Ran out to the barn today to drop off my old saddle. LONG STORY. If you've been following for long you know how anal I am. If you're new to this blog. I'm beyond anal when it comes to my horse. It's horrible!
Yesterday Denali was a huge PITA with her lessee. Her lessee thought it might be the saddle, but I forgot to tell her that my horse went psycho the night before and fell on her belly. In hind sight, she's probably sore. She was still a little stiff today. She only walked her in the saddle. I put the new one on her today and it seems to fit her better through the shoulder than the other one. The poor thing had to stand there and deal with mom poking and prodding. I continuously took the saddles both on and off, and on and off. Her new one really seems to fit, but she'll tell us if it doesn't. Her lessee didn't trot or canter her yesterday, and I didn't do much with her on Tuesday. She was way to "up" for me to lunge her. I'm not too concerned. If the saddle doesn't work out, I'll sell it. I got it for a good price, so I think I'll at least be able to get that for it.
While I was out there I pulled her mane. First time I've ever done that with her. She was great! I did let her graze while I did it though, so she was so excited to eat I'm sure she forgot what I was doing.
After I finished fusing over her, I turned her out in the arena. She walked around for a little bit then turned to look at her tail bag. Then she started chasing her tail!! My trainer saw it too and was laughing so hard she had tears in her eye. Denali was totally playing with her tail! It was so funny! I wish I had my camera to take a picture of the look on her face. "I'm going to get you!"
Her bridle and her saddle pad came today! The saddle pad is amazing! Even if it doesn't work I'm not sure I'll be able to give it up. The bridle is beautiful. We'll see if this one fits! I sold the other one, so I don't feel guilty.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
I think we have a winner
After work yesterday I ran up north 40 miles to pick up the saddle. 40 miles in traffic. Ugh! It only took an hour and a half, so not that horrible. I hate picking things up on the side of the road, but the woman seemed nice enough. She was very petite so I was worried about how the saddle would fit me. I had her draw up a bill of sale, along with a 48 hour return policy.
I rushed to the barn for my lesson. I'm glad my trainer is so understanding. I was an hour late! I told her what I was doing and that I thought I'd be half an hour late. I hate people like me! This was my first lesson in A LONG TIME!! Maybe before Christmas...I'm thinking October (first lesson at my barn.) I rode her show horse. He's an appendix and is awesome! He'll do anything if you ask him right, which is what I appreciate about him.
When I walked down to get him Denali saw me and kept nickering, and nickering at me. I felt so bad. I went and gave her some grass and some love and told her that I'd be back for her. She continued nickering at me until I got the other horse, then I got the butt.
Our lesson was great! I actually caught on to some things I wasn't sure I was doing right before. My half halts have always sucked, but I fell like I finally understand now. I over think EVERYTHING I ever do, so it was nice to feel successful.
I rode in my new saddle for our lesson. I really liked it. It doesn't have as deep a seat as my other one, but I feel really secure in it. We'll see. I'll need to ride in it a few more times to figure out the differences. I never really liked the way my Harry Dabbs pitched me forward. I do that myself, so to have a saddle emphasis that didn't help. I must say thought, I do love my HD saddle. I'm going to have a hard time parting with it.
After putting away the horse I went out to get Denail. I don't know how else to explain this, but she was terrified. She was just beside herself. I'm not sure what it was. The horses around her were brought in right before I got her. I could tell what kind of a mood she was in from the moment I haltered her up. Once we were inside the barn I decided to let her burn off some energy in the arena. I had to have Ophie's mom hold her because she was so "up" she spooked at me taking her blanket off, she was just really upset about something.
I knew leading her into the arena that we were going to have a hard time. She was doing her arab imitation. I didn't even get the halter the whole way off when she took off like a bat out of hell. It was crazy. I've never seen her run like that. At on point she fell down (took a turn way too sharp) and she just jumped back up and took off again. It was crazy.
