What's Up Wednesday

 

We've just been getting settled in back at our winter barn this week, and so far so good! We took the first week to get settled so didn't sign up for any lessons. The weather has been all over the place, so we've had the chance to ride outside some which was nice. But also indoors which is still a challenge for Al, but so far is going a little better than last year. We'll see what happens once it's full time freezing out... but I'll take the better behavior while I can. 

I have taken zero photos over the last week. Literally. Zero. So I'll be using a few shots that Chelsea Lothrop Photography took for me during our marketing shoot for filler today. 

Shiny's been feeling pretty good. She seems much happier this year than in years past. I think a lot of that is that she's feeling better now that she's lost some weight. But the other part is that she won the stall lottery this time. She's living in an end stall with a window that has a view of the med paddocks. And since she's on the end, she only has one neighbor (that's a real win for Shiny, the only thing that could be better would be zero neighbors) and all of her buckets and feed are on the side away from her neighbor. Best stall ever if you ask Shiny! Also, the horse next to her is a really lovely mare, who wouldn't play into any of Shiny's reindeer games should she try to initiate. It's pretty perfect. I still put up some kick pads though... just in case. Can't be too careful! She'll have her first jumping lesson on Saturday. I signed up to ride with a little kid that jumps crossrails because I'm all about easing into things. I'm not too proud to lesson with tiny children! 

Eros is exactly the same at the boarding barn as he is at my house, and THAT is why I love him! To be fair, he is definitely less spooky than the last couple of weeks at home, but I can't blame him for that. My ring is pretty scary come autumn. He (and Shiny too) didn't need any lunge line time or anything at the new place. They both have ridden both inside and out with zero issues what-so-ever. Eros will have a little free lunge tomorrow as he's having his first lesson in the morning. At least one of us is very excited. Hopefully we both are though.

Al is always the most challenging of the bunch. But that's fair really. He IS the youngest and the most... concerned about his surroundings. Yeah. Let's say that. But despite being who he is, he's really been a brave boy for our move. Our first ride was Friday and it was an indoor riding day due to weather. He had a free lunge in the indoor in the morning, and then I rode him late morning. He walked into the ring nicely, so I hopped on, but then he must have heard something because he suddenly started dragging breathing and was doing that whole frozen in place thing that horses do... I asked him to walk forward, but he was all kinds of tense and nervous. So I decided to hop off and take him for a little hand walk and see if he'd settle. Which he did eventually, and I got back on. We had an okay ride. It wasn't great, but nobody died, and we only spooked the other horses in the ring a couple of times... Not the worst first ride at least! The second day was a really nice day and warm. Everyone was riding outside, but I opted to stay in with Al. I wasn't sure it would be fair to introduce another ring after only one ride inside in a new (ish) place. We actually had a really nice ride and I was very happy with him. Sunday was way too nice for me to keep him in again though. It was sunny and warm, and I just had to get out there. So I threw him on the lunge line for a few minutes to see what he thought about the outdoor. He did get a little sassy a few times, but nothing too crazy. Once I got on, we had a lovely ride. No spooks! That rarely happens. I was very proud. He had Monday off since the barn's closed Mondays, and then a free lunge Tuesday before I flatted him. We were back inside and he was still nervous at the one end he hates, but otherwise was quite good. He had his first training ride today and was a total star. He really didn't do anything wrong (other than his one end of the ring anxiety, but we've all agreed to just try and deal with that as I don't think it's going away). He popped over a few jumps, and it was all very unexciting which is the goal. We'll have a lesson together on Saturday. 

So that's the update! We're settling right in and looking forward to getting back to lessons. 

What have you all been up to? Do anything fun this weekend? 

Truthful Tuesday

 

I'm late posting today, not because I forgot again, but because I can't for the life of me remember what I had planned to write about today. I KNOW I had something... But I didn't make a note. And now I can't remember. It's tough getting old. 

So instead of whatever entertaining confession I was supposed to write about, I will just admit that while I'm trying to adjust to our new schedule now that the horses have moved, I've completely neglected all of the things I need to do here at the house and farm. My laundry isn't all that backed up as far as washing stuff... but I keep folding loads and leaving them on on top of the dryer. I really need to put that stuff away. I can't remember when I last ran the vacuum around the house, but there's much evidence that I'm overdue. And the horse laundry! I really need to get started on that. I want to wash all the home blankets and get them stored away so the mice don't find them first. So hopefully I will get myself settled soon so I can get things done around here. 

