Hope they are getting along well.
Becareful riding tomorrow for the photo op but have fun
My update was too long, so I deleted it in lieu of this:
Moderators: Roguelet, hpkingjr, WaveMaster, madelyn
Quick update
Summer's right around the corner. I signed up for Organic Chemistry over summer at HVCC, and it will be my first stab at that class. Going to an interview today at 1 p.m. at a thoroughbred farm, hopefully they'll consider hiring me for the 4 days a week that I'm not in classes.
About a week ago, I was at the barn on Thursday & Friday. Beautiful spring weather - warm, sunny day with a warm breeze. The barn doors were open, so the sunshine and fresh air kept spilling into the barn both days. Babe kept jumping at the tufts of hair blowing down the aisle - there were piles of it and during her shedding of her winter coat, it takes FOREVER to properly groom her. Needless to say, the shedding blade & curry are my best friends in such endeavors.
:Thursday last week:
I brushed her down, and got her mane & tail combed out. She rubbed most of her tail off over winter. I think her tail just kept rubbing on her blanket. I evened it out with scissors, along with her bridle path, fetlocks, and muzzle. Picked out her feet after making sure all the mud was off her legs, cleaned her udder and lady parts, and painted her feet. Noted she needed the farrier, and called him and set up an appointment. She was lunged a little and seemed to be moving just fine.
:Friday last week:
Groomed her after the farrier finished on her feet. Peeled off her excess chestnuts and did a closer trim of her whiskers on her muzzle. Trying to teach her the "pre show" routine months before I'll need to actually use it. Repeated much of what happened the day before, but it took less time since I'd already removed much of her shedding the day prior.
Got done with all that, she'd already been lunged in the morning and turned, and took her on a walk outside after she had dinner. Introduced her to a loud, wooden bridge. She sniffed it loudly but walked across like a pro on my first request without hesitation. Same thing happened when leading her down steep muddy sides into the drainage ditch (all it does is prevent flooding around the barn). Repeated both of those 3-4x, and she was ankle deep in mud like a pro. (I hope to use her for eventing, so I want her to get used to going through pretty much everything). Returned to the barn, and cleaned her legs off. Spent the next two hours, just crouched in or sitting in her stall. She was friendly, no problems there. It was really relaxing and she kept bumping me with her muzzle and nuzzling me.
I think my favorite part about the trip to the barn was her grooming my back with just her lip whenever I groomed her neck/chest/withers or worked on her front feet.
:Today:
Going way upstate. Wish me luck. If nothing else, I'd like to make a positive impression at this farm. It seems like a place where I could learn a lot, both about business and about horses. (Thanks Crystal for pointing me that way.)
About a week ago, I was at the barn on Thursday & Friday. Beautiful spring weather - warm, sunny day with a warm breeze. The barn doors were open, so the sunshine and fresh air kept spilling into the barn both days. Babe kept jumping at the tufts of hair blowing down the aisle - there were piles of it and during her shedding of her winter coat, it takes FOREVER to properly groom her. Needless to say, the shedding blade & curry are my best friends in such endeavors.
:Thursday last week:
I brushed her down, and got her mane & tail combed out. She rubbed most of her tail off over winter. I think her tail just kept rubbing on her blanket. I evened it out with scissors, along with her bridle path, fetlocks, and muzzle. Picked out her feet after making sure all the mud was off her legs, cleaned her udder and lady parts, and painted her feet. Noted she needed the farrier, and called him and set up an appointment. She was lunged a little and seemed to be moving just fine.
:Friday last week:
Groomed her after the farrier finished on her feet. Peeled off her excess chestnuts and did a closer trim of her whiskers on her muzzle. Trying to teach her the "pre show" routine months before I'll need to actually use it. Repeated much of what happened the day before, but it took less time since I'd already removed much of her shedding the day prior.
Got done with all that, she'd already been lunged in the morning and turned, and took her on a walk outside after she had dinner. Introduced her to a loud, wooden bridge. She sniffed it loudly but walked across like a pro on my first request without hesitation. Same thing happened when leading her down steep muddy sides into the drainage ditch (all it does is prevent flooding around the barn). Repeated both of those 3-4x, and she was ankle deep in mud like a pro. (I hope to use her for eventing, so I want her to get used to going through pretty much everything). Returned to the barn, and cleaned her legs off. Spent the next two hours, just crouched in or sitting in her stall. She was friendly, no problems there. It was really relaxing and she kept bumping me with her muzzle and nuzzling me.
