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.

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

Riding Warehouse Tack Haul!

I made a miniature tack haul video yesterday. I would really love to make more YouTube videos, they are so much fun and I truly love to do it. Can you take a guess of what I am getting? The answer is in the video!

Tack Store Haul!

So I found out a few weeks ago that my local tack store would be closing down. The place had been for sale for a while but no one had come to buy it so the owner decided to close up shop. Which I am highly saddened about but at the same time super excited about! Last week she held a sale where everything in the store was %35 off, storewide! I looked around and spotted a saddle bag that would be absolutely perfect but decided to wait because through the 8th - 12th she was going to increase it to 50% - 80% off everything in the store!! So, I took my chances with the saddle bag hoping no one would purchase it before the big sale.

Well, today was the first day and I got there bright and early, only a few minutes after she opened (people were already there!) and immediately went back to see if the saddle bag was there... It was!!

The starting price was $62 and the sale made it 50% off!!! Such a great saddle bag, couldn't ask for a better one!

1680 denier! Better than Ava's turnout blankey

After the saddle bag it took me a while to find some things but ended buying two more items.

They gave me this for free!! $17 worth!

I then got this saddle pad by Mayatex, super nice. Starting price was $153, pricey right?! Well, it was also half off which meant I only had to spend $76! Such a great deal and it will be perfect for trails.

After I got home I had to hurry to work but then I remembered about this Carhartt jacket that was on the 80% off rack, I don't know why I passed it by but when I finished work I headed back down there and bought it. Starting price was $120 and got it for only $25!!!!

I have been wanting a Carhartt for a really long time!

Anyways, I am so happy with my finds and may even head in there again as the last day nears, never know, they could put more things on that awesome 80% off rack.

This is Lame... Oh So Lame...

My day started out like any other normal day when I heard someone leave a message on the phone. Didn't think too much about it as we get lots of unwanted phone calls. Only, after the message was done my mom called me down and said it was from my BO. It said that Ava was lame in her right hind foot... Me being a wuss, I started crying, thinking that I couldn't lose Ava too... My mom pulled me together and we started sorting things out. I called my BO back to get more of the situation. He said that she was pretty lame and probably has an abscess... I could literally feel my heart breaking the more he talked... Finally I called the vet but of course they were booked full and wouldn't be able to get out there till late or the next morning, meaning, I would have to pay an enormous bill..

Then we went down there. She was standing in the pasture next to Poco. First I thought she looked okay but as she started walking towards us I could definitely see the limp. You could tell that she was trying hard as she walked towards us, it was sweet. When she stood in front of us I also noticed she wouldn't put her hoof flat on the ground, her pastern would shake if she tried. So then caught her and slowly lead her into the barn. My BO took a look but we both couldn't find anything that made it seem like an abscess. We were kind of stumped and still are, there didn't seem to be any noticeable pressure points or very unusual looking areas. I did notice though that around her fetlock area seemed swollen, thinking maybe she twisted something. So at the moment I am soaking her foot twice a day for 15-20 minutes in warm water with epsom salts; she also gets a nice pan of grain mixed with a variety of treats. If she is not better or improving by Monday I will have the vet come out and check her over.

But besides her little footy, she seems to be in pretty good spirits.

Cocked right hind foot. This is her temporary holding pen
as a stall was too stressful for her

 

Coming out of her shelter with a limp

I also went over to the tack store and bought Ava some things. I got some powdered bute (yummy!), apple flavored treats, a rubber feed pan, and a bag of Purina Strategy Healthy Edge (not my first choice but I needed something). She is going to be spoiled rotten by the time she is better!

Tack store haul

Happiness, Finally!

It was kind of a secret.

I was trying out a saddle in hopes not to jinx it and it looked like it worked! Because I just bought myself a saddle!!! I got an amazing price for it as well. They were asking only $300 but the tack store owner helped me get it down to $225!! It is a nice saddle too, custom made by someone I know that lives in my town. It is also light weight yet durable, nice supple leather, and so much more. I am so glad I found it and I finally don't have to worry about not having a saddle anymore!

Sweet girl <3

Sleepy pony

Strike a pose!

