Becoming a Reality...

It's obvious that I haven't posted in a long time. And as much as I hate to say it, I probably won't post much in the future anyway. For this past year, I could say that I've been busy and whatnot but the truth is that I'm starting a new part of my life and horses have been getting a smaller and smaller placeholder in it. I'm not happy about it, horses have always been a part of my life and if I let them go I feel as if I had lost some part of myself. But at the same time, I need to realize that this new part of my life won't include horses for a little while. Which in turn means the probability of selling Ava has become very apparent right now. I wouldn't have the time or money to keep up with her due to her excessive and spirited nature but I'm hoping with all my heart that I can find someone or some situation that can make her useful and happy.

In the fall, I'm leaving for university to attain my bachelor's in marketing. I am really excited to start this new part of my life and can't wait to see where it takes me. I chose marketing out of everything because it gives me a lot of options for work and hopefully, after graduation, I would be able to work in the horse business. And you never know, in 2-3 years maybe I'll be able to have horses again but right now it wouldn't be the smartest move on my part nor would it be best option for Ava as well.

So, at the moment I am slowly, very slowly, beginning to move in that direction. It's going to be hard and emotional, but I know in my heart that it is the right thing to do for the both of us.

Rusty Liberty Lunging!!

Hello my loves, I am finally back after a long but exciting school semester. I learned so much and am excited to keep on my journey of learning graphic design. Anyways, I filmed a new video and thought I'd share. I'll be more active soon!

Early Fall Treats

With fall in the air it is time to start buying some new things. Like new clothing, wood for the fire place, and that oh so sweet deworming paste. School has been keeping me on edge about the money that I spend but there comes a time when a girl just has to get some new items in her life, you know? So, I waited until I saw some amazing deals and snatched up a couple things before they went back to their original prices. And might I say I was quite happy with what I got.

I got this $80 Kerrits sweater for 56% off!

You can never have too much dewormer!

And over at SmartPak I actually got some supplements!

At SmartPak I got some new supplements!

As for all of my new treats and not-so treats I have started clicker training Ava. Before I discovered clicker training our regular routine was going south, fast. We were getting no where, she was unhappy, I was unhappy, and that's no fun for anyone. So, I started looking around for some solutions rather than just the traditional way to work with horses. I was already vaguely familiar with clicker training but wasn't fully aware at how awesome it was. I began Ava's first session today and by golly that horse picked it up so quickly I was truly amazed! We will continue to work on it and hopefully it will progress us further. I also plan to make some vlogs on our progress as well.

Hawaiian Sunburns and Summer Reminisces

Good sweet freaking jesus! Everyone should scold me for my gargantuan absence. Okay, okay, no need to scold but I really wish I posted more throughout the summer. Shame Emmi, shame...

Ever since June I have been packed full of busyness. Work was mainly what kept me from doing what I love. I worked as a kids camp counselor the whole summer and although it was mentally and physically strenuous job I loved it over any other job I've ever had. Having gotten to know all of the children, their stories, and becoming close to them I feel as though my family enlarged a great deal. Along with the children I got to know a lot of other people such as the other counselors, parents, and new bosses. They were all a joy to work for. I am missing that job right now and hopefully when school is out next summer I'll work there again if things allow.

After work ended my cousin, her friend, and I all headed out to Hawaii for ten days. This was my first "big" trip that I've ever taken and boy was it the experience, a tiring, fun, stressful experience.

Sunrise hike out the Pillboxes, it was stunning!

About to jump into Maunawili Falls, so cold and scary!

One of my goals was to see a wild gecko and I saw one!

Baked my skin to a crisp, so so soooooo painful...

Now that I am home I have been quickly getting ready for vet tech school. Getting extra volunteer hours at the clinic, getting shots, a physical, and having my living situation situated. I am so excited to start this new chapter in my life and I feel it was a good path to take. If this works out I'm definitely becoming a full fledged equine veterinarian.