Do you guys have to get kind of re-settled after a change in routine? Or can you just roll with the flow and keep things moving along? I think I used to be better at it than I am now. 

Thursday's Threads: Halloween Edition

 

OUTFIT DAY! It's technically the last one at home, but I shot a few extra outfits to share in the coming weeks before I bore with you a lot of navy. Today though, we're sharing our Halloween outfits. I've done candy corn year after year for awhile because I have all the stuff and it should get used once a year. But I needed a break from it this year. Despite making a candy corn jump... maybe that was bad planning on my part. Anyway... Since it's a holiday edition, I'm sharing everyone's outfit since they were all a little different. I'll start with my outfit though, and get that out of the way first.

Here's what I had on:

Spiderwebs! And spiders... can't really have one without the other. This all happened because awhile back I was placing an order overseas and wanted to get the most bang for my shipping cost. And I found this crop:

Which led to lots of arts and crafts so we would have a nice outfit to match it. (Yes, I know, I'm not normal. But I am fun!) Anyway... I crafted most of the horses' outfits, but Shiny's happened to go on sale a few days before Halloween and I couldn't resist. So her's was mostly purchased. 

Helmet: Samshield

I know I've been wearing this a lot. But it really worked with the outfit!

Sweater:Unbranded

This wasn't the first sweater I chose, but the other one got lost in transit and then was out of stock. I like this one though, so all's well that ends well. 

Belt: Designer inspired

I was certain I had a C4 spiderweb belt, but evidently I was incorrect. So I wore this designer inspired one instead.

Breeches: Tailored Sportsman

The only appropriate pants for this outfit is black pants. Obviously.

Boots: DeNiro

These boots are breaking in nicely, and might actually be the only pair I own that's actually the correct height. I always get a giggle when I can wear things marked tall as at 5'2" I am definitely not that.

That's what I had on, so let's see what the horses were wearing. We'll go in alphabetical order and start with Al.

He can be a handful, but he is nice to look at!

Bridle: Joseph Sterling
Brow band: Home made
Bonnet: Woof Wear, embellished by me

They all had identical brow bands, and I have a close up of Shiny's so you'll see it better in a little bit. I've been having fun making silly brow bands with giant wooden children's beads and nylon webbing. The options are endless!

Boots: Premier Equine, embellished by me

I had the hardest time getting fabric for the boots (and bonnets). It took me three separate orders to finally have this one show up. But turns out, it was the best one since it's pretty much the same as my sweater.

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

I am sorry I didn't snap a close photo of the trim, but it's really cute little spiders with great big eyes. They look very friendly and not at all spooky.

Next up is Eros! Here's what he wore:

I somehow did not notice he was standing with fence rail shadows all over him... but hey, that works with Halloween right? Shadows are scary!

Bridle: Joseph Sterling
Brow band: Home made
Bonnet: Woof Wear, embellished by me

He's actually wearing the same bonnet as Al. But I do have a third one, I just forgot to bring it out with me that day. So they had to share. It happens!

Boots: Premier Equine, embellished by me

I did remember boots for everyone though! Seriously, how cute are these?

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

Eros' pad has spiderweb trim. SPOOKY!

Next up is Shiny! 

Her outfit is ridiculous in all the best ways. I mean look at it. LOOK AT IT! The spider! I was mildly disappointed when it arrived and it was white if we're being honest. It looked gray on the website. But then I put it on her, and it's perfect. 

Bridle: Joseph Sterling
Brow band: Home made

Bonnet: Tack of the Town

See the brow band?? Isn't it silly?! I love they came out. And that bonnet is hilarious. I wasn't sure it would fit her since it's a horse size, but I think it would be too small on my full size horses. Maybe it's mis-sized. Or maybe her head is huge... (It kind of is. She gets her head from the quarter horse side.) Anyway, it came with the pad, and they were both only offered in one size. 

Boots: Premier Equine, embellished by me

I love my interchangeable boots. They're so fun and easy to change around. 