At this point it was almost 9 o'clock and I couldn't just leave her. I got her halter on her and got her to stand while I sat the saddle on her back. It seems to be a much better fit than her last one. While the saddle was sitting on her two cats got into a fight, at the same time one of the horses was freaking out in her stall, while the BO was in his trailer in front of the arena going into and out of his trailer, and the trainers son was taking down hay. So, all 4 sides of the arena had something going on that was freaking her out. She started to prance a little bit with all this going on, but didn't move from her spot. As soon as I grabbed the saddle (which I had envisioned it hitting the dirt) she started to try to run away. I got her back under control and walked her around. She never calmed completely down, but she also didn't try to run me over. It was a good exercise for her. I wish I could get all those noises going again sometime (when I'm NOT ON HER) to work with her some more.
I called her lessee and told her about Denai's "Moments" and about the new saddle. She's going to ride in it tonight to see what Denali thinks of it. If it doesn't work I'll sell it. The woman who I bought it from has two other people who wanted it if I didn't take it.
I see there are some new followers! Thanks for joining our ride! I'm always curious how people find this blog.
I rushed to the barn for my lesson. I'm glad my trainer is so understanding. I was an hour late! I told her what I was doing and that I thought I'd be half an hour late. I hate people like me! This was my first lesson in A LONG TIME!! Maybe before Christmas...I'm thinking October (first lesson at my barn.) I rode her show horse. He's an appendix and is awesome! He'll do anything if you ask him right, which is what I appreciate about him.
When I walked down to get him Denali saw me and kept nickering, and nickering at me. I felt so bad. I went and gave her some grass and some love and told her that I'd be back for her. She continued nickering at me until I got the other horse, then I got the butt.
Our lesson was great! I actually caught on to some things I wasn't sure I was doing right before. My half halts have always sucked, but I fell like I finally understand now. I over think EVERYTHING I ever do, so it was nice to feel successful.
I rode in my new saddle for our lesson. I really liked it. It doesn't have as deep a seat as my other one, but I feel really secure in it. We'll see. I'll need to ride in it a few more times to figure out the differences. I never really liked the way my Harry Dabbs pitched me forward. I do that myself, so to have a saddle emphasis that didn't help. I must say thought, I do love my HD saddle. I'm going to have a hard time parting with it.
After putting away the horse I went out to get Denail. I don't know how else to explain this, but she was terrified. She was just beside herself. I'm not sure what it was. The horses around her were brought in right before I got her. I could tell what kind of a mood she was in from the moment I haltered her up. Once we were inside the barn I decided to let her burn off some energy in the arena. I had to have Ophie's mom hold her because she was so "up" she spooked at me taking her blanket off, she was just really upset about something.
I knew leading her into the arena that we were going to have a hard time. She was doing her arab imitation. I didn't even get the halter the whole way off when she took off like a bat out of hell. It was crazy. I've never seen her run like that. At on point she fell down (took a turn way too sharp) and she just jumped back up and took off again. It was crazy.
At this point it was almost 9 o'clock and I couldn't just leave her. I got her halter on her and got her to stand while I sat the saddle on her back. It seems to be a much better fit than her last one. While the saddle was sitting on her two cats got into a fight, at the same time one of the horses was freaking out in her stall, while the BO was in his trailer in front of the arena going into and out of his trailer, and the trainers son was taking down hay. So, all 4 sides of the arena had something going on that was freaking her out. She started to prance a little bit with all this going on, but didn't move from her spot. As soon as I grabbed the saddle (which I had envisioned it hitting the dirt) she started to try to run away. I got her back under control and walked her around. She never calmed completely down, but she also didn't try to run me over. It was a good exercise for her. I wish I could get all those noises going again sometime (when I'm NOT ON HER) to work with her some more.
I called her lessee and told her about Denai's "Moments" and about the new saddle. She's going to ride in it tonight to see what Denali thinks of it. If it doesn't work I'll sell it. The woman who I bought it from has two other people who wanted it if I didn't take it.
I see there are some new followers! Thanks for joining our ride! I'm always curious how people find this blog.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
My New Saddle!!
