Between the Misty Mountains

Went to the barn today and actually worked Ava and even rode! When I got there I saw that some clouds were covering the mountains, it was gorgeous!!

So pretty!

This one is my favorite, the color is great!

I grabbed Ava and walked her inside. She was dirty but luckily I don't think she rolled, my job would have gotten about a thousand times worse if she did. I took her inside and brushed her off. While doing this I noticed that Ava had some swelling on her hind left leg (from her ankle to her the top of her cannon). She gets it a lot in that leg but doesn't seem to cause her any pain; she may have slipped on the mud and tweaked her leg a bit. Exercising seemed to help but at the end I put some Sore-No-More on it just in case. After I groomed her I free lunged her in the round pen until her freshness wore off. I didn't even plan to ride until I was done lunging, I thought I would give it a shot. Got her all tacked up (while she stood like a champ) and then went back into the round pen for round 2. Ava remembered everything, she only needed some minor refreshing on a couple things but otherwise she was great. I'm really happy to know we've made progress throughout this year. If this was a year earlier I would be starting from the beginning again. So she has come a long way! I have been longing for a day like this, I never thought we would get this far.

We didn't ride too long, I thought it was enough for the first day back. I finished with a nice grooming and then gave her a little bundle of grass as a treat.

Pretty girl in front of the misty mountains, I love this photo!

I also made ornaments for all of the boarders down at The Ranch. They are mini hats, I'll have to show you guys a picture of them, they are adorable and super easy to make! Maybe I'll post a tutorial for everyone to try. Anyways, today was a good day and we still don't have any snow, yay!

Ornaments for The Ranch boarders.

My 100th Post!!

I can't believe it but I've reached my 100th post marker! It's seems almost yesterday when I started this blog; not thinking anything about how far I would be now. I'm the kind of person that cannot commit to things very well (not a good trait!). You all have literally kept me going with this blog, I'm still surprised that fourteen people want to hear about my crazy little life; but it makes me happy and always keeps me going. So thank you everyone!

I finally visited Ava today. Although, when I got there it was almost dark and the indoor arena was even darker inside. We couldn't find the big lights so we had only a few small ones to keep it bright enough, it didn't help much but better than nothing. I brought in Ava and let her loose into the indoor with Poco, she didn't do much (surprisingly), just walked around with some trotting here and there. Then I went in and ran them around for a bit so they could stretch her legs for a bit. She did great, nothing too crazy. After that I took her outside and brushed her off a bit. She got nervous when Poco went out of sight which I don't like, this means I'll have to work her more by herself.. Otherwise she'll get too attached. Anyways, I finished brushing her and walked her around the barn, her head finally lowered and then I took her back to her dinner. It ended up being really nice out there. I'll be going back tomorrow but this time earlier so we can start getting back to some real work; it's about time!

I'm super excited for Christmas/Solstice. We actually don't celebrate Christmas though, we celebrate Solstice and make all of our gifts from home, so I've got a lot of work to do. On top of that we are also doing an ornament exchange with the family but I'm also going to make some for the boarders down at The Ranch too, it's going to be fun!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving my lovely turkeys! I hope you all have a great meal and enjoy all of your family, friends, and pets. I'm excited for tonight, we'll be going to my aunt's house for a huge feast and stuff our stomachs.

I saw over on Adventures with Shyloh that she was doing a survey that she got from Cob Jockey, so I thought I would do it as well.

Splurge or save: 

1) saddle: I would save (no matter how tempting), I want a good saddle
2) board: I try to look for the best deal
3) halter: save, sometimes depends
4) bit:  splurge!
5) bridle: already have the best bridle ever!
6) saddle pad: save!

7) trailer: no truck and trailer...

First thing that comes to mind: 
1) Haflinger: Shyloh from Adventures with Shyloh!
2) Quarter Horse: Mindy and Diez, Clinton Anderson's horse's
3) Thoroughbred: Seabiscuit
4) Warmblood: my trainer's horse
5) Welsh Cob: nothing 0.0

This or That:
1) english or western: western
2) tall or short: I like me some tall horses :)
3) trail ride or beach ride: Trail ride, never been on a beach ride
4) long mane or short mane: depends
5) hunters or jumpers: Hunters
6) XC or barrel racing: XC
7) outdoor arena or indoor arena: depends on the weather, I can be a wimp :P
8) trot or canter: canter!
9) canter or gallop: canter, galloping can be scary.
10) paddock boots, tall boots, or cowboy boots: cowboy boots
11) horse shoes or barefoot: barefoot, for the win!
12) saddle or bareback: If I had a well behaved horse I would always ride bareback.

About you: 
1) How long have you been riding? I would say about five years of true riding.
2) Do you own or lease a horse? Own
3) Breed? Age? Height? Name? (if you don’t own or lease, you could talk about your lesson horse) Paint, 6, 15.3hh, WW Miss Smoke Sarah, Ava

4) Do you have any other pets? Yes, personally I have three ferrets (Wolfie, Stella, Nala)
5) If your horse was a person, what kind of voice would they have (you can use a celebrity for an example) Most of the time Ava would be some kind of snarky and sassy teenage girl.