I think my favorite part about the trip to the barn was her grooming my back with just her lip whenever I groomed her neck/chest/withers or worked on her front feet.
:Today:
Going way upstate. Wish me luck. If nothing else, I'd like to make a positive impression at this farm. It seems like a place where I could learn a lot, both about business and about horses. (Thanks Crystal for pointing me that way.)
"The best things in life are worth waiting for"
Quick update
[Post deleted - duplicate ]
Last edited by Rushtawin on Sat Apr 28, 2007 7:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"The best things in life are worth waiting for"
[Post deleted - duplicate ]
Last edited by Rushtawin on Sat Apr 28, 2007 7:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"The best things in life are worth waiting for"
[Post deleted - duplicate ]
Last edited by Rushtawin on Sat Apr 28, 2007 7:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Quick update: Got into the organic chem I class at HVCC. Haven't heard anything from the TB farm, so I'm going to assume it's a no go for this summer. I did tell them about my lack of vehicle and classes for the summer, so it seemed as if we all thought I'd be a better match for next summer. And in the meantime, I can make sure my back can handle unloading the hay truck and work more with the young stock to brush up on my skills.
As for the goats, their wounds from the coyote attack are now covered with hair, and they got their feet trimmed a few weeks ago. Now I trim goat hooves to cover their board. I'm still getting ripped off. Assuming they shed out normally and nothing major goes wrong, I'm thinking of entering them in an ADGA show this summer.
And to save the best for last: my mare turned four on April 30th. I'm looking for a pasture boarding scenario for over the summer. Why? Because over winter with its ice and the spring/fall months of mud, no boarding facility turns her out except in the indoor (which is dusty). She needs to be outside, running & playing, to be a horse and have a chance of exercising herself whenever I can't make it out there. I think it's unhealthy for her to be away from her horsie buddies for so long.
Yes, she's been moved around a lot, mostly because the boarding facilities aren't honoring their contracts or are being so melodramatic that I'd rather go elsewhere. Oh, and price is a huge problem at most of the boarding facilities, and often only the ones that I can barely afford are the ones with open stalls, since all the others are filled to the brim. This summer isn't going to be what I hoped for since I won't be around daily to work with her, but she does see me frequently and at least over summer, my chiro can work on my back and I can see whether or not the massage stuff is covered by my insurance.
I'm still hunting for a job that isn't a pain in the butt about me taking my summer courses. It's not my fault that my school doesn't have a BT in Pre-Veterinary medicine, so as a result, I have to take Organic when it fits in: SUMMER. Sorry if that sounded a bit ranty, it's not, I'm just not a big fan of having such an issue finding pasture boarding or that the job market at home seems as saturated as down here at school. I did get a promotion at my P/T college job, as long as I pass the ServeSafe day class later this summer. I was a bit surprised about that, because I only started working there during the last half of March.
As for the goats, their wounds from the coyote attack are now covered with hair, and they got their feet trimmed a few weeks ago. Now I trim goat hooves to cover their board. I'm still getting ripped off. Assuming they shed out normally and nothing major goes wrong, I'm thinking of entering them in an ADGA show this summer.
And to save the best for last: my mare turned four on April 30th. I'm looking for a pasture boarding scenario for over the summer. Why? Because over winter with its ice and the spring/fall months of mud, no boarding facility turns her out except in the indoor (which is dusty). She needs to be outside, running & playing, to be a horse and have a chance of exercising herself whenever I can't make it out there. I think it's unhealthy for her to be away from her horsie buddies for so long.
Yes, she's been moved around a lot, mostly because the boarding facilities aren't honoring their contracts or are being so melodramatic that I'd rather go elsewhere. Oh, and price is a huge problem at most of the boarding facilities, and often only the ones that I can barely afford are the ones with open stalls, since all the others are filled to the brim. This summer isn't going to be what I hoped for since I won't be around daily to work with her, but she does see me frequently and at least over summer, my chiro can work on my back and I can see whether or not the massage stuff is covered by my insurance.
