Spring has officially arrived!

Really spring has been here for quite awhile. Kansas didn't really get a very great winter. There is already a bit of a bug issue so no one is really looking forward to summer when they are here in full force!
We had our first show of the year. I am showing Pepsi this year, and we have never shown more than a fun show here and there. She was a bit of a mess at her first show, not doing anything bad, but she had a hard time settling. I was proud of her though and we met my goals for the show. (No bucking, and just getting our leads.) She really impressed me in our first equitation class together. I was a bit worried because we haven't practiced patterns to much this year, but somehow we managed 2nd in a class of 15! I was so proud of her.

Something else new for me this spring... I invested in chickens for the first time. I have really enjoyed the chicks so far, but I am anxious about making sure their pen is completely predator proof. This is something I have done a lot of research about, but since I live in an area with many trees I am still slightly worried about it.

It's been awhile since I have been here! I'll try to recap the last few months as briefly as I can.
In January we had our year end awards ceremony for our 2015 show season. I was so impressed with how well Dazzle had done, and how our hard work had paid off. A, who had shown Dazzle in some of the approved walk/trot classes and they had also done very well.
We finished with a 1st in AQHA halter. I could have cried at this one. I had really stressed about this class all, as I had never shown halter before! We never really did to bad in any of the classes and I knew that we would likely place in the top three, but I never expected 1st!
We also got 1st in Palamino halter, but there was not near as much competition in this class!
Now I am bias, but I do think Dazzle is a super handsome horse. The hardest thing for me has been getting used to the halter horse judging. I love performance horses, and I had a tough time thinking of Dazzle as something that people strive to breed for. But his personality is definitely the best!
When it came to riding I wasn't expecting much at all. We placed 1st in Palomino Hunter Under Saddle. Again, while there were always horses in the classes with us, I wasn't surprised with this placing.
I also got 1st in Hunt Seat Equitation, 2nd in Bareback Equitation, 2nd in Hunt Seat Pleasure 19 and over, 3rd in Hunt Seat Pleasure, and 2nd in Walk/ Trot equitation. I am forgetting a couple of placings, but overall I was very pleased with how our year ended.
A and Dazzle also did very well. A didn't show  in all of the shows during the year, so I think she was pleased to be getting an award. They did awesome!

I keep getting the question... are you going to show Dazzle again for 2016? I'm not. I didn't particularly love riding him in shows, Sure, I came out of it a much better and more affective rider. And I am sure that he would be awesome this year now that he has it all figured out. But the truth is... He was never bred to be a riding horse... he will always be a halter horse, and this works against him every ride. He will never be able to progress in the show ring, and I really want to show one of my horses this year so I keep growing as well. But no worries! I am still able to see and work with Dazzle everyday!

So my plan had been to show Addie, and I worked towards this for a few weeks before realizing that she is just not going to be ready. Addie has a reputation as being a bit explosive at the canter, and that hasn't changed even though she is 18 this year. I DO want to show her but maybe it will have to be next year. My year is already looking to be so busy, I knew it wouldn't be fair for her or I to expect to do well. 

So Pepsi is my next choice! And I am going to make myself do this! I am also going to dip my toes into Western Pleasure with her. And I am going to help A, who is going to show a horse we both work with this year. She is going to show Rascal in hunt seat (walk/trot) and Halter.

He used to be a roping horse, so we have had quite the challenge getting his head down, but he is coming along. I'm looking forward to this year.

This last few weeks has been vet filled! I always hate when that happens, because it seems to be one thing after another. 

At work one of our horses has been diagnosed with Navicular, and she already has DSLD. Poor girl was pretty sore, but we have her in a full set of shoes, and on pain management and she is as happy as she could be. That was pretty disappointing to us though. 

Dazzle this week actually had a pretty sever Tying Up episode. No one was with him when it happened, but when we found him he was dripping sweat and could barely walk. We had the vet out, he was giving something to make him feel better, but he struggled to walk for a few days. He seems to finally be feeling better and we hope that it was an isolated incident since we have never seen him have an episode before. 

Rascal also had to have a hock injection, which was not really a stressful thing for me, but he hates it because it means he had to be stall confined for a few days. 

And another one of the horses had to have a neurological exam, since she does have some obvious symptoms. Turns out a lot of her problem is age and arthritis in her neck. She has no clue she is limited though!

My own horses all had their vaccinations and teeth done this week. So I gave them most of the week off, and then we had some snow so that bought them a few more days. =]

This Past Year

I have had a super busy year between work and showing. I was actually very relieved when the show season was over. One less thing to worry about!
I had a really great time showing though. I rode a horse from work that we call Dazzle. We had our moments where I definitely wondered why I was showing him, but all in all I think it gave me a great experience while also making me a better rider.