It said "dressage style" so I figured it would work! Right? I'm going to give Denali a Spanish show name and take the dressage world by storm in this saddle! It was only 179.00 so I figure I could own 5 of these for the price of the Niedersuss Symphony.
Okay, I'm kidding! I was on eBay looking at saddles, and saw this. I'm still trying to wrap my head around how this would work for the horse/rider aside from the fact that this is super ugly!! It's only 179.00!
Still haven't decided on the saddle yet! Ugh. I hate spending money, although I'd sell my Harry Dabbs and make it back....Still!
Niedersuss Symphony Ideas?
Okay! Here it is.... well not "the one" but another one that I am suppose to go look at. What do you think? My only concern is that it is a MW, and althought I'm 99% sure my current saddle is a medium wide, I know that Niedersuss tend to run a little bigger. Ideas? It's a Niedersuss Symphony, 17" seat (another problem, my current is 18, but again, I rode in my old trainers and I'm 99% sure it was a 17, and I had no problems) She's asking $700.00 for it. Enough for precentages! Give me your thoughts! :)Monday, April 5, 2010
Double Life
I wish I could have 6 more hours in the day. I got home from an after work meeting at 7:30. I could do my teaching job really well if I didn't feel guilty about not spending time with Denali. I could probably get a lot better with riding Denali if I didn't work late and then STILL have a 20 mile (1+ hour) drive to the barn. Sigh... I can't wait for summer! I have big plans this summer involving riding. AKA, just ride.
I turn 30 in December. I know that's not old when you look at a person's life as a whole, but I feel old since I haven't done that much with mine. I have a list of things that I want to do before December 7, 2010.
1. Canter Denali under control both directions.
2. Successfully complete Test A and B for the Intro test (not compete, complete)
3. Camp on the beach (w/o the horse, I'm not that brave yet)
4. Compete in a 5k
5. Road trip with my husband to Wyoming and ride his friends horses into the Teton Mountain's.
6. Successfully develop a working level system in my classroom.
7. Loose 40 pounds.
8. .....
Any other ideas?
I turn 30 in December. I know that's not old when you look at a person's life as a whole, but I feel old since I haven't done that much with mine. I have a list of things that I want to do before December 7, 2010.
1. Canter Denali under control both directions.
2. Successfully complete Test A and B for the Intro test (not compete, complete)
3. Camp on the beach (w/o the horse, I'm not that brave yet)
4. Compete in a 5k
5. Road trip with my husband to Wyoming and ride his friends horses into the Teton Mountain's.
6. Successfully develop a working level system in my classroom.
7. Loose 40 pounds.
8. .....
Any other ideas?
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Slacking Sunday
It's been a while! A whole three days, but it still feels like a lot longer! Friday I had planned on going out to the barn to ride, and packed everything but my boots (oops!) I got there in the middle of the wind storm. Fun times. I decided to not ride. A. It was freezing, B. It was raining, C. I forgot my boots, D. It was freezing. I know those are all excuses, but I was okay with that.
The 520 Bridge on my way home from the barn. You could feel the bridge move, and the waves were crashing over it! No wonder it took me 2 hours to get home from the barn!
After playing with Ms. Denali (who by the way was in a SUPER possessive mood) I went to The Gift Horse to pick up my prize. I won some joint supplements and some other ligament cream. I also returned a bit that I bought. While I was waiting for my stuff a "kid" came up to check out something. She didn't look older than 16, if that. I heard her talking about her pony. The woman checking us out asked her how they were doing, "Oh we're doing well. We're schooling Prix St. George and hope to earn silver this year. Seriously!? Ugh. I really wish I could go back in time and have parents who could afford to give me proper lessons. Hell. Where I lived I'm lucky there was anyone around that could give me horseback riding lessons at all, forget Dressage!
I'm not saying that I want or expect to take Denali the whole way to the top, but I must say that I was super jealous of that 16 year old!
