Silent Saturday #2

My young dog, Diego

Show Clothes from Consignment!

Just the other day my brother and I walked up to the thrift store. He was looking for something but I can't exactly remember what it was. When we got there it was closed, so we went to the other one that we didn't like as much. As soon as we stepped in the door there on the left was a whole rack dedicated to western clothing! Kind of amazing, right?! I was so excited and quickly started picking through them. It took a while to decide because I didn't want to spend much money (they kind of over charge in there) and I didn't want to buy something just on a whim, I wanted something that I could use. So, after many exchanges I took home these two shirts/jacket. I am very pleased with them, the gold is my favorite but the magenta (it looks red but is really magenta) is modestly blinged up and would be nice for a show too. I will have to get all dressed up to show you guys, I was so happy about this, I've literally been looking for some good show shirts for a while!

Advice from my BO #1

Here is part of a conversation I had with my BO. Great advice, at least for me anyways.

Me: Do you think it is a good idea to work her this hard five days a week? Or do you think it will make her sore?
My BO: Horses are born to run everyday, it may make her sore but so what? Unless it definitely bothers her then you shouldn't but otherwise it is what they're meant for.
Me: my face --> 0.0 epiphany. That makes a lot of sense.
My BO: She may get tired and grumpy but you're probably that way too but the work needs to get done.
Me: I've never looked at it from that point, thank you!

I will remember that forever, very helpful!

Tons of Go but can Still Whoa!

Had a hardcore workout with Babe (Ava's nickname) today. As I drove down there I was thinking of having a really relaxed day with only a little bit trot. That didn't happen. I warmed her up in the round pen, saddled up, and got on. We had to wait for a cutting lesson to be over in the arena but then we went in. Walked for a bit but then we trotted. And trotted and trotted. For around an hour, maybe more. She had a working trot (more like "I'm a standardbred racing trot") the whole time and I barely had to keep her going, it was like she was on auto-pilot. I was getting pretty frustrated with her, I just wish she would have a nice slow pace instead of this super fast one. All I want to do is just plod around her back, but no. One day when she is 25 and semi-retired that's when I'll get that slow sleepy trot, oh well. I guess in a way having all this athleticism is a good thing though, I want to do a lot of competing when we get to that level and she needs the energy and the ability to do it, so I guess it isn't all bad. The other thing is that although she may have lots of go she will still stop for me pretty well, that is probably the thing I want her to take most seriously.

At the end of the session I felt like I couldn't do it anymore. We were both sweating (a lot!) and I felt like I got no where with her... But my BO ended up riding right after I was done and actually gave me some good advice and tips to help me out. It brought my spirits back up and once again I felt like I could actually do this.

There's miss Babe being very impatient while I take this, she was moving and pawing like crazy, we're working on it, she has gotten a lot better, it was almost embarrassing for the first few weeks, haha!

Silent Saturday #1

Silent Saturday is where I only post a picture or post a picture with a quote/few words. These are fun and a good way to make a post if you don't have much time ;) Anyways, here it goes!

Also, I apologize for all the copyright stuff. So many people nowadays always try to steal your stuff. Better safe than sorry.

Plants and Potomac Horse Fever

When I agreed to board at The Ranch I also agreed to vaccinate Ava with the PHF (potomac horse fever) shot. My BO said they ask you to do this as a precaution. The birds will poo in the horses water and if the bird ingested an insect that carried the bacteria there could be a possible chance that the horse could get it. Their water is cleaned out regularly but better safe than sorry. So, I went out and gave Ava her first PHF shot. I also have to remember to give a booster shot three weeks later otherwise it won't work, doctor's orders. If you would like to learn more about the Potomac Horse Fever here are some links to check out, or just search it on Google.

PHF- Wikipedia
PHF- Merck Vet Manual
PHF- America's Horse Daily, free download

Friday is Ava's day off so I gave her the shot and was done, she's been working her butt off this week. Starting Tuesday she has been worked everyday since then. Roundpenning, lunging, saddling, bitting, and even started to truly ride her! We had a lesson yesterday and he made us work. He gave us lots of things to work on and said we were doing well. I also asked him about moving into a shank bit and what I need to do to get there. He said I could've started that day! My heart kind of skipped a beat when I heard that. So, maybe in a couple weeks when we are used to riding more then we will start working with a shank. Exciting! We also began working on getting the correct lead and our posting trot, that gave me a huge workout. But it's a good thing, he said if you're getting a workout then you're most likely doing the right thing, haha! Overall it was a great first riding lesson. I am so happy with this move, one of the best decisions of my life, I can't say it enough! Hopefully I won't jinx anything.

In other news, I wanted to show everyone my little vegetable garden. I have growing three tomato plants, about eight lettuce, one basil, and two peppers (bell and banana). I plan to get more but we haven't made a trip to the nursery yet, but I would like more lettuce and possibly a strawberry but we'll just have to see. Does anyone else have a little garden going this year?

Also happy late Summer Solstice, it's officially Summer!

What I've Bought: #2 Split Reins and Strap

I am really excited for this order. For literally as long as I can remember I have wanted a pair of split reins. Split reins always felt so western and if you had them you'd be legit. But I never got a pair because I was either too stubborn about deciding if I should ride english or western or because I would be riding in a bosal which only needed mecate reins. So, the time never really came until now. Ava is being re-trained in a bit and I needed to complete the ensemble!

Ava had been partially introduced to a bit but after awhile I put her back into a bosal because we weren't showing anymore. But since we're getting back into the game it is required that she rides with a bit (shank bit to be exact.) So, that is the main thing we're working on at the moment. My BO has been so courteous with me training Ava and is always helping me out if I have a question and will also correct me if I do something wrong. Which is super helpful. I'm so grateful and happy to be at this new place, I don't see myself moving for a really long time.