I also did halter for the first time. It will be interesting to see how the year end awards pan out here.
This was the only area of showing that we were really competitive... Under saddle we struggled a bit. He had never been shown under saddle, and was a bit green in general. He was trained very differently then I learned. I have always asked for the canter when the horse has a nice bend to the inside, but he was trained only to pick up the canter with haunches in. At the beginning of the year he had no right lead canter. By the end of the season we would get the right lead canter 100% of the time at home... But about 70% in classes. That was most likely me most of the time, if I knew he was acting fiery I would tense up because he is more likely to explode on his right lead. =]

Since he was bred to be a halter horse, and was a stallion for 9 years, he struggled with extreme stiffness. We spent a lot of time bending and stretching, trying to loosen up. He hasn't been able to hold a great frame for an extremely long period of time, but he did to the best of his ability which is all I can really ask for. He isn't really the most pleasurable horse to ride. I like to say his canter is like riding a pogo stick. His owner hates his trot because she rides western pleasure, and he has a lofty trot. But I am so used to english horses that I didn't mind his trot to much.

Overall this year was a lot of fun. I am looking forward to riding one of my horses next year though. Riding a challenging horse is a good thing, but I think my horses have their own set of challenges and I am excited to start exploring that!

24 Things

Mares or Geldings and why:

I think I may fall a bit in the minority when I say I am a mare person. I love my fiery girls! I also really do truly believe that mares will do anything for you when you have earned it. That being said, I am around many geldings that I also love. But mares hold a special place in my heart. 

Green Broke or fully broke?

I really do enjoy both. Sometimes its really nice to get on a well broke horse that doesn't need a training session. But I do enjoy riding a green horse that I can work with. I think that when a green horse finally understands something that you have been working hard on, gives you a wonderful feeling!

Would you own a hotter breed?

I own a thoroughbred mare, and I have owned an Arabian (And find myself on my friends Arabians regularly). So yes I would, and I would do it again! Except maybe not another arabian...

What was your dream horse growing up?

When I was a kid I only dreamed of owning a horse. I don't remember even focusing on color, or breed. I just wanted the horse!

What kind of bits do you use and why?

I use a full cheek snaffle on Addie, and Java. I ride Pepsi in a french link snaffle when we are practicing. I do use a curb bit when we show western, but we rarely ride in it unless we are practicing for a show. Since Pepsi primarily responds to leg and body I also ride her bitless or bridleless whenever we just go for a ride.

Helmets or no helmets?

When I was growing up my dad wouldn't let me do anything without a helmet if it involved a moving object. (Bike, horse, 4wheeler...)So I really just got so used to wearing a helmet that I would automatically grab one when we would ride. After seeing one of my close friends get a TBI from falling from her horse with no helmet I just tell myself "better safe than sorry." However, I don't wear my helmet every ride, like I probably should. 

Favorite horse color?

I LOVE a deep blood bay. I also think any color with dapples can be gorgeous. 

Least favorite horse color?

I am not a huge fan of chestnuts... Which is kind of interesting considering my two current horses are chestnut!

Dressage or Jumping?

While I like jumping, and think it can be great fun, I think Dressage is my favorite. I love to jump on a good horse, but I still think some jumps can be intimidating. Dressage will always hold a special place in my heart. I love the connection I feel with my horse and I think dressage is a good start for any horse. 

How many years have you been riding?

As long as I can remember, but 15 years in lessons. 

Spurs, whips or no?

I use spurs occasionally, but whips are not something I usually use. I don't use either on a horse if I am just riding and they listen to my leg, and body aids. I do however, use spurs if I am riding a horse that has been able to get away with not responding promptly. 

Your first fall?

I still laugh about my first fall. I was riding a friends arabian and we were trotting through the pasture when fifty feet away a frog jumped into the pond. The horse spooked and bucked, I flew over his head and landed on my feet with the reins in my hand. I don't think I could do that again if I tried!

I always learn a lot from falling. This year I showed the season with a horse I work with. He is a big halter horse that will never be a show stopper undersaddle, but we managed. He struggles with his right lead so I was being DUMB and looking down concentrating, while asking for him to canter on the right lead. (We were at the first show in our first class) We went by the open door and something spooked him, he bolted sideways and bucked and I stayed right where I was. I laughed about that! I told my friends that the show season could only get better from there! But really... I shouldn't have been looking down.

When was the last time you rode?

I rode on Wednesday of last week. Since then its been freezing rain!

Most expensive piece of tack you own?

I have bought almost all of my saddles used. I spent $150 on my kar Niedersuss dressage saddle because someone had no clue what it was. Best money I have EVER spent! 

How old when you started riding?

I can't even remember! Lessons started when I was 7. 

