What's Up Wednesday

 

Phew. It's been busy around here this past week. I braided a total of 13 manes and 3 tails.

Due to that, I don't remember a whole lot about the week... ha... Not sleeping is rough on the memory!

I only jumped once last week. We normally jump Wed and then again either Fri or Sat. But I was pretty exhausted both days and didn't see the point. So I didn't do it. No regrets. Wednesday went well though! The horses saw the body worker yesterday so this week's schedule will also be skewed. Nothing wrong with that. It's okay to have some light weeks amongst the work. Good for everyone I think.

This past week Shiny jumped some of the real jumps set at about 18".

She was super game and was taking me right to the jumps. She definitely missed jumping these past many months! I think I'll keep her to once a week jump sessions for a bit, but I'm SO excited to be jumping her again.

She had a good report from the body worker too. Just her usual spots, and they all adjusted more easily than in the past. She also thought the SI injections were helping her a lot. So all good news for Shiny!

Pammon stuck with cavalletti again this week, and he's doing great with them.

We'll keep doing this once a week too. It's nice to do something different with him after all this time doing the exact same ride every single day. He's feeling better too. Much less back sore than when the vet was last out. I really think he was just tense from coming off the ace and it took some time for him to relax on his own. The body worker thought his back was pretty good for him, so she's in agreement with what I'm feeling. 

Eros was very good for his jump school and even let me put some courses together without turning into a freight train. He still gets strong in the line, but it's improving each time we jump. 

He broke out in some hives over the weekend, but seems to be doing better now. I think something stung or bit him that he had a reaction to. I haven't changed our fly spray, bedding, hay, nor feed, so it's really the only logical explanation. Whatever it was, I'm sure he'll survive. He didn't seem terribly bothered, but he sure did look itchy:

The body worker was happy with him overall too. His neck was the best it's been, which is awesome! 

Al was great for our school last week. I made a mistake into the line but he just dealt with it, and never got offended or worried. He's just such an understanding guy! I put a couple jumps up to 3'3" and the height is just a non issue with him.

I'm not sure if you all remember, but we've been keeping an eye on that quarter crack he developed shortly after arriving. It's been fine and was growing out, but all of a sudden this week it opened back up and started bleeding when we work.

Our farrier sent his apprentice to put a patch on it on Monday, and I'm just waiting for our actual farrier to come out and float it. Al's been sound on it so we're not freaking out, but I'm not going to jump until the farrier comes out again I don't think. We'll see how he does with the patch anyway. The body worker did note that he had some tightness on that side, very likely due to that crack, so it's probably bugging him a little bit even if he is presenting sound. Nothing wrong with being careful anyway. Hopefully we'll have it back under control asap. 

That's about it from here. This week will also be quiet. I have more braiding to do, Al is on light work, and everyone but Pammon had yesterday off in addition to Monday. I'll probably pop Eros and Shiny over some jumps on Thursday, and Pammon will do his rails that day. Otherwise it's going to be a couple of good flat rides and a few light ones for this week. I get to feeling very guilty when I don't work them hard all the time, but honestly, I think it's good for then to have some easy rides now and then. Especially when I've been up all night braiding! 

Did you all have a good week/weekend? Do anything fun and exciting?

What's Up Wednesday

 

It was a lovely week here, though a bit steamy...

Shiny after literally a 15 minute flat ride. Poor abused pony.

My cousin who lives in Japan was visiting NYC for two reasons. First, his oldest son who goes to boarding school here in the states is looking at colleges. The second reason is that vaccination roll out is pretty terrible in Japan, so he came back for his shot. They were visiting Yale on Thursday, so we planned a visit for that afternoon. It's so nice that travel is getting back up and running so we can see family again! 

The horses got to see their bodyworker on Monday and both got really good reports! Neither had any issues related to saddle fit. 

Eros had his usual stuff, but much improved from the last visit. And our doctor commented on his coat and general condition looking better. I haven't been happy with his topline so we talked about sharing some of Shiny's ration balancer with him to see if that helps. Shiny didn't have much off at all and doc felt that her neck was in much better shape than ever before. So all good news! Yesterday, when I asked her to pick up trot, she actually trotted off straight instead of bulging through her left shoulder. I'm not naive enough to think that will last, but it was lovely to experience at least once!

Otherwise, the horses have had a good week. We haven't been working super hard since we're in the midst of a five day heat wave. Thankfully Friday wasn't too hot though, because both horses earned themselves a lengthy ride. Eros was just being spooky for no good reason, but he did humble up pretty quickly. He's no dummy. Shiny on the other hand... We had a back to basics sort of ride. All I wanted from her was a circle in each corner at the trot. And she could NOT get it done. You guys. It took us an hour to get to a decent stopping point. AN HOUR. Of trotting circles. It was exhausting. Ponies. She did end in a good place though, and I really think the lesson stuck with her as she was jumping a lot better the next day. Both horses had a short and sweet jump school Saturday. Both were pretty good. Eros even got to jump a 2'6" vertical! Moving on up! (Shiny did the 2'3" oxer! Mountains! We're jumping mountains! Or maybe ant hills. Whatever.)

2'6"! There are actual divisions we could show at this height!

2'3"! And I'm happy to report it was easy for her from both the
good spot and the tight one. So 2'6" will likely be in her future.

Since both horses are going nicely over fences for the time being, I figured it was time we start re introducing related distances. Thus, Monday I moved all the jumps around for a new course. 

We won't start playing with it until Thursday this week though, as they are getting their feet done today. Plus the heat. Tomorrow should be cooler. I set up mostly single fences again, but also a four stride line on the outside. I set it for the horse stride, and Shiny can do the add. Also, for the first session, I set the jumps super low so we can trot in and canter out to get started. I just want everything to be unexciting and easy as we move along. I'm all about minimizing my own anxiety and setting us all up for success. So far it's been working so hopefully it will keep on!

Sunday was a funday in which we did a 15 minute bareback/sidepull walk and then went out for snackies in the side yard. 

despite having delicious grass available, Eros prefers to
eat as close to the barn as possible. Which is mostly weeds. 
Weirdo.

Pammon is acclimating well out in his field with his buddy. Though he is being a little pushy with his friend. The first day they were thick as thieves:

But ever since then Pammon chases his friend away when I come to visit. And his friend quickly leaves, so I do think Pammon is being a little bit of a jerk. His friend doesn't have any marks on him or anything, so I don't think anyone is getting hurt, but it does make me sad they aren't best friends. They both seem happy enough in general though, so maybe it's just me that it bothers. Am I THAT mom now? Pammon's buddy has stood up for himself at least, as evidenced by this bitey face mark on Pammon:

I'm confident he asked for that. Lol!

I did braid one pony last weekend, so I am sort of earning my keep around here:

And I have a bunch for this weekend coming up. Definitely glad this side gig is a thing! There is a pretty serious braider shortage around the country so if I really needed I can pick up a lot of work. Most of it isn't local though which is tough with the farm. Nice to have the option though! 

The most exciting part of the week though?? 

The Snack Shack is open for the season! The first day I went though, I was told they were struggling to find lobster and didn't have any. Can you believe it?! No lobster? Fortunately, he sent me a text on Saturday that they were back in lobster roll business. THANK GOODNESS! All is right in my world once more. 

 

And lastly, I finally found a pool company that would both answer their phone and are available to open/service my pool. So after two years of being closed, it is scheduled to open today. It will take a few visits to get it useable I'm sure. Assuming everything is in working order... But I'm excited to get it going again. It's long past time as shown by the eco system living on the cover right now:

Did you all have a good week? How's the weather where you are? (Not you TX, I know you're soggy!)