't bother Vera one bit. She was interested in them, but did as she was asked.

We ended our ride with some canter work. I could ride her canter all day. She is such a nice moving horse. I don't know how someone hasn't bought her yet! One thing I did find out about her today is she is racist. She tried TWICE to kick out at the chestnut geldings. (Yes, I realize horses are not racist.) One is a National Champion in Dressage, and I just about had a panic attack when she kicked out. Yikes.

FOOD!

Today was one of the first days that I started to feel guilty about rehoming Denali. It is the perfect home, and the guy will take great care of her, but still. We've been through a lot together, but I think it will be good for her to live somewhere with wide open fields and less rain. Still it makes me sad. I might feel less sad if I wasn't riding Vera. I sort of feel like I'm cheating on her. If my husband and I were going to be in Seattle forever, it wouldn't be such a big deal for me. He will be one in a year or so with his PhD., and we will probably move twice again in a short period of time, and I don't know where that will be. I don't want to do that to Denali.

Tomorrow is her vet appointment for all of her final paperwork, etc. Send her good vibes! I haven't talked to the guy who is taking her all weekend. I hope to know more by the end of this week as to when she is leaving. I haven't made a huge announcement about it yet. I don't want to tell everyone she's leaving, just to have it fall through. If it falls through I need to remind myself that I was pretty happy with the current plan. I will feel much better about everything when I get a call that she is safely off the trailer in MT.  What's that saying? "If you love it let it go?......" I never in a million years thought she wouldn't be with me. I honestly think she will be so happy. I just want it all over with though.

In L-O-V-E

I really shouldn't ride horses that are for sale. Really.

Yesterday I had a lesson on Vera. She is an ISR mare out of a TB mare by Conquistador. She is 12 years old. Neither my trainer or I thought it would be a good match, but she's there so why not. She is a gem. She is also a mare (which I "thought" that I have sworn off from ever riding/owning again-maybe not.)

I was late for my lesson and got to the barn when my lesson was suppose to start. Stupid Seattle traffic on a Friday. Seriously (side bitch)  it rains....no one can drive...it's sunny...no one can drive. SUPER annoying.

Ms. Vera is bigger than I thought. I still half expect whatever horse I ride to have a freak out in the cross ties. I was nervous about leaving her while I grabbed her stuff, but a friend reminded me that the horses at our barn don't do that. She's right. Vera did a few "I'm going to bite you" moves when I was getting her ready. I reminded her twice that "We DON'T do that" and she was a peach the rest of the time. She was a lesson horse, so I figure that's her normal test of her new rider.

I grabbed her stuff and made it to the arena. Luckily the last lesson went over, so it wasn't a huge deal that I was late. Once we got to the arena I adjusted her girth (least girthy horse that I have ever met. Didn't care at all.) I decided that since I knew NOTHING about her, to wait for my trainer. Vera stood like a champ while we waited.

My trainer, who knows my thoughts on new horses and such, gave me a quick run down and told me a "few" things that Vera might do. She likes to donkey head (and try to pull the reins away.) That doesn't bother me at all. Once I got on, she did it, and I nicely reminded her that we don't do that either.

Up to a month ago, and coming to our barn, she was a Hunter/Jumper. She (I guess, I know NOTHING about hunter/jumpers) runs around with her head in the air, and doesn't flex very well, or go on the bit without some work. We did circles and figure 8's and she would go on the bit and relax. O-M-G. I LOVE HER. I think my trainer was worried that she wouldn't be a good fit because she's not a "dressage" horse. She is currently in training to do so, but doesn't carry herself yet, and need a lot of support from your legs/hands to bend and flex. She is super sensitive to your leg, but not at all with her mouth. PERFECT. She was catching on during our ride that if she'd bend and relax, she got a release from my hands. She would drop her head down REALLY low (like a hunter maybe?) but all I cared about was that it was dropped.

A few of my friends came to watch me ride her, and I'm sure they were humoring me, but said, "You look like you know what you're doing." Ha! I felt like I knew what I was doing. She has a H-U-G-E trot and I do not feel skilled enough to go from the very fast trot into a canter, so we did walk/canter transitions. LOVE HER.

