A Horse is a Horse

A Horse is a Horse

Thursday, August 16, 2018

Lame start to our relationship...

So for those that don't follow my Instagram, my pony didn't waste any time earning himself some downtime.

Took Mon-Thurs off because Birthday and school starting stuff got in the way, along with some horrible air quality.
Hello? Wherez the cookies?!
Friday I got to the barn with hubby, good camera, and 2 kids in tow. I adjusted a pony bridle and standing a barn mate had found in the deep recesses of their trunk, realized a new girth didn't fit, scrounged up trainers I've been using, and finally got all ready.

So there we were, having a nice, quick pre-ride canter in the roundpen and suddenly he was limping, but still trying to keep going along... prob should have assumed with my luck bell boots were mandatory...
There was blood sprayed all over his hind legs and belly. 
Very Hitchcock.

Tis but a flesh wound.... hopefully mostly...

He was a really really good boy for all the doctoring, especially since he isn't a fan of having his legs touched.
Told you I shouldn't have shoes on new mom.

It looked better the next day so I left it open to air.




Felt bad later not asking barn mate to bute him again on Sunday as he was still gimpy and got Bute again Monday.

So yeah, that was a fun month and maybe a handful of rides. #joysofhorseownership
He is still pretty damn cute though, and I wish I could see him more. And ya know, ride him. #adultingisoverrated


Also because cute: 

Apparently corgis eats everything but baby fingers

Sorry to lazy too turn photos...




Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Allow Me to Introduce...

Finnigan!

Because every working mom of 3 needs a pony :)

I was trying not to buy something. At least that's what I tell myself. But I was at that point where borrowing was going to need to be either a lease situation, or a friend's green mare that the kiddos couldn't really hop on....




So I went and bought a green pony they can't ride yet lol.


Data:

6 Years old
13.3hh (just a little over with shoes)

Unregistered POA  (going to get a hardship registration, just cause)
Green

Background: After driving a few hours to see some really green/unbroke ponies who just weren't quite right (story for another day), I kind of reined in my parameters for what I wanted.

 A few weeks later, Trainer went with a barnmate who has horse ADHD to a local horse trader. The gal has a pretty rough rep on the net. But when you really read through the reviews, a lot is buyers not doing due diligence. Vet Checks y'all. She was pretty upfront about the horses and their health, training (or lack there of) etc.

So trainer spotted an appy head sticking out of the stall and had the gal hop on. Then I started getting text with pics and trainer promising he was cuter in person. 'Cause Appy's aren't really my thing...but neither were bays...

 We went back the next day. Story goes, he was one of the gal's own back-seat projects and had just been ridden around a bit on trails (and to Starbucks) for the last 2 years. By the next week he passed a vet check with flying colors and was mine.

Current State: He rides like... a drunk blind man? I'm completely nailed now on how even my hands are, and since he doesn't indirect rein, I get yelled at a LOT for that now too. If he is near the gate, he is sure all ques mean leave the arena.

He has a nice motor without being hot.  He takes up a lot of leg because even our leggy, taller WS looks ok on him.

He doesn't seem particularly phased by all the new things, like cats running across the arena or a tractor pacing him along the fence.

Within the last 2 weeks he has already found a sitting trot, learned he has a studly frame hiding in there, and apparently never backed before now. Which requires a sit and think before the neurons fire up reverse.

He's got a lot of training coming at him and he seems pretty agreeable to trying it all.

Now if this horrible cloud of wheeze inducing smoke could lift off Cali maybe I could get more ride time in, because none of us need to do too much in such bad air quality. It is so hazy I can't see the hills around us.