As for miss Ava, she had only been ridden three times the whole summer but I still kept up with her exercise and made sure she didn't get too flabby. To tell the truth, I am scared for my life to get back on with a saddle. After I fell and hurt my wrist really bad the last time I am terrified of using a saddle again. Bareback I am fine enough with but I don't want to go flying every time she makes a funny move. Ugh, the struggle of being a busy horse person.. As for right now though, I am loving just being on the ground and working on our relationship, she's basically like a big puppy dog now.

I also noticed on Ava and Poco that they had these enlarged lymph nodes under their jaw. I'm curious if they are allergies or not. Does anyone have an idea of what it could be? Ava is tender if I try and touch it, Poco is a little bit.

Anyways, I hope those are some good updates. I'll try really hard to post some vet tech stuff and Ava news when I see her but as for that that's about it!

Stuck...

I have been having a lot of trouble with Ava lately, a lot.

We were doing fine until I started getting back into riding with her. Maybe I hadn't prepared her enough or what but all I know is that after I fell off everything fell apart. It could be because of the spring weather and it may just be hard for her to concentrate right now but she just feels so distant from me. She really wants nothing to do with me either unless I have food (even then she will just walk away after I give her something). I know that she is a horse and I must remember that she isn't a dog and will never think that way. I'm just really disappointed that for the last six years we are still not at a good point in our relationship, or anything for that matter. Maybe it is just too late to do anything about it, she's almost eight and maybe she's just too set in her ways.

Even catching her is building into a chore, she used to just walk right up to me. Then when I'd get her to the round pen I'd have to work her forever until she wasn't zoned out and focusing on me. I feel that it is always a fight with her and I almost feel that I always have to be rough to get her to do anything (or if not, she throws a fit)... She just... I don't know, I am so lost. I'm afraid to ride, I can't get hurt again (my wrist is still isn't healed from the last fall), and although I can't live without horses, I feel that I'm getting no enjoyment out of it anymore (at least with Ava). It is just becoming a chore and it is really depressing me.

I hate to be a downer about all of this but I truly don't know what to do. I feel if I sold her then I'd be selling apart of myself, she and I have been through everything together, I can't just give up on her now, right? We always hit huge rough patches when we get back to riding, maybe I should just stop. I wish this was easier.

Despite the Ava debacle I have some good news about school in the fall but I will leave that for a another post in the future.

Anyways, that's all.

And So I Fell...

I finally have something to post!

We had a great little ride on Saturday and I told myself that we were going to do it again the next day. Well, that didn't really happen.

I was excited to go on a ride, I had waited so long for some good weather to get out and ride. But that day was a little windy and although Ava may have seemed calm she was really just on the verge about to blow... I looked passed the fact, tacked her up, and got on (without round penning her first). I thought it would be fine, all I wanted to do was walk around the arena a bit, she was great yesterday. Sadly she started to get really ansy and I did my best to calm her down and keep her feet moving but the BO suddenly walked around a blind corner and Ava had a spook attack. Then after that she spooked like three more times, the saddle slipped, and off I went. Luckily I was wearing my helmet (never ever riding without one!) but that didn't do much for my wrist. It took a while for me to notice the injury but after it kept being persistently painful I moved my sleeve and saw the damage. It looks like my watch smacked into something as I fell but I have no clue as to what it could have been and it left my wrist in a lot of pain. You can't tell from the photo but there is a massive bruise under the skin and some swelling. It has been agitating me off and on so I have been keeping it wrapped in a bandage or in a brace. I was a really bummed when it happened and of course it scared me (I couldn't help but cry a little bit). I just hope this doesn't set us too far back. I hope we still get to go out on lots of trail rides this summer. I guess we'll just have to see what happens.

Thanks for reading everyone, I hope to get some more posts up soon. I've almost hit 200!!

Silent Saturday (almost)

Lately I had nothing to write about. I hadn't been riding, the weather was cold, and Ava didn't have anything interesting happen to her (thank goodness!). But today was our first day back into riding so I hope we'll be having some new adventures to talk about soon.

The Start of Something New

It all started on Instagram. I was searching for new horse people to follow when I found this one girl. She trained her horses in liberty and it was amazing with what she could do with them. So, after researching I decided to try a little with Ava and just start having some fun. With all of the crazy weather going on lately and being sick off and on I don't really feel up to riding yet. Which makes practicing liberty perfect. Ava has a lot of fun (most of the time) and it is sweet to see her connection to me when we play together.