I'm still hunting for a job that isn't a pain in the butt about me taking my summer courses. It's not my fault that my school doesn't have a BT in Pre-Veterinary medicine, so as a result, I have to take Organic when it fits in: SUMMER. Sorry if that sounded a bit ranty, it's not, I'm just not a big fan of having such an issue finding pasture boarding or that the job market at home seems as saturated as down here at school. I did get a promotion at my P/T college job, as long as I pass the ServeSafe day class later this summer. I was a bit surprised about that, because I only started working there during the last half of March.
"The best things in life are worth waiting for"
Glad the goats are doing better
Sorry to hear about the job but remember that school must come first (the mother in me talking - ha) and you take the classes when they are offered. Another opportunity will come up.
We board our mares for foaling and breeding and I know it is a pain and can get quite expensive - the only saving grace that I have is that there is SOME HOPE of recouping my money
Take care and hope the massage and chiro work. I got a reflexogy treatment last weekend - it was great - you might want to try that.
Sorry to hear about the job but remember that school must come first (the mother in me talking - ha) and you take the classes when they are offered. Another opportunity will come up.
We board our mares for foaling and breeding and I know it is a pain and can get quite expensive - the only saving grace that I have is that there is SOME HOPE of recouping my money
Take care and hope the massage and chiro work. I got a reflexogy treatment last weekend - it was great - you might want to try that.
"We are the people our parents warned us about" - Jimmy Buffett
"My occupational hazard is that my occupation is just not around" - Jimmy Buffett
"My occupational hazard is that my occupation is just not around" - Jimmy Buffett
I found a boarding situation that works out really well for me! The place is only about 15-20 minutes from my school, and costs less than half of what I'm paying currently per month for full board with daily herd turnout on 35 acres of green grass, and will be boarding Babe and my two yearling goats over there. They don't charge extra for holding the horse for the vet/farrier, shipping is only $1/loaded mile there and then nothing for any shows/events they're competing at.
Lessons and show coaching are free from the barn owner, but through the trainer, $30 which they say lasts until you decide to get off or if the trainer has another lesson/engagement planned. I'm excited about this because the owner is going to teach me to drive a 4 horse hitch and because it's not a public boarding facility, they say their outdoor arena and barn are open 24/7 for the few boarders they keep.
The owner does this as a hobby and a way to make enough to feed his own animals, he has a dog boarding business on the side as well as teaching. The atmosphere is extremely casual and as he puts it, he likes to see the people with their horses as much as possible. He said I can bring in whatever vet/farrier I want and probably whichever trainer I wish to. Chances are I'll see how well I get along with their trainer first and go from there, since they're a mostly western barn.
So what am I doing over summer? Still organic chemistry, the class starts Tuesday. I got switched into the 8am-2:30pm section. Now if I can nail down a decent job, I should be mostly set over summer. My next goal is saving up enough to cover my own insurance, get my license, and then a reliable car. At the moment, the sports I wish to learn are eventing, driving a hitch, vaulting, and polo. (Zorbing looks cool, google it)
Lessons and show coaching are free from the barn owner, but through the trainer, $30 which they say lasts until you decide to get off or if the trainer has another lesson/engagement planned. I'm excited about this because the owner is going to teach me to drive a 4 horse hitch and because it's not a public boarding facility, they say their outdoor arena and barn are open 24/7 for the few boarders they keep.
The owner does this as a hobby and a way to make enough to feed his own animals, he has a dog boarding business on the side as well as teaching. The atmosphere is extremely casual and as he puts it, he likes to see the people with their horses as much as possible. He said I can bring in whatever vet/farrier I want and probably whichever trainer I wish to. Chances are I'll see how well I get along with their trainer first and go from there, since they're a mostly western barn.
So what am I doing over summer? Still organic chemistry, the class starts Tuesday. I got switched into the 8am-2:30pm section. Now if I can nail down a decent job, I should be mostly set over summer. My next goal is saving up enough to cover my own insurance, get my license, and then a reliable car. At the moment, the sports I wish to learn are eventing, driving a hitch, vaulting, and polo. (Zorbing looks cool, google it)
"The best things in life are worth waiting for"
Very well, actually. Bribed my uncle to take me to the barn today to see Babe, she was feisty and a bit on the rude side (probably since it's been a longish time since I last had transportation to the barn since all my classmates were stuck with end of the semester work and finals), and enjoyed a massage from me and was pretty thoroughly groomed by the time I left.
