Horses... Best Friends... & New Experiences = Best Weekend Ever!

 Let me start this blog with a question. How many people reading this can say they are lucky enough to still be best friends with a childhood friend as an adult. I bet not many! This past weekend Rio & I had a blast giving pony rides to my best friend Jen and her mom. It was the first time I'd seen her in almost 5 years. With her being in the Air Force we live on opposite coastlines which makes it difficult even when she's not deployed overseas. 

Jen and I grew up on the same street, went to the same elementary school, and have been friends since we were probably 4 or 5 years old... which is pretty much 95% of my life. I can't imagine us not being friends... we'll probably be 90 & senile sitting on rocking chairs next to each other someday. No matter how long its been since we've seen each other or talked we always pick right back up where we left off... no awkward pause at all. And, we're always there for each other be it a big or a small issue. I feel insanely blessed. 

When we were kids she used to be the one I invited for a birthday riding lesson. And, when we moved  our horses on to our own property she would come ride double bareback around the trails with me for hours.

Even though I've had Rio for almost 8 years (yikes really?!?!) she's never seen him because the last couple of times I've seen her I've had to fly to her. I was impressed both with how much she remembered and how well she did on him, as well as how well behaved he was for a new rider who really would be considered beginner. With more riding and him being more fit he really is an intermediate mount and can be a challenge. I was waiting for him to try to pull Jen around or out of the saddle, or to spook and run away... neither happened. If anything he was lazy and nonplussed by the whole situation. Jen's mom even got on and played with him for a few minutes... I can't get my own mom to ride... it was fun to share it with a woman I could probably call a second mom given how much time Jen and I spent together growing up. 

Over all it was a great weekend. Along with the riding I tried a few new things... golfing! I have no idea how they manage to hit the tiny ball with the club that accurately to get to a hole that far away.... I mostly watched and drove the cart, but I promise to try actually playing sometime... then they'll really have something to laugh at. We also tried eating a few new things... for example gator.... yes you heard me correctly gator. Can't say that I'd do it again, but it wasn't horrible. Gator tasted kind of like chewy chicken. I also tried muscles for the first time which were really not too bad. My favorite of the weekend though was Eggs Benedict!  We discovered some great local restaurants. If you live in the Sanford Lake Mary area may I highly suggest a visit to Peach Tree Cafe & Giovanni's.  We finished up the visit painting pottery and watching Les Miserables.... best weekend I've had in a very long time... horses, time with my best friend, and a of fun activities.  And, on Monday after she'd left I took Buster to the vet to get his stitches out and found she'd paid off his surgery bill.... which just demonstrates the kind of friend she is. She does things like that with out being asked. Even though we would have been fine making the payments it did take a burden off my shoulders, especially given a second injury to Busters knee that now needs treatment. 

We have plans to bring her girls out and let them ride next time! Can't wait for that & I may even spend the summer out with them in California... hey being a teacher might actually pay off... 3 months to spend with my best friend and her girls... the downside is missing my animals, but what an amazing experience it would be. 

How did I every get so lucky in finding a friend like Jen? I will never know!

My Horse is "Special"...

Rio playing with clip on reins

 My horse is special in more then one sense of the word. It never ceases to amaze me, some of the comical scenarios he finds himself in or absurd reactions he sometimes has to things...

Case in point. Today I had him tied to a post. Now in his defense I don't think he's ever, in his 13 years of life, been tied straight to something. He's always been cross tied. And, his stupid owner (yes, that would be me) who had clip on reins attached to his halter from a bareback ride decided to be lazy and just clip him to the post... never really smart. You can point and laugh at me now. I was fly spraying the big spotted beast, something we do almost daily, something he's had done a thousand and one times in his lifetime and then some. He decided to spook and pull back, which of course    scared   The poop out of him when he felt the pressure from being tied. He literally sat down like a dog on his haunches, something a kin to this Disney clip of Maximus the horse in the Disney movie Tangled. 

I might add that I'm pretty sure he's related to Maximus... maybe a far distant cousin... because his tendency to sit when he spooks (yes its happened before) is not the only character trait the two share. He is absolutely chock-a-block full of personality. If there's such a thing as ADHD in horses he has it. Fitting since I work as an ESE teacher with many ADHD prone kiddos. He can not stand still to save his life during a ride... ok he can, but he seems to forget that when its truly important, like on a group trail ride, at a show, or in the middle of a group lesson. 

