The Many Ears of Ellie

Wilbur threw a shoe sometime between last Monday and Sunday. With our first real rainy day of the season I scooted out of the office during a (lucky) break in the rain to meet the farrier for a new shoe! Wilbur spends every moment outside of the pasture snorting like a freight train. I was just like, "Here. have a treat and be quiet." He likes to flop his tongue around after a snack so it helps keep him distracted.

Rather than drive all over the planet (i.e. back to the office then back to the barn), I just stopped by KMT and did my requisite ride on El Camino. She was less snarky than last night but I'm not ruling out the fact that Emma remained directly in her line of sight the entire ride while schooling another horse in the same arena. It is a known fact that Ellie loves Emma.

We worked on our "happy ears" in the crossties.

Who is the Favorite?

I really appreciate all of the thoughtful comments on yesterday's post. I didn't actually read any until just now- it was one of those entries that you fling up, add a photo, delete a photo in disgust, and never want to acknowledge that you wrote.

But the kind words and thoughtful advice did sink in and I came to a realization. Wait for it......

I am actually Ellie's most favorite person! I give her treats, take her out to graze, let her lick my arms before I put her bridle on. But best of all? When she cops an attitude to get out of work I usually end up giving in. She has got my number on a silver platter.

It was helpful to hear how others had been through similar situations with their mares (and geldings!) and have ended up just fine!

Onwards and upwards!

Longe Lesson Woes

Kelly and I talked about a few adjustments to my riding during my Saturday lesson to see if we can't get Ellie to like me a little more under saddle. She and I get along just fine on the ground but we need to connect during the ride, which we're just not doing right now. 

To kick things off I'm going to start riding MORE. Ellie will still get her training rides but I'll be out after work to do 10-20 minutes of hack. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.  Working on no stirrups to build up the old legs. 

Kelly also suggested some longe line lessons, bringing things back to basics to focus on balance and leg aids. So I was SUPER excited to see that Brook had Rouie and Winslow on the longe before my Sunday lesson. Of course I asked if I could have a go and Ellie and I trotted around for the entirety of our private lesson working on moving haunches and shoulders with legs and not hands. 

I asked Rouie to take a few photos during the lesson for this blog and that's where things went a bit south. Ellie just looked so upset in every. single. photo. Ears pinned, back/ neck inverted. To see her so frustrated was just disheartening. I can understand when she gets snarky about too much inside rein, too much wiggling in the canter depart, too much nagging forward leg. I get it. I can be annoying. 

But she's just being asked to go around in a circle at the trot. We were working specifically on a NON-nagging leg. I was trying to be light in my seat, down in my heels, and guide with quiet aids. 

I am sure we will work through this once we figure out what she needs from me, but it's challenging to ride a horse that clearly wants nothing to do with you. 

Used Tack Sale Blog Reader Run In!

I had forgotten that there was going to be a used tack sale going on Saturday at Brown Ranch so it was a lucky coincidence that Wilbur was the first stop of the day so I popped in when the gettin' was good!

A gal running the sale was super helpful in answering my questions (how exactly do you USE that mane puller?) and through some idle chit chat realized that she was the winner of the Ariat polo from my 31x31 contest! Based on her shipping address I knew that my winner lived in the Bay but talk about a small world!
It was awesome to meet a reader of the blog!!!

I picked up some pillow/ standing wraps for Wilbur- good to have on hand just in case! I also have a thing for mint condition baby pads. An odd thing to collect, and I rarely ever use them, but they're just so soft. A Hunter Green Beval for $5? Yes please!

Best of all 100% of the proceeds go to Horses Healing Hearts, a nonprofit rescue located right at Brown Ranch!

All the goodies!

Wilbur and Disel check out the action from afar

Love finding great deals!

The Prodigal CWD Returns!

The panels were made, I shipped the CWD to a Burbank address, and a week later it ships home complete!
A little shocked- I thought that in addition to the panels being made in France that the saddle was also shipped there to be assembled. In fact I questioned the poor CWD customer service gal heartily about who exactly put those panels on when she made the mistake of calling to confirm my address.

Apparently local CA saddle repair people who trained under the CWD masters in France. And for all you East Coasters there's a saddle repair center in NY.

So now we'll just have to wait and see if Princess Ellie likes her new panels. It feels very "Princess and the Pea"- esque.