(looks around nervously)
My ping count went crazy there for a while, and I found it rather spooky. I wait until pings drop down to nada before I blog again.
Why? Not sure. I am the antithesis of a "toot your own horn" person, maybe because attention of any sort always makes me nervous. I found this absolutely hysterical site on (where else) FaceBook, a non-judgmental horsey site for people that don't mind laughing at how silly they (and their horses) are capable of looking. NO critiques are allowed, no negative comments. If you are an idiot, and break those very simple rules, out you are booted. It is SO relaxing!! It's a British site, so of course, the humour is perfect for me. Lots of profanity too! Awesome! I posted a link to Stormy's Cautionary Tale in the site, and the pings EXPLODED!! Yikes. Not doing THAT again.
Anyway, that's what I've been doing. Got my first shot, haven't died. Phew. My province of Ontario, Canada is struggling with stupidity at the moment, seems there are people in my little town that honestly forgot about basic common hygiene sense. I am so grateful my scientific brain was developed at an early age, and that I studied enough to understand WTFF is going on right now. I mean, since December 2019.
When you have adults carrying signs that say "UNMASK OUR CHILDREN!!", you know the stupid is getting pretty strong.
Anybody else have issues with remembering what day it is? Month? Year? I've been remembering by the dates of when I started riding again. December 12, 2019. I rode that fabulous chestnut mare, Penny. My horse brain kicked in again.
March 17, 2020, the province went into it's first lockdown, I rode T., and Penny was euthed after battling colic for a week. July 7, 2020, the barn opened up again, and we weren't allowed to groom or tack up anymore. That's when I figured out the barn had workers with ZERO clue on how to groom/tack up properly... AND that, except for my coach, and the heart-broken owner of Penny, not a heck of a lot of horsemanship was happening there.
November 27, 2020, last lesson with my wonderful coach, as the STOOPID barn fired him on November 30, 2020. I stopped going to that barn...
Kinda avoided horses/barns for the months of December and January, although I did keep my eyes peeled for any good-sounding part-board opportunities. Thought I found one, late January. Went to visit, it was a place right beside where I'd kept Tad Plaid, waaay back in the day. And back in the day, it was THE premier hunter/jumper facility on Ontario. I was all agog at the place, although it sure hadn't maintained it's pristine "look".
It looked very untidy. Barn smelled weird. But my old habit of being impressed by what was, rather than what IS, allowed me to ride the horse for a couple of months. The hacking was still terrific, but the arena was horrifically dusty. The horse I was riding had had a severe eye injury. The eye needed to be removed. Everyone agreed, except of course, the owner of the horse and the vet for the horse. The owner and vet are almost 200 years old, combined. Not being ageist, just pointing out a fact. The owner (it turns out) is very capable of owning too many horses.
The horse was in pain, and although the horse tried for me, I just didn't feel right about it. Soooo. Two months later, I was outta there. Sad for the horse, the horse was steadily getting more and more annoyed by any exercise questions, and I couldn't blame her. As my dear old blogger buddies said, the horse would eventually have to lawn dart me, and I try not do that anymore.
So, I found a new place, April 30, 2021, new horse to part-board, and so far, so excellent! I love this guy. He's 26 !!!!) years old, thinks he's a young fella. Gaits to swoon for. He has lordosis, which is new for me, and a bit of an adjustment, dismount wise. Gently kicked his croup as I was dismounting, the first time. Whooops. Apologized, and my lesson was learned.
Riding a couple of times a week, hoping for more, but trying not to over-do it, too. I lost so much weight last summer, riding during the hottest part of the day, and I'm not doing THAT to myself again.
His name is "Unforgettable II", Orry is his barn name. A chestnut Hanoverian gelding, 16.2 or so at the wither, drops down because of the sway, rides big. Quiet, but not so quiet that I have to work myself to death. Has his own motor! Heavenly gaits, but I said that already. Orry's owner has taken impeccable care of him, and it sure shows! Really like the resident professional, he's got all sorts of experience, and a real horseman. YES!!
ANYway... That's my latest news of the day. Pings have dropped down to almost zero, so, for the moment, I'm safe again :)
Picture of his wonderfulness, on his birthday, getting his birthday oats and apples.
AND video, even though I'm a little slouchy, which professional pointed out. Work is always in progress, a'horseback!!
Edited to add, because I realize how ungrateful I sound...
THANK YOU, to all who do read here. I do appreciate it. I love to write. ESPECIALLY about horses, as you might have noticed...
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