As of this AM I am now leasing her. I feel like a 12 year old girl! I'm so excited. She is still for sale, but mine in the meantime. (Is it selfish of me to hope she doesn't sell....probably!)

Bad, Good, Great

Bad-Got a phone call that Mr. has torn his suspensory and can no longer be ridden. :0( I am really sad for him, but still can hang out and groom him (per his owner's permission.) He is having surgery in hopes that she can use him for trail riding. Poor guy. Think good thoughts for him!

Good-In my new found big girl pants I am going out today to try out a 13 year old IRS mare. She is a sale horse at our barn, and I am going to see if we are a good fit. My trainer and I both agree that she's not the kind of horse I should own, but she is a good horse to ride in the meanwhile. She was a hunter/jumper for years is just doing first level (not that I can do much more than that) but my trainer thinks I should fine a older school master first. I told her owner that she will sell within the week. That's how my luck runs! I ride a horse and it sells or breaks. I'm bad luck. She's beautiful. Brown with a big ol' blaze. Her sale add says she's 16.2. I don't thinks she's that big. She seems pretty little. That might just be because the rest of the horses are so huge. Wish us luck!

Great-Thinks are moving along with moving Denali. The more I talk to the guy who is coming for her, the more I love him and am just so excited for the mare-wolf. I called his references and everyone really likes him as a person and said he takes great care of his horses. His son is a trimmer and a steer wrestler. I told him that they'd have no trouble with Denali then. Lol. For now Denali is going to go live in a giant field being a horse. I'm beyond excited for her. It's funny. I never in my life imagined that I would re-home her, but this really is a great plan for her. I said before that if I could find someone who could provide for her that I'd let her go. I guess God answered my unsaid prayers. The man who is "buying" her told me he appreciates how much I love her, and that he likes knowing that she has a place to go back to if things don't work out or something happens. Denali has a vet appointment on Monday to get her shots, her teeth done, and her coggins, etc. I am also having her microchipped. JUST in case. It's more for peace of mind than anything. I realize that it might not work out, but even if she's there for 6 months, it's 6 months of no bills.

Keep Denali and I in your thoughts. I'm sure that as happy as I am right now about everything, I will become a blubbering mess when she goes.

Well...

I've sat here for the past two hours thinking about how social media and the internet has changed our lives. In the past (hell, even 15 year ago) something could happen and we'd never know it. I've sat here trying to figure out what words I use to write this. I tried posting it on facebook, but I just couldn't find the right words, so I gave up.

I've driven Pia's mom nuts today and Cuna's mom nuts today talking about it.

Long, long story short.....

I have found Denali the perfect home.

I bought her without permission from my husband and I sold her without permission from my husband.  I know that many of you are probably shocked, I'm still a little dumbfounded that it could work out so well. The family she's going to live with owns 240 acres in Montana. If you've read this blog at all, you know how much I love this horse. For now she will go out on a carelease, and it may stay that way. I told him I want to make sure they are both happy. I just can't "sell" her outright without making sure that it's a good match. She likes where she lives, but she loves to run. I'm worried that she is one broken board away from getting thrown out of her retirement barn. This sounds perfect.

Someone asked me if I told him all about her personality, and the answer is yes. I gave him this blog address and told him to read about her. I told him story after story about her and everything she's been through. My fears of her ending up in the kill pen, and my hopes for her to have a happy life. It sounds perfect.

SO, she leaves in a little over two weeks. Right now I am really excited for her. I am. I know that when I see her I will burst into tears and will probably never forgive myself.

Think good thoughts for us! Still not sure how one brings it up to her friends. I'm taking a road trip in July to go visit her. It gives her about 7 weeks to settle in and see how it's going.  The poor man who is taking her is SO nice (he calls me ma'am) and has answered so many of my ridiculous questions and puts up with my ridiculous requests. I really like him, and the more I talk to him the more I like him (wife and son too!) He seemed really happy that I asked for references and they all check out.

