Friday+ Chai+ Cookies

It's Friday!!!

Thursday- Henry got a trainer hack, they said he was great and looked great.

Then I took a lesson later in the day on Magic. Henry was confused and appalled when I went down to get Magic and didn't take him out lol!

I like Magic but oh how I love my horse way more! Magic is a point and shoot horse and does great at that.. but when you want to jump a course and get the distances- it's hard work or different then I am used to. He was great to flat around and easy to ride till I expected more of him. haha!

It was WAY TO HOT out. I flatted around and then we jumped- warming up over a little vertical.

Then we did a course: line in 6, left turn/roll back to the rainbows oxer, right turn to the red white blue oxer, left very tight turn to the gate and another left tight turn to the box (no standards).

Things went much better when I got after him (then he threw a fit b/c i got after him lol)... We had more go and everything came easier.

It was good for me to ride something else, especially something that has solid training and but makes me work in ways that Henry doesn't. It also felt good to jump- now only if it wasn't so hot things would have been even better!

Cooled him out... another kid had a lesson so I handed him off and went to drink water, put ice on my neck to cool me off and sit down.

It's another hot day today so idk what my plan is tonight but i'll take a lesson again tomorrow and we shall see how homeboy is doing :)

Hump Day

This warm muggy weather is WEIRD!

Tuesday got to the barn, put my ice boot inserts in the freezer, got Henry, groomed, tacked up, got on and walked Henry a lunch around the indoor while everyone else got on.

We headed outside.. I wasn't too stoked on this because the ground was hard as usual so I tried to not ride on the rail and not take and corners sharply.

Henry is feeling better but after all the walking/hosing/icing/hacking I have done I want to make sure he is 110% before we jump again :)

Flatted around with everyone and then while others jumped, I worked on no stirrups. I am doing this every ride to build up on my strength :)

Cooled him out, hosed off his back, iced his legs, grained him, cleaned tack, took him home and gave kisses!

Off today, something for Henry tomorrow and a lesson on another horse for me, probably a trainer hack Friday and another hack Saturday.

Review on the ice boots after one use:
- They are easy to use
- Stayed on him well
- They are well made
- They weren't cold at all when I took them off and the area didn't feel as cool as i would have liked either so I am putting them in the deep freezer to see if that gets them colder then a normal freezer. I will try again tomorrow and let you all know :)

Rain in June

Yep it rained yesterday.. and it was oddly warm. Good thing we don't get tornado's here!

Got to the barn, no one was there but one girl lunging a horse outside. Grabbed Henry and got to work grooming him. Sadly he wasn't as clean as I left him Saturday.

Tacked up and went to work. Since I'm still working on that splint being 100% - no lunging happened so I had a full of energy horse under me lol.

Lots of warming up and taking everything slow. He felt really solid almost the whole ride. I didn't push anything- just W/T/C and acting like we were at a horse show, so just going around "right" and "pretty."

I have to give a shout out to Kat, Magic was being a PITA (pain in the ass) last night and she didn't give up and kicked his bootie!

Cooled the boys out... took pictures... cleaned them up... iced Henry's leg... took them home.. gave kisses and grain.

Cheeeeeeese

Hack tonight and turning out Louie, idk Wednesday and Thursday, hopefully a trainer hack/ride Friday and hack/lesson Saturday if all goes well :)

Game Plan

I've had this post drafted for a while but after the fire at the barn a few weeks ago, I thought it was appropriate to post.

I don't have a trailer, I want a trailer, I beg my hubby for a trailer on a weekly basis :)

This is totally reasonable right?! Only $100k lol

My BFF's parents have room for a temporary stay if needed... but I have a backup barn as well- pending they still have room if/when needed- hopefully the time never comes.

I have extra halters and lead ropes.

I have a small medical kit. 

I found this list on line and am in the process of building up more of these items :)

- Telfa/medicated pads
- Roll Gauze
- Cotton sheets or cloth quilts (got em)
- Vet wrap/Ace bandages or polo wraps (got em)
- White bandage tape/duct tape
- Bandage scissors
- Wound cleanser scrub or solution (got em)
-Wound flush/saline
- Wound dressing (got em)
- Poultice wraps
- Eye ointment or lubricant
- Light source
- Sharp knife/wire cutter/pliers
- Anti-inflammatory
- Flushing syringe
-Thermometer (got it)
- Medications
- Gloves
- Electrolytes (got em)
- Twitch
- Sedation or tranquilizer medications
- Stethoscope
- Intravenous fluids and medications
- Epinephrine/Antihistamines/Steroids
- Antibiotics
- Hose
- Ice/heat wraps (got cold)
- Syringes and needles

Do you all have game plans for your horse in case of a disaster?

