Thursday's Threads: Autumn Edition

 

Outfit day! My favorite day! It's officially no longer my favorite season and I'm a little sad. I want t-shirt weather forever. Sigh. Fortunately, I do enjoy pumpkin and apple flavored everything. So all is not lost. Al wanted to help me acknowledge the arrival of autumn this week so he's our model today. Here's what he wore:

Bridle: Joseph Sterling
Browband: home made 

I had to include a closeup of his silly brow band, because those pumpkin trucks are so cute! 

Saddle: Butet
Half Pad: Ippico
Saddle Pad: Ogilvy, embellished by me

Awhile back when I was making some things for our Pinsickety photo shoot, I saw the ribbon and knew I wanted it for a saddle pad trim. It's so festive and matches the beads I found for the browband perfectly. 

Boots: Uhlan

Ha... I didn't realize how poorly I'd lined up the velcro tabs. Sorry guys, that's horribly distracting! Avert your eyes! But my lack of attention to detail aside, I really am happy with these boots. They're very lightweight and the mesh fabric is pretty breathable so their legs shouldn't get too hot in them. They're very reasonably priced also, which you can't complain about that! These are the color gold, but they're not metallic and more of a tan shade I'd say. I like them a lot. 

That's what Al wore today, and here's what I had on:

Bet you thought it would just be green and tan, but NO! I mixed it up a little bit. Just a little though. 

Helmet: One K

I thought brown was the obvious choice for this Autumn outfit. I'm so glad I bought this helmet, but I'm also disappointed I couldn't find it available with a wide brim. Took what I could get though!

Shirt: Luyaa

Okay, well I had to wear some green. I am who I am. This is my favorite TKEQ dupe from Amazon. They're so inexpensive, I've accumulated a drawer full over the last couple of years. They have tons of colors. 

Belt: Zazzle

I love these belts from Zazzle. They're reversible so you get two belts in one, and they're frequently on sale. I think I usually spend around $25 on them? Not bad at all for two belts! The reverse on this one is the black and white composite of all my horses, Rita, and Pia. 

Breeches: Tailored Sportsman in Boysenberry

I'm not usually into anything in the red family, but I do really like these. I bought them in a bundle of used pants, and I'm glad I did! They're definitely showing their age at this point, but I've had them a few years now. 

Boots: Cavallo

I was going to wear my distressed brown boots, but it was kind of drizzly all day here so I went with these instead. They're water resistant so perfect for these kinds of days. 

That's it for today! Hope you're all enjoying the beginning of Autumn! 

What's Up Wednesday

 

Oh boy, I'm late getting this done today! We just have one more week of family dinner Wednesdays and then the parentals head south, so hopefully I'll be on a better schedule after that. I don't have too much to talk about today anyway because I got very lucky and had a vet appointment for some maintenance for Al and Shiny on Friday. Thus, they both had the weekend off. It was kind of nice to have an extra easy few days!

When I rode Shiny earlier in the week, I wasn't happy with her left lead canter. At all. It felt really stiff and kind of shuffly. I knew it had been awhile since we've done her hocks, and she'd been stocking up a little behind which she does when she needs them addressed. But I also felt something up front. Not obvious lameness, just a little nqr. Doc agreed and went back in her history to see if we'd done her coffins before. (She flexed a hair off left front coffin, which validated what I was feeling before the flexions.) Turns out we had done them several years ago, so it was nice to know that this wasn't anything new and should be easy to fix. So we went ahead and did hocks with a bit of steroid (we're extra careful with her and steroids due to her obvious weight problems and fear of laminitis that comes with that) and then did the coffins with Prostride, which is what we did before. She had the weekend off and then I got on her Tuesday and she felt like a whole new pony. I love when the fix is quick and easy! (Albeit pricey...) 

She had a nice nap during her treatments

Her kiddo rode her today, and said she thought Shiny felt so much better too. I didn't let her jump yet, but she will on Saturday. 

