Holy Big Changes Batman...

only thing that hasn't changed is the damn weather! We've had so much rain in the last month or two, it's disgusting...it's the end of August and we've had 2 days over +30 and our highs now are +19. Dammit...summer skipped us!

Anyway, because of the weather, haven't been able to do too much of anything with the horses. Too wet in the yard and pasture, been out on the girls a couple times though. Starting to go through withdrawl and want winter already! I can ride if it's snowing, not so much in the rain! Cinder's really enjoying retirement, I think she understands she's out...I can ALWAYS catch her now, even without her halter. She pushes her way up to the gate when we're taking horses out! Eve is still a little flighty at times but gaining her mellow side back. REALLY need to start spending more "training time" with her though, getting rusty! Once it dries up a little I think she'll be ok to start riding when the snow gets here. I want to start long reining her in the round pen, then in the yard, then ride in the round pen...I want her ready for it.

Justus has been a bit of a brat but nothing too bad...just hopping into her gaits again and pulling snotty pony every now and again but no rearing/bucking so it's good. Have to work on leading a bit and ground manners though! Zierra's got something going on with one of her front hooves...Ethan said she had a "flat foot" or something, but I'm pretty sure we're able to work around it by sticking to softer surfaces and possibly shoes next summer. We'll see.

Things with Bradey are going really well, we're back together and taking it day by day. With my lease coming up and him hating where he lives now, we agreed buying a house together is way too soon but roomies is a good step. We were ready for this step before and I think we are now too. My mom was upset to be the last to hear of Bradey and I...but it's not like I wasn't talking about him, she was just concentrated on beading and The Doc's show on tv. Whatever...

Finding a house under $900 that allows dogs is retardedly hard! Saw one tonight but every room is freakin TINY and you have to climb down a ladder to get to the laundry...the tub was pint sized and the roof looked a little eh...yet we still filled out an application just because it was $750 and close to Moki, Ashley, the farm, and not too far from my work. We're not taking it though...after some thought and talk, we want something bigger! The bed alone literally filled the room...we're talking a DOUBLE, not a queen size! Anyway, I found 3 more pet friendly places, all closer to my work...neighborhood's a little more shady but I don't need to go for walks at night! Besides...I'll have my dog! OMG my frickin DOG! Going to be so nice to have her back! Miss her like crazy.

Work is going well, still with Dr. Jay and love her to pieces. Some days get a little hairy but it's just a challenge to myself to see how "on time" I can keep us! Last Wednesday was insane...but I got us out half hour after everyone else so not too bad!

Niki's birthday is this weekend, I feel funny not actually handing her a gift but I gave her the $250 as a deposit on Jynx and lent her the rest...maybe I can get her something small. But what? Something to think about...

I need to get to bed, work in the morning...I hate Saturdays! LOL

Update

Been over a month since I last wrote, you'd think alot would have happened! Not so much...work is good, ponies are awesome, and life continues...

Eve's coming along nicely, been doing more round pen work with her since her explosion and she's mellowed out again. The firey TB side of her is showing more now though...I had a Clydie yearling, I have a TB 2 year old...wonder what she'll be next year?! Whatever she is I'll love her anyway! Cinder's enjoying her retirement, took her and Niki took Zierra to the Morris Stampede to compete in the gymkhana events - SO FUN! Out of 10 classes Cinder and I placed in 6 of them and won our money back, again! Did the same at Selkirk a couple years ago...always nice leaving and barely paying anything to compete! Cinder was tiiiiiiiired after that though! But, she's done her part, now to keep up my end of the bargain and make retirement awesome for her. Trimmed her feet today, she was a doll - and I figured out why she was such a cow with the farrier - when I trim her back legs, I just rest it on my knee so she doesn't have to lift it as high. I assume with fused hips, it can't be THAT comfortable holding her leg up so high, even for just 5 minutes. That's ok...I know her feet and I trust her enough to accomidate her. Everyone else will be coming up due for a trim soon too...I'm doing my own this time though - just can't afford it this time around and I know I won't mess their feet up. Been trimming since I was 16...