What else do you all have on hand in-case of emergency?

Light hack and cold hose Monday and Tuesday, something plus ice boots Wednesday and Thursday, maybe a light trainer hack Friday and idk Saturday.

Chai Tea Latte

Hit up Starbucks on the way to the barn... yummmmmy!

Henry is getting better... we are taking it slow and doing light hacks- giving that splint time to heal :) Can't wait for my ice boots to come!

I semi participated in the lesson with everyone.

After the lesson I gave Henry a head to toe bath... he was so clean I could have eaten off of him lol!!!

Cold hosed his leg, grained, pampered him some more, took him to his stall, filled up his water and gave kisses.

He will get cold hosed and turned out tomorrow, light hack and cold hosed Monday, hack and cold hosed Tuesday, turn out and ice boots Wednesday, idk Thursday, trainer ride light hack and ice boots Friday and Saturday hack and ice boots. We will see how the week goes as to when he will start jumping again. I am in no hurry, just taking time for that splint to set :)

He's back in action!

Henry got a trainer hack this morning and he's back in action :) Thanks everyone for the kind words!

I ordered some Cool Boots for Henry.. they won't be here till Tuesday soooo I'll continue cold hosing his legs till then. I will be using them after lessons/hard rides.

Thank you to From Racehorse to Princess for the nomination!

Here are her questions!

1. How long have you been riding for? Since I was 8.. but I took a 2 year break.. so 19 years- yikes!
2. Favorite Breed? TB (with a good mind lol)
3. Ever ridden Western? Yep! Even own a western saddle!
4. Favorite Book? Hmm it's been a while since I really read. I really liked the Scarlet Thread
5. Slow Horse or Fast Horse? Hmm depends, as long as I have brakes and a good mind im ok with fast :)
6. Longest Horse You've Ever Own? I owned Maddy for 3 years, Going on 2 with Henry and hopefully many more!
7. Favorite Store to Shop in? Tack:Smartpak, Real Life: Nordstroms
8. Favorite Horsey Memory? Taking Maddy everywhere. That horse could have cared less about things and was such a fun horse to ride!
9. If you could buy any other horse what kind would it be? I want to do reining one day
10. Show for the rest of your life or trail ride? show for sure!
11. Favorite Quote? Riding: The art of keeping a horse between you and the ground.

Ride tomorrow- Probably just flat to make sure he's all good :)

Hose Walk Hose

Last night we went up and I hosed Henry's leg, hand walked him and then hosed his leg again... of course we filled his water, gave him grain/hay and kisses too! :)

Another round of hosing and walking today and high hack tomorrow.

Thanks to TBA and The Sixth Stride for more nominations! Here are their questions.. be sure to check out their blogs!

1. Why did you start blogging and who in real life knows that you blog? I started a general life one maybe 3 years ago and then decided to start another one to track Henry and my journey :) My barn buddies, hubby, grandma all know about it
2.  Black or brown tack? Brown
3. Favorite Comfort food? Hmm when I am stressed I don't eat
4. Favorite Color? Green
5. If you could ride any horse (living or not), who would it be? I'd love to have my heart horse back- Maddy. I LOVE Henry and wouldn't trade him but id love to have both of them!
6. What other pets do you own? 2 dogs- Zoe is and Aussie and Ally is a Healer
7. What is your "hidden talent?" I can stick my fist in my mouth
8. You win the lottery, what would you buy first? Pay off all our debt then but a custom facility/house
9. You can travel anywhere, for an infinite amount of time, with an infinite amount of money, where do you go? Hmmmm this is hard- short term somewhere tropical, long term somewhere with amazing horse stuff!
10. You're intimidated by? Failure
11. Favorite movie? Night at the Roxbury has some great memories to go with it!

