Thursday's Threads

 

Outfit Day! We almost didn't have one today. And it's half a repeat of last week. And our model is going out of turn. All of this because my worker called out sick today. I had some things for work I had to get done early, so I started chores late (fear not, I fed on time!) and then I had to drag the ring. So by the time I was free to start riding it was close to 4pm. So I only rode one today. And I picked Shiny. Here's what she was wearing today:

Yes, I didn't swap out our pads this week. They really aren't dirty, so one more inconsistent week it is for the brown pads!

Bridle: Joseph Sterling

Browband: Dark Jewel Designs

It took some begging to get her ears up for this photo. Thankfully, I swear this pony understands English because I explained to her that the sooner she takes a nice photo the sooner we get to our ride and then to dinner. Dinner got the ears up. 

Saddle: Butet
Saddle Pad: Ogilvy
Half Pad: Stephens

I'm still waiting on our new Mattes half pad. They take awhile. This one isn't bad though!

That's it for Shiny's outfit. She's not wearing boots for a flat day. So it's my turn! I made sure to wear something a little fun to make up for the repeat horse outfit. 

A little pink today! I love pink and green together. 

Helmet: One K Avance CCS Mips

My helmet isn't actually that dirty. That is Deep Woods Off dry formula. The gnats here are out of control! And I don't want to have to go back on the prednisone for gnat bites. 

Top: Annva

I have mixed feelings about this top. The material is softer than some of the other brands I wear, but it also makes the hay stick more. So that's annoying. I love the color though.

Belt: Tory Burch

Tory Burch makes a nice belt. I have a few and they have all held up really nicely for many years. 

Breeches: Tailored Sportsman

This is a great shade of pink! They match really nicely with the pink on my lime green boots too. So you'll probably see them again pretty soon because I haven't worn those boots in awhile. 

Boots: Celeris UK

The pink boots are still so fun! They're one of my older pairs, but I still love them. And they're in great shape too!

That's it for today. Some day I will have something fun for you guys again. Hopefully.

What's Up Wednesday

 

It's been busy around here. I've had several of my twice yearly appointments over the last few weeks, and true to 2026 form, I now have to go to MORE appointments. Annoying. There's a wee question on my mammogram that I need to get biopsied. I'm choosing to believe it's nothing until proven otherwise because that's how I stay sane (ish). That test won't be until the end of October so that's a long time to spiral. Hence why I'm choosing not to. I also need to get my carpal tunnel checked out. It's not been bad lately, but now that I'm back to do choring more days per week (and it's colder out), I'm having some troubles again. Not sure when that will be yet, they're supposed to call me. Of course, I have very few days that I have help to go to these appointments... so that's stressful. But I'll figure it out! Cause that's what we do, right?

Anyway, enough about me, let's talk about my seemingly semi-retired horses shall we? We were able to ride every day last week, but most of the rides were pretty short. The weekend was another story! We had a bit storm that thankfully was kind to my farm. It rained for three straight days pretty much. And the winds were pretty intense. To prepare and keep the barn in good shape, I cleaned and put the windows up for the stalls. 

I put the horses out both days, but Saturday it was kind of limited turnout. I put the boys out in the walkouts behind their respective stalls and let Shiny go in the ring. (She's the smartest, if she sensed a tree falling she'd get herself out of dodge. I'm not sure the boys would.) 

I knew they wouldn't want to be out too long as it was supposed to get more and more windy and the rain was supposed to get heavier as the day went on. So I didn't rotate anyone, and just got the chores done as fast as I could. They seemed happy to come in and I kept them stuffed with hay. For these three, that's all they need really. 

Sunday actually wound up being better than expected. It still rained all morning, but there was a break in the action in the afternoon so I was able to graze them all. 

I only snapped pics of Al though. He was being so brave! He dragged me over to the side yard to graze which was interesting because he's never EVER wanted to go over there. He saw the cars go by and was happy as a clam over there. Very proud of him. 

Monday it was raining AGAIN. The entire day. Which would have been a day off anyway, so no harm there. But Rita was pretty sad we didn't get our walk in. Not that sad, because she hates rain. But still disappointed I'm sure. 