The field

Squared

Stuff I've Bought #12

Have you ever had that feeling where you wish you didn't know as much as you did? Just so you could save your mind from all the stress? I feel like this a lot, especially about this saddle fitting deal. Good lord, there is so much to it that you could drive yourself insane! Anyways, getting off topic. I was trying another saddle out the other day and although the saddle yet again rubbed her back, her sides were rubbed as well, from the cinch!! I really wanted to punch that cinch in the face for adding to my already aggravated mood on this whole thing. So, I went into the tack shop and they had exactly what I needed and at a great price, only $20 for a $60 cinch! I love used horse items! The cinch is a Charmayne James Barrel Cinch and it solved that rubbing problem completely, so all things are good (at least with that).

Stuff I've Bought #11

Alrighty so I finally bought myself a cooler! I am so excited and it will be super helpful with all the work these girls are doing. I got it over at horse.com for only thirty-five bucks, it was half off! Anyways I can't wait to try it out, I've never owned a cooler before.

Stuff I've Bought #10

Just the other day I bought some beautiful Weaver split reins and a dewormer for the highness. I was prepared to spend a lot of money (my tack shop always over charges on things). But want to know something really cool that happened? I got them for free! Yes, for free! I forgot that the store owner accidentally sold a saddle pad of mine (I had a saddle for sale but ended up taking it down). So, she said that I could pick something out the next time I come in. Well, it has literally been months since that had happened and I totally forgot! But, I was so happy. I really didn't want to spend my money again. Although, now that I think about the other things I could've bought I am now regretting the reins and should've gotten Ava some hind boots. But I don't want to complain, the reins are incredible, super soft and already supple, I love them.

Above is what they somewhat look like. Overall I am really happy I got these, I can use them every single time and they definitely won't go to waste.

Saddle Up!

I have some news... I got a western saddle!!! Yes, it is true, I have finally got myself a saddle. Now here's the story, haha!

I found it on eBay a few weeks ago and ended up bidding on and winning it. It arrived later than I had expected but at least it arrived (I always get worried something is going to get lost in the mail). When I opened the box it smelled like mildew, yes, mildew. I pulled it out and set it on a stand, it wasn't what I expected (not really). It looked like someone had just pulled it out of storage (after like a few years) then put it up for sale, nice... I was quite agitated and didn't even want to look it over. So, I decided I was going to ship it back...

That is a whole different story. Things went from agitating to wanting to scream my freaking head off. I email the seller and told them I would be sending it back (easiest part), I then begin calculating shipping and find out it would cost over eighty dollars to send it back! So, I eventually still decide to do it, although when I go to print my shipping label the site freezes and I lose everything... Everything! So, we take it up to the UPS store, they couldn't do anything either and also said that we couldn't ship it in the box that it came in because it was too damaged... Just our luck right? We now have to find a huge new box to ship it in and figure out the shipping label deal. We get back home and ended up calling customer service, which ended up helping more than I had expected. Now I just had to find a box, which is almost impossible around here and lucky for us all of the recycling boxes were taken away... After that we kind of took a break, not much we could do.

After a while I went online and looked up how to get rid of a the mildew smell on a saddle. This was a lot more common than I thought and there were lots of articles to choose from. My hopes rose slightly. I then brought the saddle up to my room and unboxed it, couldn't keep the box anyway.. I set it up again and gave it a hardcore look over, i.e. checked the tree, hardware, leather condition etc. and you know what? It is actually a decent saddle. All it really needs is a little TLC and I could actually see myself riding in it.

Sometimes we need to give things second chances.

I won't use it for a while. At least for a week while I fix it up more (it soaks up leather oil like a dry sponge to water!). I also need to buy a rear cinch, breast collar, and a girth to go with it. I'll post pictures soon, I want it took look pretty for you all!

New Boots!

Well, they are new boots to me! My aunt had some western riding boots that she has had for a while but didn't wear them much because they were too big. So, when she came over she said that I could have them! I was really excited because I was actually looking for a new pair of boots too and now I don't have to pay a ton of money for them, so that is great. They are Ariat's, they kind of look like a FatBaby but I'm not 100% sure. They fit great and are basically new, can't wait to ride in them.

School starts in 10 days... This semester I'll be taking English 2, Pilates, and Spanish 1. It'll be a lot of work especially having to work Babe five days a week and medicating Wolfie three times a day but at least I'll be that much closer to a degree. I still don't really know what I want my degree to be, possibly something in Biology or Animal Science or even be like Oprah, have my own show and help people. It can get really stressful having to decide!

The Beautiful Weaver!!