Bradey and I are talking again...started a couple months ago, very slowly online we're working on being friends. Went for coffee once, he came and cheered us on in Morris on the second day, and went to a BBQ with him and later the bar with Niki the other night - was fun. I miss him...even just hanging out again is nice. Might think about getting back together sometime...I know he does love me and he took full responsibility for pushing way too fast in the relationship before, said it gave me no choice BUT to run. Plus he's willing to be friends for now and see how it goes.

OH, I emailed the lady that I sold Max and Primo to - apparently her daughter Leyna and Max are doing 2' jumper courses now! I was floored! Can't wait to see some pictures...she sent me some last year of their small pony show thing but said she'll send me some of this summer once school's in again - she has dial up and home and it would take too long! So proud of him...wish he had grown! Had he been even a hand taller I could have made it work! But me being 5'9 and him only 13.2hh we just didn't fit!

We went and looked up Playboy today after riding at the farm...he's skinny. He looks good enough but up close, he's lost his topline and has no butt to speak of...just too thin for my personal standards, especially since I'm used to Dove and Flika! Porkers! The guy had him shod and his feet look ok though so that's a bonus...the guy sounded retarded talking about "FLOUNDERS" though...dude, it's founder. Get it right.

Sam's alot friendlier with the cats gone...it's wierd. Now when I take her out she's all cuddly and preeny, until she has to poop, then she still pinches me. But I like it that way, better than stepping in poop an hour later. Baby looks horrible...my mom kept her parrot in solitary confinement for about 2-3 years now and just this spring she plucked more than half her feathers out. I've heard of it before and Sam did a little when we moved into the apartment, but NOTHING like what Baby's done! What's mom's solution? To put her parrot's cage in the tiny ass bathroom in the mobile home. You have to understand, this bathroom is the size of a large closet, barely enough room to walk in and do what you need to WITHOUT the cage! Now, there's a parrot sized cage in there and you have to tango with it just to pee...and the plumbing still isn't properly fixed I don't think...and I'm about to move in there. Which brings me to my next topic...

WHY am I moving in with her?! WTF am I thinking?! Yeah I'll save a little money having way lower rent, but it won't make a difference if I can't get to work in the winter to MAKE the money! Plus I value my sanity a little more than that...I don't know what I'm going to do. Have to start looking around at my options. Lease is up end of September, that gives me over a month to find a place that will accept Sam, possibly Tika. Still too early to actually start asking to rent though, everyone wants to fill the spot for Sept right now, not thinking about Oct yet. Stupid double edged sword. My mom drives me crazy as is...nevermind if I opt to live with her. Not worth the money I'd save, and she's all gung ho about me coming "home" now so it's going to break her black heart when I tell her I'm not. Can't wait for that one...

Well, that's enough blabbering for now...

So it turns out I'm just as bad with keeping up with an online blog as my hand written journal...been forever since I wrote in here. Guess I'll just give you the most recent gossip...

Starting with ponies of course! Cinder's been on 2 mg of bute each day now for...3 weeks? Seems to be making a big impact! I can do walk/trot/canter and usually get a nice calm walk afterwards to cool her out rather than hand walking her. She's started leaning while working on a circle, like to the point where I have to counter lean! I don't know how to ask her to stop doing it either...last ride I got frustrated and took her back in the round pen. Moki was riding Zierra with us so Cinder thought it was all just a big race...still the same horse! Eve, the big brat, has just discovered that she's bigger than me. She's taken to REARING whenever she doesn't like what I'm asking her to do whether that's walking forward or backing up, if she doesn't want to, she just stands on 2 legs for about 10 seconds. I've never dealt with rearing when I'm on the ground...not sure what to do? Moki said to make her back up...will try that. But as soon as I put pressure on the halter to make her back up, she goes UP again! Fricken...STOP DOING THAT!!! I have to admit, now that she's a little older and figuring out where her feet are, she's not as calm and quiet as she used to be. Being quite the cheeky monkey lately...like today...she's always gently backed up to me and brushed me with her tail to ask for a butt scratch...today I was on the phone with Moki and standing on the feed tire (tractor tire) and she was loose in the round pen with me - she backed up to me like she usually does, and when I didn't instantly give her scratches, she cocked her back leg and booted the tire I was standing on!!!! I was like HEY! I kicked her back square in butt...don't kick at me when I'm on the phone...come to think of it, DON'T KICK AT ME! Brat...she kinda makes me nervous. I've dealt with 2 year old tantrums before...but they were 12hh...Eve's around 15.1 right now and not anywhere NEAR finished growing...guess I'll take it as it comes and do my best - that's all I can do.

