Truthful Tuesday

 

Soooo.... You know how I braid part time? You would think that I keep my manes neat and tidy all year round, right? LOL. Nope. So my confession today is that I let Eros' mane get to this point:

That's some legit wild mustang mane right there... I had all kinds of excuses. I keep it long so I can grab it when things get hairy (lol, see what I did there) over fences... I keep it long because he hates having it pulled and it's to thick to just shorten... I keep it long so it all stays over on one side... So may excuses.

But the real reason I let it get like this? Pure laziness. I just didn't feel like dealing with it. But even I couldn't take it any more, so this weekend I finally did something about it.

So much better. It's still too long if he were to need to be braided, but it's pretty perfect since that won't happen anytime in the near future. Shiny will get hers done this week... Her mane isn't quite to the point Eros' was, but it's definitely due for some attention.

Do you let your manes get crazy or keep them tidy all the time?

Thursday's Threads

 

Outfit Day! I finally got to wear my favorite boots! (They only come out on dry days.) So I was pretty excited. Partially to wear the boots, but mostly for the sunny day!

Moooo!

I'm also excited to get back to having Pivo footage. I've heard the updates have been a little rough, so I'm still working off an old version. It's working great, so I'm going to hold off on updates for awhile.

Anyway... let's look at Eros' outfit!

Sadddle: Butet
Saddle Pad: Hopeful Equestrian
Half Pad: Mattes

The green on the pad isn't as bright as it's showing in this photo, but it's also not as dark as the half pad. It IS pretty close to the green on my boots though!

Bridle: Joseph Sterling
Browband: Stacie Original

I discovered how easy it is to take regular ribbon and wrap it around a browband for matching outfits... so um... I made a bunch. This is the cow print one. They all snap on (except the halloween one) so they are easy to swap around. This bridle usually has the spike browband on it.

Boots: Celeris UK

Celeris makes custom brushing boots now, so obviously I had to get a pair to match the cow boots. I think you've all seen Shiny's awhile back too. 

Okay, my turn! Here's what I wore to ride yesterday:

I recently was made aware that Charles Owen made a limited edition cow print helmet. You have no idea how sad I am I missed the boat on that. Fortunately, I found something suitable for this outfit. With glitter of course.

Helmet: Horze

This helmet is Amanda's fault. She regularly forces me to visit the Epplejeck site and spend all my money. But this helmet is actually super inexpensive (it's not MIPS) and it has green glitter. So I'm gonna give her a pass since obviously I needed it. It fits great with my hair out, but is a bit too snug if I try and put it up. So for the first time since my childhood, I rode with my hair out yesterday. It was weird.

Top: Not sure of brand

I got this from Zulilly awhile back, but I forget who makes it. It's the perfect spring (or fall) weight. A little heavier than a long sleeve tee, but lighter than a sweatshirt.

Belt: Vintage Brighton

Fact: I've had a love of cow print for most of my life. Proof: I bought this belt the summer after I graduated high school (1998)! Big western belts were the thing back then, and I wanted this one SO BADLY! I bought it with some braiding money and was so excited to have it. It barely fits now, but whatever, it DOES buckle! 

Breeches: Ovation Aqua-X

I do have a pair of tights with cow print patches, but they don't have belt loops and I really wanted to wear my old belt. So I went with these instead for yesterday. Nothing special about them, just black breeches. I do really like how these fit though. Definitely recommend.

Boots: Celeris UK

I know. They're amazing, aren't they? Of all the things I've wasted money on, these are definitely up there as a favorite.

Alright, that's it for today. I mean... it's a lot, amiright? So much cow print. But I kinda love it. Also, thanks Eros for being such a good sport about dress up day.

We finally jumped around too!

What's Up Wednesday

 

We spent this week readjusting to life at home. I didn't do much jumping since I wanted the horses to just get settled and get used to the different footing I have vs. the boarding barn. The neighbor has been fairly well behaved which has helped. Eros does do better at home with ear plugs in though. I don't plan to use them everyday, but probably will whenever we plan to jump. 

What I love most about Shiny is that she's pretty much always the same. She has her "fresh" days where she might spook a little occasionally, but for the most part, you always know what you're going to get. 

Similarly, I am also consistent in that you always know
my reins will be too long and my hands in my lap.

It was pretty rainy last week, so I didn't even get the course set until mid week. I didn't plan it out ahead of time so it took me FOREVER. I wound up setting just single jumps which resolved the issue of how to set the lines. Of course we'll need to practice lines at some point, but for right now singles are fine. There is a bending line available if I want to test our stride length anyway.

I set everything super tiny in an effort to make them inviting our first time around... Like nothing is even 2'. So basically I set a course of raised cavalletti. And still I'm a little anxious about our first time around. I think I'm just out of practice jumping alone more than anything. We'll get through it and I'm sure it will all be fine. And if not, our regular trainer is coming back in June. She can help me fix whatever I mess up. I'm SO excited for her to be back. Because of Covid, she stayed in Florida last year, so lessons with her are LONG overdue. 