I have to give Al some big virtual pats on the neck for last week. He came out relaxed and very rideable Tuesday through Friday. We didn't end up jumping because I was so happy with how he was going I didn't want to ruin it. Ha. Amateur problems. But I do plan to pop some small jumps this week hopefully. He also had the weekend off so it's taking some time to get his brain back this week. Yesterday I warmed him up on the lunge line and he was actually pretty good and not particularly tense or nutty. Unfortunately, as soon as I got on the neighbor decided to weed whack our shared tree line which is something Al really can't handle. I tried riding at the opposite end of where neighbor was working, but my ring isn't all that big, and there really wasn't any escaping it. Al had worked for a bit on the lunge before I rode, and so after a few laps of trot I just opted to try again another day. I felt like Al was really trying his best, but it was just a little too much for him. Not sure if you all remember, but he had the same reaction when they were weed whacking around the indoor ring at the boarding barn last winter. It's just one of those things that absolutely terrifies him. Like heart racing nostrils flaring terrified. We've come so far in getting relaxation while we ride, that I didn't see any reason to undo it. So I gave him a big pat after a couple of  nice walk circles and brought him back inside. He was significantly better today, though neighbor was tinkering around all along the tree line again. Not with machinery this time at least. Al was still not particularly cool with it, but he tried REALLY hard and we got a full ride in. Did I canter that long side today? No I did not. But we did lots of passes by at the walk and trot and we cantered the rest of the ring both ways. So I'm calling it a win. It's supposed to rain tomorrow (thank GOODNESS, we haven't had any rain in 18 days) so the neighbor shouldn't be an issue. If it's not raining too hard maybe we can get some real work done. Fingers crossed. Though if we get rained out I wouldn't complain. We need it desperately. 

Doc was really pleased with how Al looked compared to the last time he saw him. At that point, he wanted our farrier to do some work on that upright heal and give it some time. So that seems to be doing much better. But last time our body worker was out (which was right around the abscess time) she felt some stifle stuff which I also thought I was feeling under saddle. He has some wonky stifles, likely from all the breeding he did before he came to me. And we have done them once before a little more than a year ago so I figured we'd address that next time doc was out. After flexions, doc felt like that was a good thing to do for him. 

Group nap time

Despite our work being a bit rather tense so far this week, he feels a million times better. I'm working easily 2/3 less hard to keep the canter and his trot feels so much more powerful. I even had to ask him to slow down twice today which is a real rarity for him. I'm excited to get back to work with him! 

Eros didn't need anything this vet visit which is also rare... Lol! So he's just plugging along. I let Shiny's kiddo hop on him both days last week when she came and I think I already mentioned that she popped a few cross rails with him. 

She did a nice job with him. He's an easy horse in that the less you do the better he goes, but he's not that easy to ride because he has a ton of impulsion and it's really hard to just sit still up there. I've never ridden a horse that jumps you loose over tiny jumps the way this one does! It's also a little tricky when he wants to be a torpedo which he really does since he hasn't been jumping much. So I was really proud of kiddo for being brave and trusting me when I said the worst thing he'll do is go a little fast. She's a lot like me in that a new horse that's a little fast or a little spooky is a little scary for her. Fear of the unknown I think. So it was a big deal for her to be so brave up there. She even cantered the jump a few times! She remarked that he wasn't really scary when he got fast because she knew she could stop even if she couldn't slow down the canter. And that's exactly him in a nutshell. You can always stop him. You just can't always adjust him. There's worst things for a horse to do. 

I jumped him today over a handful of fences but he was full on torpedo. But it was still fun! Ha! I love this horse. 

I actually let Eros have Sunday off with the others because I really wanted to pull everyone's manes. I know myself pretty well and after doing chores, I figured if I rode Eros I would talk myself out of doing manes. So I skipped that ride and was otherwise responsible and did all the manes. Shiny and Eros need one more session, but everyone is looking significantly less feral. 

And that's what's happening over here! I'll have something exciting to share next week I think. So stay tuned for that! 

Truthful Tuesday

 

It's funny how I can use the weather as an excuse for my laziness in any season. In the summer, I find it hard to get things done around the house after finishing with the horses because the heat really does take a lot out of you. I had told myself all summer that I would be more productive when it was cooler because I'd have some more free time (less time cleaning up sweaty horses when it's too cold for them to sweat so much). But here we are, with not especially sweaty horses, a little more free time... But it's dark so early I lose all motivation to do anything after 7 pm. Unless it involves eating. I always have the energy for that. 

Once it's winter cold out, you know that will take it out of me too, much like the heat... So that leaves spring I guess for getting things done... Ha! Or maybe I just need to be a more assertive leader for myself and make myself get shit done. Probably that one. 