I think we have the Rhythm part down, but that's about it! We both have a lot of work to do, (Me WAY MORE than her) but I do want to take her to shows. Not big ones, I don't want to get ribbons, I want to prove to myself that I can do it.
Friday night I found out that I won a book! I entered a contest on the Pets Blogroll website. I'm pretty excited. Next to horses, dogs are my favoriate! I wish we could have one at our house, but with all my free time being taken up with the horse it isn't really fair to the dog. If you'd like a chance to win a copy of the book you can do it in either at the Pets Blogroll website or at Susan Wilson's facebook page.
Saturday we went down to Elma to volunteer at Second Chance Ranch. Ophie's mom and I groomed horses, played with wolves, and I got to give haircuts to about half of the horses. It was SO MUCH FUN! I even took my husband there, he cut up firewood and had a great time! He loves doing outdoor things. It was so funny, the horses are so well mannered! We took them into her grooming room and fed them grain while we worked. The doors had latches on them, but we'd still see little noses sticking in trying to see what we were doing. When we were done with one we'd open the door, ask them to step away (and they would) and ask who was next. They were very good! I did cut one horses hair that she was trying to let grow, oops! I still feel bad, but she said not to worry. It was a lot of fun! I love those horses! They are awesome!
I also inadvertently taught one horse how to drink out of a water bottle. He (Slewy) was playing with my vitamin water. He picked it up so I let him have a drink. Next thing I know he lifted the bottle up and chugged the drink. He later found his "mom's" vitamin water and drank hers too! It was much funnier than the picture shows. Of course I didn't get a shot of him doing it.
After leaving the barn my allergies started. I take medicine, but sometimes that doesn't work. I started sneezing, and sneezing, and sneezing. The only thing that gives me any relief is taking more medicine, washing my face and sitting still. If I start walking my allergies start up again. It gets bad, my whole body hurts. This was how I was from yesterday at 5 to today at 1:30. I'm tired. I hate, hate, hate allergies, BUT playing with a barn full of Denali's cousins makes suffering worth it!
Had friends over today, ate WAY TOO MUCH, and am currently sitting on my couch in my "fat pants" trying to figure out what I'm going to do with the 56 days of school that we have left!
Happy Easter everyone!
The 520 Bridge on my way home from the barn. You could feel the bridge move, and the waves were crashing over it! No wonder it took me 2 hours to get home from the barn! After playing with Ms. Denali (who by the way was in a SUPER possessive mood) I went to The Gift Horse to pick up my prize. I won some joint supplements and some other ligament cream. I also returned a bit that I bought. While I was waiting for my stuff a "kid" came up to check out something. She didn't look older than 16, if that. I heard her talking about her pony. The woman checking us out asked her how they were doing, "Oh we're doing well. We're schooling Prix St. George and hope to earn silver this year. Seriously!? Ugh. I really wish I could go back in time and have parents who could afford to give me proper lessons. Hell. Where I lived I'm lucky there was anyone around that could give me horseback riding lessons at all, forget Dressage!
I'm not saying that I want or expect to take Denali the whole way to the top, but I must say that I was super jealous of that 16 year old!
I think we have the Rhythm part down, but that's about it! We both have a lot of work to do, (Me WAY MORE than her) but I do want to take her to shows. Not big ones, I don't want to get ribbons, I want to prove to myself that I can do it.Friday night I found out that I won a book! I entered a contest on the Pets Blogroll website. I'm pretty excited. Next to horses, dogs are my favoriate! I wish we could have one at our house, but with all my free time being taken up with the horse it isn't really fair to the dog. If you'd like a chance to win a copy of the book you can do it in either at the Pets Blogroll website or at Susan Wilson's facebook page.
Saturday we went down to Elma to volunteer at Second Chance Ranch. Ophie's mom and I groomed horses, played with wolves, and I got to give haircuts to about half of the horses. It was SO MUCH FUN! I even took my husband there, he cut up firewood and had a great time! He loves doing outdoor things. It was so funny, the horses are so well mannered! We took them into her grooming room and fed them grain while we worked. The doors had latches on them, but we'd still see little noses sticking in trying to see what we were doing. When we were done with one we'd open the door, ask them to step away (and they would) and ask who was next. They were very good! I did cut one horses hair that she was trying to let grow, oops! I still feel bad, but she said not to worry. It was a lot of fun! I love those horses! They are awesome!
