What's Up Wednesday

 

Happy New Year everyone! I know it's October. It's the Jewish New Year, and I celebrated tonight with a delicious home cooked meal that my mom slaved over. My brother and his family came too. It was lovely!

The horses got their fall shots today, and the boys had their teeth done. Shiny's teeth can wait until spring, but she had some additional bloodwork today. I've been weighing and soaking her hay all summer to get weight off her. But that is a big ask for when we move to the new barn, so we're checking her bloodwork to see if we have any underlying metabolic things going on before we talk about getting her back on dry hay. IF we can. We will know more soon. Fingers crossed because soaking hay once it's below freezing out is pretty challenging. But you know, we'll figure it out either way!

I gave the horses the day off since our appointment was late morning and took some time. We got done around 2ish. I had to be at dinner at six, so I probably would have only had time to ride one anyway if I wanted to look and smell presentable at dinner. I don't think they were sad about the break. I spent my free time going through our boarding barn stuff. I want to sell all the navy stuff and replace it with green stuff. Because that's just who I am as a person. And I know it's ridiculous but all of those things just reminds me of all the stress, and I would like to start fresh. I don't really have the finances to buy new things until I sell the old ones though, so I'm washing stuff up and getting it ready to list. There's a tack sale happening just up the road from me at the end of the month, and I got myself a table. 

All of the blankets are clean, I washed them when we got home and I made sure to thank past me for that. I'm going to keep and use the sheets I got from Greenhawk last spring since we barely had a chance to use them. They look like bakers, so more tan than blue. Eventually I'll get some other green sheets, but for now these are fine. But I want to sell all of the Amigo blankets. I have heavy turnouts with hoods, turnout sheets, stable blankets in 100g, 350g, and 450g (the 450s are Rambos with hoods). All in 81" and 69". So lots to go! I don't need to replace everything, as I do have stable blankets to bring over there already. I'd like to get some new turnouts for there though. I don't have super heavy ones here since we usually aren't home when it's very cold. I also have a bunch of scrims and coolers, and a couple of back on track mesh sheets. I don't need to replace most of those either. So hopefully if I can get most of this stuff sold it will cover the things I'd like to get. Anyway, I'm in the process of washing the scrims and coolers. 

Yesterday I hung these two above to dry before I rode Eros. I was on him a solid 15 minutes before he realized they were there and absolutely panicked. I laughed so hard. He first noticed them the second time we were in canter, tracking right. But he only kind of noticed at first when we came through the corner, and I saw him kind of try to look back. (These are hanging on the walkout, on the side closest to the road, so not particularly close to the ring, but very much in view.) So the next time we came down the long side toward them he slammed on the breaks before the corner, stood like a deer in headlights for a minute, and then just started running backwards. That was the moment I realized that the reason he felt so amazing yesterday was because he was absolutely wild. Wild Eros is my favorite. Most of the time. Anyway, he stopped running backwards and slowly walked himself up to the ring fence to stare for a moment. And then it was over. He's hilarious. 

I was hoping he'd have a good romp in turnout today and get some of this silliness out of his system, and he absolutely did that... Shiny wasn't in her paddock because she had to fast after breakfast this morning before her bloodwork. She got to have a little bit of turnout time, but then had to come in where there weren't any snacks. So the boys didn't have their fearless mother figure at the end of the ring for their turnout. Clearly Eros thought monsters were coming to get him. I heard him carrying on out there and looked out to see him REARING! Like full on high ho silver, rearing. I've never seen him do that I don't think. And the bucks! Very impressive. I was really glad to see though that he wasn't just tearing around because that's how he tends to hurt himself. He'll probably be a bit stiff tomorrow, but I'll blame it on the shots rather than the antics. Because I'll feel better that way. Lol. What's a little white lie to myself, right? 

I didn't really do much jumping last week with any of them. I wanted to have a couple flat days with Shiny and Al after their maintenance and weekend off. Then we got some rain, and the ring was pretty wet so that delayed us a bit more. Eros popped over a couple on Saturday, but he was torpedoing so I cut the session short. I think he'll be better this week now that he's gotten some of his fresh out. I'm hoping to jump him Friday. Next week we should be back to our regular twice a week schedule for jumpies. 