1. What equestrian sport that you've never done before would you like to try? Reining... i've kinda done a little of it but not really
2. If you could ride any horse (living or not), who would it be? I'd love to have my heart horse back- Maddy. I LOVE Henry and wouldn't trade him but id love to have both of them!
3. If you could buy one tack item, no matter the expense, what would it be? Custom Saddle
4. Why did you start blogging and who in real life knows that you blog? Am I answering the same questions?! lol ... I started a general life one maybe 3 years ago and then decided to start another one to track Henry and my journey :) My barn buddies, hubby, grandma all know about it
5. Besides horses, what is your favorite hobby? Being a mom!! Love my daughter and spending time with her!
6. Second favorite animal? (horses are obviously your first :) dogs
7. Favorite color? Green
8. Least favorite equestrian fashion fad? Rust Breeches!
9. Black or brown tack? Brown
10. What is your favorite place to go besides the barn? (can be a travel destination or someplace close to you) I love going to my hometown.. it's so familiar, great location by the beach, beautiful, lots to do!
11. Favorite food that you couldn't live without? Dr Pepper.. thats not food though lol

Impromptu Vacation?

Last night didn't go as planned..

Henry has had a splint for a few weeks. He hasn't been off and I've been icing it.

Last night he wasn't right. I trotted him a little, tried to ride on softer ground (yeah right, the big outside arena is um yeah) and he didn't feel better so I have decided that he is off for a few days to get everything right.

Hand walking and cold hosing for us! WOOT :) But for real, anything for him- I really love this horse! Gotta get this boy healed up while it's something small!

Cash's Steppin Up and Life of Riley nominated me for the Liebster awards.. since I already did it, I'll be sure to answer their questions:

1. What's your biggest fear as a rider? Making a bad decision as a rider and causing an accident for Henry and myself.
2. Who's your favorite rider and why? I really respect my trainer, she grew up in a riding family but wasn't handed all the perfect made horses. She worked hard and is an amazing horse woman with a wealth of knowledge!
3. What's the most useful piece of advice someone's given you as a horse owner? Go with your gut, you know your horse best.
4. How old were you when you got your first horse? 22, had to buy her myself :)
5. Burghley, Badminton, or Rolex? Rolex
6. Quick, you're trapped on a desert island, what three things do you bring? Food, family and Henry!
7. If you could could have dinner with anyone (alive or dead, famous or not) who would it be? My grandma, I miss her and wish she lived closer.
8. Favorite guilty pleasure? CANDY, seriously I love candy
9. Tell me three things on your bucket list.1. Horsey Vacation 2. Own horse property and private facility 3. Take a LONG tropical vacation with my hubby
10. If you could ride any well known horse who would it be and why? Gem Twist
11. Would you rather: Ride without stirrups for the rest of your life OR have one arm tied behind your back at all times? If I was riding Henry, no stirrups... a softer horse, idk :)

1. How long have you owned/leased your horse/s? 7 years owned... leased many times before that
2. If you were going to be trapped on an island with only three things, what would you take? Food, family and Henry!
3. What kind of saddle do you use? Frank Baines
4. English or Western? English
5. When you aren't riding, what do you like to do?  Being a mom/wife! :)
6. Is your family supportive of your riding? Yep
7. Favorite food & drink? Dr Pepper and Thai
8. What breed is your horse? TB baby :)
9. Favorite horse-related movie? Hmmm not sure
10. What is your favorite animal other than a horse? Dog
11. Favorite song? Well I love Lifehouse and Henry's show name is All In (one of my fav Lifehouse songs) but I like their song Everything too.

Did I miss the weekend?!

"To get profit without risk, experience without danger, reward without hard work; is as impossible as it is to live without being born." Harry Truman. 

^gotta remind myself of this, my hard work and daily dedication has and will pay off. 

I think in the matter of a blink, the weekend was gone!

BFF graduated :)

Saturday I had a lesson with the gang :)

Tacked up, lunged Henry, got on and hacked around all before my trainer came down to the arena. I was pooped before the lesson even started ha!

We flatted around as a group and then she let Juliana and I jump.

Warmed up over the gate back and forth...

The first course was the gate off the right lead, around to the rainbow oxer, straight and roll back to the right over the domino oxer, left lead around to the 2 stride.

Second course was 2 stride (oxer to vertical), right turn to the dominos oxer, left turn to the rainbow, left roll back to the gate.

We did each course twice and then did the domino over and over to get straight- I felt straight but apparently wasn't lol!

Monday

I went out to hack, no one was around. As I was tacking up Clare showed up- woo hoo! And another girl with the eventing trainer showed up. Got Henry all dressed and lunged him. I was talking to the girl, she is home for the summer. I thought maybe she was a new boarder since I hadn't seen the horse that she was riding but it's a new one that the eventing trainer got- he's gray and cute :)

The horses were all up because the wind was crazy.

I worked on making Henry march around the WHOLE arena during my whole ride.

