Just got back from the feed store. A couple of maybes but not enough to bring them home.
1. Collieget dressage. Nice looking saddle, newish, looked to be about right for Lucy. $320, I don't have a dressage girth to try it out with so bringing it home was out of the question.
2. Black endurance saddle. $100 in fairly good condition, but looked not quite right for Lucy's back. Did deffinatly think about brining it home to try, but just wasn't sure enough.
3. New endurance saddle. $525 this was something the feed store had bought, but it was an unusual maker I had never heard of. It was of a very weird design, western type seat with an english type saddle flap. It also was rather heavy!
So now I need to try General Feed and Seed. OR just see about that barefoot chyanne in Santa Cruz.
I won't have enough money for anything though right now since we are not getting paid what we were suppost too! Grrrr!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
The great saddle search!
Yes! The search is on! Its time for a new saddle, oh goody.
So lets look at the options, actauly first I am going to go over what saddles I currently have and what I am going to do with them.
1. Crosby jumping saddle. This was my first saddle, its very wide as it fit my huge WB mare! I really love this saddle but its time for it to go! I will probably see if I can get $200 for it, but I might go lower.
2. Argentina dressage saddle. No brand name. This was Lucy's first saddle and I loved it for trail riding. She grew out of it years ago but I couldn't quite bring myself to give it up. I paid $200 for it and would love to get that same amount or $175.
3. Colleiget AP saddle. An endurance friend gave this to me to fit on an arab that I was working with. I have alway kept it as a backup saddle but its very wide and won't even fit Kezi. I am going to try it on Lu again but will probably give it away on bayEquest.
4. Western saddle. No brand name, was an internet saddle that I bought at Feed and Fuel. I don't think I will be getting rid of this as it is currently the only saddle that fits Lucy, or at least I assume it still fits her. I use a pretty thick pad under it as it tends to sit a little low in front. Its pretty comfy and I like it for picnics and I want Loren to ride in it when I get him on Lucy!
5. Crosby Corinthinan. Becky and I both can see that this saddle is bridging. But I am still unsure if I want to sell it. I truely love this saddle and would like to keep it around for arena work. I might see about having the flocking moved so that it fits better. If I sell it I will ask $300 for it as I bought it for $350.
6. Wintec Endurance Pro. Well since the regular is to narrow and the medium wide pinches I am not sure if I want to try a bigger gullet or not. Quite frankly I have never been anamored with that saddle and would willingly sell it. Its' comfy but just not for me I think. I paid $500 for it and would like to get a similar amount since I haven't used it that much. Even though I bought it for Kezi I don't think I would keep it around for her espeshally since I don't like it that much!
So now on to what saddle to buy!
My options are:
a. buy a used saddle to use until I find just the right saddle to buy.
b. ride in my western while I figure out what saddle to buy and order it.
So either way I have to figure out what saddle I want in the long run. There is of course the option of continueing to switch from saddle to saddle, which might not be such a bad idea. I mean if no saddle is perfect and always has some sort of little defect wouldn't it be better to be continuly changing saddles so that the horses back isn't exposed to one defect all the time?
On the other hand if I keep Lucy fit a well fitting saddle will be fine. Or a treeless may do us quite well for some time.
Lets look at the new saddle options shall we?:
Treeless: I have always been facinated by the treeless saddle. I have riden in a Bob Marshal, although I don't remember it that well I do remember that I didn't like how much saddle was between me and Lucy. From what I understand people who use treeless have not really had many problems with them. I have heard of them slipping and of people finding they don't feel secure enough, but nothing serious to the horse.
What I like: Well they will fit just about any horse, even if the horses back changes. They will not create pressure points on the withers or shoulders. They give the rider more contact with the horse and give more feel.
What I don't like: They don't provide a lot of support for the rider, or for the horses back. I am concerned about the horses back getting sore because the saddle won't take enough of the shock out of the riders movement (i.e posting). I don't like how flat they look on top, like a super wide twist. I also don't like the looks of them! So I am a little pre-occupied with looks!
Conclusion: I think the benifits outweight the risks, but I really need to ride in more to know for sure! Barefoot will be my first choice so hopefully I can try one out! My next choice would be Freeform but its a wee bit expensive!
Flex-Panel:
I think I have more or less decided to not buy one of these, but since I did do research on them I figured I would include them in this post. Essentially Flex-panel saddles are just a regular tree with flexible panels attached to the tree at two points. The point is to have a tradional supportive tree for the rider but for the part that comes into contact with the horse to be flexibe so that there are no pressure points.
What I like: Well the idea is great, that the panels will move with the horse as it moves and as it changes shape and grows.
What I don't like: The makers of these saddles admit that the saddles will not hold a vary larg person or else the panels can bend down placing pressure directly on the horses back. Oviously for me this is not an issue, but it concerns me that its that flimsy. I am not sure I want to put that saddle on my horse for a 50 mile ride. Also with a tree and exta panels there is going to be way too much stuff inbetween me and my horse.
Conclussion: I will not be buying a flex-panel saddle! Oh and they are way to damn expensive!
Adjustible saddles:
So the adjustible saddles can mostly adjust the gullet and the tree width as well as the seat from what I understand. Some of these saddles can be adjusted by the rider and some have to be sent in to be adjusted.
What I like: I like the idea of a traditional tree that is adjustable. It makes the most sence, I even like them more then the wintec since more then just the gullet is adjustable.
What I don't like: First of all they are incredibly expensive! The other big thing I don't like is that you have to send the saddle in for some of the adjustments. Not only does this take time out of training, but it also can't be precise if the saddle is not be adjusted to the horses back.
Conclusion: I might be more into one if they weren't so damn expensive! I do really like the looks of the sommers though!
Custom:
Oviously custom would be a nice, albeit expensive, solution for a treed saddle. I have read that you need to do your research before ordering a custom saddle as a lot of custom saddle makers use standard trees thereby not really making the saddle custom at all.
What I like: Fit exactly to my horse, I could get my traditional tree in a perfect fit (at the time of purchase anyway!)
What I dont' like: Mostly price, but I am also concerned about finding a good company what will make it truely custom and what that is going to cost me.
Traditional trooper saddle:
I am very intersted in getting a tradional trooper saddle. Oviously this would mean a traditional tree, but I think if I am going to go with a traditional tree I want a trooper saddle.
What I like: I think they look very comfy and secure. Plus they are just super pretty!
What I don't like: I am unsure about where the stirrups put your leg. I have to have a balanced seat or else I will be sore. And of course the traditional tree!
Links to saddle I am interested in:
Treeless:
Barefoot tahoe classic:
http://www.barefootsaddles.net/english.htm
Freeform:
http://www.freeformusa.com/freeform.html#end%20home
Black Forest:
http://www.blackforestsaddles.com/saddles.html
Flex-panel:
Ameri-Flex:
http://www.american-flex.com/
Ortho-Flex:
http://www.ortho-flex.com/
Boz:
http://www.bozsaddlery.com/
Adjustible saddles:
Sommers:
http://www.horsesdacor.com/HorsesDacor/catalog/Saddles.shtml
Reactor-panel:
http://www.reactorpanel.com/
Specialized saddle:
http://specializedsaddles.com/new/
Custom:
Synergist:
http://www.synergistsaddles.com/
Sharon Saare:
http://www.sharonsaaresaddles.com/
Kanavy:
http://www.kanavyendurance.com/
Trooper saddles:
Tarpin Hill:
http://www.tarpinhill.net/saddle.htm
Heskett:
http://www.heskettsaddleworks.com/index.html
Tucker:
http://www.tuckersaddles.com/
So I am off to the local feed store to see what I can find!!!!