6) Does your horse have a “color”? If so, what is it, and what do you have in that color? Purple!!

7) Does your horse do any tricks? She prances and rears up like a circus pony...

8) Have you ever dressed your horse up for Halloween?  No

Favorites: 
1) Breed? Paints, Arabians, Quarter Horses
2) Discipline? Don't really have one, trail riding?

3) Coat color? Gray and dappled horses
4) Famous horse? Hmm, Seabiscuit, Zippo Pine Bar, Secretariat
5) Horse race/competition? Kentucky Derby!
6) Brand of tack? Circle Y
7) Thing to do with your horse?  Trail riding and treating her like a dog a times.

Gobble Gobble!!

Attacks from Something Called Panic

Wow, I'm not getting very lucky on weather here. For the past few weeks it has been raining, sleet, and even windy at some times. I haven't gone down to the barn since Sunday; and I hope the weather will clear up soon. Although, even if I go down there I am not too keen on riding. I am almost too afraid to ride now. I can't risk myself getting hurt again or if I fall again and make my head worse just as it is getting better. I don't want Ava's progress to suffer just because of me, she doesn't deserve it; but I bet she doesn't mind either. I'm really fine without riding though, I am just as happy to lunge her a bit, hang in her pasture, go on walks, and just take care of her; but the pressure from my barn, actually from my BO makes me feel guilty for not riding her. My BO just doesn't understand those kinds of things and basically just wants you to suck it up and ride the crap out of your horse... Ugh, so much on my mind...

I feel different after falling off Ava... Not myself; or at least not 100%. I have also been starting to have panic attacks too; before I fell I can't recall the last time I had one, if any. They are really nerve racking and make me not want to sleep anymore (which sucks because I already have a lot of trouble falling asleep). So, I am starting to work on getting through them; but sometimes they sneak up on you, which is really creepy.

In other news, school is almost over for the semester! I will be so glad to be done with these classes, I liked them but I really can't wait for a long break. I also registered for the Spring semester too, I'll only be taking Film & Literature and Yoga, both go for my core classes and will be fun! I'm really starting to like creative writing and just English in general; a possible major?!? We may see!

Ava Took Care of Me

Quick post!

Yesterday was almost four days since Ava has been worked. I was fully prepared for a wild bronco high on carrots kind of attitude from her. What did I get? Nothing even close to that, not even a smidge! She acted as if she hadn't even had one day off. Ava was brilliant. So brilliant that I actually rode; I only walked a little bit but still progress! Although, after I got off I started to feel dizzy and light headed, so I should still take it slow.

I lunged her with ease, she acted as if she wanted to be worked. No spooking and barely any speediness. I feel almost as if she was trying to take care of me. Weird right? She listened and stayed calm the whole time. I was really happy with her.

Pretty girl after her work.

Oh No! Winter Depression...

It snowed last night. Luckily we only got about half an inch; but it still looks like we could get more. I didn't see Ava yesterday. For some reason I just didn't have it in me to go down there. It has been super cold here lately and I really didn't want to deal with it down at the barn. I think I'm starting to get that Winter depression thing; all I want to do is sit at home watch television, read books, write stories, and draw; in the summer I'm basically outside 24/7. It's really weird but right now those are the only things I feel like doing. Ava most likely didn't mind though, being in a huge pasture and all. I bet I'll regret it the next time I work her but whatever, it's too darn cold! I don't even think I will go down today. Ugh, I feel so lazy!

I cannot wait for Summer to come back. Winter is pointless for me; skiing is too expensive, skate skiing freaks me out (permanently injured my ankle...), and ice skating gets boring after a while. So, yeah, not much for me to do.

In other news Thanksgiving is only 8 days away!! I'm really excited, Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love cooking and bringing over food for everyone to feast on, it is a great time of the year.

Below are pictures from the day I fell off.

Here is the Collegiate saddle I tried out.
It sits evenly on her back but was a little small in the gullet.

Front view

Ava ready to go

I Didn't Know...

That Equestrianism was named the most difficult sport in the Olympics! Now I have actual proof to all of those other people who think horseback riding isn't a sport... They can suck it!

Check out the article [here]

A Light in a Dark Room

Thank you everyone for your kind words. This past week has been difficult. My concussion symptoms aren't letting up quite yet. I have also noticed that my eyes can't adjust to light very well. They will dilate but then try to adjust which in turn gives me headaches. It scared me when I first saw it, it was really creepy. On top of that, Ava almost hit me in the head (which could have made things much worse), school gives me a big headache and painful eyes (even while sitting there), and I wish it was Summer again... Mainly I just want my concussion to heal, I read it could take up to 4 weeks to heal! And at this point I could actually see that happening...

I went out to the barn yesterday. I don't quite trust myself driving yet so I had my mom go with me just in case. I wasn't there long. I grabbed Ava, still agitated with her and took her to the round pen (finally no one was using it). I worked her hard. Since I won't ride for a while lunging will have to be her workout. After she was all sweaty I took her into the arena and worked on some desensitization with a plastic bag. Luckily my BO wasn't there and I could do almost anything I wanted. Ava did pretty good. She is still not very relaxed but it was better today.

