Someone is Feeling Better

I can't quite think of more pleasant way to start the day!

Case of the Mondays: Spring Vaccination Edition

Usually a Monday optimist, today was no exception. In fact- it was a special Monday- Wilbur was scheduled for his Spring vaccinations!
I had lined up the farrier to shoe in the morning so he would be ready for a nice jog when the vet arrived at 11.

Arriving shortly before our scheduled time I was disappointed to find my farrier check still at the barn but before I even had to follow up, received a text that there was a scheduling conflict and was Thursday ok? There's good and bad here. The good being that my farrier does a great job and he can shoe Wilbur without me being there. Seriously huge. The bad is that lately there have been a few scheduling conflicts and we're stretching out our 6 week cycle much longer than I'd prefer.

I sat in my car ruminating over how sad I felt for Wilbur's feet while there were intermittent burst of tiny rainstorms- the idea of standing the rain during is vet visit is less than thrilling. Making matters worse- a very vocal orange cat kept meowing and scratching at my drivers side door.

11:30 rolled around and I tried to call my vet and then called Pioneer Equine Hospital. I certainly don't mind waiting I just wanted to make sure I hadn't mistaken the day or time. Nope- she should be there in a few I was told.
Noon rolls around and I text the vet for an ETA. Between 1:30/2? Apparently I was down on her schedule for a 1pm- a miscommunication from the office. Such is life- I was just glad I got to leave and grab a little lunch. So long productive work day.

My vet and tech arrive and we troop out to grab Wilbur (it is now sunny and warm). She says he's looking great- good weight- that he's a special guy. Have I mentioned I love my vet?
She checks his heartbeat, runs his temp. Whoops- running a fever at 103. Looking really concerned, she recommends some blood work and gives him some Banamine. By this point I'm also very concerned and I ask what in the world this could mean? Nothing- just a virus going around the herd. But unfortunately he can't get his vaccinations today so she's going to have to come back out.

Le sigh. So I will be out taking temps, dosing Banamine, and feeding electrolytes until his fever goes down. I have called in horsey husband favors and Paul will be accompanying me to the barn tomorrow for my first visit. Nurse Emily to the rescue!

I lurv getting shots Mum! 

Seconds Please!

I've enjoyed riding a few "seconds" this week. My time in the irons has increased dramatically- riding five days a week- and this week two of those five rides I had two horses!

I regularly hack Jinx on Fridays- his owner work in San Fran and has trouble getting to the barn at a reasonable time. In addition to our usual ride, Lex had a major Tuesday deadline so I was able to pick up a last minute night ride after my lesson. I had to laugh, as the last KMT riders still in the ring Brook had forgotten about me and put Ellie's bridle in the lost and found box. Classic. I could picture her grumbling under her breath about messy kids.

This morning I happened to be in earshot of Brook and working student, Rouie, when Brook mentioned that Kelly's baby, Albert, needed a hack. Rouie had not brought her gear and without hesitation I piped up and said I could hack him. It wasn't until after I'd offered my "services" did I realize that Albert had been in pasture for 6 months and back at the barn for less than a week.
With that I hesitated for just a moment, but had ridden him before so felt like I had some baseline, and we had a really lovely time.
I think I need to add another baby to my flock.

Feeling lucky to get the extra ride time this week!!!

Makings of a Good Pupil

Occasionally I'll take a step back and ask myself, "Am I a good student? Am I someone that my trainers enjoy giving lessons to? What can I do to be a better pupil?"

And every time I do this exercise there are always a few specific constructive criticisms. But before I shame myself- I'll sandwich in a few areas where I feel I excel.

Timeliness: I am always on time for my rides and am conscientious of my trainer's time.

Listening Skills: I think that I'm good at listening to my trainer's feedback and employing their suggestions in my rides. They may think differently based on the number of times they've told me to close my fingers.

Polite: Generally speaking I am pleasant to be around. I often answer with a yes or no ma'am (I picked  up the ma'am chatting with old timey Western folks.....also why I am now using the word folks... and it's usually reserved for when when I'm trying not to shriek a string of swear words). And always say thanks for the time.

Areas for improvement.....

Just do it already!!!: Currently a typical jump or canter convo with me would go like this...
Trainer: Let's do this exercise at a canter.
Me: Can we just trot it?
Trainer: I'd really prefer you canter it. But you can trot it the first time.
Me: Fine. I'll just go canter it.

Really? I might have just gotten annoyed with myself as I was typing. Yet this is verbatim from our lesson this morning.
Just do it. Don't talk back. Just do what they want you to do. You're going to do it anyway.

Stop Over Sharing: When it comes to horses I feel as if I have the maturity level of a 10 year old. Coupled with a 31 year old brain I tend to wax poetic to my poor trainers ad nauseam about my philosophies as to where we are in our training.
For example....
Trainer: I think you have a great eye, you just worry about distances to fences. This exercise will help with that.
Me: Well *stop to stand around*.... really I think I'm not jumping because we really haven't connected on the flat, we haven't been cantering much, I can't get her medium canter down in flatwork, it seems counter productive to jump, blah blah blah blah blah
Trainer: Nods head (and I imagine is saying a nonverbal "shut up")
Me: Good. You agree. I'm glad to be doing these poles.

Then after the lesson I think to myself, "Why couldn't you just keep it to yourself and shut the f up?"

Sometimes I have the forethought to coach myself before lessons- which should not be that challenging. Because it's really just "be quiet and do what they ask."

I'm curious- what would you consider to be your strengths and weaknesses as a student?

Ellie says, "Shut up about the medium canter please." 

Big Yawns

We're both yawning after a lovely group lesson that kept us working hard- and I was very pleased that we were also able to keep up!
That, plus a last minute catch ride on Jinx, has me ready for bed!