In Pammon news... We've been doing both Eros' and Shiny's weekly lessons, but with just ground rails instead of jumps until we get biopsy results. He's been good, though last Sunday his brain got derailed. The barn dogs kept going in and out of the pond next to the ring, and were running around like hooligans. If they're in the ring he doesn't care, but the constant disappearing and reappearing from the water was too much for him to handle. It wasn't a bad lesson, and we accomplished what was intended, but he was super distracted and I think if the lesson went much longer there would have been some theatrics. 

Unfortunately, when we picked up trot in last night's lesson, he was lame. Not totally crippled like last year when he tore that muscle, but definitely noticeably unsound. I'm heading out shortly to see what we have today. I'm hoping he just played a little too hard in turnout and will be fine... but alas. It IS Pammon. Oh and also, we got the biopsy back and it was negative, so no answers there. Doc wants to try a different muscle relaxer and then possibly send him to the vet hospital for some scans. I'm just not sure at what point I give up with this horse? I've had him almost two years now, and we've gotten no where. Sigh. I'll wait to be overly dramatic until I see how he is today I guess.

So that's about it from here. How was your week? Have any good lessons? 

Truthful Tuesday: Trailer Confessions

 

So... I brought my horses home on April 30th. A week ago Friday. But I still haven't parked my trailer back in its spot. What's taking me so long you ask? Well, I was inspired by Jen's post to wash and wax the trailer and I can't really do that when it's tucked away in its spot next to the trees. And it kept raining here! Plus, I was kind of procrastinating because I knew it would be a several hour project.

The Before.

I used the same products as Jen in her post, so click the link above to Jen's post if you're interested. It's basically like Windex for trailers, spray and wipe. But you're probably wondering what my confession is... Um. Well. I didn't do the top. 

I have a big ladder in the barn, but it's heavy and a little broken, and I didn't feel like dealing with it. So I just used my braiding ladder, the wheel wells, and the back of the truck to give me height. I'm 5'2" so that's still not much height. I could reach all of the white parts easily from my ladder, but the silver part at the top and the roof didn't get done. And there were some spots on the weather stripping that I couldn't get fully clean. But at least it's mostly done? 

It took FOREVER, and probably the next time it's due for a wash and wax, I may hire a pro so they can do the roof too. Since the horses have Monday off, I had a day to dedicate, but it took a full four and a half hours and that was without doing the roof! 

I still haven't parked her because I have a little organizing I want to do in there, which is also easier when it's facing this direction (otherwise the tack room door is against the trees). Plus I have to pull into the road and then back it in which is tough to do on a weekday here. I live on the corner of two state roads that get very busy. Sunday mornings are the best time for that.

So that's my confession. I only washed and waxed like 90% of my trailer after leaving it hooked up in the middle of the driveway for a week. Good thing I live alone! 

Anything you need to confess today?

Thursday's Threads: May the 4th Edition

 

Happy Outfit Day! I might have missed the opportunity to wear my birthday outfit, but I did NOT miss out on Star Wars day! So even though Eros and I wore this on Tuesday, I'm sharing it for Thursday's Threads this week. Here's what we wore:

We went full R2D2. Pammon wore the C3PO pad though. I wish I snapped a photo of his too. Sorry about that! Maybe next year.

Let's start with Eros.

Bridle: Punk Ponies

I thought the holo bridle was kind of star wars-y, no?

Saddle: Butet
Saddle Pad: Etsy seller Houndstooth Horse
Half Pad: Ippico

I have matching polos for the pad and a bonnet, but somehow the polos were not where they were supposed to be. I'll have to hunt those down before next year. And it wasn't bonnet weather, so we skipped that part too.

Boots: Punk Ponies

Since the polos were MIA, holo boots seemed the next best option.

I promised you guys different boots and helmet, and I have to say, I did deliver! Are you ready?!

Helmet: Samshield

Why yes, I have been holding out on you guys... I got this during helmet awareness month, but haven't worn it until now. The rails and the emblem are actually holo like my bridle! I bought it to match the unicorn boots (which it totally does) but I didn't wear the boots today due to weather. (Those boots only come out on mud free sunny days.)

Top: Fifth Sun

This is ridiculously soft and comfy. Plus, that weird drawstring cowl neck can double as a mask if you forget yours!

Belt: Buckle Down

When I was in high school, I bought a belt from Delia's that had a seat belt for a buckle and beer caps all the way around it. The belt itself was rubber made from a tire. (Okay, not the most high school appropriate belt...) I loved that thing. Still do honestly, and I still have it! Since then, I've discovered Buckle Down Belts. They always use a seat belt for the buckle and have all kinds of strap designs. Super fun. This is the R2D2 one.

Breeches: Tailored Sportsman

I figured some basic blue breeches worked here. 

Boots: De Niro Salentino

My OG blue De Niro's stretched too much and are too big now. They are in my for sale section as a result. I hadn't planned on getting another pair, but I stumbled upon these on closeout at Equiport. IN STOCK IN MY SIZE. (I ordered the next smaller calf size, perfect fit!) And well... when you find boots on sale in your super weird size? You kinda have to have them. I love the croco details on this pair. I paired them with Mane Jane spur straps that I already had which are a near perfect match!