Saddle: Custom Saddlery

Saddle Pad: Tack of the Town

Seriously. It's the silliest thing ever. But I love it. I loved it as soon as I saw it on Instagram, but I resisted temptation because I'm trying not to buy so much stuff. But then it went on sale and well... I'm not good at resisting a good sale. So here it is, and I'm zero percent sorry. 

And that's finally it for Halloween Outfit Day! Did you miss the candy corn, or did you also enjoy a little change of pace for once?

What's Up Wednesday

 

Oh you guys! Last week was so lovely. SO LOVELY. It was warm all week, and on Saturday it was EIGHTY DEGREES OUT! Glorious. I loved it. Al loved it. Everyone loved it! Today? Today the high was 42. My horses are wearing blankets. BLANKETS. They aren't heavy ones, but still.

BLANKETS. Ugh. Gross. 

Anyway, back to last week. We got to do jumpies twice last week like normal riding people. It was great fun. Everyone was so good, especially on Saturday.

Well, I didn't say they were perfect... 

I FULLY embraced it, because I knew what was coming. So Saturday after jumpies, each horse got a scrubby tubby bubble bath. They looked beautiful and shiny and clean for approximately 10 hours. Because obviously it rained on Sunday. I rode at the other barn, but not at home. Instead we pulled manes and conditioned tails. At least we did productive things on the one millionth rain day of the season.

It also rained Monday. But Rita was able to get her walk in because it was more of a mist by late afternoon. She tried out her new rain jacket, and it was great. Rita approved!

Yesterday was Halloween. It was chilly but not as awful as today so everyone worked. Al spent more time on the lunge line than he did under saddle, but some days are like that. Especially Tuesdays after a two day vacation. His lunge line work was mostly at the trot, exploring different areas of the ring. He was all worked up about pretty much everything. It's not his fault. He hates the cold more than I do. And that's a lot. Everyone else was fine though. We were stuck on half the ring because of all the rain from the previous days. That far side gets squishy when there's too much water. 

I had planned to ride everyone again today. The weather was awful, low 40's, WIND, and some rain. But it wasn't really raining, just spitting a little, so my plan was to proceed as normal. I picked Shiny to go first though, because on days like today she's a good barometer for the how the rest will behave. If she's spicy, then the others will definitely be awful. If she's good, it's a 50/50 chance on the others behaving... Ha! Anyway, I got on Shiny and she was kind of a psycho. Well psycho for her anyway. She was really spooky, which is not at all like her. She kept contemplating bolting. It was silly. But it was also a good warning that perhaps the others should have a day on the lunge instead of under saddle. It was a good choice. Al wasn't terrible... but definitely SPOOKY and Eros was pretty wild. I think everyone's ready for an indoor option on bad weather days. (Okay, maybe not Al. He hates the indoor. But the rest of us are ready!) 

And speaking of that, tomorrow is moving day! Hopefully. As long as the trailer shows up as planned for my stepmom's horses. My plan is to definitely move Al tomorrow, and then Eros and Shiny will either move later in the day or Friday morning. We'll see how late the day gets. The other horses are supposed to leave between one and two in the afternoon. I would love to bring everyone at once, but with all my show stuff living in the trailer tack room, I don't have enough space for all three plus their stuff in one trip. Because they have a lot of stuff:

Tack (saddles not pictured) but not those trunks.
They're just acting as tables.

They each have a tub for indoor blankets,
a tub for turnout blankets, and a tub of locker stuff.
(Locker stuff is grooming items, wraps, boots, that sort of thing)
Also pictured are Shiny's kick pads. We don't need them at home.

I haven't packed feed and supplements yet, but that will be quick. Plus I have most of the day to do that anyway since we won't leave the house before 2 at the earliest. I figure I'll take Al and all the stuff the first trip. (Excluding feed and supplement things for the other two since they may stay one more night.) Then the other two. It's nice that the boarding barn is so close that it's not a big deal to make two trips. Though I suppose I could unpack some of the show things and get it all done at once too... Just seems like a lot of extra work. It's less than a ten minute drive and I don't think Shiny particularly enjoys being in the front stall. It's a little awkward. My trailer is a 2+1, but not quite because I had it made a little short. I didn't plan to actually have three horses to haul around when I ordered it. Anyway. I'm rambling. Big move starts tomorrow for the winter! 