We went through our paces and then I did some no stirrup work, 3 laps each direction and then my legs were SHOT. Seriously I need to do more of it... I am promising to do some at least once a week, I have to!

Cooled out and chatted with Clare... untacked, hosed off, iced, took him back to his stall, grained, filled waters and went home.

Henry begging Clare for more carrots

BFF's eating their grain

Lesson tonight, turn out tomorrow, maybe lesson Thursday, trainer ride Friday and lesson Saturday.

Shout out to Viva Carlos!

Thanks to L. at Viva Carlos for the Liebster award! 

HOW TO ACCEPT THE AWARD: The Liebster Blog Award is a way to recognize blogs who have less than 200 followers.  Liebster is a German word that means beloved and valued.  Here are the rules for accepting the award:

1. Thank the person who nominated you and include a link back to their blog.
2. List 11 random facts about yourself.
3. Answer the 11 questions given to you.
4. Create 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate.
5. Choose 11 bloggers with 200 or fewer followers to nominate and include links to their blogs.
6. Go to each blogger's page and let them know you have nominated them.

11 Random Facts About Me
 1. I was homeschooling till 8th grade.
2. I'm dreading turning 30 this year.
3. I love being a mom and can't wait till I can stay home.
4. My youngest brother and dad are adopted.
5. I love Dr Pepper.
6. I know how to surf, I am not great at it but I can do it.
7. At the age of 8, I looked up barns and called around in order to get horse lessons- and my parents thought that telling me if I did the leg work would detour me from horses lol! 
8. I want to own a barn one day, but don't want to be the trainer- just the BO.
9. I love iced chai- non fat 4 pumps of chai 1 pump of vanilla latte's from Starbucks!
10. I need to be pushed while riding otherwise half the time I'd take the easy way out.
11. I love to be around people and enjoy my friends company.

 11 Questions I made up for me:
1. Favorite type of Jump- Swedish Oxer
2. Favorite Professional Rider/Horse Team- I can't think of a team but I really would have loved to follow Gem Twists career as an adult and think he was an awesome horse. I also admire Beezie Madden for her immaculate riding and my trainers niece Lauren Hough her for stellar riding and contribution to the equestrian world!
3. Favorite Riding Exercise- Gymnastics, Henry always feels solid in them!
4. Lease favorite Riding exercise- No stirrups lol
5. Where do you see yourself next years (horse/career/life)- Another baby, horse shows, hopefully working part time and enjoying riding!
6. Advice you would give yourself 5 years ago- never stop taking lessons!
7. If you could change your name, what would you change it to? Hmmm I think I am ok with my name.
8. If you could train with anyone who would it be and why? I like my trainer... if I was to ride something else- I would ride reining and train with this guy Olly that my bff rides with- great guy, good teacher and good at what he does.
9. I'm giving you $5k what would you buy? Hmm, probably custom saddle ... or custom chaps and horse show money... or trailer.
10. Give me the recipe for your favorite dish you can make
I'd say artichoke pasta but since you can't have a bunch of the stuff in it... ill say one that is really easy to make: Buffalo Shredded Chicken: 4 chicken breasts, 1 bottle of Franks Red Hot Buffalo Sauce and 1 packet of ranch dressing powder. Cook on low in the crock pot for 3 ish hours. Shred and it's delish on rolls or salad :)
11. Dream vacation destination? Somewhere very tropical!

11 Questions for my peeps :)
1.  What would your ideal last meal be?
2. Ideal riding outfit?
3. If you could go anywhere, all expenses paid- where would you go?
4. What are your top 3 musts for a boarding facility?
5. What one beverage can't you live without?
6. Dream car?
7. Where do you want to go with your riding?
8. Where do you shop the most for real clothes?
9. What do you do to calm your nerves at horse shows?
10. Favorite bathing products?
11. If you could pick 2 horses off http://www.bigeq.com/ which would they be?

The Peeps I nominate!
1. KK at Good Time to Review 
2.  Amanda at Keeping it Low Key
3. Kate at Party Down
4. Karen at Contact
5. Nicku at Polka Dot Periodical
6. Lauren at She Moved to Texas
7. My Dandy Longlegs
8. Carly at Poor Woman Showing
9. Sarah at Eventing in Color
10. Kelly at Princess Diva Diaries
11. Shelley at Diary of a Hunter Princess

Also love these blogs but L nominated them already :)
Hillary
Kat
Lindsay
Beka
Natalie
Tracy