Tuesday was annoying. I originally had a dr appointment scheduled for a couple weeks ago, but I had to reschedule because their phlebotomist quit the evening before I was supposed to get bloodwork and I wouldn't have been able to get it done in time for my appointment. When I rescheduled the appointment, I did not yet know that my worker would need to immediately cut her hours from five days to three. She's no longer working on Tuesdays. But I didn't want to reschedule my appointment again. So I got up, fed the horses, showered, gave them more hay, then went to my appointment. Chores got done after that. By the time I was done with all that it was almost 4pm. I opted to just ride Al since he's the one I don't want having a million days off in a row. (We were at three after Monday as it was.) Considering all the time off, we had an okay ride, but we did very much stay on a fairly small circle. The neighbor has been quite busy next door doing who knows what. Which is not terribly helpful after all those weather days.

Today I had my follow up mammogram in the morning, but thankfully DID have help in the barn. So when I got back I was able to just start riding and I got everyone done! Well... mostly anyway. Eros and Shiny had nice full rides. Despite Bang and Clang next door. I shit you not, he was climbing on a ladder and putting some kind of sealant or stain or something on the roof of his shed. RIGHT next to the ring. That was for Shiny's ride. I forget what he was doing for Eros' but it wasn't that bad. I saved Al for last in hopes he would be done with his list of things to do over there. But alas. It only got worse. I got on Al, and walked for a few minutes. When the neighbor decided that was the exact moment he needed to rake the tree line between us. Al had already told me before I even got on that he wasn't into it today. But I insisted and promised him if we had to just walk that's what we would do. So we walked for awhile, did some standing and staring while the raking was going on, and finally did a little trotting toward the end of the ride. It was a nice trot, forward and with proper contact. So who am I to argue with that? I didn't bother cantering because I had zero faith that Bang and Clang was done torturing us for the day. Sometimes you take the win and call it a day. I wasn't sad about it, and neither was Al.

So that's about the long and the short of it over here. Life keeps lifing! Thank goodness for horses!

Not much sunshine here lately, but we did get a sunset rainbow!

Truthful Tuesday

 

Heh... so I was distracted while filling up the hay bucket with water to soak Shiny's hay. And while I definitely made note of the time once it was filled (so I would know what time to remove the hay) I promptly forgot what it was. Thankfully, I had posted something in our work group chat right when the bucket was filled, so I was able to use that timestamp to know when to pull the hay out. And that's today's confession. Distracted bucket filling. Guilty.

Thursday's Threads

 

Outfit Day! We're still being boring over here, but fun boots make it a little better. Eros is our model today, and here's what he had on:

I know he's lost some muscles, but he sure is looking pretty good otherwise. The belly isn't hanging quite so low these days. 

Bridle: Pinnacle
Browband: Boy O'Boy Bridleworks

I'm not sure why this photo is so dark here, it looks normal on my phone... Oh well. Here is Eros modeling with his eyes closed because he's had enough of me, but also his ears are up because he likes to look nice.

Saddle: Butet
Half Pad: Mattes
Baby Pad: Ogilvy

Plugging along with our love of neutrals over here! I really love these brown pads. I'm so glad they brought this color back!

We didn't jump so Eros didn't have any leg protection on today. So it's my turn! Here's what I had on:

Layers my friends. We've reached layering season. 

Helmet: One K Avance CCS MIPS

Went with this helmet today because I wanted a little sparkle. 

Zip up: Aerie (I think)

I had to get my annual bloodwork done today so I had to wear short sleeves, but it is not short sleeves weather. So I added this zip up on top. Which wound up being the perfect layers for today's weather. It wasn't terribly cold, mid 60's I think, but it was pretty windy making it feel cooler. 

Belt: Tory Burch

Tory Burch has lovely belts. They wear really well. I've had this one for several years now and it looks almost new still.

Breeches: Tailored Sportsman

I finally found a reasonably priced pair of brown TS to add to my hoard now that this fabric is discontinued. 

Boots: Celeris UK

Nothing makes a stressful week a little happier than cow print boots! Trust me. It's true. 

And that's it for today! Any favorites? Starting to feel like fall where you are yet?

