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!