So lets look at the options, actauly first I am going to go over what saddles I currently have and what I am going to do with them.
1. Crosby jumping saddle. This was my first saddle, its very wide as it fit my huge WB mare! I really love this saddle but its time for it to go! I will probably see if I can get $200 for it, but I might go lower.
2. Argentina dressage saddle. No brand name. This was Lucy's first saddle and I loved it for trail riding. She grew out of it years ago but I couldn't quite bring myself to give it up. I paid $200 for it and would love to get that same amount or $175.
3. Colleiget AP saddle. An endurance friend gave this to me to fit on an arab that I was working with. I have alway kept it as a backup saddle but its very wide and won't even fit Kezi. I am going to try it on Lu again but will probably give it away on bayEquest.
4. Western saddle. No brand name, was an internet saddle that I bought at Feed and Fuel. I don't think I will be getting rid of this as it is currently the only saddle that fits Lucy, or at least I assume it still fits her. I use a pretty thick pad under it as it tends to sit a little low in front. Its pretty comfy and I like it for picnics and I want Loren to ride in it when I get him on Lucy!
5. Crosby Corinthinan. Becky and I both can see that this saddle is bridging. But I am still unsure if I want to sell it. I truely love this saddle and would like to keep it around for arena work. I might see about having the flocking moved so that it fits better. If I sell it I will ask $300 for it as I bought it for $350.
6. Wintec Endurance Pro. Well since the regular is to narrow and the medium wide pinches I am not sure if I want to try a bigger gullet or not. Quite frankly I have never been anamored with that saddle and would willingly sell it. Its' comfy but just not for me I think. I paid $500 for it and would like to get a similar amount since I haven't used it that much. Even though I bought it for Kezi I don't think I would keep it around for her espeshally since I don't like it that much!
So now on to what saddle to buy!
My options are:
a. buy a used saddle to use until I find just the right saddle to buy.
b. ride in my western while I figure out what saddle to buy and order it.
So either way I have to figure out what saddle I want in the long run. There is of course the option of continueing to switch from saddle to saddle, which might not be such a bad idea. I mean if no saddle is perfect and always has some sort of little defect wouldn't it be better to be continuly changing saddles so that the horses back isn't exposed to one defect all the time?
On the other hand if I keep Lucy fit a well fitting saddle will be fine. Or a treeless may do us quite well for some time.
Lets look at the new saddle options shall we?:
Treeless: I have always been facinated by the treeless saddle. I have riden in a Bob Marshal, although I don't remember it that well I do remember that I didn't like how much saddle was between me and Lucy. From what I understand people who use treeless have not really had many problems with them. I have heard of them slipping and of people finding they don't feel secure enough, but nothing serious to the horse.
What I like: Well they will fit just about any horse, even if the horses back changes. They will not create pressure points on the withers or shoulders. They give the rider more contact with the horse and give more feel.
What I don't like: They don't provide a lot of support for the rider, or for the horses back. I am concerned about the horses back getting sore because the saddle won't take enough of the shock out of the riders movement (i.e posting). I don't like how flat they look on top, like a super wide twist. I also don't like the looks of them! So I am a little pre-occupied with looks!
Conclusion: I think the benifits outweight the risks, but I really need to ride in more to know for sure! Barefoot will be my first choice so hopefully I can try one out! My next choice would be Freeform but its a wee bit expensive!
Flex-Panel:
I think I have more or less decided to not buy one of these, but since I did do research on them I figured I would include them in this post. Essentially Flex-panel saddles are just a regular tree with flexible panels attached to the tree at two points. The point is to have a tradional supportive tree for the rider but for the part that comes into contact with the horse to be flexibe so that there are no pressure points.
What I like: Well the idea is great, that the panels will move with the horse as it moves and as it changes shape and grows.
What I don't like: The makers of these saddles admit that the saddles will not hold a vary larg person or else the panels can bend down placing pressure directly on the horses back. Oviously for me this is not an issue, but it concerns me that its that flimsy. I am not sure I want to put that saddle on my horse for a 50 mile ride. Also with a tree and exta panels there is going to be way too much stuff inbetween me and my horse.
Conclussion: I will not be buying a flex-panel saddle! Oh and they are way to damn expensive!
Adjustible saddles:
So the adjustible saddles can mostly adjust the gullet and the tree width as well as the seat from what I understand. Some of these saddles can be adjusted by the rider and some have to be sent in to be adjusted.
What I like: I like the idea of a traditional tree that is adjustable. It makes the most sence, I even like them more then the wintec since more then just the gullet is adjustable.
What I don't like: First of all they are incredibly expensive! The other big thing I don't like is that you have to send the saddle in for some of the adjustments. Not only does this take time out of training, but it also can't be precise if the saddle is not be adjusted to the horses back.
Conclusion: I might be more into one if they weren't so damn expensive! I do really like the looks of the sommers though!
Custom:
Oviously custom would be a nice, albeit expensive, solution for a treed saddle. I have read that you need to do your research before ordering a custom saddle as a lot of custom saddle makers use standard trees thereby not really making the saddle custom at all.
What I like: Fit exactly to my horse, I could get my traditional tree in a perfect fit (at the time of purchase anyway!)
What I dont' like: Mostly price, but I am also concerned about finding a good company what will make it truely custom and what that is going to cost me.
Traditional trooper saddle:
I am very intersted in getting a tradional trooper saddle. Oviously this would mean a traditional tree, but I think if I am going to go with a traditional tree I want a trooper saddle.
What I like: I think they look very comfy and secure. Plus they are just super pretty!
What I don't like: I am unsure about where the stirrups put your leg. I have to have a balanced seat or else I will be sore. And of course the traditional tree!
Links to saddle I am interested in:
Treeless:
Barefoot tahoe classic:
http://www.barefootsaddles.net/english.htm
Freeform:
http://www.freeformusa.com/freeform.html#end%20home
Black Forest:
http://www.blackforestsaddles.com/saddles.html
Flex-panel:
Ameri-Flex:
http://www.american-flex.com/
Ortho-Flex:
http://www.ortho-flex.com/
Boz:
http://www.bozsaddlery.com/
Adjustible saddles:
Sommers:
http://www.horsesdacor.com/HorsesDacor/catalog/Saddles.shtml
Reactor-panel:
http://www.reactorpanel.com/
Specialized saddle:
http://specializedsaddles.com/new/
Custom:
Synergist:
http://www.synergistsaddles.com/
Sharon Saare:
http://www.sharonsaaresaddles.com/
Kanavy:
http://www.kanavyendurance.com/
Trooper saddles:
Tarpin Hill:
http://www.tarpinhill.net/saddle.htm
Heskett:
http://www.heskettsaddleworks.com/index.html
Tucker:
http://www.tuckersaddles.com/
So I am off to the local feed store to see what I can find!!!!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Wednsday ride plus some extra Kezi goodies!
So we had another nice ride yesterday. My goal was Chalk Mountain but we come about a mile short of that, I didn't want to waste all of Lucy's energy on the way out since we still had to go home plus it was getting late.
She did quite well keeping up a trotting rythem. She did get a little tired on the way back and didn't want to trot much. We went roughly 10.3 miles, but I am unsure on the exact distance since my GPS didn't pick up a signal until about a mile up the trail. It took us 3 hours, at an average speed of 2.9 mph, which I think might be a little off. So our average was probably more like 3.3mph.
It was a an amazing night! The fog was just rolling in when we headed out so the sun seemed more soft and clearer!
Here is the link to our ride, I will be putting it up on my rides list as well:
I changed the gullet on my Wintec to the medium wide and now it is pinching her just behind the withers. I am so fed up with treed saddles!!! If I am not careful I will spend all my money when I get it back from my dad on a barefoot, not that that would be the end of the world, but I do need to pay for everyones shots and teeth floating. This is the one time of the year when I truely do feel like I own four horses! Mini's shots do not cost any less!
