home again home again

Envoy and Kina spent the night outside munching grass. All was good until around 11 PM when every dog around us (except for Bingo) barked like crazy. The horses were a bit confused by that. But, they just raised their heads from the grass. They were SO happy to see grass.

Today was a bit of a challenge. I had old fly spray, which wasn't so great. They were pretty beat up by flies between about 10 and 2. I put on fly sheets, but that didn't go so well. Envoy wiggled out of his most of the way. He was standing still near the water tub for me to rescue him. Good boy didn't tear it up. Kina kept hers on all day, but was a bit warm. So, I got some new fly spray, which will go on tomorrow.

What a good boy he was. The downside of summer is the bugs.

Today was better. I fly sprayed, and there was a breeze. The horses didn't look sweaty even though it was in the mid 80s. They'll go out again tonight after the no-sedum time. Tomorrow is farrier day, so they'll get a good rest day, and probably a night in their stalls. They haven't had a totally inside night since January.

Farrier day today. He was supposed to come late in the afternoon, and I was going to leave work to drive home. Well... His schedule changed, and I was an hour away at work. So, he just did feet, and I will mail a check. How cool is my farrier?

The horses seem more comfortable. No riding so they can get used to their "new shoes." Tomorrow will be the first ride at home day of the year.

Damned awesome.

Your farrier is awesome...and very consciencious about his four footed clients.

After YEARS of having farriers who didn't keep appointments and never called, overcharged, and treated us like cheap trash, I'm so glad I found this one. I started with his dad when I first moved here. His dad retired, and he took over the business. He's a great guy, and actually a really good friend. The horses definitely appreciate him (and the cookies he brings).

I bet they do!

And if the bad treatment of you the customer wasn't bad enough they often mistreated your horse.

The first farrier I had when I got here hit Sabi with a rasp. The poor horse had a fly, and the guy just yelled at him and SMACKED him with the sharp side of the rasp. I didn't let him finish. I told him to get out. He had his dog in the back of his truck, and as he pulled out of the driveway, I called animal control and the cops. I was hot. That's when I found my current farrier's dad.

Becky, you were fairly calm about the whole thing. I would have shoved the sharp side of the rasp where the sun didn't shine. Then made the calls.

Envoy and I had a pretty nice ride today. It wasn't long because the flies were biting us. But, he had a nice, forward walk and only fell out behind once. That pesky right hind. Sigh... I hope we can build some strength, which should help.

Tomorrow, I'm going to our neighbors' house to ride one of their horses while she works with their baby. I'm not so sure it's a good idea to ride him so early (he's 3), but it's not TOO bad. We'll see how it goes. I hope we'll just be at it for 15 or 20 minutes of very light work.

It should be fine. It's not like he's headed for the track.

The unfortunate thing is that his owners are not very experienced riders or trainers. They know everything, of course, because they read it on the internet or saw it on a John Lyons/Pat Perilli video. Makes me a little crazy, but I try to help. They really need someone with training experience. They are "weekenders" and I don't think they realize that training a young horse is an every day adventure.

WHOA!! I see see some major problems here. Becky, I don't know what to tell but to try to act in the best interest of the horse. You know that already but dealing with dingbat owners brings it to a different level. Can you refer them to the trainer you work with?

I could, but she's semi-retired. I don't know if she wants to take on a baby. I know some good trainers in the Richmond area where they spend their weeks. I never see them trailer their horses except to haul them (already tacked up) to wild trail rides.

The good part is that they do love their horses. They are just ignorant. I hope I can show them what a little "educated riding" does when I'm on their older horse. I'm far from the best rider, but I do know a little bit.

The fact they love their horses may be the key here. Play on that love. Use it as a subtle leverage to effect change.

Well it wasn't a disaster. It could have gone better if the lady wasn't sure that wiggling a lead rope in her horse's face was the way to get it to stop. I asked her if she would be able to do that from the saddle, and she looked at me funny. I led her around and tried to teach her how to hold the reins with steady contact. I think the person needs as much training as the green baby.

Well at least it wasn't a disaster. *****SIGH**** I don't think my nerves could handle that anymore.

I think it makes me crazy when people are sure they know everything they need to know because they haven't ever been seriously hurt. I SO want to ask this lady how many horses she has that are the horse she wants. If none of them are trained the way she likes, perhaps she ought to look at her training. But, I won't do that. She is a nice enough person. She just isn't horse smart.

I WILL insist that she wears a helmet when she works with me. That makes me crazy. "I ride in a Western saddle. I've never fallen off." Umm... No excuses. There is an Olympic rider who never fell off either, and now she has terrible brain damage because her horse fell down. Sigh.

I understand. Do the best you can. As to the helmet, well even western riders are getting a little smarter.

I'm so glad that Grand Prix riders are starting to wear helmets even when they are in the competition ring. Thank you, Charlotte Dujardin!

No riding today. Pasture maintenance. The yellow flowers (buttercups) are going crazy. I don't want any tummy aches, so I've got to mow them so the grass can grow better.

Brrr! I can't believe how chilly it is. I plan to ride tomorrow morning and then work since it's an at-home day. I think I'm going to like this.

Mild and humid here. More rain in the forecast.