Now onto stress...Moki's dad is doing a little better, sorta. He had his leg surgery finally and is able to get out of bed, took him outside a couple times now and we were able to wash his hair for him...today was promising. Not only did he get his first lesson with crutches and do ok, but he wheeled himself in the chair almost the entire time we were there AND got himself back into bed without the walker. Doesn't sound like much, but I could tell it meant the world to him to be able to do the little things again. I was having a hard time sympathizing for a bit there...he's ok, just his leg...no dude, he's feeling it everywhere. I started staying at Moki's parent's place with her alot this week just to "put myself in her shoes" and man, are they tiring. I'm happy to do what I can to help though, really, I am. Not much that I can do other than hold his leg while he hops into different chairs or help him lower/raise the bar on his chair...but every little bit counts.

Well, that's all for now...later!

Ah, to be home again..

We brought all the mares back to the farm, including Jynx, May 2. My mom can act crazy sometimes, but it's usually limited to beads and puzzles...it stays inside. Betty has some "different" versions of how to imprint a day old foal...we tucked tail, packed up, and headed home! Heck, my mom complained just today about having to walk around to each of the horses today and feed them. OMG no! Not actually LOOK at the animals you've owned for the last 7 years!!! How dare I ask her to do that? PFFFT. Need to have a talk with her, but I'm still SO relieved to be back home!

We're integrating Jynx with Dove, Cinder, Zierra, and Eve this weekend...should have some fun stories! So far we've had all of them together in the paddck except Eve - she cornered Jynx in the paddok at Betty's once and it was a hard time to get her off her! So we plan to turn Jynx out with Dove after walking her around the fenceline a couple times, add Cinder after a couple hours, then Zierra. Halfway through the day toss Eve in and hope Jynx remembers where the fence was while they sort their shit out. They've all stared at each other for 2 weeks now, been introduced for a couple hours in the paddok twice this week...whatever's left to sort out can be done in the big pasture! We'll have Justus and Flika to go round them up if someone breaks out...*thinks positive thoughts* CRAP.

OMG Eve struck out with her front leg at Niki when she was introducing the clippers! I shanked her hard about 4 times and made her back up a ways, took the clippers and went right back at it - rubbing it on her neck and flicking it on and off...stood fine so I called it a day. Would like to do more with her tomorrow on that...just have to watch her tootsies. I don't think she's a striker per se, was just a violent reaction to something scary. I hear you, what's the difference? I just don't think it was an intentional act to get Niki so much as an "OMFG GIT" scared moment. Either way it'll take out my knee so I have to do something about it, I just don't see it being a recurring probem.

I got my new saddle today!!! I bought Wendy's brand new english package from her for $350. Includes all purpose saddle, bright red blanket, stirups, leathers, and MASSIVE bridal! I have to go pick up a couple bits though...one for Eve and one for Flika. Her's was moved onto a blue bridal for Jynx but I think it was Niki's bit anyway so no harm in having extras. I was using Dove's just to let Eve get the feel of the bit, but after further examination it's HUGE in her 2 year old mouth! I think it might be big on Dove too! Anyway, need to restock.

Well, that's all for tonight...will update after the weekend, if I remember! We'll see!
Shay-la

Moving the Mares

We moved the horses last weekend...what a nightmare. I suppose overall it wasn't THAT bad, but ugh...please no. Niki and I have already agreed that any hauling from here on before we get our 4 horse stock trailer will be done by hired drivers. Most likely Bird's Hill Ranch guys...lots of experience and kick ass rig. Sign me up!

Anyway, Niki and her dad went to get the trailer with the truck and Ashley and I went to the farm to gather all our horse stuff and haul it up the driveway, and get ponies ready. Well the trailer had a flat tire so Niki's dad, bless him, changed it and filled the tires on the way to the farm. Ashley and I had everything ready and horses on lead ropes standing at the end of the driveway. They pull up and Niki goes to load Zierra first.