Leather or nylon?

I love leather! I am not a huge fan of nylon when used for tack. I do use Nylon halters though, for turnout and such. I have leather halters for showing, etc.

Leather or synthetic?

Again, I really love leather. Having said that I must say that my synthetic Tekna fits my thoroughbred better than any of my leather saddles, so I almost always choose to ride in it when I ride her. 

English or Western?

I really like both. I think English will always be my go to, but this year I was given the oppurtunity to ride a Spur stop trained western pleasure horse in a couple of shows. It was so different, but I do see the appeal. I ride my quarter horse western in shows and on trails and we have a good time. I really like anything. I showed Halter for the first time this year, and the horse I showed did awesome and we did very well! I would probably do it again. 

How many horses do you currently own/lease?

I own 2 and my sister keeps hers with mine. I also work with 7 other awesome horses that I consider part mine. =]

Do you board your horses? Full, Half, Home?

I keep mine at home. I love to be in charge of every aspect of their lives! I do wish we had an indoor like with the horses I work with. That would be awesome!

Have you ever put down a horse you loved?

My arabian broke her leg while getting her teeth floated. (Freak accident.) We made the decision to put her down because she was bleeding everywhere, and the bone had shattered. I was unfortanely not allowed in with her... 

We also had a 35 year old Tennessee Walking horse that was the best old man. He had a stroke one winter and never fully recovered. The next summer he let us know it was time and we put him down. 

Both times have been hard for me. Its hard to lose something that holds such a HUGE place in your life. 

How many saddle pads do you own?

4 western

And... umm.... 27 english... I have a terrible obsession. 

Slant load or straight load?

I prefer slant just because my thoroughbred is a terror to load in a straight load. I own a slant/stock combination and I love it. I can leave it open if I need to, or use it as a slant with multiple horses. 

Why do you ride?

I can't even imagine my life without my horses.

BCS Winter Photo Challenge

I always love to read the BCS blog. I wish I could make tack for my Breyers! This blog makes me dream for the resin Breyers as well, unfortunately I am only able to afford original Breyers. My real horses get any spare money that I may have. =]
I don't have many neat Breyers, so most of my pictures are the much larger, breathing horses.

Vintage

I am not sure what the grey arabian is doing in this picture... he wasn't meant to be. I meant to include a different horse!

Nekkid

 Scale Issues

Java, the Hackney Pony, trying to figure out what the Breyer Hackney Pony is.

 I see Spots

Unbridled Passion

Rare Breed

The "rarest" breed there is!

Portrait

Pepsi is the best horse ever!

Conga

This is the best I've got...

The Great Outdoors

Best in Show

Because this counts right!?

And just for fun... a picture of Ben and Jerry. They were the best rats ever! When else will I get the chance to put up a picture of my rats? =]

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It Has Been Crazy

It has been a crazy past couple of months! 

I finished a huge fundraiser for work, and it was such a relief to finish. I had been so stressed about it for so long that when the night was over I felt like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Its always worth it to raise money for the horses and for the kids, but oh boy is there a lot of work involved in putting it all together. 

I did take Pepsi to a couple of shows at the end of the summer, and she did much better than I thought she ever would. I was so proud of her. 

She is not really trained in Hunt seat enough to win, but she did everything I asked her to do, and that's all I could ask of her for her first couple of shows. She is s great. 

Excuse my eyes looking down, VERY bad habit! My friend went out and bought herself a new horse (welsh/arabian cross) at the end of the summer as well. She wanted a dead head to go trail riding with, and he is... definitely not that! I like riding him, but he bucks going into the canter and pretty much whenever he feels like it. Probably not exactly what she was wanting, but he has the potential to be good. He is very talented for his small size. 

Same ol' Same ol'

After the big cold front that blew through in January we did have a bit of a warm up period. The temperature went up into the thirties and it was actually warm enough to ride without a sweater or a huge coat.
The bad thing about working through the winter is the fact that it is dark by the time I get home from work. After riding the horses at work I did manage to ride my own horses about 3 times a week, but I wish I had time to ride my own more often.

So after the little bit of warm up, last week it snowed 12 inches, which is not exactly common here. Then it snowed another 5 inches last night. I did go out and ride Pepsi and Java in the snow, and they were feeling SOO good! Java was so fresh, and had a bit of a hard time listening, but he didn't do anything naughty and we ended the ride on a relatively good note. Pepsi was also plenty fresh, but she has always been better at containing herself. =]
Yesterday we turned the three horses out into their bigger field for a bit of a run. They always look forward to this, and spent ten minutes running, bucking, and rearing.

I am sure I will say this many times before winter is over... but, while I do enjoy cold weather and snow, I also look forward to a more consistent temperature. And I definitely look forward to longer days!