I also need to buy Lucy's boots since I feel like I don't want to chance her getting another bruise before Fireworks, BUT Luke won't be able to come out until next week, which I kinda expected but I am non to pleased about.
Sometime this weekend I will try to get to the tack stores and see what they have in the way of saddles, I might buy a cheepy that fits her for now so I can continue to train for fireworks.
So I quick Kezi update:
She has not been herself lately, much more dejected and less energetic. I feel bad for her stuck in that paddock but its for her own good. I feel like we could be really close to her repairing whatever is wrong with her leg. Right now she shows very few signs of lameness, but her hoof is still less flared then the other indicating that she is putting a lot less weight on it.
Some days I feel like with time and healing she will be ok and be sound, and other days I feel like she will never quite get over what is wrong.
Patients will be my best friend for her!
Work sucks! I can only just remember a time when I enjoyed going to work! This week has been the week from hell! I have been super jittery all week and am always tired! But it should get better soon. I hope.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Endurance Training seminar
So we are back from our seminar! Well ok it was only one day long, but it was way fun! Since I am a very through person (in other words I have a lot of spare time at work and conviently sit in front of a computer with internet!) I have already spent a good amount of time researching endurance and all that goes with it. Therefore, there wasn't much new stuff said by the speakers. All though one thing Julie Suhr said did stand out, she said that crossing the finish line at an endurance ride is like the scene in Rocky where he runs to the top of the stairs and raises his arms up in celebration, she said in endurance we would all get our rocky moments. It was a really nice feeling to come away with! After the talks we went into groups and went for our rides. I chose the the six mile ride because they weren't going to trot up any hills and I felt it would be better to be safe then sorry with Lucy. I think thought that in the end we would have done just fine in the eight mile ride.
And just why would I have done better in the eight mile ride? Because Lucy walked about twice as fast as our group leaders horse and so for the first half of the ride I was constantly pulling Lucy in to keep her from trampling the horses in front of us or passing them on the side of the trail. I felt really bad for her since I never hold her back and always allow her normal speed which isn't excessive at all. She also got a little nervous whenever stoped for the first mile or so, which we had to do at a stream crossing because the woman in front of me had a little arab gelding that would jump the stream and she wasn't comforitable with it. But she didn't get off before he started getting tense and wanting to jump over it which made Lucy tense and then when he did jump it he got loose and ran up the trail a few yards which really freaked Lucy out. Luckly though when I got her moving she settled down and went across the stream fine.
When we trotted the leader chose a really slow 5 mph trot that poor Lucy didn't know what to do with. I have never trained her to collect up and trot slower and she never trots slower then 8mph, so she would trot up to the horse in front of us then walk, then trot and so on.
Finally near the observation deck the leader said that I could go out in front if I liked and they would catch up, I think she could see I was having problems keeping Lucy behind the other horses but that she wasn't jigging or anything it was just her natural walk. Once we got ahead Lucy was very happy and also more then willing to leave the other horses behind if neccisary, but the other QH mare, Vanna, got attached to Lucy and also walked fast so she came and joined us in front.
Once we were in front Lucy also was much more willing to trot slower for me. Evententually the woman with the little white arab gelding also joined us since her horse was nervous and jigging. But Lucy still needed to be in front. I don't know if its Lucy's natural way to be the leader or if its just years of being ridden alone that made her that way, but I don't mind it in the least. I would like her to liston to me and slow down when stuck behind slow horses but I don't think she needs to be made to do it all the time, I like her wanting to be the horse out in front. It certainly could make her a very competitive endurance horse. Although I never entered this sport intending on being competitive, I am very competitive myself and if I am on a horse that is also I could end up riding to win sometimes.
The best part of the day was when we got back and everything was done with (oh she did great on her vet checks health wise, but needs to be better about letting the vet test her capillary refill time, I think I will have Loren help me with that) I got to have a lovely chat with Becky Glaser. I had been wanting to talk with her anyway since she lives on the other side of Big Basin so we could ride together.
Anyway we mostly talked about Lucy, she wanted to know what her breeding was, and about her illness and if she could do a 50 miler and her saddle fit. Becky talked me into doing the 25 miler at the Fireworks in 4 weeks! I am very excited! Expect we also found that her saddle isn't fitting her right, but since I have a wintec the wider gullet should have it fitting her fine again. I will change it out and try it out on Wednesday when I ride ( I have a new strict training schedule to stick to if I am going to enter Fireworks) so hopefully I won't also have to buy a new saddle soon!
After Fireworks I am considering Shine and Shine only, then Colero Classic both of with are in San Jose and therefore not to far away, that makes going so much less scary! Then if all goes well the Cuneo multiday where I would hopefully ride the 25 both days and see how she does so I can make plans as far as a 50 miler next year.
Its all so very exciting! Although my sister reminded me today about teaching Lucy to drive, so I can't forget about doing that this summer! But it makes it easier since I am currently teaching Sassy to drive as well.
So as of right now I am riding Lucy on a 10ish mile ride on Wednesdays where I ask for a little bit of trot depending on how she feels, then a 10 + ride on the weekend where we mostly walk, and then a 5 + ride during the week after work that I make more intense either with lots of trot and canter or hillwork. Oh and of course I will need to be getting out self to excersise, because well I need it! HAHA!
Pretty soon I would like to start riding from Cloverdale (butano fire road) to home as it's a great ride and I would like to know the distance.
Well that's all for now folks!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Wednesday ride
Well lets start with the simple stuff, it was a lovey day, wonderful weather I wore a tank top the whole time! It was sunny and beautiful out on the ridge. And I had a very good ride!
So lets try to break it down into sections so its easier to read:
General info on ride:
Unfortunitly I don't have all the general info on the ride since my GPS crashed when I tryed to take a picture on the way back!! It had said previously to that that my ride had been close to 9 miles but I belive it to be over 10. I went at least 2 miles further then the last time I rode up there and that time my GPS had said I had went 7 miles, so my ride should have been around 11 miles. Our average speed was 3.3 miles per hour, but I think that is mostly because Lucy went so slow down hills that her trotting didn't make much of a difference, also I am not entirely convinced that thing is always right! I parked at my gate, walked Lucy up Gazos and then road out Johannsons. My goal was to reach China Grade before turning around, but I am happy with our ride.
Lucy's Fitness:
Lucy's fitness was good. She got pretty out of breat going up Gazos but did ok with me walking. It seemed like the more we trotted the better she did even though it was off and on. I don't think she could have gone a lot further, at least not without a rest first. I chose Johannson because of its soft terrian for Lucy's hooves but forgot that it tends to be more up and down then the other roads, so it was a littel bit of a harder ride because of that. We had to walk most of the ups and downs and only trot on flatish areas.
Lucy's hooves:
At first on Gazos she was having a hard time, tripping a bit over the large rocks, but after we got past those she did absolutly fine not an issue at all. Of course I did pick Johannens because of its soft terrain.
Lucy's attitude:
Well, um.... Cough, Cough.... .... Lucy was her normal bitchy self! She kept finding reasons to turn around and kept acting like she was all tired but then would spooked at me coughing! We did finally agree on our old standby, Lucy walks down all hills unless I say otherwise, then picks up the trot on her own on flats and slight uphills, sometimes she chooses to trot up a hill and I will be ok with it, sometime I am not and sometime I ask her to trot up the hill when she chooses not to. It was a little bit more trotting then I have asked her to do in a while, but it was pretty low key, no steep hills or extended periods at the trot. I am pretty sure that Lucy just needs to get out on the trail and be made to go farther distances and at higher speeds to reconcile herself to it and start enjoying it. Oviously if she can't find a way to enjoy our rides I will have to retire her from any endurance, but I would like to give her a shot since I know she could be an excellent endurance horse if she could just like it.