Shiny jumped with her kid on Saturday. I think she's the hardest working equine at the farm this summer. She looked great, but was a little tired... Why you ask? Because after I rode her on Thursday I knew she needed her quarterly free lunge. She was kicking out for every canter depart, and after her vet work I knew she wasn't sore. She was SASSY! I was worried if she hit a rail with her kiddo she'd land bucking so I made sure she had some play time before hand. 

She had a grand time with some controlled galloping (she's smart enough to not overdue it) and some great big bucks. She likes to whinny to the boys while she's playing which is pretty funny. The first time she ever did that I worried that maybe I'd made a bad call and she was panic running. But then I realized she wasn't panicked at all. She was just having the best time ever. I know free lunging can be controversial, but with our limited turnout situation, they don't really get to run around and be horses. I don't ever chase them or anything. I'll give a little cluck to get them moving and then just let them do what they want. If they don't want? That's fine too. They can have a roll and come in. Whatever they need. I think it's better for their legs to have a gallop around the whole ring, then tear around on a small circle on the lunge line. Especially Eros. His legs would fall off. 

And then there's Al. He hasn't jumped at all lately. But hopefully will later this week. It took me a few days after his weekend off to get his focus back to work. Which isn't surprising for him. Now that it's cooler out we also have to deal with the noisy neighbor who spends every single day doing yard work and also building something on his back deck. So there's constant noises through the tree line, whether it's the gas leaf blower, the lawn mower, a power saw, hammering, or drilling. It's constant. And you can't see it, only hear it. So that's hard for Al. But he's really trying his best, and I have to give him credit for the try. Especially after a few days of vacation! I thought I had him back where I needed him by the weekend. But then he got weird Saturday morning in turnout. At first I was very worried that he maybe needed to go back on the misprostol, but my vet talked me off the ledge today. 

Here's what happened, and then I'll share what the vet had to say. So he was out in the larger walkout behind Eros' and Shiny's stalls while Eros was in the ring. (They switch halfway through turnout time so they each have time in the big ring.) Anyway, he'd been out there awhile, it was almost time to swap them, when he started having an absolute fit. He was kicking out (not at himself which is important to note) and then turning and biting at himelf, but like way towards his tail. It really seemed like he'd either been stung by a bee, or there was some kind of bug that had gotten under his fly sheet. I got him calmed down, and put him in stall where I pulled off his sheet and shook it out, but didn't see anything. No obvious stings, and nothing in the sheet itself. He was still kind of worked up, but I didn't think it was a banamine situation, though I was prepared if it turned out to be. First I decided to give him a tube of ulcer guard because that can't hurt anyway. He calmed down, so I brought Eros in and dressed Al back up and walked him out to the ring. But he bolted around me as we were walking out, which he doesn't do. That's not an Al move. I stopped him, and brought him back inside the barn to try that again. This time he walked nicely into the ring, and then kind of did it again. I walked him a bit, he seemed fine, so I let him go, and then the rest of his time outside was perfectly calm. Weird right? He then spent the rest of the day staring wide eyed out his window and just looking generally tense and unsettled. But no colic like symptoms and no more kicking out or biting at himself. Just angst. 

I decided not to ride him that day, because I like living. Instead I put a bridle on him and worked him on the lunge line. He worked fine, wasn't wild, but was TENSE and nervous the whole time. Did what I asked though, and wasn't explosive or anything. He was slightly calmer in his stall after working but was very much still on high alert. So I explained all this to doc and he really thinks it's anxiety and not ulcers. Though anything is possible with horses... So we'll wait and see if we have any more weird episodes before putting him back on meds. He was wonderful to ride yesterday. Relaxed for the most part. He only had one stop and stare, and it was at a squirrel that had actually startled me too. So that's fair. Tomorrow is another flat day, and then maybe Friday we can try some little jumps if he's still feeling relaxed. Fingers crossed. 