 He's constantly looking for something to play with or some trouble to get into. Once upon a time I left his cookie container sitting out. I felt it was pretty horse proof so when  he picked it up by the handle I laughed... until he dropped it and rolled it on the floor and managed to get it open... it was like the horse version of a kong and he was so proud of himself. 

When we go out on a trail ride he'll pretend to be brave and rush to be up front, but then act like a baby and spook at something completely silly until mom comes to the rescue with some reassurance. 

But, even though he'd probably fit right in on the short bus his personality is  part of what has endeared him to me & there are some other things that make him pretty darn great too. He'll try his heart out to please his rider if they are willing to push and support him in the right way. He's brave and adventurous and really enjoys learning, not to mention he is ridiculously smart. He is gorgeous to look at hello big bay spots, with a super cute expression,  and a nice size... not too big, or two small. He is forward and fun to ride with scopey movement, but comes right back when you ask. I can put just about anybody on him. Even a brand new beginner or child under the right supervised circumstances and know that he's going to keep that person safe. 

Rio & 5 Year Old Desirae

I've known from just a few short weeks into a free lease that he had the potential to be an amazing horse so when the owner sold him you can bet I jumped at the chance to buy him. Being different, in his case a very spotty Appaloosa, is sometimes frowned on n the dressage/English riding world. I've been told, I don't know how many times "he won't be a good jumper", or "he won't make it past training level dressage" because he's an Appy and Appaloosa's just aren't suited to those disciplines, but here we are proving everybody wrong. 

Since we moved the eventing trainer at our new barn has fallen in love with him... and she's a great trainer too... which is going to make it very hard to not at least try to budget for a lesson here and there because I'm dying to take advantage of having a European trained rider to learn from. 

The BO has, not so subtly offered to buy him if I ever want to sell. Talking to her partner today while she was watching us ride she was telling him what I paid for him and said if she ever had the horse she wouldn't let him go for $5000 let alone what I paid which I won't share share here, but it was a bargain.

I have to admit that, while in most cases, I rarely care what others think, its nice to see others appreciate him as much as I do because he is truly awesome.  We've come a very very long way since day one and I am excited to share our progress in the continued months to come because he is going better then every under saddle, and we are finally at a barn and with other riders and trainers where we'll have the chance to grow beyond what I've been able to do with him myself. 

Even though I was hesitant about the move at first, I think it will end up being the best decision I could have made at this point in time for both of us. 

Get Ready 2013 will be awesome!

Rio & Sky Say "Hello"

P.S. Coming soon... the final chapter in the continuing saga of the great migration as told by Sky & her mom Crystal... just as soon as I convince her to do a guest blog... you'll never guess how it ended!

The Great Migration Continued / My Horse Is A Superstar!

If you're just tuning in to the blog here's a quick recap for you... though I might suggest reading 

The Great Migration Part 1 if you want the full story... When last you heard from Rio & I we had just completed our move to a new barn. Rio's girlfriend Sky had refused to get on the trailer (long story short). 

Today, I went back with the help of another boarder, and a small army of friends and attempted to load sky again... sorry no pictures today as I tried to stay hands free given her previous behavior. Come to find out that she not only hit her head and her leg on the trailer, but she broke 5 or 6 fence boards by falling on top of them. Being New years weekend it was impossible to get a vet out with Ace (a tranquilizer) so we had to settle for banamine to relax her muscles and 2 days of no food in hopes she'd get on the trailer to eat.

Sky's  wounds the day after the first trailer incident... what a mess!

As I suspected neither really helped. While Don was very calm with her, and she stayed quiet during the whole process it was clear that now, not only is she a stubborn mare, but she is very very scared of getting on the trailer probably as a result of this weeks fiasco. 