Anyone else use all their energy up on the horses? Rather clean the barn than the house? Yeah I figured. Horse girls. We're all the same!

Thursday's Threads: Moooooo edition

 

Outfit Day! My friend and neighbor gave me a saddle pad she wasn't using anymore, and I couldn't wait to use it for outfit day this week. Shiny was our model. Let's jump right to her shall we? Here's what she had on:

Is there a cuter cow pony on the planet?? No. No there is not.

Bridle: Joseph Sterling
Browband: Home made

I took five photos of her face in this bridle. And her eyes were closed in every single one. 

Saddle: Custom Saddlery
Saddle Pad: Unknown brand

I think there might be a brand tag on this pad someplace, but I forgot to look. Sorry about that. It's a really nice pad, the top part is almost fuzzy feeling. I used it with our Eskadron sheepskin pad underneath. 

Boots: Celeris UK

You can get matching tendon boots from Celeris when you get your custom boots. I only have done this with two pair. They're REALLY nice brush boots, but the downside, at least with these furry ones, is that you can't wash them. So I use the sparingly to keep them nice. 

That's what Shiny wore, and here's what I had on:

I know you all expect me to take it too far with a cow print belt and top, but every now and then I try to tone it down a notch. Or maybe I didn't actually fully plan this outfit post out fully until after I was dressed... Okay, well really, I had an appointment this morning at which I could wear my riding clothes, but I didn't want to be too much, ya know? So anyway. I kept it semi classy today. 

Helmet: One K, decorated by me

What's more fun that a cow print helmet?? Okay, well cow print boots are definitely more fun. But, still this is also fun.

Shirt: MathCat

Despite some fall like temps last week, we're back close to 80 this week and I'm very happy it's still tee shirt weather. Sorry all you cold weather lovers. I am not that. 

Belt: The Sugar Lady

I wore Rio's belt today. It's truly one of my most prized posessions. 

Breeches: Tailored Sportsman 

I've talked about these before. I searched long and hard to find a pair of these on consignment. And they were totally worth the wait. They're a little more brown than they appear in this photo. The first photo of my full outfit is the most accurate on color. I think these are my favorite of my weird shades of tan breeches collection. 

Boots: Celeris UK

Forever and always my favorite boots. If they ever die, I will eat Ramen for months to replace them. 

And that's it for today! Do you love the cow print? I love the cow print.

What's Up Wednesday

 

We had a nice quiet week at the farm so this will be a short post today. But all good! The calendar has been relatively empty which is nice, but I have had a couple of braiding jobs in the last couple of weeks. 

It's nice to have a little bit of money coming in to help balance all the money that keeps going out! Speaking of money going out... I bought the horses the Helix slow feeder for turnout, but they're kind of making a mess with them. I had the feeders loose, but I think I'm going to attach them to the fence. I don't care so much if the med size paddock gets hay mixed in the footing some, but I really don't want hay mixed into my ring footing. No good comes from that. I do like the feeders though. If you're looking for something like that. Anyway, let's talk horses!

I haven't really jumped much with Al since the abscess episode. It's interesting with him. I think when we have too much time off his angst meter resets and we have to do some work to get him back to comfort level. It might be too soon to tell... but I think we're starting to get that figured out. On days he seems especially high angst, I warm him up on the lunge line instead of under saddle. He can get his spooks out if he needs to, and work off a little nervous energy, and then once I get on, he's a little less on high alert. Will this work forever? Probably not. But for now, it seems to be. He doesn't do anything wild or crazy on the lunge (usually). Just a few rotations at trot, then canter, each way. Obviously, he still spooks sometimes while we ride. But it hasn't been too bad (someone knock on wood!). And the last two days, we've gotten on with no lunge and had really lovely rides. He went forward when asked, did some actual work on the flat. Today he even rode around the full ring while the neighbor was sawing and hammering away. The only thing he spooked at was... honestly, I'm not sure. But it wasn't anywhere near the regular spooky places so I think something genuinely startled him. It wasn't a big deal anyway. 

I reached out recently to a friend of mine from college who I think would be a great help with Al, but unfortunately, her schedule is pretty full at the moment. She doesn't live close by, so it would be a large chunk of her day to come out. She's a mom and horse trainer so yeah. But, all was not lost because she gave me a great suggestion of someone close by that I hadn't even thought of asking for help. It's someone I've known a long time, and would also be a nice fit. I haven't had a chance yet to reach out, but I'm feeling good about having a potential plan in place to get back on track with my boy. 

