Ugh

That title can sum up a few things in my life right now.

1. The damn test. I either know it or I don't. If I don't know it, I am having the hardest time learning it. Lets just say that I don't know the majority of it. Much like Denali if it is frustrating or confusing I give up and find something else to focus on (like blogging.)

2. Pete. Sweetest horse ever, however he wasn't having it yesterday. Anyone want to guess how many times I washed his tail before the shampoo only turned a light brown?? Anyone? 4 times. 4 times and it was still light brown. Poor boy. By the time I was done washing and conditioning his tail, and then attempting to get a comb through it an hour had passed. I don't think Pete has been fussed with for an hour ever. He was good boy and stood still for the most part. He was really ouchy walking to the wash rack so I didn't want to walk him to the arena when I knew he wasn't feeling great. After cleaning his tail it magically grew about three inches. I went and found some scissors ad hacked off about four inches since it was now dragging on the ground.. Next thing to tackle his homeless pony mane. I like long manes. Denali's is really long right now, but his is so uneven and thin it just looks horrible.

3. Well, we won't even get into #3.

Onto weekend fun.

Friday evening I had the pleasure of finally meeting Pia! Pia's mom is a wonderful person and I'm glad for this blog, because through it I got to meet her. Pia's barn is beautiful, and the trainer was really nice. I got to watch Pia's mom work with her. I told her, the only pain that I see her in is the pain in her mom's ass. She's a sassy mare that is for sure! I'm interested to see what the Regumate does for her. That's one route I thought of going with Denali, but haven't....yet.

I finally got out to see Denali yesterday. It was poring down rain and she was out in the pasture with two of her friends. She came as soon as I screamed her name (she was really far away.) Luckily through the wind and the rain she heard me and she came. That's one thing I'm proud of, that she comes when she is called. That wasn't installed on this model, I had to work on it.  I hate chasing horses. See! I taught her something!

She was soaked but warm under her blanket, so I didn't worry too much. There is a shelter out there, and of course no one uses it. I did some neck stretches with her and she was SO much better with them then she was a month ago. She struggled a month ago to do them, and yesterday she had no problems. She loves carrot stretches. For a while when we were doing them everyday she'd touch both of her sides and her chest when she saw a carrot. Cut to the chase right? I love this mare. She is so sweet and does try so hard. I hope I can be a better communicator with her so she understands what I'm asking her to do. (Can you tell she was a good girl yesterday?) When I love her, I love her so much, and when I hate her, I fucking hate her (One of my students last year told me that is how he felt about me. At the time I was really confused, but I do understand thanks to Denali. Sorry for the swear word.)

Off to yet another meeting. I am on the committee for one of the local horse shows. They couldn't find anyone to take over, and so I offered to help. I get to help with advertising. I will have to go from barn to barn with fliers. Dang. I hate seeing horses and other barns (kidding of course.) In actuality I will e-mail first to see if I can come hang up the fliers first. I hate when people just show up.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. I have off tomorrow and I am SO excited to sleep in.

Time Flies

I can't believe it's been 2 months since I was almost killed. Yes, yes, I know that sounds dramatic, but from what my husband told me, I was one hoof kick away from being a vegetable.I do know that I wanted to die for about two weeks after so I say it counts.  Everything is healed, and all bruising is almost gone. What surprises me is that my side still hurts. I've never had trauma like that before, so I"m sure it's normal.

It's also been about two months since I've agreed to start working the TB at the Giant Warmblood Barn. Due to injury, flooding, holidays, school, studying I have failed at doing much other than grooming him. So, the goal is this weekend to pull the old guy out, groom him up, and lunge him to see how sound he is. Rumor has it he is sound, but that comes and goes. I have been toying with the idea of getting him some biotin (since his owner does nothing for him) to help with his feet. It's not that much a month, and I do love this horse.

Have I introduced Pete?

Everyone, this is Pete (who really is much cuter when I don't take pictures on my phone and in the dark.) Pete, this is everyone. He hasn't been worked or ridden more than 6 times in a year. Not by any fault of his own. I'd love to help muscle him up so that we can find him a little girl to love on him. His owner pays board which is great, but doesn't do much with him. Pete is HUGE. He has to be close to 17 hh, if not bigger. I am going to bring out my stick this weekend if I remember. Regardless he is a love, and I can NOT wait for it to be warm enough to give him a bath. He's a hot mess.

In mare-wolf news all is well. She hasn't tried to kill anyone this week, so that is good. I didn't make it out to see her today (I usually go on Wednesdays) due to a wonderful migraine. I finally feel human, but it is 10 pm at night, so I'm not driving 50 miles at 10pm. I did inform her that she is now a working girl. She has a whole $60.00 from the ads on her blog. I actually didn't realize that they made that much. Yay for Google and Yay for those who view them.

In regard to the ads, I wonder if they are the same for everyone who views them. I always get ads for rehab centers (Pegasus, where I still wish I could have sent her) and Regenerative Medicine. HA! I should change the name of this blog to the broken horse/broken owner/broken bank account blog. Oh well, it's only money and I can work and get more if it. I'm pretty happy that we have now set up a savings account for the mare (well, not at the bank, but we're keeping track of "her" money.) I haven't reminded my husband that we didn't pay back our Savings before we started her Savings. No need to bring up a sore subject right? 

Still studying for this bloody test. Fun times my friends, fun times. I guess it's no secret, and not a huge deal. I am studying for my BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst). BUT! Remember that if it's May and I haven't mentioned said test, don't bring it up. ;0) There are moments where I feel, "Oh man, I'm going to ace this, and moments where I need to double check that the material is indeed in English and feel that all hope is lost. I'll be glad when January is over so I can focus on horses more and studying less.

Pete

Yesterday after visiting with Denali I worked at the Giant Warmblood Barn. I love it there. I love the horses. They are some of the most amazing creatures ever. It's amazing to see them in their stalls, looking like every other horse I've ever met, but to get the chance to watch them under saddle. It truly is amazing.

I got to the barn early and decided to pull Pete out to groom him.

Can we say  Hot Mess??

The poor guy's tail was so full of crap, and he has scratches SO BAD. His owner really is never out. Pete is HUGE. He's at least 17 hh, but probably bigger. I took him to the wash rack, but there was only one cross tie because one of the Giant Warmbloods decided to do some rearranging. I turned the hot water on to scrub the legs with some medicine, and asked Pete to stand there. I was preparing for a battle (because with D, that's what I'm use to) but he just stood there. Perfectly still without moving. I was shocked. Even when I was scrubbing his legs with the medicine, he stood stock still. Without being in the cross ties. His tail is SO GROSS. I scrubbed it the best that I could, but it is still gross.

Does anyone have suggestions for scratches?? They are bad, really bad and although I don't get out there much I want to try and help him when I can. I have MTG, but wonder if that is effective at this stage.