In other news, the tall kids all wore cute Halloween outfits yesterday which I'll share tomorrow for Thursday's threads, though you may have already gotten a sneak peak if you follow me on Instagram. And Rita got dressed up as a taco:

We didn't actually do anything except take a photo though. Maybe next year we'll do something fun for Halloween. Though to be real, I had plenty of fun taking pictures with Rita. Because I am who I am, I donned a hot sauce costume with a spicy pepper headband.

Yes, I wore it for all of five minutes to take photos with my dog. I'm a total weirdo. But honestly, I'm pretty comfortable in my weirdness. Hopefully others enjoy it too... Hahaha!

Truthful Tuesday

 

Ugh. I don't even want to admit this one to you it's so ridiculous, and also pretty gross. But don't worry, I don't have any photos to share. 

So... Yesterday, I was straightening up all the things that I have dropped by the door over the last week when coming in from the barn. And one of the tote bags had some items from an outfit days in it. One of the items was a bonnet with a pin on it. So I was sitting on the floor unpacking the bag. I removed the pin from the bonnet, but in the process I broke the locking back from it. So I set both things on the floor, and mental noted to myself to pick that up when I stood up. 

Only problem is, when you're my age, mental notes don't always take. So I stood up for whatever reason, leaving the pin and the broken back on the floor separately from each other. Well then I stepped on the broken back, but thought it was the pin, so I stepped off that quickly, only to step with the other foot ON THE PIN! Effing thing went right into my heel. I had to pull it out. DISGUSTING! Fortunately it was my heel though which is heavily callused from being an old woman. So it only bled a little. I washed it up well, put some neosporin on it and covered it with a bandaid. It's a tiny bit sore today, but looks like it will be just fine. Still, zero out of ten, do not recommend! If you have a pin with no back on it, put it on a table! For crying out loud. Sheesh. Don't be like me. 

Thursday's Threads... Friday edition? I guess?

 

Heh... well. It happened. I forgot to post yesterday! My evening turned into a bit of a shit show, so I have an excuse. But oops. Anyway, I'm bringing outfit day over to Friday this week, because no one wants to miss an outfit day! Shiny was our model this week, and here's what she wore yesterday:

Her dapple game is strong this time of year. Soon she'll be pink again for the winter. 

Bridle: Joseph Sterling
Browband: Home made by me

You may need to enlarge the photo to see it, but the middle beads on this browband are a couple of cute pickup trucks and a leaf that says Happy Fall. I think it's pretty cute! In the silliest way of course.

Saddle: Custom Saddlery
Saddle Pad: Ogilvy, embellished by me
Half Pad: Ippico

How cute is that ribbon trim? The little pumpkin trucks?! So cute. 

Boots: Anky

I know I've been raving about these all summer, but I still really like these boots. They fit the horses well, have a nice mesh lining inside (not neoprene), and they wash up really well too. Big fan.

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

I might not be the biggest fan of Autumn because it leads to winter, but I am very much here for the color pallet. I'm also enjoying the unseasonably warm temps so I don't need a million layers yet. 

Helmet: Samshield

I know. I haven't been very good about swapping out helmets this summer. Sorry. Something for me to work on.

Top: Luyaa

I'm not sure blogger is really picking up this color correctly, it's like a rusty orange color. Perfect for fall!

Belt: The Sugar Lady

This is Rio's tail hair belt, and it's one of my most cherished belongings. I am still so impressed by how this came out. And I'm also impressed with the quality. It's lasting really nicely. Thank goodness. I want to have it forever.

Breeches: RJ Classics

These are the gulf style, and I like them. I like the Harper's a little more, but these are nice also. I find them very comfortable and a little looser fitting than Equiline, which I like. 

Boots: DeNiro

So, I've been wanting to get a pair of everyday comfortable boots to keep at the other barn for the winter since all of my plain black boots are waiting to see the boot doctor. But I also don't have a ton of extra boot money laying around right now. This pair has been on sale at Equiport for quite some time. I nearly bought them a few times, but they are taller than the size I normally get from DeNiro. I always complain though, that they end up too short once they fall, so I finally bit the bullet and ordered these along with a pair of heel raisers. I was able to pull the raisers out after the first day, and they are already the perfect height. So I shouldn't have worried. They were 250 euro, so a great price for nice boots and exactly what I needed. 

And that's it for this week! Sorry for being a day late. Hope you all have a great weekend!