Now, you have to understand the level of FUCKTARD the guy that designed this trailer was...not only was it almost IDENTICAL to our trailer that we know they hate, but it was twice as long and twice as dark/scary. Zierra took the first step into the trailer, which was nearly THREE FEET off the ground, and hauled ass backwards. Pulled a Szerina, if you will, but without the head bashing. Probably because she wouldn't get in far enough to hit the roof in the first place. We did everything but light her tail on fire to get her in, including what looked like a "cowboy beating" with the chain end of a lead...

So NEXT, we try Justus. Bless her pony stupidity she wasn't focussed on how long the trailer was, just the GIANT step up in front of her! So after weaving and looking at it for 20 seconds she stepped up and in...once in she balked once but walked the rest of the plank no problem. I tied her in, got the butt-bar (yes, bar...not rope or chain), and closed the divider door.

We go back to Zierra...get Niki's dad to haul on her head using the center divider as leverage, and Niki and I each with a shoulder on either side of her ass...after a few good heaves she pops up and casually walks to the front past Niki's dad. LOL seriously horse, I understand why you HATE this thing, but the cool pizazz attitude once IN is just irritating! If you're going to be dumb and play scared, play it to the end at least...it's like she gives you this look after she's desided the trailer's ok that says "ha ha, fooled you" and then she's all cool and calm...jackass.

Anyway, those two are in and now it's Eve's turn. Heh. She watched those two...doesn't look like a fun place to be. We started easy and just encouraged her, tried tapping herbutt with a leadope, Niki gave a shove on her butt...but it came down to Niki's dad on her head same as with Zierra, I put a lead around her left front pasturn and hand lifted her leg to step up with the lead just to keep it there, and Niki and I pretended to be tough and linked arms behind her and literally HEAVED her in. LOL I felt so strong after...but Clydy or not she's still only a 2 year old! She was in within 5 minutes and we were locked and loaded. Filled the car with saddles, the truck with the bins and crap and we on the road shortly after.

I followed in my car with Ashley because the tiny cab seats behind the driver in the truck cab didn't appeal to me...so Niki went with her dad in the truck. We get to the end of my road so I call Betty to tell her we're on our way...and I see brake lights and the trailer rocking.

OMG.

NOT AGAIN.

Seriously, Betty answered and this is what I said, "Hey Betty, it's Shay-la, just calling to let you know we're on our waaaaaa....hold on...holy fuck...maybe not gotta go bye..." CLICK. Poor Betty was probably worried because I didn't call her back!

Turned out Justus hauled back on her lead and BENT the metal butt-bar AND divider door! We had to lift the door off it's hinges to get Justus out! Anyway, Niki opened the back escape door first thinking it was probably Eve...nothing, she's standing fine. I get there when she opens the front escape door and Justus was literally in the process of shitting her pants and shaking terrified. We don't know what spooked her but holy dammit pony has some power!

So we close the door again and start moving...didn't stop other than turning until we got to Betty's. The rest of the drive was flawless. Once at Betty's I take Eve out first and that's fine, get Zierra out all good, lift the door off Justus' stall and get her out and she SCREAMS at the Welsh Pony stallion. Awesome...pony's in her first heat. I ended up letting Ashley walk Eve and I took Justus because she was being a cow. Put them in their new paddock and realise the fence is/has literally fallen apart. We stayed an extra 2-3 hours to fix their fencing. Isn't this why I left the farm?!

Bah...so far this place is questionable and Niki and I already have a plan to bring the horses back in a couple months. Give it a month or two to settle in and if it's still bunk, take them back. There's two idiots there too...first impressions stick and neither of them even said hello. And that's after I walked up saying, "nice filly, will she be ok if I walk past with this?" I was carting a 2 level saddle rack. She said, "Actually, yeah..." and made me put it outside the barn and wait until she was done standing in there! Then she was trying to lunge the completely and obviously clueless yearling on a lead rope. She nearly got kicked in the head at least 3 times. Whatever...not my horse, not my problem.

