Monday, June 30, 2014
All the Pretty Girls!
Paul and I darted out of town this weekend to L.A. to attend my sister-in-law's baby shower! On the way we stopped at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks where we visited the giant Sequoias.
The baby shower was lovely and it was so nice to catch up with this pretty one!
Back at home I had enlisted my barn friend, Chris, to give Ellie a ride on Saturday and I got the report that she was a delight... along with this pic! Two pretty ladies!
Finally- a wonderful Monday for my friend Jen, whose mare has been up at UC Davis for the past 7 weeks fighting a bacterial infection in her eye! Finally home today! Welcome home sweet Pie!
Thursday, June 26, 2014
"Free" Horse
I just had to share a post from She Moved to Texas about how much her "free" horse is costing her. Clever, witty, and well written. Read it.
Because it's the truth! Who cares how much the horse cost? The real expense is in the day to day.
Now I'm not going to pretend that Paul and I don't live a comfortable life. But when Lauren notes that the annual vet care of a horse is equivalent to 40 mani/pedis at a nail salon or that lessons cost out to be 30 pairs of Rainbow Sandals (best sandals EVER) she is not kidding.
Not glam or fab.
My last pedi was treat from Paul, my hair color is au natural, and my socks have holes in them but I am so glad that I scrimp each month and forgo the "finer things in life" to enjoy Ellie & Wilbur! At the end of the day I won't remember what color my nails were in June of 2013 but I will remember those great rides!
Because it's the truth! Who cares how much the horse cost? The real expense is in the day to day.
Now I'm not going to pretend that Paul and I don't live a comfortable life. But when Lauren notes that the annual vet care of a horse is equivalent to 40 mani/pedis at a nail salon or that lessons cost out to be 30 pairs of Rainbow Sandals (best sandals EVER) she is not kidding.
Not glam or fab.
My last pedi was treat from Paul, my hair color is au natural, and my socks have holes in them but I am so glad that I scrimp each month and forgo the "finer things in life" to enjoy Ellie & Wilbur! At the end of the day I won't remember what color my nails were in June of 2013 but I will remember those great rides!
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Tack Store Love
I was in a tack store all day today and I didn't buy a thing! What is wrong with me?
I was there for work. In my line of business I'm confronted daily with the challenges faced by brick & mortar business competing alongside the .com giants.
Valley Tack was my go to growing up- about a 45 minute drive from my house. I distinctly recall one trip where I had been instructed by my trainer to pick up a bit and some random tack for a horse I was half leasing. Of course I had no idea what size bit to purchase- nor exactly what type of Eggbutt to get- and ended up getting an incorrect bit all around. I bet my Mom LOVED that second trip out to VT. I never had much to buy but could spend forever pining over stock pins and Breyers.
Tell me about your local tack store and why you love it!
A random web photo of Valley Tack and (possibly) the owner. TWO LEVELS yo!
I was there for work. In my line of business I'm confronted daily with the challenges faced by brick & mortar business competing alongside the .com giants.
Valley Tack was my go to growing up- about a 45 minute drive from my house. I distinctly recall one trip where I had been instructed by my trainer to pick up a bit and some random tack for a horse I was half leasing. Of course I had no idea what size bit to purchase- nor exactly what type of Eggbutt to get- and ended up getting an incorrect bit all around. I bet my Mom LOVED that second trip out to VT. I never had much to buy but could spend forever pining over stock pins and Breyers.
Tell me about your local tack store and why you love it!
A random web photo of Valley Tack and (possibly) the owner. TWO LEVELS yo!
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Chance
There is nothing worse than getting home after a 12 hour day and realizing that I have blog-writers block!
Last week Paul initiated "Fitness Month." He has been swimming for the past several years on a Masters team that practices from 7-8pm. They also practice at 5:30am. See where this is going? In case you don't, Paul and I are waking up at 5am every Mon-Thurs to embark on some type of physical activity. That's where the 12 hour day came from- I was out the door by 5:20 to head to a spin class- "go me (!!!!)" and also "gah!"
