Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Mail Call
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Loving Lessons!
Sunday I had my second lesson and it was AMAZING. I really wish that I would have found this barn when I first got back into riding. I think I'd be a different person now, but that's why stuff happens I guess. Everything happens for a reason.
I showed up early and noticed the trainer on the horse I rode last week. I figured she had either A. Forgotten about our lesson, or B. Had another lesson going on.
When I got out of the car I got the most enthusiastic hello. She told me that she wanted to get right to work, and she knows that I know how to tack up a horse. It was an awesome lesson. We did a lot of ground work and so much just "clicked" that I always knew how to do, but I learned "why." Hopefully as the lessons go on I'll be able to explain it. We talked about walk departures. She had me just sit on the horse and relax. She'd walk off with Mr. Saint of a horse and we talked about what I felt in my body. She'd ask me to repeat what I felt with my body without her doing anything. It was pretty amazing. This is the one thing that I have never "got" was how to use my body properly.
We ended the lesson by doing a lot of seat work. It was a great lesson. I need to miss this Sunday because I'll have friends in town for a 5k. I am really excited for November 6th.
P.S. Ignore the horse's plea for snacks. She's fine.
I showed up early and noticed the trainer on the horse I rode last week. I figured she had either A. Forgotten about our lesson, or B. Had another lesson going on.
When I got out of the car I got the most enthusiastic hello. She told me that she wanted to get right to work, and she knows that I know how to tack up a horse. It was an awesome lesson. We did a lot of ground work and so much just "clicked" that I always knew how to do, but I learned "why." Hopefully as the lessons go on I'll be able to explain it. We talked about walk departures. She had me just sit on the horse and relax. She'd walk off with Mr. Saint of a horse and we talked about what I felt in my body. She'd ask me to repeat what I felt with my body without her doing anything. It was pretty amazing. This is the one thing that I have never "got" was how to use my body properly.
We ended the lesson by doing a lot of seat work. It was a great lesson. I need to miss this Sunday because I'll have friends in town for a 5k. I am really excited for November 6th.
P.S. Ignore the horse's plea for snacks. She's fine.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Ungrateful Mare
I can't tell if I get depressed and upset in October because traditionally it's when Denali starts to fall apart and something bad happens, or because it's starting to get dark and rainy. I am superstitious. I can't help it.
October 2008 - I am in Denmark, and Denali is living in the shit hole.
October 2009 - Denali diagnosed with EPM ($4,000 in treatment for something she DIDN'T have.)
October 2010 - Denali becomes uncoordinated again and starts tripping again.
See why I'm concerned?
I had a meeting at the center tonight. On my way in I noticed that Denali was in Pasture C (farthest pasture from the barn.) Of course she decided to stand in the mud (when there was an entire pasture of grass.) I think it was for the pity points.
The vet and I had a meeting about Denali. I got the photo the other day of them treating Denali and freaked out when I thought of all the vet bills. We had her on a plan (worked three days a week, Adequan, and body work 2X a month.) I asked the vet if we could spread the bodywork out to once a month for a few months. I got the second job, but won't get paid for that until December. I don't want to owe her a lot of money. Plus there's her Smartpak on top of it. Somethings going to have to give. I can see a difference when she's on it, but still...more $$$.
Oh to have a horse that is sound and sane.
After our meeting I left the barn to go and do some work for school. I stopped at Denali's new pasture to say hi on my way home and got the cold shoulder.
Thanks Denali. I put my heart,soul and every spare penny into you and that's the thanks I get.
October 2008 - I am in Denmark, and Denali is living in the shit hole.
October 2009 - Denali diagnosed with EPM ($4,000 in treatment for something she DIDN'T have.)
October 2010 - Denali becomes uncoordinated again and starts tripping again.
See why I'm concerned?
I had a meeting at the center tonight. On my way in I noticed that Denali was in Pasture C (farthest pasture from the barn.) Of course she decided to stand in the mud (when there was an entire pasture of grass.) I think it was for the pity points.
The vet and I had a meeting about Denali. I got the photo the other day of them treating Denali and freaked out when I thought of all the vet bills. We had her on a plan (worked three days a week, Adequan, and body work 2X a month.) I asked the vet if we could spread the bodywork out to once a month for a few months. I got the second job, but won't get paid for that until December. I don't want to owe her a lot of money. Plus there's her Smartpak on top of it. Somethings going to have to give. I can see a difference when she's on it, but still...more $$$.
Oh to have a horse that is sound and sane.
After our meeting I left the barn to go and do some work for school. I stopped at Denali's new pasture to say hi on my way home and got the cold shoulder.
Thanks Denali. I put my heart,soul and every spare penny into you and that's the thanks I get.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
How many Vet Techs does it take....
How many Vet techs and Vet Assistants does it take to tend to my horse....
....sigh....
Three, and from the sounds of it a few more would have helped.