One thing I don't think you can question is how much I love this horse. Sometimes when you love something you let it go. I can't give her 240 acres to run on, and we all know how much she'd love that!

I still need to get her coggins, and brand inspection so she can leave the state. This sucks, but I am sort of excited for her. I know she'll love it.

Yikes!

I don't want to go into too much detail, because when I do it doesn't work out. I just hope that it works out the way it is suppose to, one way or the other. Currently I'm not sure yet how I feel about it yet and both options have a lot of pros and cons. Lots of emotions these past few days. By the end of the week I should know more and can share. Until then, does anyone have a copy of a carelease contract? I promise to fill you in as soon as I can!

Wednesday Woes

Okay, no real woes, but I couldn't for the life of me think of something that could rime with Wednesday. It IS raining and crappy again, so I guess that I can "claim" that to be the woe part.

I think I mentioned it before on here, but my primary doctor won't give me any drugs to deal with my anxiety post trailer/bucking/horse almost dying accident(s). She made me go talk to someone. While I think it "helps" I wish it worked. I haven't gone in a while because I've been so busy, but decided that I should probably show back up at some point. I asked her about EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing.) A friend of mine had a bad accident with her mare and did it, she rides and acts like nothing ever happened. My crazy doctor therapist told me that the mind is a wonderful thing, but if it experiences trauma sometimes it will process it, and move on, and other times it will process it and then stay in a state of "now." That is what happens with PTSD, your mind flashes back to the now and can't escape. She does something similar to EMDR, and we are going to try that on April 26th. Oh how I hope it works. At least a little bit. Anything. This whole fear thing in regards to horses sort of puts me over the edge sometime. I mean, a horse in the cross ties should not cause me to feel on the verge of a melt down. Boo.

In other news, I "officially" sold Denali's saddle. I was really sad when I sent it out on trial, and part of me wanted to hold onto it "just in case." I realized that was stupid. I still have her bridle, and doubt I can let go of that. I sold the saddle for about $200 less than it was "worth" because I wanted to just have it gone. It's sort of the final "omission" that she's done and won't be ridden. When I decided that something should happen (Denali retirement, moving to Seattle, changing jobs, etc.) I just want it done and over before I can think of it.

Free Grain

Here is a link for a free coupon to get a bag of Nutrena Grain! I think it's senior grain, but still! AND if you don't need it, I know a certain rescue that could use it! (aka: when you get it in the mail, e-mail me and I'll give you my address! We'll put it to good use!)

Pony-Weekend

I had an incredibly fulfilling, pony filled weekend. Friday I was "sick" and stayed in bed and woke up to a bright burning thing in the sky. With the intent to enjoy some of it, I got dressed and went to the gym. I did a 90 day challenge and had to do the final weigh in. I've lost a total of 22.4 pounds since January 13th. I still have a lot more to go, but it's a start. After a shower and a few errands, I left the city before I normally get out of work. Win! There was a clinic at the GWB (Giant Warmblood Barn) on Friday and Saturday.  Alfredo Hernandez, a piaffe/passage specialist came up from CA. Beside the fact that he is amazing at what he does,  he is also hilarious. After cleaning out my car (yikes!) I made it to the barn to watch the last session of the day.

There are few things that get me out of bed before 8am on a Saturday, but ponies are defiantly one of them. Earlier in the week I asked Pia's mom if she wanted come watch the clinic and then do our "Tour de Barns." We met at P's mom's house and drank delicious coffee. I got to introduce myself to her husband, just to be reminded that I met him once before during a certain trailering day...gulp. *blush* Opps. wonder why I don't remember that.

Saturday was a beautiful, beautiful day! Not a cloud in the sky and it was WARM! We made it to the barn around 10 am and got to watch the trainer on one of her horses. It's always amazing to watch the horses working with this clinician. He has taken horses who have never done Piaffe, or Passage and by the time they make it around the arena one time the horse has it. There is never fear on the horses part, and they almost always "get it." It's pretty amazing to watch actually. In addition to being great, he is H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S!