I also inadvertently taught one horse how to drink out of a water bottle. He (Slewy) was playing with my vitamin water. He picked it up so I let him have a drink. Next thing I know he lifted the bottle up and chugged the drink. He later found his "mom's" vitamin water and drank hers too! It was much funnier than the picture shows. Of course I didn't get a shot of him doing it.
After leaving the barn my allergies started. I take medicine, but sometimes that doesn't work. I started sneezing, and sneezing, and sneezing. The only thing that gives me any relief is taking more medicine, washing my face and sitting still. If I start walking my allergies start up again. It gets bad, my whole body hurts. This was how I was from yesterday at 5 to today at 1:30. I'm tired. I hate, hate, hate allergies, BUT playing with a barn full of Denali's cousins makes suffering worth it!
Had friends over today, ate WAY TOO MUCH, and am currently sitting on my couch in my "fat pants" trying to figure out what I'm going to do with the 56 days of school that we have left!
Happy Easter everyone!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Lucky Me!
I wanted to write and tell you some HUGE lie since it's April 1, but since that drives me crazy I'll pass.
I woke up early to drive my brother to the airport. I don't understand why it is that everyone I love decides to fly out at the crack of dawn! Ugh. I hate driving to the airport, and I hate it even more at 4 or 5 am.
When I got home I took a quick nap then met a friend who hasn't met Denali yet. I had offered to drive her out to the barn, if she didn't mind stopping at the tack store first. I wanted to pick up a new bit for Denali and the tack store was having a 14% off sale (not a typo, it was their anniversary.) I entered my name in their drawing, bought a french link, loose ring snaffle, and then went to the barn.
The other trainer was riding Denali today. She was going really well. She was so light in the bridle and looked amazing, apparently a huge improvement from Tuesday. I hope she likes her new bit, we'll see!
Still trying to find money to do the shots. I went through some of my stuff that I don't use and plan to sell it either on craigslist or on eBay. I love selling stuff, but I hate answering a bazillion questions! I actually got paid extra for some tutoring I did last month, so once I make sure that we have some money in savings I'll get Ms. D the shots. I do feel guilty about not doing it right away, but she doesn't need it right away. At least I think so...
When I got home I got a call from the tack store. I won something! I got my choice, so I took some joint supplements. I don't know anything about them, but if it's not something I can use I'll donate it.
How are everyone's ponies adjusting to Spring where you live?
I woke up early to drive my brother to the airport. I don't understand why it is that everyone I love decides to fly out at the crack of dawn! Ugh. I hate driving to the airport, and I hate it even more at 4 or 5 am.
When I got home I took a quick nap then met a friend who hasn't met Denali yet. I had offered to drive her out to the barn, if she didn't mind stopping at the tack store first. I wanted to pick up a new bit for Denali and the tack store was having a 14% off sale (not a typo, it was their anniversary.) I entered my name in their drawing, bought a french link, loose ring snaffle, and then went to the barn.
The other trainer was riding Denali today. She was going really well. She was so light in the bridle and looked amazing, apparently a huge improvement from Tuesday. I hope she likes her new bit, we'll see!
Still trying to find money to do the shots. I went through some of my stuff that I don't use and plan to sell it either on craigslist or on eBay. I love selling stuff, but I hate answering a bazillion questions! I actually got paid extra for some tutoring I did last month, so once I make sure that we have some money in savings I'll get Ms. D the shots. I do feel guilty about not doing it right away, but she doesn't need it right away. At least I think so...
When I got home I got a call from the tack store. I won something! I got my choice, so I took some joint supplements. I don't know anything about them, but if it's not something I can use I'll donate it.
How are everyone's ponies adjusting to Spring where you live?
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