As I was desperately trying to come up with some blog fodder by scrolling through old photos I ran across one of myself and Chance. Chance is the most handsome TB gelding owned by my friend Chris (who also made homemade cookies and left some in my trunk tonight). She was out of town a few weeks ago and asked if I could give him a hack- which I very much needed after the Friday I'd had a work! It was that perfect night- the weather was gorgeous and we were the only ones out there (except for other Emily who took this pic). He was super and easy. And you know when you're all by yourself, cantering around, and there's that little bit of glee- like I can't believe I get to do this? Perhaps it was a the super structured lessons I had when I was young....now when I find myself- by myself- hacking around I'm always a little tickled.
I love that my fabulous barn friends have enough faith that I won't break their horses to let me fill in!
A lot of my fellow horse bloggers are owners- do you get that chance to hop on something different once in a while?
Last week Paul initiated "Fitness Month." He has been swimming for the past several years on a Masters team that practices from 7-8pm. They also practice at 5:30am. See where this is going? In case you don't, Paul and I are waking up at 5am every Mon-Thurs to embark on some type of physical activity. That's where the 12 hour day came from- I was out the door by 5:20 to head to a spin class- "go me (!!!!)" and also "gah!"
As I was desperately trying to come up with some blog fodder by scrolling through old photos I ran across one of myself and Chance. Chance is the most handsome TB gelding owned by my friend Chris (who also made homemade cookies and left some in my trunk tonight). She was out of town a few weeks ago and asked if I could give him a hack- which I very much needed after the Friday I'd had a work! It was that perfect night- the weather was gorgeous and we were the only ones out there (except for other Emily who took this pic). He was super and easy. And you know when you're all by yourself, cantering around, and there's that little bit of glee- like I can't believe I get to do this? Perhaps it was a the super structured lessons I had when I was young....now when I find myself- by myself- hacking around I'm always a little tickled.
I love that my fabulous barn friends have enough faith that I won't break their horses to let me fill in!
A lot of my fellow horse bloggers are owners- do you get that chance to hop on something different once in a while?
Monday, June 23, 2014
Poo Diary: Saturday & Sunday
Fast forwarding a bit because tonight I found a bright eyed, bushy tailed horse who was obviously feeling much, much better!
I had planned to hack on Saturday and meet my friend Claire for a trail ride at 10. Ellie's poo situation actually seemed to be getting worse (if that's possible) so my hack turned into a quiet walk to get the gut moving and a short loop with Claire on her baby TB, Louie.
Ellie got her temperature taken and we made sure she was hydrated- all signs pointed towards normal. Minus the poop of course.
Sunday I arrived to find loose stool, runs, and a ton of breakfast still left in Ellie's stall. I cancelled my lesson, wandered down to Claire's barn to vent, then chatted with Emma about next steps. We gave her a flake of Alfalfa, which she wolfed down (I know- normally we would not switch out hay- but in this case I think it was for the best), and I hopped on Emma's baby TB mare, Sophia, for a hack. She's a lovely mare and I always enjoy riding something different!
Emma was switching horses from the show at Woodside so was able to check on Ells into the evening and reported that she was eating dinner and pooping and that all looked well.
Fingers crossed that the hay switch has finally settled and we can get back to work!
I had planned to hack on Saturday and meet my friend Claire for a trail ride at 10. Ellie's poo situation actually seemed to be getting worse (if that's possible) so my hack turned into a quiet walk to get the gut moving and a short loop with Claire on her baby TB, Louie.
Ellie got her temperature taken and we made sure she was hydrated- all signs pointed towards normal. Minus the poop of course.
Sunday I arrived to find loose stool, runs, and a ton of breakfast still left in Ellie's stall. I cancelled my lesson, wandered down to Claire's barn to vent, then chatted with Emma about next steps. We gave her a flake of Alfalfa, which she wolfed down (I know- normally we would not switch out hay- but in this case I think it was for the best), and I hopped on Emma's baby TB mare, Sophia, for a hack. She's a lovely mare and I always enjoy riding something different!
Emma was switching horses from the show at Woodside so was able to check on Ells into the evening and reported that she was eating dinner and pooping and that all looked well.
Fingers crossed that the hay switch has finally settled and we can get back to work!
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| Louie was being a little weirdo! |
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| Saturday cat nap for Polly! |
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| Licking the pipe corral |
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| Saturday Selfie |
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| The pretty Sophia! |
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