After a morning outside in the sun, we grabbed breakfast and went to meet Prairie, Pia's new sister. Prairie ranks right up there with the GWB's at my barn in terms of size. She is big and beautiful! I'm sure Pia's mom got tired of hearing about how much I loved her ears! They are the best mare ears that I have ever seen. After meeting Pia before, I can say that Prairie is the total opposite of Pia. I suggested that Pia never meets Prairie to give her any ideas. Prairie tired so hard to understand what her mom was asking her under saddle, and was such a good girl. She is stunning (like her mom) and beside the mutant donkey that roams the land, was an angel. I took a zillion videos and most of them are still trying to be uploaded to my computer. It was a really fun day rounded out with some good friends, good drinks, and a good fire. Perfect day!

Sunday was my ride day. My friend, who I normally ride with, wasn't going to be out so I went out a bit later than normal. It was a beautiful day and I was excited to ride in the sun. Pulling into the barn I noticed that Mr. wasn't in his stall. Okay, it's nice out, maybe he's turned out. I went and set up my video camera (note: I need someone to video for me, even with a tripod is stink at it!) and then walked up to the barn. There was Mr. turned out and enjoying a nap. I noticed that he had sweat marks on his face and back. Weird I thought, his owner must not have groomed him yesterday. Once I was in the barn I noticed that his tack locker was open and his stuff was set out. Humm...the mystery thickens. Then I noticed that girl who use to ride him for his owner. I was so pissed at this point all I could do was point. I pointed at him, pointed at his tack, and pointed at her. "Oh, his owner told me that I could ride him. Don't worry, I didn't ride him hard."

At this point my blood is boiling. I couldn't imagine why his owner would think that having two people ride an 18 year old horse in the first "heat" of the year was a good idea. I didn't talk to her, and just tacked him up and took him to the arena. I didn't want to not ride, but I knew it would be of slug proportions. The last lesson that I had we worked on transitions. I need to have another lesson because I don't know what else to work on. (After watching my video I look like a Muppet on him, and I need something to work on IN ADDITION to walk/trot trot/walk transitions.)We ended up working on just going forward. I assume that the feeling was the same as riding a slug. The poor guy was so tired. He is never naughty or evasive, just was tired.

After our ride (if you can call it that) I stewed and decided to wait to text Mr's owner until the girl left. I didn't want to be there if she got a call. Guess what? Turns out that she wasn't suppose to be riding him. I don't know what will happen. I was cc'd on the e-mail she sent her today and it doesn't seem that will be happening again.

At work I had to reblanket 30+ horses in addition to normal barn chores. It was a hot day! I was in bed by 8:30 last night. That was the best part of the weekend!

HA HA!!

Musical Freestyle

I love musical freestyles! Of all the things I've wanted to do, a musical freestyle to old school rap is right up there with winning the lottery. This made me laugh so hard!! Hope you enjoy it!

Spring?

Spring has yet to find the Pacific Northwest. Sunday I THOUGHT it had found its way here, but it must have gotten lost somewhere. Sunday, I woke up early to go meet my friend and ride our boys (well, my borrowed boy.) It was the first "nice" day (read: not raining buckets) that we've had in a few months 

We had an awesome ride. I let Mr. borrow my BoT saddle pad. His owner has one saddle pad that she uses, and I question the fit of his saddle. His saddle pad is thin, and the saddle, while nice, doesn't have much give.  Mr. seemed really happy and I hardly had to use my spurs at all. We worked on transitions some more, but with two other horses in the arena didn't want to attempt much more and break anymore arena rules than I did already.

My "extra" job at work starts again this week. I won't be able to have a lesson this week. Yesterday we got an e-mail that our trainer had to cancel lessons next week because she was invited down to ride with Steffen Peters. I told her "I GUESS that's okay." I try very hard to not run around squealing about how cool she is, but it's hard. In other fun news, my other friend (who is a photographer) is on "hold" to come take photos of a new foal that is due soon. The foal is by Totilas. I have offered to be her new assistant to hold the cameras for her. The owner came out on Saturday, and I kindly offered to come guard the baby after he/she is born.