She seems to have redeveloped scratches and hasn't totally ditched her winter coat, but the summer coat which came in has this nice glow to it. And she's regained the weight she lost over winter, and seems to be putting on more muscle. Now it's just back to reminding her that pawing on crossties and spazzing out at the lightest touch aren't good manners - but a light correction on her halter with the lead rope worked wonders. I think she's going to love the new place - she'll be getting turned out with 4 clydesdales and a bunch of QH's. She loves other horses, even being the omega. I think the nice grass and room to run will be great for her, and if I give permission to the owner's daughter, she'll even be exercised on days I can't make it.
As for myself, had a chiro appointment yesterday, he said the reason my elbows, wrists, and sometimes my shoulders hurt is because I have tendinitis. The next appointment is for Tuesday at 5pm, he thinks he can make my back useful again or at least good enough for horseback riding soon. I'm fairly optimistic about a speedy return to the saddle - being out of it since early March was a huge bummer.
She seems to have redeveloped scratches and hasn't totally ditched her winter coat, but the summer coat which came in has this nice glow to it. And she's regained the weight she lost over winter, and seems to be putting on more muscle. Now it's just back to reminding her that pawing on crossties and spazzing out at the lightest touch aren't good manners - but a light correction on her halter with the lead rope worked wonders. I think she's going to love the new place - she'll be getting turned out with 4 clydesdales and a bunch of QH's. She loves other horses, even being the omega. I think the nice grass and room to run will be great for her, and if I give permission to the owner's daughter, she'll even be exercised on days I can't make it.
As for myself, had a chiro appointment yesterday, he said the reason my elbows, wrists, and sometimes my shoulders hurt is because I have tendinitis. The next appointment is for Tuesday at 5pm, he thinks he can make my back useful again or at least good enough for horseback riding soon. I'm fairly optimistic about a speedy return to the saddle - being out of it since early March was a huge bummer.
"The best things in life are worth waiting for"
-
tammysinnett
- Starters Handicap
- Posts: 587
- Joined: Tue Feb 22, 2005 5:44 pm
- Location: AVON.ILLINOIS
horse whisperer
If you havent seen the movie horse whispere you should your story sounds so much like her.....I am 47 and I took a bad fall about 3 years ago I too am trying to pull my nerve up to ride.....if I fall and out of work then shoot the bills dont get paid....but I want to reallllll bad and to top it off its my stallion I want to ride....... 
do it for all of us that cant ok...be safe and wear your helmet and I want to see a video of you jumping as soon as you accomplish it once more!!! That has always been my dream to jump....you are so lucky to be young and have the love like you do.
do it for all of us that cant ok...be safe and wear your helmet and I want to see a video of you jumping as soon as you accomplish it once more!!! That has always been my dream to jump....you are so lucky to be young and have the love like you do.
Thank you for the support As for safety, I'm always in my helmet. If it weren't for the helmet I wore the time I came off, the ER staff said I would have broken my neck and my back.
And as for jumping: I've only done a little bit of it (baby cross rails in the arena, into and out of streams and over branches while trail riding) but it's so addictive! I love flatwork, don't get me wrong, but jumping is great because you ride up to the fence, ask the horse to jump, and if it does, it's such a relaxing moment suspended over the jump. Or at least that's how I feel about it
"The best things in life are worth waiting for"
TONS of good news!
1) I'm allowed to ride again. Mostly walking only, but only if I take it easy. I haven't been in the saddle since March. Going to the chiropractor twice a week is a big help, my back is mostly useful again.
2) Checked in on the goats. Their wounds from the coyote attack on March 15th almost completely blend into the rest of their coats since the skin regrew and so did the hair. They could use a few more groceries, but only a smidgeon, they're almost at the ideal weight.
3) Bought people with me to the horse farm today. Without me telling them which horse was mine (the stalls are unlabeled), they fell in love with my horse through the stall and she was in a good enough mood to have her ears up the entire time. It probably helps that she's usually cuddly when in heat.
After dragging my stuff out to the trailer, I haltered her and walked her down the aisle. No throwing her head up, no pinning her ears, no rushing into the aisle, no spooking at the new people or the sunlight, and THEN she walked onto the trailer, but only if I went first and she responded immediately by following me once I encouraged her. Of course, she flipped out once she realized I wasn't in the trailer but that she was tied, and I think not being in a slant load threw her for a loop. So she got off the trailer sweating, but we picked up the goats on the way to the "new place".