Rider fitness:
Its funny that this should come up during my ride since Mel just put up a post about it. After reading the blog she linked I do and don't agree. I do agree that riders (particularly endurance riders) should be in good shape. I do agree that endurance riders should be able to get off and run with their horses for a while. But I do not agree that in order to be a good partner that the rider needs to be in almost as good of shape as the horse. A partnership is created because each half has a talent but needs the other halfs talent to do what they want. In this case its the horses job to carry the rider to the end of the ride, the riders job is to make sure the horse is properly prepared for that ride, properly outfitted (saddle and bridal), properly hydrated, properly shod (or booted), properly fed, keeping a good pace and keeping the horses sprits up. If both parts of the partnership could do the same thing, what would be the point of the partnership?
This came up during my ride becuase I get off and walk Lucy up and down Gazos. This is a steep 2 mile stretch that takes us to the top of the ridge. Its not that steep, but it helps Lucy that I get off and walk. I have found that Lucy does really well with me on the ground. The problem? I am not a runner! I can walk up any hill and walk just about anywhere, but I CANNOT run! I am not in wonderful shape (even though I do look it!) but neither am I in bad shape, but when I run within 20 seconds I feel like I am going to stop breathing and that my legs are going to fall off! I just don't run!
Oviously this has to change! I had started running with Lucy in the mornings, what we really did is I would run until I felt like dieing, walked until I no longer felt like dieing then would run again and so on and so forth, but lately I have been too tired to get up early in the morning for these runs ( my job has been overly stressful). I also need to be taking Kezi out for walks (who by the way is very happily not lame currently, and has been that way since early May) which would help me prepare for running. But any way I look at it, I don't like to run! But I will do what I must do!
Overall assesment:
I am still not sure what my overall assesment is. I think she will be absolutly fine at the clinic this weekend, but beyond that I don't know. If I keep on top of a clear conditioning rutine, I think we could do the July 18th ride, which would be the best to actaully get me into doing endurance. I picked out a couple other rides to consider, but the thing that is so great about the Fireworks is a) I will have been to the camp after this weekend b) I will have met several people who will be riding in it this weekend and the ride manager and c) its not that far away from home so I will only have to camp one night, plus being closer to home is less scary!
If I can get Lucy on board with wanting to be out there doing endurance then I think we will do great, but there is no way I can push her to do something she doesn't want to do. And if that is the case then everything lays with Kezi, who's recovery is still very unsure.
Only time will tell but I sincerly hope I can do endurance with Lucy, she would just be so good!!
So lets try to break it down into sections so its easier to read:
General info on ride:
Unfortunitly I don't have all the general info on the ride since my GPS crashed when I tryed to take a picture on the way back!! It had said previously to that that my ride had been close to 9 miles but I belive it to be over 10. I went at least 2 miles further then the last time I rode up there and that time my GPS had said I had went 7 miles, so my ride should have been around 11 miles. Our average speed was 3.3 miles per hour, but I think that is mostly because Lucy went so slow down hills that her trotting didn't make much of a difference, also I am not entirely convinced that thing is always right! I parked at my gate, walked Lucy up Gazos and then road out Johannsons. My goal was to reach China Grade before turning around, but I am happy with our ride.
Lucy's Fitness:
Lucy's fitness was good. She got pretty out of breat going up Gazos but did ok with me walking. It seemed like the more we trotted the better she did even though it was off and on. I don't think she could have gone a lot further, at least not without a rest first. I chose Johannson because of its soft terrian for Lucy's hooves but forgot that it tends to be more up and down then the other roads, so it was a littel bit of a harder ride because of that. We had to walk most of the ups and downs and only trot on flatish areas.
Lucy's hooves:
At first on Gazos she was having a hard time, tripping a bit over the large rocks, but after we got past those she did absolutly fine not an issue at all. Of course I did pick Johannens because of its soft terrain.
Lucy's attitude:
Well, um.... Cough, Cough.... .... Lucy was her normal bitchy self! She kept finding reasons to turn around and kept acting like she was all tired but then would spooked at me coughing! We did finally agree on our old standby, Lucy walks down all hills unless I say otherwise, then picks up the trot on her own on flats and slight uphills, sometimes she chooses to trot up a hill and I will be ok with it, sometime I am not and sometime I ask her to trot up the hill when she chooses not to. It was a little bit more trotting then I have asked her to do in a while, but it was pretty low key, no steep hills or extended periods at the trot. I am pretty sure that Lucy just needs to get out on the trail and be made to go farther distances and at higher speeds to reconcile herself to it and start enjoying it. Oviously if she can't find a way to enjoy our rides I will have to retire her from any endurance, but I would like to give her a shot since I know she could be an excellent endurance horse if she could just like it.
Rider fitness:
Its funny that this should come up during my ride since Mel just put up a post about it. After reading the blog she linked I do and don't agree. I do agree that riders (particularly endurance riders) should be in good shape. I do agree that endurance riders should be able to get off and run with their horses for a while. But I do not agree that in order to be a good partner that the rider needs to be in almost as good of shape as the horse. A partnership is created because each half has a talent but needs the other halfs talent to do what they want. In this case its the horses job to carry the rider to the end of the ride, the riders job is to make sure the horse is properly prepared for that ride, properly outfitted (saddle and bridal), properly hydrated, properly shod (or booted), properly fed, keeping a good pace and keeping the horses sprits up. If both parts of the partnership could do the same thing, what would be the point of the partnership?
This came up during my ride becuase I get off and walk Lucy up and down Gazos. This is a steep 2 mile stretch that takes us to the top of the ridge. Its not that steep, but it helps Lucy that I get off and walk. I have found that Lucy does really well with me on the ground. The problem? I am not a runner! I can walk up any hill and walk just about anywhere, but I CANNOT run! I am not in wonderful shape (even though I do look it!) but neither am I in bad shape, but when I run within 20 seconds I feel like I am going to stop breathing and that my legs are going to fall off! I just don't run!
Oviously this has to change! I had started running with Lucy in the mornings, what we really did is I would run until I felt like dieing, walked until I no longer felt like dieing then would run again and so on and so forth, but lately I have been too tired to get up early in the morning for these runs ( my job has been overly stressful). I also need to be taking Kezi out for walks (who by the way is very happily not lame currently, and has been that way since early May) which would help me prepare for running. But any way I look at it, I don't like to run! But I will do what I must do!
Overall assesment:
I am still not sure what my overall assesment is. I think she will be absolutly fine at the clinic this weekend, but beyond that I don't know. If I keep on top of a clear conditioning rutine, I think we could do the July 18th ride, which would be the best to actaully get me into doing endurance. I picked out a couple other rides to consider, but the thing that is so great about the Fireworks is a) I will have been to the camp after this weekend b) I will have met several people who will be riding in it this weekend and the ride manager and c) its not that far away from home so I will only have to camp one night, plus being closer to home is less scary!
If I can get Lucy on board with wanting to be out there doing endurance then I think we will do great, but there is no way I can push her to do something she doesn't want to do. And if that is the case then everything lays with Kezi, who's recovery is still very unsure.
Only time will tell but I sincerly hope I can do endurance with Lucy, she would just be so good!!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Will there be rides for us this year?
Well actually there might!! I am going to the training seminar this weekend (I am so glad I just did it and am now going, I have a hard time comitting to those kinds of things) and I might just be laying plans for a few LDs this summer!
