What's up Wednesday

Before talking about last week, I just want to thank all of you for everything! First, for all the kind comments on yesterday's post. It really helps to have a network to talk about these things with. Your support means the world. And secondly for these:

incredible artistry from www.byandbyart.com

I'm not sure yet who all was involved getting these made for me, but you guys! They are beautiful. Rio's crooked face was captured perfectly, and so were Jampy's (ex)stallion cheeks! I just love them, they are so SO special! I decided to wear them together on one chain and don't plan to take them off ever.

So thank you all, for everything. It means so much. I swear the blogger community is really something special that I hold very close.

And so now... on to the past week!
As you already know from Thursday's Threads last week, I had half of a lesson on Shiny on Wednesday. We were getting toward the end of the flat portion when she stumbled and wiped out. Neither of us were very hurt, though she had a bit of a stiff neck for a few days after, and I still have a sore ankle and knee. Oddly enough, on different legs. I have no idea what parts of me hit the ground, or if she maybe landed on me someplace. I completely lost track of where she was when it happened which was kind of scary. When I finally stopped falling I thought my back was against her, and my neck was on the ground, but it turned out that my back was on the ground, and I have no idea what my neck was touching. Very weird. I was riding with the assistant trainer that evening, and though she and I have asked, head trainer has been too busy to pull up the video from the security camera.
Once the initial sting of all that subsided, I climbed back on and we just did a little walk/trot to finish our ride. We were both a little shaken! I gave Eros a very light hack that evening too, and then hobbled around the indoor with Pammon. I swear he was more sound than I. He thought so, and decided to walk me instead:

Thursday I had my lesson on Eros. I was surprisingly not as sore as I expected to be. Sore for sure, but not so much that I couldn't ride in my lesson. Thank goodness because we had a lovely ride. I think Eros and I are starting to find our groove again. Though the lesson started out with head trainer telling me how much she hates teaching at night. How she's already worked 14 hours (which probably isn't true, because they start around 7 there and my lesson was at 6:15, but whatever...) and she's over it. Um. Ok? Sorry?
(On a separate note, I keep seeing that essay in the plaid horse being shared everywhere about not being a PIA boarder, and I KINDA want to write a response about not being an entitled barn owner... but not so sure how that would be received. Also, maybe my offense to that means I AM a PIA boarder?) I think I may switch weekday lessons to ride with AT. I'm not sure how long I can smile sweetly before I say something to get me kicked out... Like sorry I have to work for a living during the day?
I wish I had some lesson media to share with you guys. I need to get one of the kids to video next time. I always forget. But anyway, despite being an inconvenience to the trainer, it was a good lesson.
I gave Shiny a light hack that evening, and she felt quite good surprisingly. She seemed acutely aware of where her feet were, and never stumbled at all. She's generally a pretty lazy pony, and it's not uncommon for her to stumble once or twice during a ride. But that evening she was like nope, not falling today! I was relieved she felt sound.
Friday was the day the vet was out. We already talked about how that went for Pammon. (Ugh.) But I had Doc look at Shiny also, just to be on the safe side. He had me ride her for him, and then did some flexions. He said she was tight on the left side in her neck which wasn't surprising after the tumble. Otherwise he thought she looked great. So that was good news. We did pull some blood to check for lyme and EPM exposure. Just in case. Given my history... Fingers crossed she just has a case of the lazies. Farrier is coming out this Friday and said he would check her feet and roll her toes over a bit which should help too.
I had to go back to work after vet stuff for a couple of hours, and then was back to the barn to ride Eros and give Pammon his walk. I figured the short ride for the vet was enough for Shiny. She could get back to real work over the weekend.
Saturday was just a flatting day for Shiny and Eros and they were both good kids. Pammon had his walk and was also a good kid. But the MANE event (you'll see what I did there...) was getting Shiny and Eros' manes back under control. They had both gotten a bit feral.

Much better! Shiny's before and after have to wait a bit as I didn't finish hers. She's not the most patient but also, it was feeding time. I decided it wasn't worth the battle. No time line on when she needs her mane to be perfect. But it is at least better than it was!
Sunday I got to have another lesson with Eros which also went great. I struggle a little with fitness in my lessons. The instructor there likes to warm us up usually on a figure 8 over two jumps, but she likes you to just keep going and going. It's tough for me with Eros because he takes both a lot of leg, and also a lot of arm and core strength. Homeboy is pretty perfect in most ways, but he is a workout! So I usually run out of strength and oxygen after the third figure eight. It's definitely challenging, and I know I just need to keep doing it to get more fit. Despite my exhaustion, it was a good ride. Eros is really listening well and helping me out when I need it. I really enjoy him! Some of the fences even got up to 2'9" so you know, things are getting pretty serious... Ha. Baby steps my friends.
I gave Shiny a bit more of a real ride on Sunday, asking her to come onto the bit and up from behind. She felt great and gave me some really nice work. And Pammon had his walk of course!
Mondays the barn is closed, and I have to be honest.... it's kind of nice having one early night during the week. I got my errands run right after work, and was home with the puggers by 7:30! So nice!
Which leads us to last night and one more rant from me... (Sorry, I think I'm starting to get annoying. I'll try to bring more sunshine and glitter to the blog next week.)
I got to the barn normal time Tuesday, but would have an early night because my stepmom is home for Thanksgiving and she is riding Eros for a couple days. So I got on Shiny straight away and had a nice ride with her. Once she was tucked back in, I got Pammon out for a grooming and his walk. Trainer decided to drag the ring after her lesson was done though and turn her three dogs loose in the ring, so that's obviously not ideal conditions for handwalking a stall resting horse. I figured she wouldn't be too long (the ring isn't all that big) so I took my time grooming him, and then started walking in the aisle while I waited. When she came back in the barn, I asked if she was done with the drag, she said yes, so I asked if it was okay to walk in there. She said, "I guess... but the lights have to go out sometime at night." Um? What? It was 7:30 you guys. 7:30! I'm usually still riding then! So I just continued to walk in the aisle. I'm not going to lie. I was PISSED. Really pissed. Like if I was my mother (who speaks before thinking on the regular) I probably would have been asked to leave. How am I supposed to give my horse the best care I can, when she's imposing a 7:30 lights out? Does my board not cover lighting the arena for the times I'm there? I swear, I'm a good boarder. I turn everything off at night when I leave. I always sweep up after myself.  I do everything they require and always ask if I'm not sure about anything at all. And I say thank you EVERYDAY to the staff and trainers. I'm not sure what more is expected of me, but boy do I feel unwelcome. So glad this is just for the winter, and I'll have my kids back home in a few months.
Sigh. End rant. Thanks for listening guys!
To lighten the mood, my socks from Dreamers and Schemers came the other day and they are AMAZING!

I think the floating Shiny face is my favorite.

So how was your week? Did you get some lessons in? Do anything exciting? Anything you're eyeing for black Friday? Thoughts on my boarding situation?