Eros is feeling pretty good these days! He jumped his first 2' jumps on Friday and was the same level of sound afterwards as when he started, so that's a positive. AND he didn't torpedo at all. Even when I missed epically to one and he would have had every right. I let Shiny's kid sit on him today and it was so adorable. She thought his canter was hard to sit and she is not wrong. Lol. She's started horse shopping so it's not a bad idea for her to get some saddle time on something bigger. She didn't jump him today, but next time we swap she can. 

She happened to be videoing for me when E jumped the fence above, and she was holding Shiny. Mind you, Shiny wasn't especially close to that fence we're jumping, but she must have thought she was, because she tried to kick us as we went by:

Naughty! I was pretty excited our favorite kiddo caught this on camera. If you want to see it in motion visit my ticktock. 

I haven't loved how Shiny's left lead canter is feeling, so she's getting a light week this week. We're still riding, but no jumping. I called our vet's office this morning and she's actually gone longer than a year since her last hock injections, so I feel very confident that's the culprit. Doc will be out Friday to get that addressed. And she'll probably get a shockwave on her neck since she loves that so much. I was shocked when I called today and they said doc had time for us this same week. What luck! Usually we have to wait a bit for non emergent visits. Anyway, Shiny is enjoying the easier week. Also, she's already growing a pretty legit winter coat which is giving me angst that it will be a bad winter. I hope not! I often have to clip her mid October though, so hopefully this is just the usual for her. 

That's really it from here. Nothing too crazy happening. Except for this:

 I was hunting online for something the other day... and wound up discovering that this exists:

It's a director's chair for a dog. Full customizable. Rita said she wants one, so maybe for Chanukah. They're uh... not cheap though. I'll need to braid another horse and a half for it. Worth it though I think. I mean look how cute it is!

Truthful Tuesday

 

Okay. I'll admit this to you guys. I haven't really told anyone. But I got myself a special treat when I placed a Target order earlier this month. (My closest Target is almost an hour away, and I tend to spend too much money when I go, so I usually just order online if I need something from there.) Are you ready for it? 

It's a giant tub of cheese balls! I'm about 3/4 of the way through it already though... I may need another before Halloween gets here. They're really good ones too, not too salty likes some of the brands can be. 

I'm not sure if my confession is that I bought it, or that I'm nearly done with it... I guess you can take both as confessions. #noregrets

Thursday's Threads

 

Outfit day! It's a boring one today because I was feeling uninspired. So you get to see Eros' workout outfit today! (It was band day for him.) We'll start with what he had on today:

That band definitely accentuates his hay belly. Looks like he's about to birth a set of twins. Sheesh. 

Bridle: Pinnacle
Brow band: Boy O'Boy Bridleworks

I love this bridle on him. I usually prefer a darker brown, but on him, this one looks so lovely!

Saddle: Butet
Saddle Pad: Catago
Half Pad: Ippico

I just told you guys all about this pad and bands yesterday, so I won't be redundant. But here it is again!

Wraps: Eskadron

These are the Eskadron polos, not the pads and wraps that you've seen a bunch. I had forgotten I even had these until I discovered them a few weeks ago when I was looking for something else. It was a nice find!

So that's what Eros was wearing, and here's what I had on today:

I love pink and green together. I've been wearing some iteration of this color scheme all week.

Helmet: Samshield

Since the outfit was boring, I added sparkles. That always makes it more fun.

Shirt: Luyaa

It was warm enough for short sleeves today, and that made me very happy. I want summer to stick around as long as possible.

Belt: Tory Burch

You guys have seen this one a bunch. I got it at the outlet in Florida one year. I love the shade of green.

Breeches: RJ Classics, Gulf

I like the RJ breeches. I've said that before. Ha! I think I like the Harper model a little more than these, but these are just fine too. 

Boots: Celeris UK

I had to bring a little more sparkle to the otherwise yawn worthy outfit. I love these boots. They're insanely comfortable and so fun with all the sparkle! I had to acknowledge when I ordered them that this leather was better suited for trim and that I understood they might not hold up as well as some of the other options. But I've had them for years now and they're still going strong! Granted, I don't wear them every day, but still. I'm happy with how they're holding up. 

And that's it for today! Any favorites?