I will deffinatly update! Tomorrow I am finally going to take Lucy out on a real training ride. I havent' been able to in a while and am veyr excited to see how she does after a couple weeks off (well a couple weeks of shorter rides anyway) and now that she seems to be back to her old energy level.
I will deffinatly update! Tomorrow I am finally going to take Lucy out on a real training ride. I havent' been able to in a while and am veyr excited to see how she does after a couple weeks off (well a couple weeks of shorter rides anyway) and now that she seems to be back to her old energy level.
Monday, June 15, 2009
By far the best ride of the year!
..... And, Eeek, scariest too! Hehe!
Ok, so I have to relate my whole weekend to make the ride seem that much more interesting, but I promise I will get to the ride!
So I was planning on going for hay on Sat, but then my dad got up late and had to leave right away to go to his CRFG meeting, so we couldn't unload the stove that was in the back of my truck. So I had to postpone getting hay till Sunday, which was already very busy. I still hadn't been sure when I was going to fit my ride in, but then it seemed ovious that I should ride on Sat, until I remembered that I couldn't trailer becuase of the stove. I considered riding Lucy out from home, but I decided that would be too much for her(lots of steep hills on rocky surfaces). So Loren convinced me that we needed to go to town to figure out my problems with my wow account (I haven't been able access my account since Wednesday), which was really just a ploy to get me to town so he could play wow himself! Ahaha!
So on Sunday I got up and fed early, for a Sunday, and waited for my dad to get up so we could unload the stove. We were unable to get out of the house until 11am, so we were later then we should have been considering all we had to do. What was all we had to do?
Drive a hour or more to get the hay in San Jose.
Drive the hour or more back to town.
Clean the tower.
Eat lunch.
Drive home and unload 12 bales of hay.
Hook the trailer up.
Load Lucy(kinda cute story there!)
Drop Loren off in town.
Go to Carolyns and work with Sassy.
Go back to town and get my phone from Loren.
Go for my ride.
Wow I'm tired just typing it all out!
So ok, we left town at 11am, and I got out on the trail at 8pm! And there was little relaxing inbetween! Yes, I am very tired today!
Cute story concerning Lucy and Loren:
So Loren volunteered to walk Lucy down the hill to the trailer while I drove the truck down and hooked it up ( I am much better at this then him). I was a little suprised but Loren secretly likes Lucy, I will make him ride her someday when I am riding Kezi! So I hooked the trailer up, and just as I was finishing I see Lucy and Loren come around the corner on the road, trotting down the hill! They both looked perfectly ok with the situation and I found out from Loren that it was really neither ones choice to trot, Lucy was just eager to find me and he kept walking faster until they were trotting. It was very cute!
Cute story concerning Lucy and Nachos (or how Lucy got a shadow):
No, nachos is a colt. A super cute Pally Mustang colt! When I arrived at Carolyns it was fairly chaos, which is pretty normal. Apperently Nachos moms had wanted to turn him out in the arena with Gizzy (very cute TB mule) and Sassy (the vanner I am working with) because they are both young and playful. Well as far as I can tell Gizzy reveled in being able to dominat Nachos and pinned him in a corner. So Gizzy and Sassy were promtly taken out again. When I arrive poor Sassy had been left tied up and had gotten caught up in her lead rope and Gizzy needed to be put back in his pasture. So I rescued Sassy and then put Gizzy away for Carolyn. Then went back to rescue my own horse who was waiting patiently in the trailer. I suggested that if they wanted to turn Nachos out with someone who would be nice to him they could turn him out with Lucy. So we did and Lucy gained her shadow! It was pretty darn cute! He stuck to her like glue, and because both my mares are sluts, she insisted on showing off for him! It didn't matter then he is only a year old!
And now the story of my ride!!!:
I'm actually suprised at how resilant I was about going for my ride. I mean there were plently of times where I could have (and on other occations would have) just decided to go home and ride another day. But no, I was determined to go on my ride. And boy am I glad I did! I learned a lot!
Such as:
Riding at dusk/night is fun!
Riding at dust/night is scary as hell!
That I am a big baby about mountian lions at night
That Lucy is a really good girl at night and does quite well with it
That trotting helps me not think about getting eaten by a moutain lion
And that Lucy is more then capable of trotting a lot more then I have been lately and on harder ground too!
So that gives you a base idea of what happened on our ride! We started out at 8pm, went 30 minutes up the trail (2.27 miles) walking and trotting. And then took 50 minutes to get back down the trail (walking more but still trotting on slight downhills) getting back to the trailer at 9:20! Near the end of the trail it was dark enough that I could no longer distiquish shapes unless they were right in front of us. I decided to trust that Lucy will know if the movement belongs to a harmles dear, or something that wants to eat her. I also trust her to know how to respond to something that wants to eat her. I am also hoping her responce isn't to dump me and run! But I think her responce would be to stand and stare, which I think is what scares me about a mountian lion. I am not actually scared of it eating me or Lucy, but just the thought of coming face to face with one while riding scares me. Or passing one in the night not knowing if it is a mountian lion or not.
I have decided I need to go out for more night time rides to get over my fear of Mountain lions. But I would like to start out earlier in the day next time! Like an hour and a half at least!
So that was my very cool/scary ride! Lucy needs to be going one longer rides with more trot soon. I am have considering talking her on a ride from Cloverdale to home soon.
I think we probably could handle the ride this weekend, I have until Wednesday to sign up, assuming they are not already full!
Ok, so I have to relate my whole weekend to make the ride seem that much more interesting, but I promise I will get to the ride!
So I was planning on going for hay on Sat, but then my dad got up late and had to leave right away to go to his CRFG meeting, so we couldn't unload the stove that was in the back of my truck. So I had to postpone getting hay till Sunday, which was already very busy. I still hadn't been sure when I was going to fit my ride in, but then it seemed ovious that I should ride on Sat, until I remembered that I couldn't trailer becuase of the stove. I considered riding Lucy out from home, but I decided that would be too much for her(lots of steep hills on rocky surfaces). So Loren convinced me that we needed to go to town to figure out my problems with my wow account (I haven't been able access my account since Wednesday), which was really just a ploy to get me to town so he could play wow himself! Ahaha!
So on Sunday I got up and fed early, for a Sunday, and waited for my dad to get up so we could unload the stove. We were unable to get out of the house until 11am, so we were later then we should have been considering all we had to do. What was all we had to do?
Drive a hour or more to get the hay in San Jose.
Drive the hour or more back to town.
Clean the tower.
Eat lunch.
Drive home and unload 12 bales of hay.
Hook the trailer up.
Load Lucy(kinda cute story there!)
Drop Loren off in town.
Go to Carolyns and work with Sassy.
Go back to town and get my phone from Loren.
Go for my ride.
Wow I'm tired just typing it all out!
So ok, we left town at 11am, and I got out on the trail at 8pm! And there was little relaxing inbetween! Yes, I am very tired today!
Cute story concerning Lucy and Loren:
So Loren volunteered to walk Lucy down the hill to the trailer while I drove the truck down and hooked it up ( I am much better at this then him). I was a little suprised but Loren secretly likes Lucy, I will make him ride her someday when I am riding Kezi! So I hooked the trailer up, and just as I was finishing I see Lucy and Loren come around the corner on the road, trotting down the hill! They both looked perfectly ok with the situation and I found out from Loren that it was really neither ones choice to trot, Lucy was just eager to find me and he kept walking faster until they were trotting. It was very cute!