Oh Denali, WHY, WHY must you INSIST on being a pain in the ass? Why? Is it because you heard that I got another job to help pay for your vet bills?
DAMN IT!!!!!
It's not as bad as it looks. She has scratches, and they were not getting better, but worse. The vet did some stuff to her legs and they are wrapping her and keeping her in a stall at night (SHE HATES IT!) Damn it Denali!! Do you not remember that I freak out when it's October - January? Please! For ONCE give me a FUCKING BREAK!!! UGH!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Lessons Learned
Today was my first "real" lesson in almost a year. I went to the new barn, with a new trainer and I won't lie that I was nervous as hell. I kept trying to make excuses as to why I shouldn't start taking lessons.
1. Too much money eventually (currently they are free.)
2. I don't own a horse to ride.
3. It takes time that I don't have.
The list goes on (it's a 45 minute ride to the barn.) I finally got to the barn about 10 minutes before my lesson was to start and watched the lesson before mine. I was going to wear my pretty breaches, and beautiful tall boots. Instead I wore my jeans that need patching and my new bog boots (rubber boots.) I realized that I didn't have my helmet. I was a nervous wreck.
MC (The trainer) came out to get me. She is so, so calm that it calms me down (AND I NEED THAT!) We talked again, and she reminded me that she was going to teach me everything as if though I have never touched a horse. Best thing ever.
It was an amazing lesson. I had so many "ah ha" moments that I couldn't help but smile. One thing that I like is that she explains things in a way that I totally get. At one point she reminded me that a horses resting heartbeat is 38-40 beats per minute, and a human's is around 70 (resting.) That automatically a horse will sense that we have a higher heart rate than they do, and that can make them nervous. You take me, who's heart rate skyrockets when I'm nervous and no wonder Denali totally thinks I'm a freak.
After some ground work and explaining MC eventually got me on a horse. It was so relaxing and wonderful, I am glad to be back. I actually left the lesson feeling like I learned something, and less stressed out than I was when I started. It was nice. I also lucked into the 2pm lesson spot on Sunday. Apparently that's a coveted time slot. (So said the woman who's lesson was before mine.) We'll see how it goes, but I am going back next Sunday.
In other news (and I keep forgetting to mention this.) I am unable to post comments on blogs. I haven't been able to for a while, and thought it was a glitch. Has anyone else had this problem? It keeps telling me that "Your current account (xxxxxxxx@gmail.com) does not have access to view this page." Makes me sad. Please don't think that I don't care!! I do a ton, and I wish I could tell you.
ALSO: Thank you to Slbaldwin for my AWESOME award!! I'm glad that we inspire you!! BUT it's ALL of YOU who inspire me! So THANK YOU!!
1. Too much money eventually (currently they are free.)
2. I don't own a horse to ride.
3. It takes time that I don't have.
The list goes on (it's a 45 minute ride to the barn.) I finally got to the barn about 10 minutes before my lesson was to start and watched the lesson before mine. I was going to wear my pretty breaches, and beautiful tall boots. Instead I wore my jeans that need patching and my new bog boots (rubber boots.) I realized that I didn't have my helmet. I was a nervous wreck.
MC (The trainer) came out to get me. She is so, so calm that it calms me down (AND I NEED THAT!) We talked again, and she reminded me that she was going to teach me everything as if though I have never touched a horse. Best thing ever.
It was an amazing lesson. I had so many "ah ha" moments that I couldn't help but smile. One thing that I like is that she explains things in a way that I totally get. At one point she reminded me that a horses resting heartbeat is 38-40 beats per minute, and a human's is around 70 (resting.) That automatically a horse will sense that we have a higher heart rate than they do, and that can make them nervous. You take me, who's heart rate skyrockets when I'm nervous and no wonder Denali totally thinks I'm a freak.
After some ground work and explaining MC eventually got me on a horse. It was so relaxing and wonderful, I am glad to be back. I actually left the lesson feeling like I learned something, and less stressed out than I was when I started. It was nice. I also lucked into the 2pm lesson spot on Sunday. Apparently that's a coveted time slot. (So said the woman who's lesson was before mine.) We'll see how it goes, but I am going back next Sunday.
In other news (and I keep forgetting to mention this.) I am unable to post comments on blogs. I haven't been able to for a while, and thought it was a glitch. Has anyone else had this problem? It keeps telling me that "Your current account (xxxxxxxx@gmail.com) does not have access to view this page." Makes me sad. Please don't think that I don't care!! I do a ton, and I wish I could tell you.
ALSO: Thank you to Slbaldwin for my AWESOME award!! I'm glad that we inspire you!! BUT it's ALL of YOU who inspire me! So THANK YOU!!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Pretty Pony
Some photos of Denali. It's been two years now since our battle has started. Some days it feels like just yesterday, and other days it feels like a lifetime of fighting for her and with her. She's doing well and for that I'm grateful! I won't lie. The past two years, October and November have been horrible and I get really nervous when I think about this year.
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