Now to get back on topic. I bought these reins and the curb strap both from Horse.com (best site ever by the way!) The reins only cost me $12.99 and the curb strap was only $2.99 and they had good ratings! I can't wait to try everything out.

I bought the dark oil/brown reins (to match my bridle) and the curb strap is the same color.

Breakin' Out the Old Show Clothes

Yesterday I pulled out some of my old show clothes. And me being my weird self I started dressing myself up in it. It was a lot of fun! Most of the shirts that I have are from thrift stores (I've won in them too!) and my "just in case" showmanship pants are from there too. It is surprising how much you can find at a thrift store and of course you can't beat those prices. But the reason for all of this is because... I'm planning to go to a show in August! I'm pretty excited but mainly nervous because it has been so long. We are mainly going for the experience but if we won something then that would be wonderful too! I would really like Ava to start getting back into showing because she always behaved so well and tried her best every time we stepped foot in the arena.

The show is held an hour away but in a town I go to very often. Some classes that I thought we could enter (if we become prepared enough) are showmanship, green horse western pleasure, green horse trail, green horse or W/T horsemanship, western riding, and possibly reining. If we have to travel all that way I want to be in a lot of classes.

As far as our training goes it does seem that it could be possible to do well in some of these classes especially in W/T, but we'll just have to see when the time comes. The one I'm aiming for is in August and if that doesn't workout then we'll aim for the one in September!

I need to get a purple shirt to go with all this black!

Finally! Pictures of the Indoor Arena!

I finally got some pictures of the indoor arena! I don't know why I hadn't done it earlier but oh well here they are now. I also worked with Ava in there too and she did so much better than yesterday, I think she is starting to relax. It is really neat inside and super quiet too, it must be insulated somehow. Also, all the tack you see in there can be used! I also have permission to use a western saddle whenever I like, how cool is that?! Moving to this barn has been one of the best horsey choices that I have made (at least so far).

And now a couple pictures of Ava right after her rinse off

Now for a video of her getting all dirty again, that stinker!

My First Evaluation

As you may know I had my first horse training evaluation today. Boy was I nervous. Mainly because I thought Ava was going to be a total dumbo and make me look bad. But before the lesson started I managed to take her into the outdoor arena and lunge her for a bit. It helped so much.

My BO said that I did a good job with her roundpenning and there were only a few minor things to work on. My position needed to be a little more facing her bum and keeping her more out on the circle, other than that everything else was great. I was really happy I did this lesson it made me feel like I actually did a good job with her and I didn't do anything major things wrong. So, I am very pleased.

On another note, I think I will be asking him to do a month of training with her! The reason being is that I really just want her to be finished. I've been training her for almost five years and I think it is time for her to be done with all this novice training and move on to more advanced stuff so we can start competing. Also I don't have too much longer until school starts again and I would like to have some more riding time rather than just busting our balls in the round pen everyday. And I hate to say but I'm really not experienced enough to take her farther in training... So, the next time I see him I'll be asking him. I'm quite excited!

Session with my New Barn Owner/Trainer

Tomorrow morning after I babysit and medicate my ferret I will be off to The Ranch for an evaluation session with my new BO. I'm really nervous. I just have to keep thinking to myself "he's helping me, he's helping me." I can get pretty self-conscious especially on horse stuff. I think it will help me a lot though and if it works out I think I may go ahead and get a month of training with him. I would really like Ava to have a good solid job that keeps her thinking (maybe something with cows) but we'll just have to see what he says and of course I'll tell you! So, today I'm going to try and prepare Ava for tomorrow and tire her out, we've had a could cold/rainy days and I know she will be feeling it. I want to make a good impression but not so good that he says I'm doing just fine. So, we'll see how it goes!

My mom snapped this picture of me working with Ava, my bum looks huge!

Is Your Horse Listening to You?

I found this great article from America's Horse Daily about how to tell if your horse is listening to you. Check it out!

Is Your Horse Listening?

Our New Home

Yes! We're now at our new barn and from now on I'll be labeling it as The Ranch.

I was really nervous driving down to RS (our old barn). I was praying that Ava would do well, getting in the trailer, not spooking at things too much, or not act like a fire-breathing dragon. So, to help that I worked her in the round pen for about an hour and then went around the barn desensitizing her to more things. She did very well and she really seemed to be trying.

Then after waiting for the trailer to arrive we loaded her up. She got on great but tried turning around after being tied but couldn't succeed (really it was my fault she tried turning at all, I didn't tie her rope short enough.) Then we shut the divider, locked the door, and we were off. The drive over was very smooth and it didn't seem like she tried anything dangerous.

Finally we arrived. I was thinking to myself the whole drive over to The Ranch "please let her behave, PLEASE!" So, when we got there I just hoped for the best. We opened the trailer door, unlatched the divider, then my new BO went in, untied her, and backed her out (this being a stepping up/off trailer) then handed me the rope. When she stepped off that trailer backwards I couldn't believe it, what a good girl! Afterwards I let her look around for a second and it seemed like by her expression she was thinking "cool, I like it." I walked her around the whole barn and she only spooked once, once! At the old place she was still spooking at things. Anyways, we took her to her new paddock pasture! let her loose then went inside to sign the papers. It still doesn't feel like I am boarding down there, I thought that place would only be a dream but now that dream actually became a reality. Ava and I are really happy and hopefully we'll be staying there for a long time.

Last few hours at RS

 Ava's new pasture, gorgeous right?!

Indoor arena, I still need pictures of the inside!

 Poco!

The white arch is the outdoor arena and it is gigantic

I gave Ava her first bath of the year (she did amazingly) and of course she had to roll