Cute story concerning Lucy and Nachos (or how Lucy got a shadow):
No, nachos is a colt. A super cute Pally Mustang colt! When I arrived at Carolyns it was fairly chaos, which is pretty normal. Apperently Nachos moms had wanted to turn him out in the arena with Gizzy (very cute TB mule) and Sassy (the vanner I am working with) because they are both young and playful. Well as far as I can tell Gizzy reveled in being able to dominat Nachos and pinned him in a corner. So Gizzy and Sassy were promtly taken out again. When I arrive poor Sassy had been left tied up and had gotten caught up in her lead rope and Gizzy needed to be put back in his pasture. So I rescued Sassy and then put Gizzy away for Carolyn. Then went back to rescue my own horse who was waiting patiently in the trailer. I suggested that if they wanted to turn Nachos out with someone who would be nice to him they could turn him out with Lucy. So we did and Lucy gained her shadow! It was pretty darn cute! He stuck to her like glue, and because both my mares are sluts, she insisted on showing off for him! It didn't matter then he is only a year old!
And now the story of my ride!!!:
I'm actually suprised at how resilant I was about going for my ride. I mean there were plently of times where I could have (and on other occations would have) just decided to go home and ride another day. But no, I was determined to go on my ride. And boy am I glad I did! I learned a lot!
Such as:
Riding at dusk/night is fun!
Riding at dust/night is scary as hell!
That I am a big baby about mountian lions at night
That Lucy is a really good girl at night and does quite well with it
That trotting helps me not think about getting eaten by a moutain lion
And that Lucy is more then capable of trotting a lot more then I have been lately and on harder ground too!
So that gives you a base idea of what happened on our ride! We started out at 8pm, went 30 minutes up the trail (2.27 miles) walking and trotting. And then took 50 minutes to get back down the trail (walking more but still trotting on slight downhills) getting back to the trailer at 9:20! Near the end of the trail it was dark enough that I could no longer distiquish shapes unless they were right in front of us. I decided to trust that Lucy will know if the movement belongs to a harmles dear, or something that wants to eat her. I also trust her to know how to respond to something that wants to eat her. I am also hoping her responce isn't to dump me and run! But I think her responce would be to stand and stare, which I think is what scares me about a mountian lion. I am not actually scared of it eating me or Lucy, but just the thought of coming face to face with one while riding scares me. Or passing one in the night not knowing if it is a mountian lion or not.
I have decided I need to go out for more night time rides to get over my fear of Mountain lions. But I would like to start out earlier in the day next time! Like an hour and a half at least!
So that was my very cool/scary ride! Lucy needs to be going one longer rides with more trot soon. I am have considering talking her on a ride from Cloverdale to home soon.
I think we probably could handle the ride this weekend, I have until Wednesday to sign up, assuming they are not already full!
Friday, June 12, 2009
The in and out horse
Yes its miss Kezi again, here to provide endless amount of entertainment, and give her mom a heartattach. Although at this point I think her mom has gotten used to the fact that she will constently do things that could easily kill her, but other then that one leg she is indestructable!
So what did Miss Kezi do this time? Go on a little adventure of course! And get all the other horses in an uproar as well.
So yesterday by the end of the day I had a horrible headache, one that also makes my stomache ache its so bad. It's been a hard week. Luckly Loren was willing to drive home, or in other words since I cureled up in the passenger seat of my car, he drove home!
We stoped outside of Lucy's pen as usual to say hi to her (why not when her paddock is so conviently close to the driveway?) but she was not interested in seeing me, just looking back up the road. Little did I know she was trying to tell me something.
We parked, I drug myself out of the car and went over to say hi to Kezi. But wait, something was wrong! Kezi had shrunk! Oh no, thats Ollie!! Why is Ollie the only one at the gate!? Whinnying at me too! I walk to the gate, still no Kezi. I tell Loren that I think I am missing a horse, crawl into the paddock and ..... well yeah I was missing a horse. But I know where she is, Lucy was plainly telling me by looking up at the pasture. So I grab her halter and we walk up to the feed area. There is Miss Kezi looking so damn proud of herself, I wish I had a camera, Kezi standing in the middle of the hay with one of the feed containers knocked over (she couldn't get the lid off!!) eating alfalfa was just too cute!
I know how she got out of course, but I am not sure how she got back up to the road. See the lower fence in her paddock has been completly pushed over. She isn't really suppost to be in the paddock but Lucy keeps breaking her fences! I have been counting on the horses remembering that there was once a fence there to keep them in, and since there isn't much of a incentive to go out there (all there is is a bunch of wild berry bushes and then a steep downhill) they hadn't been too inclined to get out.
Anyway, what I can't figure out is how she got back onto the driveway. She either had to fit between the paddock wall and a tree, a space about a foot and a half wide, or jump over a pile of branches about 4 feet high and 5 feet wide (not beyond her skill though) or forge a path through the underbrush down around the trees and back up onto the road. Any one of these possibilies seem unlikely. But she is fine and unhurt and now living in Lucy's paddock, while Lucy is living in her paddock.
Its interesting how many times the horses have escaped since I got Kezi! First Ollie got out to visit Lu and Huck (not sure how or why) then Kezi jumped out of her paddock (the one that Lucy is usually in) to visit Lu and Huck then Lucy broke a fence and Huck got out to eat (Lucy chose to stay in the comfort of her own pasture) and now Kezi just wonders out of her paddock and goes off to eat.
I am suprised that she is still sound and fine after all this. We shall see......
So what did Miss Kezi do this time? Go on a little adventure of course! And get all the other horses in an uproar as well.
So yesterday by the end of the day I had a horrible headache, one that also makes my stomache ache its so bad. It's been a hard week. Luckly Loren was willing to drive home, or in other words since I cureled up in the passenger seat of my car, he drove home!
We stoped outside of Lucy's pen as usual to say hi to her (why not when her paddock is so conviently close to the driveway?) but she was not interested in seeing me, just looking back up the road. Little did I know she was trying to tell me something.
We parked, I drug myself out of the car and went over to say hi to Kezi. But wait, something was wrong! Kezi had shrunk! Oh no, thats Ollie!! Why is Ollie the only one at the gate!? Whinnying at me too! I walk to the gate, still no Kezi. I tell Loren that I think I am missing a horse, crawl into the paddock and ..... well yeah I was missing a horse. But I know where she is, Lucy was plainly telling me by looking up at the pasture. So I grab her halter and we walk up to the feed area. There is Miss Kezi looking so damn proud of herself, I wish I had a camera, Kezi standing in the middle of the hay with one of the feed containers knocked over (she couldn't get the lid off!!) eating alfalfa was just too cute!
I know how she got out of course, but I am not sure how she got back up to the road. See the lower fence in her paddock has been completly pushed over. She isn't really suppost to be in the paddock but Lucy keeps breaking her fences! I have been counting on the horses remembering that there was once a fence there to keep them in, and since there isn't much of a incentive to go out there (all there is is a bunch of wild berry bushes and then a steep downhill) they hadn't been too inclined to get out.
Anyway, what I can't figure out is how she got back onto the driveway. She either had to fit between the paddock wall and a tree, a space about a foot and a half wide, or jump over a pile of branches about 4 feet high and 5 feet wide (not beyond her skill though) or forge a path through the underbrush down around the trees and back up onto the road. Any one of these possibilies seem unlikely. But she is fine and unhurt and now living in Lucy's paddock, while Lucy is living in her paddock.
Its interesting how many times the horses have escaped since I got Kezi! First Ollie got out to visit Lu and Huck (not sure how or why) then Kezi jumped out of her paddock (the one that Lucy is usually in) to visit Lu and Huck then Lucy broke a fence and Huck got out to eat (Lucy chose to stay in the comfort of her own pasture) and now Kezi just wonders out of her paddock and goes off to eat.
I am suprised that she is still sound and fine after all this. We shall see......