I also learned that some of the mare's at the barn are in heat; and I'm thinking that Ava is as well. I always forget she can get really moody when she goes into heat. So, that could be another reason she was acting horrible the other day. Although the main reason she was being horrible is that there was a rider in the outdoor arena and she couldn't see much besides the bobbing of the riders head, so I know that weirded her out. So, overall Ava did fine, I did my best to push her without pushing myself and in return I think it helped.

There may be hope for the little white mare.

And... My Heart is Broken...

All I wanted to do was take her on a walk...

I walked into the barn and set out her grooming box. I thought I could brush her off, lunge her for a minute then go on a walk. So, I caught her and brought her inside. She was good standing for grooming even though there were quite a few people around. Then I walked her out to the arena to start the lunging process. She was speedy and was being a pill for a little bit but actually calmed down nicely.

When she was all done lunging I started walking her outside and towards the big fields (I thought it would be perfect). We were only about half way there when Ava saw someone riding in the outdoor arena. Her tail flew up and she started prancing like an Arabian next to me. I thought she would calm down so I just kept walking with her. She suddenly cut in front of me and started rearing and trotting around me. I did my best to control her but I wasn't very effective because I am still kind of out of it since the fall. She was being a total psycho and almost hit me in the head from rearing (which would not be good...). So, when I could finally get some control of her I slowly started to head back. Of course I start crying and of course a new boarder saw the entire event and kept trying to talk to me but I just got myself away from there as fast as possible. I took Ava back to her pen and walked away.

The one time I needed her to be calm and just go on a little walk she turns into a fire breathing dragon. It doesn't matter if I work her five days a week for three hours, she never gets better. She has only gotten worse and I can't risk myself more injuries... We worked so hard this year, for what? Nothing, we are now starting from square one again... I officially know now that Ava does not care for me, she never has, never will. She has broken my heart too many times. I do not love her anymore. My heart is broken.

English, Never Again...

I took the western saddle back. It worked okay but the leather ended up not being great quality and it was too long for Ava's back. So, I went back to the tack store and returned it. Then I found this nice little Collegiate saddle and decided to try it out.

It looked great on Ava and actually sat even on her back. Riding in it was pretty nice too. Although, Ava is still being a little speed demon. I don't know if she is in pain or if she is just being a butt head. She does shake her head slightly when we ride and I'm still curious if something is bothering her. My BO pretty much says she is fine but I just have the feeling that something is wrong. I may need to get the vet out to check.

Well, Ava had a hard workout because of her speediness. She was really sweaty afterwards so I decided to take her outside to cool off. We went down to the big pasture, turned around then started heading to loop around the barn. Although as we were approaching a corner Ava heard something and did a 180; but as this was happening I went the other way. I tried to stay on but couldn't manage it and fell hard on the ground smacking my head against the hard ground and scraping and bruising my the back of my left hip. I then laid there. Suddenly I heard my BO ask if I was okay, I leaned up not looking at him but my head throbbed and I laid back on the ground. He asked if I was okay again and I responded with a 'yeah'. I finally leaned all the way up, my head hurting and tears filling my eyes. When I was finally standing he asked if I was okay again and I told him 'yes' in a weepy tone then grabbed Ava and started to slowly walk away. When we were finally out of sight I sat down on some stairs and cried.

I was not mad at Ava. She stood close by me after I fell and waited till I got her. I just wish that I was paying more attention. I was already tired from our workout and this just took it over the top.

It took me a bit to gather myself before returning to the barn. I really hoped no one else had arrived; I couldn't bare the embarrassment of telling somebody why my face was red from tears. Luckily no one else was there besides my aunt and BO. Surprisingly my BO was a good sport, he seemed to be trying to cheer me up and it helped, otherwise I would have started crying again.

After everything was done my aunt had me drive behind her on our way home. My head felt swollen, I was really tired (still am), I felt weak, and I just felt out of it, almost spacey. So, we went home.

I thought I felt better after I got home but ended up still feeling spacey; and my head would throb and I felt so tired. Then after I had some lunch I thought it would help but only minutes after my heart started to beat really fast, my body got all shaky, and I started crying again. I thought I was going to be sick but luckily I could keep it down. My mom took me to the clinic and she talked to a nurse. I felt really out of it, I didn't even want to answer any of the questions she asked me. I just wanted to sleep. The nurse said it was head trauma (duh!) and after Googling it, it sounds like a pretty mild concussion (maybe?). So, I'm super excited about that.............

At the moment my neck feels sore, my scrape is kind of stinging, and luckily my head doesn't hurt too bad (I bet all the Motrin is kicking in now). So, we'll just have to see what happens in the morning. Hopefully I will still remember who I am, haha!

Last things: I will not ride english any time soon and I will always be riding in a helmet. That helmet saved me from a much worse head injury. Thank you helmet!