Okay, that's it for this week. Any favorites?

What's Up Wednesday

 

You know how we've been in lockdown for over a year and you don't really go or do anything ever? And then all of a sudden you have to go and do all the things all in the same weekend? Yeah. That's who my week was. All good things though!

Empty barn awaiting the ponies!

So most of the week was pretty normal. But Friday was moving home day for Eros and Shiny! Woohoo! I haven't driven the trailer since fall when I dropped them off, so I was feeling a little anxious about all that. Though really that's pretty silly. It's literally 7 miles away, all country roads. The things we stress over (eyeroll). Anyway, I rode everyone at the barn first, then packed up and arrived back home. All went smoothly, thankfully. We did have a brief rain shower right after they were all tucked in. This pretty rainbow was a nice welcome home!

Friday was my birthday, but I had no time for celebrating because I had horses to braid all night! (I told you, everything all at once.) These pretty flowers and cards were waiting for me when I got the horses home though:

And then it was braiding time. I'm a bit rusty since it's been awhile. I had four to do Friday night, and then one for Saturday morning.

After braiding on Saturday, I went to the barn and rode Pammon, then back home to unpack the trailer. I had decided to wait on that since it was getting late Friday, and I still had all those horses to braid. 

Nice to have saddles home again!

I was going back and forth about whether I was going to ride Shiny and Eros on Saturday. I only got about 3 and half hours of sleep the night before, and I wasn't sure how spooky they were going to be. I finally decided to give them each a free lunge and see what I had. BUT. You know how horses are.

I had to drag the ring to find this.

Apparently, in his morning turnout Eros pulled a shoe. So no free lunge for him. And I decided just to free lunge Shiny and groom them both instead of riding. One extra day off won't kill anyone! Shiny wasn't interested in running around, so just picked up some rocks in the ring and some sticks that had blown in (it's been insanely windy here lately) while she meandered around for a bit. They both had a nice grooming and dinner. Next I headed over to my mom's to celebrate my birthday!

I didn't stay too late, since I could hear my bed calling. (It's a lot harder to function on 3 hours of sleep when you're 41. Fact.) But it was really nice to see my family indoors. 

Sunday I had my lesson with Pammon. He's not jumping yet (still waiting on those biopsy results) but we had a good flat lesson, and then did a little course of poles. So it was fun! He was a good boy. 

Once back home I got the ring dragged. It took a little longer than usual since I hadn't done it since the fall. But it came out nice and ready for riding.

Eros still had a missing show, but I wrapped his foot and just rode him very lightly. The neighbor stayed indoors so we were able to have a nice ride. (He got his shoe back on later Sunday evening.) Shiny had a nice, neighborless ride too, though he did come out towards the end and we cut it a little short. (I really can't stand that guy.) 

Monday all the horses had a day off and I got caught up on some paperwork I had been putting off. And the usual house chores, laundry, etc. I want to wash and wax the truck and trailer, but it keeps raining! So I didn't do that Monday like I had hoped. Not really any hurry though. It was a nice relaxing day.

And we were back to work on Tuesday! I rode the two at home, each having a nice flat ride. Funny thing, the neighbor was inside while I rode again, but then all of a sudden as I cantered around the corner past his house, Shiny kind of tucked her butt and tried to run off. (She didn't try that hard, it wasn't a big deal.) I wasn't sure why, but when I looked over, the creeper was out there. He wasn't actually doing anything or making any noise. Just standing on his doorstep looking out toward the road. Shiny just really doesn't trust that dude. It's interesting. I always trust her instincts since she is the least spooky horse I've had in a long time. I let her walk for a minute and regroup and then she went nicely back to work.  

Pammon and I had our lesson Tuesday evening, his first time in that one since the winter. He was great, but I could tell the canter work was tough for him. He again did some pole work too, which he got pretty excited about. 

Nothing too exciting planned for this week. I need to set a course up in the ring, but it keeps raining, so I haven't done it yet. Soon though. Not entirely sure how to set things since I have a horse and a pony jumping now... I'll probably set the horse strides and just have Shiny do the add. Something she needs to practice anyway. 

And that's it from here! How was your week?

Truthful Tuesday

 

Today's confession is pretty on brand considering I'm now fully entrenched in middle age... So my birthday was Friday and in true Stacie fashion (pun fully intended) I had gotten myself a tee shirt to wear and a cup to drink from. 

And then? I forgot all about them and used neither. I suppose this means senility is setting in? I'm so disappointed in myself for missing the best theme of the year. I make all my favorite tee shirts into blankets so it wont go to waste or anything. But still. Sheesh. Way to drop the ball.

In other news, since my adult family is all vaccinated (kiddos are still too young) I was able to celebrate my birthday with my mom, brother, and his family. I still have a few more days of marinating to reach full protection but I felt safe with them since they're all being very careful still. It was nice not having to make my own cake this year!

Which leads to confession number 2... I took home the leftover cake. Which isn't the confession. The confession is that since I live alone and it's ALL MINE I went at the thing the last couple of nights right out of the box with just a fork. 

I'm an animal.