My bridle arrived today!! It got here earlier than expected too, I checked the tracking and it said it was already in town, so happy! I love horse.com, they are very efficient and of course have great prices. This bridle was everything that I hoped and I can't wait to try it out on the pony tomorrow. I have been wanting a nice bridle for almost forever and finally I have one, it is awesome. Hopefully I will never have to buy another one any time soon. Maybe the next thing can be a saddle!

Fresh out of the box!

Shiny silver!!!

All ready to go, just needs the reins.

Yesterday was Ava's day back to work, she had FOUR days off! I was so nervous going to work her after her big holiday, I totally thought she was going to be a crazy horse, but she wasn't. She worked hard and remembered almost everything I've taught her. Then after, one of the other boarders took Ava and I around the barn for a little trail ride, it was good for her to get out. It was a nice day, busy, just the way I like it.

Today worked some more. She was a little spooky because my BO was training a horse in the roundpen with a noisy bag which also freaked the other horse out too, so it kind of made Ava a little nervous. She ended up doing well though, she started to ignore the noise and the horse and started paying more attention to me. It ended up being progressive and it made me happy.

Oh yes, one more thing. I have started tying Ava in the cross-ties and she actually stands much better in them, don't know why but she seems MUCH more comfortable in the cross-ties rather than on the post, kind of weird but fine with me because cross-ties are definitely my preference.

Tiredness, Tack, and Agitation

This has been a very long long week, well two weeks to be exact and it won't be until next week that everything will be back to normal (hopefully at least.) I had been babysitting/nannying A LOT for these past weeks and it is starting to wear me down. Don't get me wrong, I love the kids, I've known their whole lives (literally!) and out of all the kids I have babysat for they are the best. It's just getting to that point where I need a break. I'm mentally and physically very tired. And it doesn't help having to ride your super athletic horse five days a week and give medication to your sick ferret three times a day. I'm just physically and mentally tired. But I am making money and that is a great thing. So, I thought I would buy myself something nice and what I mean by "something nice" is a horse item! I bought myself this nice Weaver headstall off of horse.com. This headstall is perfect for everyday riding but has enough bling for the show ring, which is perfect for me. I'm really excited, I don't have many "nice" horsey items so this will be great. It should be here next week.

Tomorrow (Thursday) is my brother's 17th birthday! 17! So, we'll have some cake and presents then the next day we're going out of town for a few days. He wanted to go walk around in the city for some reason, haha! It should be nice to get out of our little town for a bit.

I worked and rode Babe yesterday and will do it again today. I hoping I can get in some hours tomorrow as well, maybe I'll go really early before my brother wakes up. Ava had two days off of being worked and it showed. She wasn't controlling herself very well and practically wore herself out cantering on the lunge. Fine for me though, I didn't want her freaking out with me on her back. We did walk, trot, and canter, rollbacks, 360's, and just warming up to where we were again.

I wasn't in a great mood when I went down there, I didn't want to see my BO but he's always there so I just had to deal with it. His son's were there too. His youngest kind of annoys the crap out of me, he is very much a country boy and doesn't seem to care much for horses at all. I know this because when Ava was pawing while being tied he called her a stupid horse. Ava is not stupid or instead, horses are not stupid, they are brilliant, talented, and amazing. How many prey animals do you know that can be saddled up, be ridden, and be asked to do things that are all very unnatural to them?! Not many... So, that kind of ticked me off when he said that, I think he was mainly trying to get my attention but I just ignored it... His older son on the other hand was actually pleasant. He would still tease me but just enough where it could make me smile and not annoy me (I think he could tell I wasn't happy), and since I wasn't in a great mood it actually made me feel a little better. When he's down there it almost makes it tolerable to deal with his dad and brother. He's going to be the thing I miss the most when I leave, him and the beautiful facility.

Bad Boy Riser Pad

I got more feedback from some people and someone said that I should get a back riser pad. It makes sense, if I look at Ava's saddled up photos you can see that the saddle isn't completely level, it dips in the back slightly. They said she is quite wide and has somewhat high withers and the riser should help. I mean it can't hurt right? Although if this doesn't fix her little saddle fit problem then I'm (eventually) getting a new saddle. A Wintec that has the easy-change gullet system, unless I miraculously find a saddle that fits her with a fixed tree then great! but for now I'm pretty set on one of the gullet changer saddles. End of story. In the meantime I'm gonna get one of these bad boys [click here]. It's a back riser pad and hopefully it will do the trick. Wintec always has the most useful things, haha!

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!