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Couple of ideas to mull over
So I took Lu out on a ride on my road last night. We went a little ways down then trotted back up a ways. She got very out of breath, but more importaintly she was not as tender. She did feel flat footed, espeshally when I compared her on the road to her on the softer trail, her trot was a lot more springing on the trail. So I think she is fine for the harder surfaces but only at the walk. And only trotting on flat areas right now, walk all hills.
I still intend on getting her boots. Either the basic easyboot (price) or the easyboot edge (ease of getting on). I thought about getting renagades, but feel like the easyboots look a hell of a lot sturdier. Plus they have expanded and really gone into the endurance field. The only downside is that I like the fact that the renagades still seem to be a small company, and I do like that.
So now I am trying to decide if I want to take her to the endurance training ride next weekend. Lucy will be fine a longer ride, as long as she doesn't have to trot up a lot of hills or go on hard ground. As much as I want to do it and feel like I should since I have a tendency to back out of things I say I want to do because I am afriad to take the plunge, I think it would be better all round for Lucy if we didn't go.
But at least we can start going for longer rides again! YooHoo! I think I discovered something about Lucy. I think she is much happier only going out on two rides per week rather then 4 or 5, even if they are shorter rides. I am trying to get up in the mornings to take her for walks (good for both of us) but I have been having a hard time getting up in the morning. I feel like a lot of it is because of stress from work.
I took Kezi for her first longer walk in a year! I know, its horrible, but to get to the trail we have to go down a very steep hill and I am concerned about her hurting herself going down it. For now I am going to take her out on it a couple times a week and see what happens. She is off the bute so its going to be a very touchy couple of weeks while I look for signs of lameness. Carolyn and I were talking about the possibily of turning her out in her big pasture over the winter, espeshally if she is still lame. I am determined that I am going to get her over this.
I think that her going lame and then sound and back again could be an indication that she is just reinjuring herself over and over again. But then I guess it could also be an injury that never quite goes away but does get a little better. It is very interesting how she seems to go lame on a very regular basis. The time between each bought of lameness is very simiar.
It seem like a lot of good info, but it doesn't tell us diddly squat!
I still intend on getting her boots. Either the basic easyboot (price) or the easyboot edge (ease of getting on). I thought about getting renagades, but feel like the easyboots look a hell of a lot sturdier. Plus they have expanded and really gone into the endurance field. The only downside is that I like the fact that the renagades still seem to be a small company, and I do like that.
So now I am trying to decide if I want to take her to the endurance training ride next weekend. Lucy will be fine a longer ride, as long as she doesn't have to trot up a lot of hills or go on hard ground. As much as I want to do it and feel like I should since I have a tendency to back out of things I say I want to do because I am afriad to take the plunge, I think it would be better all round for Lucy if we didn't go.
But at least we can start going for longer rides again! YooHoo! I think I discovered something about Lucy. I think she is much happier only going out on two rides per week rather then 4 or 5, even if they are shorter rides. I am trying to get up in the mornings to take her for walks (good for both of us) but I have been having a hard time getting up in the morning. I feel like a lot of it is because of stress from work.
I took Kezi for her first longer walk in a year! I know, its horrible, but to get to the trail we have to go down a very steep hill and I am concerned about her hurting herself going down it. For now I am going to take her out on it a couple times a week and see what happens. She is off the bute so its going to be a very touchy couple of weeks while I look for signs of lameness. Carolyn and I were talking about the possibily of turning her out in her big pasture over the winter, espeshally if she is still lame. I am determined that I am going to get her over this.
I think that her going lame and then sound and back again could be an indication that she is just reinjuring herself over and over again. But then I guess it could also be an injury that never quite goes away but does get a little better. It is very interesting how she seems to go lame on a very regular basis. The time between each bought of lameness is very simiar.
It seem like a lot of good info, but it doesn't tell us diddly squat!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Update of lots of little inconsiquental stuff (like how I can't spell!)
Ok lets try and break this into sections:
Horses: I had another very interesting ride on Sunday. Very energetic again. I am adament that I am going to take her on a longer ride this week or this weekend. I ment to do it last weekend but other things got in the way (see following). One thing I wanted to mention because its so amazing. I have a vary steep hill on the road going to my house, I have to go up and down this hill when I ride on my local trail. Last winter when Lucy was very sick she had one of her breathing attacks after just walking up that hill. Only three or four months ago when I started working her again she would get severely out of breath going up the hill and we had to stop several times to make sure she was ok. Now she has so much energy that we trot up the hill only stopping once, briefly, because I like her to catch her breath, but she is only just out of breath at the top.
Its amazing and wonderful for a horse that a lot a people thought would never come back. I mean the nerves going to her airways were paralized to certain extent, and from my mom's sickness I know how long and hard it is to repair nerves, and now they are all fine again. I think she is a super horse!Hehe!
WOW: Yes, I know, playing wow makes me a geek. Or a loser. Or just really need an outlet other then my horses! I think its just because wow is an incredibly addicting game. Just like horses! Anyway I now have three charaters, all named after my animals: Eeli (my dog), Lucy (my horse, because Keziahs name comes from a book that both loren and I read he already has a character named Keziah) and Dieta which is a different spelling for my first horses name (it pronounced Deetah). They are, respectively; a paladin (according to Loren the most unfair class in their abilitlys) a mage (by far my favorite!) and a Priest (they are good healers but die a lot!)
Anway, now I am trying to fit that into my schedule as well!
Oh right, another thing that is horse related. I am working with Sassy, one of my friends horses. She is super cute and lots of fun to work with. She is a Gypsy Vanner/Quarter Horse cross but looks all Vanner. Right now she is just a wee bit overweight (ok I am being nice, she is a tub!) but I think with some ponying off Lu she will lose weight. It will also help that I will be working with her on a regular basis. Right now the plan is to train her to a cart and then Carolyn will send her to someone to be backed. Should be fun!
Horses: I had another very interesting ride on Sunday. Very energetic again. I am adament that I am going to take her on a longer ride this week or this weekend. I ment to do it last weekend but other things got in the way (see following). One thing I wanted to mention because its so amazing. I have a vary steep hill on the road going to my house, I have to go up and down this hill when I ride on my local trail. Last winter when Lucy was very sick she had one of her breathing attacks after just walking up that hill. Only three or four months ago when I started working her again she would get severely out of breath going up the hill and we had to stop several times to make sure she was ok. Now she has so much energy that we trot up the hill only stopping once, briefly, because I like her to catch her breath, but she is only just out of breath at the top.
Its amazing and wonderful for a horse that a lot a people thought would never come back. I mean the nerves going to her airways were paralized to certain extent, and from my mom's sickness I know how long and hard it is to repair nerves, and now they are all fine again. I think she is a super horse!Hehe!
WOW: Yes, I know, playing wow makes me a geek. Or a loser. Or just really need an outlet other then my horses! I think its just because wow is an incredibly addicting game. Just like horses! Anyway I now have three charaters, all named after my animals: Eeli (my dog), Lucy (my horse, because Keziahs name comes from a book that both loren and I read he already has a character named Keziah) and Dieta which is a different spelling for my first horses name (it pronounced Deetah). They are, respectively; a paladin (according to Loren the most unfair class in their abilitlys) a mage (by far my favorite!) and a Priest (they are good healers but die a lot!)
Anway, now I am trying to fit that into my schedule as well!
Oh right, another thing that is horse related. I am working with Sassy, one of my friends horses. She is super cute and lots of fun to work with. She is a Gypsy Vanner/Quarter Horse cross but looks all Vanner. Right now she is just a wee bit overweight (ok I am being nice, she is a tub!) but I think with some ponying off Lu she will lose weight. It will also help that I will be working with her on a regular basis. Right now the plan is to train her to a cart and then Carolyn will send her to someone to be backed. Should be fun!