We unloaded efficiently, goats into the goat pen, her into the ex-reindeer paddock with run in shed. The instant we turned her out, she relaxed. I guess that is a huge plus - that she settles in quickly to new environments. She loved that she had access to grass and a huge pile of hay. She also was tuned in to the horses turned out on the adjacent acreage, although she didn't call to them.
She kept slowly trotting over to me and had her head on my shoulder. At one point, her nose was in my face, and I kissed it because it was right there. (One of my favorite spots on them is their silky nose). Lee said she would have done the same thing with her horse if she ever gets one. I'm so happy that she will have graduating access to grass, be outside with the other horses, and have enough space to run if she wants to.
We watched her for awhile. She's really grown up, she's no longer the gangly 2 year old I adopted. She's at optimum body score, and they guesstimated her to be 16.2hh/+. The barn owner seems to think that she might even have reached 16.3hh. I did a happy dance when they said that. She's the only TB at this farm - the rest are Clydesdales, QH's, and other non-hotblood breeds. She caught everyone's attention, when she is alert, it's crazy how classy and feminine she looks. It really caught me off guard. Her summer coat really helps her look sleek instead of fuzzy.
Soon she'll be getting more mileage under saddle and learning the finer points of showmanship and lounging. My goal is to get her balanced at the walk and trot comfortably in both directions and taking the time to develop her top line and back muscles. I'm going to resume the faux show routine - until again it becomes old news to her like it did last summer. Except this year, clipping is something else she'll learn to love.
1) I'm allowed to ride again. Mostly walking only, but only if I take it easy. I haven't been in the saddle since March. Going to the chiropractor twice a week is a big help, my back is mostly useful again.
2) Checked in on the goats. Their wounds from the coyote attack on March 15th almost completely blend into the rest of their coats since the skin regrew and so did the hair. They could use a few more groceries, but only a smidgeon, they're almost at the ideal weight.
3) Bought people with me to the horse farm today. Without me telling them which horse was mine (the stalls are unlabeled), they fell in love with my horse through the stall and she was in a good enough mood to have her ears up the entire time. It probably helps that she's usually cuddly when in heat.
After dragging my stuff out to the trailer, I haltered her and walked her down the aisle. No throwing her head up, no pinning her ears, no rushing into the aisle, no spooking at the new people or the sunlight, and THEN she walked onto the trailer, but only if I went first and she responded immediately by following me once I encouraged her. Of course, she flipped out once she realized I wasn't in the trailer but that she was tied, and I think not being in a slant load threw her for a loop. So she got off the trailer sweating, but we picked up the goats on the way to the "new place".
We unloaded efficiently, goats into the goat pen, her into the ex-reindeer paddock with run in shed. The instant we turned her out, she relaxed. I guess that is a huge plus - that she settles in quickly to new environments. She loved that she had access to grass and a huge pile of hay. She also was tuned in to the horses turned out on the adjacent acreage, although she didn't call to them.
She kept slowly trotting over to me and had her head on my shoulder. At one point, her nose was in my face, and I kissed it because it was right there. (One of my favorite spots on them is their silky nose). Lee said she would have done the same thing with her horse if she ever gets one. I'm so happy that she will have graduating access to grass, be outside with the other horses, and have enough space to run if she wants to.
We watched her for awhile. She's really grown up, she's no longer the gangly 2 year old I adopted. She's at optimum body score, and they guesstimated her to be 16.2hh/+. The barn owner seems to think that she might even have reached 16.3hh. I did a happy dance when they said that. She's the only TB at this farm - the rest are Clydesdales, QH's, and other non-hotblood breeds. She caught everyone's attention, when she is alert, it's crazy how classy and feminine she looks. It really caught me off guard. Her summer coat really helps her look sleek instead of fuzzy.
Soon she'll be getting more mileage under saddle and learning the finer points of showmanship and lounging. My goal is to get her balanced at the walk and trot comfortably in both directions and taking the time to develop her top line and back muscles. I'm going to resume the faux show routine - until again it becomes old news to her like it did last summer. Except this year, clipping is something else she'll learn to love.
"The best things in life are worth waiting for"