I was reading Emma's blog yesterday and she talked about cuing her horse to stretch down because performing that action kind of prevented rushing because it's pretty hard to rush and stretch (unless you're Eros...) and it really clicked with me that this could be useful for Al too. When he's relaxed and wanting to work, he likes to stretch down and open his step up nicely. And when he's in this posture, he's very unlikely to spook because he's just enjoying the moment and he's usually paying attention to me in that moment. So if I can get him more reliable to the aid for this posture, it might help me to keep his attention when he'd like to shift it elsewhere. I'm not positive if it will work, but it's something I'd like to at least try. So that's on the agenda for the next couple of weeks. We'll see how it goes!

And that about catches you guys up on what's happening over here. More of the same really, but I love a routine so that's great with me! I'll leave you with this cute photo of Rita enjoying a walk amongst the fallen leaves.

Truthful Tuesday

 

Okay, I've been keeping a wee secret because I didn't want to talk about it until it was certain and everyone who needed to be was informed. But I have found a new barn to try for the winter! It's further away than the old one which was inevitable because that place is so close. But it's an easy drive, pretty much straight out a single country road and then a couple turns and you're there. It's a little more than twenty minutes from home, so that's not bad at all. Plus my vehicles really do need to get driven more. So there ya go. It's a win-win!

The new place is more of a boarding barn than a show barn, which I think will be a better fit for us. There are fourteen stalls, so it's pretty quiet, and I believe it's all adults there. There is no in house trainer, but there is a dressage trainer that comes in twice a week. I am also welcome to bring in anyone I want. Also, my friends can come ride my horses with me, or if I go away I can get a friend to come ride them. Jumping is allowed whenever I want, no need to be supervised. And there aren't any hours, so they are open 7 days a week. I'll still give them Mondays off but if for some reason I need to switch that up for an appointment or something, it's doable. And I can have my saddle fitter come whenever. Best part? I can bring my own care team with me. Vet, farrier, body worker, whoever. OH! And no rules about blankets or saddle pad colors. Ha! (The things you put up with...)

I do know one person who had a negative experience at this barn, but it was when they first opened and her horse was literally the only one there at the time. So I'm feeling confident that it will be okay. It's always a little scary trying a new place and having to put your trust in new people to care for your horses... But I really think it's going to be good. They feed Proelite products, which I've been interested in trying, so that's another bonus. I really didn't like what I had the horses on but went with it because that's what the other barn fed and it's worse to switch grain twice a year than feed something that's just okay. They don't eat much grain anyway. 

There's a nice indoor with Travelite footing and also an outdoor with the same footing, AND an outdoor grass ring. You're allowed to just ride out around the property, too, which is lovely. Though probably only Shiny will be interested in that... Haha! We aren't allowed to free lunge which might make for a wild winter, but we are allowed to lunge on the line so I'm sure we'll be just fine. Just Eros won't have a chance to do that since his legs will fall of. They go out full days when the weather is good and half days when it's not, which will be so nice for them. 

There are a couple of things I don't love (because no place is perfect). First, they have a hay loft. Having already lived through a barn fire that was exacerbated by a hay loft... I hate that. But options are slim around here, so I'm going to swallow my fear. The other thing is that the stalls are a little dark. One of mine will get a window, but the other two will have inside stalls. But they can hang their heads out and they're pretty close to the end of the barn, so they'll still get some sunlight. Plus they'll be outside most of the daylight hours anyway. There are a couple horses that might be moving out west (with their humans) who have window stalls though, so if they go, I can have those. So that might be a temporary concern. And the last thing is that they have automatic waters outside. I'm just a little worried they won't figure them out. But I saw one horse outside with buckets because he flunked that test too, so I'm sure if mine have trouble they can get buckets too. The stalls have buckets thankfully. I don't like automatic waterers because you don't know if they're not drinking. 

So that's my confession! I've been making new winter plans, and while I'm angsty about change, I'm also excited. 

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!