Friday, June 5, 2009
The big purple elephant in my life
Yep, that is exactly what it is for me, so ovious and unavoidable yet I hate the site of it. If I think about it I will be upset, but I know that I will have to at some point, and so I do. But I never seem to get anywhere with it. One problem is that I am in a continual state of waiting, it seems I am always putting my plans on hold until something else happens or goes away. Or I try to set schedules but can't say when I can actually start them because of this or that.
But I digress. Lets look at the options shall we? Or do I actually have any? I think I do, I can do it all at once like ripping off a band-aide or I can do it partially and then reassess the situation, which in my oppion sounds more painful then just making a clean sweep. Although as of right now my plan for if I would do it isn't exactly a clean sweep either. Its more of a get all the bad blood out but it might come back at some point. But that also gives me the option of brining it back on my own if I find out it wasn't the right choice. But only for that one part, that option wouldn't work for the rest, which is why I have to really be sure that it is the right decition.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Spring cleaning (for my wallet!)
I decided today to make a spreadsheet charting my spending over the last several months and see what I could do to change it, its been hard since I haven't paid Carolyn for a while.
As far as I could see I could free up about $200 if I remember to bring lunch from home and am more careful about spending at the grocery store. I think it would help a lot if I went shopping at Costo, espeshally for lunch stuff.
I have been thinking about cutting back on the horses grain, but since I finally got Lucy where I want her weight wise, I am not sure that is such a great idea.
I have also been thinking about selling Kezi and Ollie, but again not sure that is a great idea. First, who would want Kezi? Second, I do!! Ha! I am so sure that I am going to get to ride her someday that I am determined to find a way to afford her, and make her all better! And Ollie isn't that much of an added expense anyway.
So how am I going to cut back on spending?:
As far as I could see I could free up about $200 if I remember to bring lunch from home and am more careful about spending at the grocery store. I think it would help a lot if I went shopping at Costo, espeshally for lunch stuff.
I have been thinking about cutting back on the horses grain, but since I finally got Lucy where I want her weight wise, I am not sure that is such a great idea.
I have also been thinking about selling Kezi and Ollie, but again not sure that is a great idea. First, who would want Kezi? Second, I do!! Ha! I am so sure that I am going to get to ride her someday that I am determined to find a way to afford her, and make her all better! And Ollie isn't that much of an added expense anyway.
So how am I going to cut back on spending?:
- Shop at costo, or at least try to bring weekly grocery expense under $60 perferably $50
- Don't eat lunch in town or HMB, buy lunch stuff and keep it in barn freezer
- Don't get money out of the ATM, its easier to spend cash on snacks and food then my debit card!
- Potentally cut back on Lucy's grain
Although quite frankly I know that best way to save money, cut loose the jobless boyfriend! It would make my life so much easier if he had a job!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Kezi Lameness chart
I just made this chart of Kezi's lameness ( I downloaded a timeline and was planning on using it to make a timeline for Lucy's conditioning for the summer) and decided to try my hand at publishing it on my blog, this may take a couple trys to get right!
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.1ec3c1a5-53e1-4774-bab3-8e83e6b1d74f&hl=en
Ok so I cannot figure out how to make a title clickable, but then I am the girl who cannot figure out how to post pictures in the middle of a post, rather they all end up at the top! Haha!
Ok lets see if this works!
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.1ec3c1a5-53e1-4774-bab3-8e83e6b1d74f&hl=en
Ok so I cannot figure out how to make a title clickable, but then I am the girl who cannot figure out how to post pictures in the middle of a post, rather they all end up at the top! Haha!
Ok lets see if this works!
Alls quiet on the Western Front
Well the horsey front anyway. As you might have noticed I haven't postsed about riding lately, why? Because I have only riden like twice in the last two weeks! But those two rides are noteworthy. Mostly because they were very exciting and make my current predicament even worse.
So first the bad:
Lucy is still tender on hard rocky ground. So I can only ride her down my trail at home which is like 3 miles round trip. I was very seriously considering trying sole guard on her until she gets trimed and can have boots on, but decided it was too much money to spend right now. So I might order a bottle of durasole and put that on until her trimming.
The good:
Lucy is apperently feeling her oats! I had been commenting to Loren that ever since that ride where she was so off she has been overly spooking (for Lucy) and jumpy and how weird that was. So when I finally took her out on a ride she was very energectic, more like she used to be. Then on Sunday when I rode we had a very eventful ride! I trotted her a bit at first then let her walk, her walk is much more like it used to be, long strided and fast, at the top of hills she would slow down a little bit like "oh yeah I'm kinda tired!" but then resume her faster speed. We rode past the Y and down the hill, where she really wanted to go faster. On the way back up I decided to trot her up and see how far she could go without losing momentum. At first she didn't want to trot, then she did then she cantered then she bucked, but not a serious buck! So then we made a wide turn at the trot and she wanted to go faster on the straight and got upset when I wouldnt' let her and bucked again. If Lucy didnt' have such wussy bucks it might have been a problem! But as it is even when she is really mad her bucks are not that big. Anyway I made her walk back which didn't take a lot of time since she had so much energy.
So now I am really annoyed because she finally has the energy for longer rides but because of her hooves she can't go on any of the trails that are longer! Grrr!
I might take her up my main trail this weekend and see how she does, if she does ok walking on the sides of the road up Gazos I can ride her up Johansons quite a ways since that is softer ground.
Luckly I haven't been too bored with all this time of no riding because Loren got me into wow. I know, I cannot belive it, its horrible. Although I am going to make my summer schedule up today and it might turn out that I do not have enough time for it. Loren will be disapointed though, and I really should have something outside of horses that I am into. I can't really play it much until I get my new computer, so for now I am playing on Lorens.
So first the bad:
Lucy is still tender on hard rocky ground. So I can only ride her down my trail at home which is like 3 miles round trip. I was very seriously considering trying sole guard on her until she gets trimed and can have boots on, but decided it was too much money to spend right now. So I might order a bottle of durasole and put that on until her trimming.
The good:
Lucy is apperently feeling her oats! I had been commenting to Loren that ever since that ride where she was so off she has been overly spooking (for Lucy) and jumpy and how weird that was. So when I finally took her out on a ride she was very energectic, more like she used to be. Then on Sunday when I rode we had a very eventful ride! I trotted her a bit at first then let her walk, her walk is much more like it used to be, long strided and fast, at the top of hills she would slow down a little bit like "oh yeah I'm kinda tired!" but then resume her faster speed. We rode past the Y and down the hill, where she really wanted to go faster. On the way back up I decided to trot her up and see how far she could go without losing momentum. At first she didn't want to trot, then she did then she cantered then she bucked, but not a serious buck! So then we made a wide turn at the trot and she wanted to go faster on the straight and got upset when I wouldnt' let her and bucked again. If Lucy didnt' have such wussy bucks it might have been a problem! But as it is even when she is really mad her bucks are not that big. Anyway I made her walk back which didn't take a lot of time since she had so much energy.
So now I am really annoyed because she finally has the energy for longer rides but because of her hooves she can't go on any of the trails that are longer! Grrr!
I might take her up my main trail this weekend and see how she does, if she does ok walking on the sides of the road up Gazos I can ride her up Johansons quite a ways since that is softer ground.
Luckly I haven't been too bored with all this time of no riding because Loren got me into wow. I know, I cannot belive it, its horrible. Although I am going to make my summer schedule up today and it might turn out that I do not have enough time for it. Loren will be disapointed though, and I really should have something outside of horses that I am into. I can't really play it much until I get my new computer, so for now I am playing on Lorens.
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