Please Excuse...

My inability to stay consistent in posting. It is mainly due to my laziness.

One of my favorite boarder's horse standing like a boss.
They aren't here anymore..

Things have been pretty well. Ava and I have been trying to spend more time outside if the weather permits and are working on our western pleasure prettiness. She is becoming very soft in the mouth, almost to the point where I can barely touch the reins and she will give, it looks so lovely too! The only thing is is that she is becoming harder to catch. Like today I walked in and she and Poco start walking away from me (surprise surprise) so I moved them off. They started out slow but then for the next few minutes they were cantering and galloping all over their pasture (most of it was me but I didn't have to do much...) I'm not sure as to why she is being such a butt but hopefully we'll get through it.

One other thing that I want to make a note of is that she gets a little fidgety when I cinch up. Keep in mind that I don't go straight for ultimate tightness all at once, I gradually tighten it. Maybe the saddle is bothering her or possibly being in heat could make riding a little more agitating... I've also been wanting to get a pad that fits the saddle better, maybe that would help...

As for our moving plans we are still a little in between... I don't want to get into it because it could take me forever to explain but I will let you know our committed plan when we come to it.

After a nice bareback ride

Today it was freezing cold, only because of the darn wind! We rode inside and did a little with the cows, Ava gets excited when the cows are around. One tried to ram his head towards her too! Ava reared slightly but handled herself well. Finally when the cows were gone we worked on our western pleasure and transitions, she is getting really good! I also tried her in a new bit and although it has a shank I could tell that she liked it much more than her snaffle. After that we helped a novice rider by having her horse follow behind Ava as we cantered. Other than that we rode a little outside and finished up.

Ava sniffing Morris the barn cat

Sniff sniff, Morris is so sweet!

Hi there!

Today I also finished the book Horses Never Lie by Mark Rashid. Holy cow, it has been moved to my all time favorites list. Wow!! It was amazing. Really gave me a good look at horse training. I've started applying some of his teachings to Ava and it really helps the both of us.

Check it out!

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).

Field Riding Fiends!

Yesterday Cappie and I went out on a field ride. It was beautiful, hot weather and Ava and I enjoyed every bit of it. Cappie was good company too and his horse and Ava got along great. Here are some pictures from the ride.

Ava and The Ranch

Me and The Ranch

Ava and Poco eating dinner

Cappie failing at picture taking, haha!

Deworming Day and a Little More

It is that time of year again. After working Babe I argued with her on how she has to have the dewormer. She wouldn't have any of it until finally she stopped the head bobbing for a few milliseconds and I squirt it in. Poco on the other hand was a pure angel! I would show it to her, let her smell it and she was chill, even when it was pressed into her mouth!

Today it was rainy and cloudy so we worked inside. I totally forgot but they were having a cutting lesson today but my BO was nice and let me join in. So, we worked on our cutting techniques. Ava benefits from this but she does get a little antsy towards the end.

We also decided where we are going to move to. It isn't 100% but unless something better comes along then it will be. We decided to move back to RS. After much conversing it sounds like it would be the best decision (at least for the time being.) They have what we need, they are hosting lots of shows which would be great for us to participate in, and one of the boarders at The Ranch will be moving there as well. So, although it won't be perfect it will do just fine.