What's Up Wednesday

 

Heh, my schedule was askew today and I nearly forgot to write this post. Oops! As is typical for June, it's busy around here. I have been especially busy with Aunty duties. We had not one but two days of recitals (drums, piano, and violin for one niece, and violin for the other). A sixth grade promotion ceremony. And this Sunday we have a play. Which is fun and all, but I also have a dinner Friday and real theater tickets for Saturday. Plus all the barn stuff. I need to go out and see some humans and do non horse things. But I'm already exhausted just thinking about the weekend! My worker also has told me that he has to leave early on Wednesdays now so I get to bring the horses in from turnout and clean all the paddocks. Lucky me. Not that I mind taking care of my place and my horses, but I usually use my weekday mornings for adulting. At least it's just one day a week for now. 

Today was the first day, and it did allow me to confirm that he's giving the geldings WAAAYYY too much hay. I was really confused because they've put on a surprising amount of weight since coming home. I kind of chalked it up to the inconsistent work thanks to the rain, but now I know it's the heavy handed hay fairy in the morning. My horses get one flake per meal which I realize is very little, but they're easy keepers. They also get hay five times a day. Well this morning, he had put in their stalls four flakes each. That's almost an entire day's worth of hay! Fixed that up before the horses saw. I imagine they were very disappointed when they came in to just a normal amount of hay. But also, I bet Shiny was giggling at them since she's on rations herself. (I net and weigh all of her hay so he can't mess that up on me. I really don't want to have do that for all of them.) 

As you already know, riding was pretty on and off this week with the weather. We did get to ride all week, but Saturday we were rained out. Which honestly was fine because I had to get up 4:15 to get turnout and chores done before the 10:30 am recital. Since it was raining, I popped home quick to feed lunch and then joined my family at a celebratory lunch. It was kind of nice to have a "normal person" sort of day. Rita and I spent the rest of the day cleaning out part of my closet and attempting to reorganize my belts. But that was somewhat unsuccessful because I really can't find anything now. Going to have to give that one another shot on a future rainy day. And then I was exhausted. I'm not used to 4:15 wake ups anymore! 

Sunday I was able to ride everyone which was lovely. Shiny had a bareback day, Eros had a stretchy ride, and Al... well. We did some walk and trot. On a circle. It was... something. Monday is always our day off, but with the weather people being consistently wrong with the forecasts I may have to rethink that schedule going forward. 

Tuesday was supposed to be my lesson with Al, but the trainer canceled like an hour before hand. Which was frustrating, but also the rain was coming so probably for the best. We would have gotten absolutely dumped on which probably would not have helped us much. We've rescheduled for next Tuesday. I think that's better anyway. Might as well wait until after we see the vet to start up with something new. 

It was interesting today. Al was better after two days off than he was all of last week. I won't go so far as to say he was good, but he was somewhat less psychotic than Sunday. So that's nice. Not sure if it was the time off, or if his magical Chinese herbs are maybe helping? Hard to say. Regardless, we still have a long way to go. Really hoping the vet finds some answers on Friday. 

Eros was interesting too. We're just about around two weeks into our doxy treatment, and I really do think I'm feeling a difference in him. Maybe he was just spicy from the extra day off, but for our ride today he felt really powerful. In a way I haven't felt from him in a long time. He had the bands on and his canter just felt so fantastic. There was a little sass thrown in which just had me giggling. I'm so thankful for this horse. He knows how to make a stressed out horse mom feel better. 

Shiny is putting in some good work lately too. Ever since shimming her saddle up off her spine she is SO BOUNCY! I love it. Impulsion! It's in there, I knew it! She did get to have a little jump school last week. I think on Friday. She was great. I keep forgetting to charge up Pivo for jump days, but I did throw my phone on the fence for some poor quality media. Some day I'll do better. I do miss sharing fun videos! Here are some screen shots. I swear she was enjoying herself even if her face doesn't really convey that...

Everything feels so easy for her, even the 2' ones (purple jump in the photos above). She's literally just cantering over everything. If the weather will allow some more consistency I want to get her full course to 2' and maybe even see if we can get back to 2'3". I think it might be really fun to take her to some little jumper shows, but I think the smallest around here starts at 2'3". So we have something to work towards anyway.

Also last Friday I got to braid a sweet sale horse that my friend has.

I might go take a lesson on him one of these days. I think it would be great to sit on something other than my own. And he's a real gem so that would be fun! I'll keep you all posted if it happens!

I know things will be somewhat light again this weekend. Probably rain on Saturday (again!) and Sunday my nieces play is at noon. I'm not actually sure if my dad will be home for Father's day, but potentially something with him too... Not sure riding will fit into that schedule. They have their turnout time in the morning before the play so early rides aren't an option unfortunately. We'll just have to see how the days play out! 

Hopefully I'll have some insights into Al's mania for next week. Stay tuned!