Well, it's getting late now and I work in the morning...going to head to bed!

Nite

Shay-la

So shit hit the fan...but as usually, I'm the one throwing the shit so I guess I can't complain.

Since the whole mad thing with Bradey happened, I can't sit nex to him without sweaty palms and twitchy legs. I just can't get comfortable around him whether we're with people or alone...

So today I told him sorry, I guess I'm just not cut out for this, but it's over. Now he's on some rampage where he won't give back the $130 gold ring I gave him because I can't find one of his shitty old sweaters...aparently it has sentimental value. OH YEAH, and he wants the new PBR sweater he bought me for my birthday a little over a week ago. I told him to just hawk the ring for the PBR and fucked if I know where the other one is. He's not taking it though...he NEEDS that old white sweater back...like his life depends on it man!

Whatever...I searched high and low both at the farm and the apartment, Moki checked the car and trunk...this thing grew legs and is GONE. I don't care...fuck it. Keep the stupid ring. And go knit yourself a new sweater because I don't fucking have it! My bet is that it's at the bottom of his own damn closet and he forgot...

that's all for tonight...
Later

Crazy Weekend...

Not quite the birthday weekend I expected, but could always be worse.

Friday I worked, nothing special...

Saturday I worked til 2pm, picked up Ashley and Niki and went to the farm. I was a little put off at first about how plans were made since it was my birthday Sunday and they were the ones riding...but Niki came and helped a bunch for the hard part before they left and I needed to finish the second strand on the pasture. Plus I had nobody to ride...Flika and Zierra are out with leg owwies, Cinder's back is screwed, and Eve's only 2 and untrained. I'm sure I could have doubled on Dove, but I had crap to finish...then we went back to the apartment and had a cooler, then over to Pro Bull Riding (PBR) which was like a 3 block walk from the apartment. Bradey came with us and it was really fun! Rode the mechanical bull before we went in to watch and after my ride the guy at the table told me about some cometition they have at a local bar - said there's a king and queen every month or something, said I should give it a shot! Made my day...Betty came with us too, that's where we're bringing all the horses. She's really nice, and one of her boarders came. Afterwards we went back to the apartment for "girl's night" and I guess I wasn't clear on that part because Bradey stayed til 1am...not like I'm going to kick him out. Plus the one cooler I had turned my stomach something aweful! I wasn't in a drinking mood anymore...anyway, he went home and we all went to bed shortly after.

Today we got out to the farm at noon and holy crap, looking back now I got ALOT of shit done! I finished the second strand, complete with 2 gates, walked the entire fenceline of all the pastures and round pens, spent over an hour trying to get the big pasture hot but failed, dragged over the huge palate for under the tire in the round pen for Justus, Flika, and Mini Man, carried the tub over on my back from the paddock, AND we tarped the hay...was solid hours of chores with maybe 2, 15 minute breaks. I'm sore now...but it was worth it.

Tomorrow I plan to take down some of the extra strands on the big pasture and tighten the cable wire. I'm looking forward to being finished with this stupid fence! I want it all done RIGHT so that if something stops working, it'll be obvious because it's not that crap yellow braid wire and all the insulators are new...no extra pieces or splicing to worry about.

I hate to say it but Flika is screwed...my mom's never letting her in the big pasture. Ever. She escapes from everything...I can't really blame my mom, but that's no life for her. At least now she'll have Mini Manas a companion instead of being the loner horse in the round pen. She'll be in there with him for a couple weeks, maybe a month until this water drains off the farm, then back into the paddock together. Dove and Cinder get the big pasture.

More and more as I'm thinking about buying this wagon to teach the horses to pull, I'm thinking I should see if Cinder will go well in it. It's no actual weight on her back and that's what hurts...carrying me and my saddle on her sore spot. Wonder if the small 2 man cart with me in it would put similar weight on her? I don't want to hurt her, but if I can find a way to still use her and cause no pain, then I can still spend so much time with her...I've been just grooming her a couple times a week lately and she's loving it...might try ground driving her a little bit tomorrow too and see what she thinks. Might not though because it's supposed to rain...we'll see how bitchy mother nature is when we get there.

Well, enough typing for one night...later!