Poco

Coming when called

Donkey mare face

In other news Beju is doing really well and I absolutely love love love having him. I'm so happy that we will get to spend 15+ years together. And I'm crossing my fingers that in the near future I'll be getting another!

Still Alive

Don't worry I am still alive, just eaten up with tons of school and some tough family stuff.

Ava has been good. I don't see her much at the moment but get down there when I can. The arena is finally melting and we will finally be able to start working again!

I also received (after almost 3-4 weeks of waiting) my leopard gecko, Beju! He is amazing and I already love him. They are also super easy to care for, it is amazing!

Ava nipping Poco

Our first day back to work

Beju was finally starting to explore his vivarium

Happy Valentine's Day!!

I hope everyone has a Happy Valentine's Day and make sure to give lots of hugs and kisses to those you love (especially your horses!)

The Furry Horse Sheds!

Although the groundhog said we are expected to have six more weeks of winter Ava says otherwise! She is starting to shed quite a bit and it is making me all happy inside. I can't stand the winter anymore, it is too claustrophobic, dangerous, and boring. At least it is on it's way out and we can welcome in the new warmer weather that slowly approches.

I haven't ridden in a few weeks due to school but I may just wait until I have more time to focus on it. Ava doesn't seem to mind either. We still go on walks and have frequent grooming sessions but at the moment riding is difficult to fit in.

Introducing: My New Saddle!

Some of you may know that for a long long time I have been in search for a saddle that would fit my goofy backed girl. Well, today my search is over!

A little over a week ago I saw that a blogger friend of mine, Mary (all of you probably know her amazing blog) was selling her Wintec 500 Dressage saddle. Of course I was interested but after I read more about it I knew this was the saddle for Ava and I. After messaging back and forth (quite a few times may I add, lol) it was settled that I was going to buy the saddle. So after anxiously awaiting it's arrival it finally came in the mail. I am so freaking excited!

I brought it down to the barn, brought Ava in and tried it on her. It fit so well! Praise the Lord for Wintec saddles! I can't wait for many new adventures in this saddle.

Tags still on girth :P

Wordless Wednesday

Rode into the New Year

We just had our first ride of the year yesterday! And my little brother was kind enough to snap some photos of us riding.

Ava performed really well besides a few slight spooks at some invisible monsters. One of our biggest things that we need to work on is building muscle, have her learn to balance herself better, and get her to move with more impulsion- she can be a lazy bum sometimes. Fixing my chair seat on the other hand with be a whole different story, I feel like I'm in the correct position but then looking at these photos (especially at the canter) I can see my leg is way too forward. It may be the saddle that could be pushing my leg into an awkward position but mostly it must be myself that needs to work on a better seat.

There is always something to work on. I love it!

Happy New Year! 2014 Goals!

Happy happy New Year everyone!

I hope you all enjoyed New Year's Eve and had as much fun as possible in the last few hours of 2013. I know I did, we went to my cousin's birthday and played How to Host a Murder. I ended up being the murderer and I knew it even before we played! 

Now it is that time of year again where we make goals and resolutions for ourselves. 

Goals for 2014

• Buy a horse trailer by the end of spring- already have the money just need to hunker down and find one.
• After we get a trailer I want to do a lot of showing and/or trail riding throughout the summer. It has always been a dream to bring Ava to my house.
• Buy a biothane bridle and breast collar.
• Work on hobbling with Ava.
• Ride at least three days a week.
• Perfect our showmanship turn and trot.
• Learn more about horse nutrition.
• Learn more on about training for long distances.
• Work on some simple dressage.
• Take better photography for blog
• Post more often on here, I only made 68 last year...
• Make a new layout and banner for my blog.
• This is my third year having this blog and by the time I reach either 100 followers or 200 posts I will host a giveaway!

Of course I have more goals but these are the main ones. There is no stopping in learning!

Oh yeah, make a new one of these