What's Up Wednesday

 

Phew! Another week gone by. We are still in that somewhat inconsistent schedule in the saddle around here, but I did at least sit on my horses most of the days last week. I didn't have a ton of time. My helper is only working three days a week, and I had a few things I had to get to in the evenings so it just didn't leave a lot of time per horse for riding. And also they were back working on the fence Saturday. Sunday was a rain out. But you know? You can only do the best you can with what you have to work with. So that is what we are doing. The best you can do is all you can do, amiright?

The horses are fine though. A little under muscled. A little less fit than I'd like. But they're fine. We haven't jumped and probably won't until next week sometime. We have a crazy weather system heading this way for the weekend that I think will mean several days off for the horses followed by a very wet ring. But that might be good for getting a few things done that I haven't had time for. Last Sunday when we were rained out I cleaned all the bird poo off the barn floor and washed all the stall fronts. 

I have to tell you guys, even though it's a little exhausting, ever since I got caught up with keeping the stall walls clean, especially where they eat and drink, we have so few flies in the barn. I mean of course there ARE flies, but not like in years past. So definitely worth it. Now if only I could cure the biting gnat problem. I usually have so many dragon flies that the gnats aren't terrible, but this year not so much. It's the only reason I'm looking forward to a frost! 

We have officially entered the time of year when the horses just keep breaking stuff. I've replaced more fence rails this week than I have all summer! I've also had to reattach the hasp on Al's door, and Eros keeps pushing his door over the little stopper. They're itchy. I'm itchy. We need the gnats and mosquitos to go! 

I don't really have too much to share otherwise. We're just plugging along, trying to get all the things done before winter. I have a few calls in for quotes to get some trees taken down, but no one gets back to you. I feel like it's very hard to get things done these days. Even this fence project. It's been going on for months and should have taken a few days. I guess it's a lesson in patience and delaying gratification. 

I have someone coming to interview Friday to work here in the mornings. Sounds like she wants and needs the job so fingers crossed please! Hopefully it will work out and for the long term. She lives only about 15 minutes away so that would be convenient for her as well. 

Hope you're all doing great! 

Truthful Tuesday

 

Today's confession is that sometimes I let Al do things that I shouldn't because they're funny. And then I wonder why he does naughty things. For example, he likes to paw when I groom him. I do not approve of this. Sometimes I give him my busted up dressage whip to play with while I groom him so he will keep his feet still. But then today he did this:

And I really should have stopped it immediately, but it was just so silly! I had to grab a video first. And this is why I have horses and not children.

Thursday's Threads

 

Outfit Day!! We kept it to barn colors again this week because it's starting to feel like fall, and our color palette here is very Autumn forward. Shiny is our model this week and here's what she had on:

Forgive the awkward stance, she wasn't terribly interested in posing this week.

Bridle: Pinnacle

Browband: Boy O'Boy Bridleworks

I'm not sure Al likes this bridle, but Shiny goes very nicely in hers! 

Saddle: Butet

Half Pad: Stephens
Baby Pad: Ogilvy

Our go-to set up! Pink Equine had a special through August where they would pay your import fees on Mattes items. So I did finally go ahead and get Shiny her own Mattes green half pad. I can't wait for it to get here!

No boots today since it wasn't a jump day. So here's what I had on:

I almost wore my Mountain Horse boots today since I haven't in forever, but I didn't have a lot of time and they were in need of some serious attention before I could put my feet in them. Another week!

Helmet: One K Avance CCS MIPS

An obvious choice for today's look!

Shirt: Mathcat

I love this shade of tan! Wish they had this on in short sleeve too. 

Belt: Silver... something

Yep, looks like I'm wearing this belt one hole looser these days... Let's just blame the Prednisone shall we? We shall. Also, sorry I can't remember the rest of this brand... I'm too unmotivated to go look. 

Breeches: RJ Classics Harper

These are the ones with the defective pockets, but I still like the breeches a lot. They discontinued them, I think due to the pocket issues, but I'm sure one of the new styles is pretty similar. 

Boots: Horka

Back in these again! They're so comfy. The soles are thinner than the Celeris boots though, and my stirrups always feel a little long when I wear them. I imagine that's a little princess and the pea of me!

That's it for today! Any favorites?