We came very close to getting her on using a step up open stock trailer parked in a ditch to minimize her need to step up or stand on a ramp neither of which she likes doing, but in the end we opted not to push her beyond her tiny TB brain's mental capacity... the more upset she got about it the more you could see she was just completely shutting down. Initially we'd agreed to try and load AGAIN next weekend with a vet present and some stronger drugs, but come to find out Crystal decided to ride her the close to 10 miles down back roads... she has yet to arrive and if she actually makes it alive in one piece there will probably be a third blog update to this saga. 

In the meantime I have to brag on my pony. We went for our second ride at the new property today. The first one was in the ring yesterday and he seemed to really settle no major issues... even let the less experienced girl who rides/leases him take a spin. The trainer who comes to the barn a few days a week was there and watched us ride. She loved him which is saying something given her experience level as a classically trained dressage/event rider with a lifetime of experience riding and training others. Its refreshing to  find a trainer who doesn't have her nose in the air when it comes to the idea of someone riding an Appy rather then a $30,000 warmblood. She seems to genuinely love horses and it will be nice to be able to work with her when the opportunity presents itself financially. I wish I had an extra $250 a month to take riding lessons twice a week consistently... we might actually get somewhere! But, alas I will have to settle for the fact that I at least have a trainer onsite and available to me for the occasional lesson for the first time in 2 years! 

Today we went with a group of 7 other riders out on the trails. Even though he started out a little hot and nervous he road towards the front second or third from the line leader or out in lead himself the entire ride with only a minor spook incident here or there. The barn owners were super impressed with him. They love him already and offered to buy him from me if I ever sell ...yeah right... however the feeling is mutual. They are amazing. I actually had the thought that God forbid it ever comes to me selling him... cause lets face it... teachers don't make much and its hard to keep jobs in this economy... I finally have found a person I would consider selling to where as up to this point I would have literally died before I'd have let him go to someone else.... but I'm not going to think about that. I'm going to keep working my tail off to afford him because... he's just such an awesome once in a lifetime type of horse. I can't begin to explain how lucky I was to  get this guy...

Trish has pictures from our ride and when I get them I'll post them for the handful of dedicated blog readers I have... one of my new years resolutions is to write more and maybe gain a following, but hey not gonna hold my breath!

Happy New Year to All! May 2013 be amazing! <3 Rio & Sam

The Great Migration ~ Part 1 ~

 Rio & Sky waiting for me at the gate this morning! Good Morning!

 I don't know about you, but I feel like somethings in life happen for a reason... Today Rio & I moved barns... this was not something I planned on doing. I loved the barn we were at. So it was a difficult choice to move... especially given all the drama we lived through during our first year in Central Florida before we found Seminole Stables.

In the past 3 months my friend bought a horse, and moved out to Seminole. And, then we meant Megan who was leasing a Seminole horse while she waited to get her own horse moved. The three of us clicked and I found myself riding more then I have in a year (consistently anyways). It has been so nice having people to ride with who are out the same hours as me, and have goals of training and showing; which most of the Seminole boarders don't... not that there's anything wrong with trail riding for fun, but I really wanted to do more. I realized with out other people to train along side I'd lost my motivation and given up.

So when my two co-horts found a barn closer to home that they liked, and decided to move, I had to think long and hard about going too... the end result... we went, and I'm hoping it will be the right decision for us.

When I woke up this morning and got ready to head to the barn for the move I felt pretty organized and prepared. I had all my stuff moved out already. I had my coggins and vaccination records ready to go... got out plenty early to make sure everything was ready when the girl trailering us showed up. It was cold and the horses were definitely feeling it, and a bit hyped up so I took some time to longe and ride him in the round pen before wrapping him. We were ready and waiting when Kellye pulled in with the trailer. This is a big deal considering how scatterbrained I can sometimes be.

I have to say that I am incredibly grateful that I have a mellow laid back horse with a solid foundation in ground manners. Rio loaded on the trailer like a pro first attempt and then patiently stood there for over an hour while we attempted to load his not so cool headed girl friend....

After a while we decided to try unloading him and giving her more space to load, but she was having none of it. I was afraid he might not load if he saw how worked up she got about it, but after another 90  minutes of trying, and failing to load Sky he walked right back on the trailer with a look of "what's wrong with you" pointed at the crazy mare.

At that point our chauffeur had had enough of fighting with Sky who was rearing and striking out and absolutely refusing to even get all 4 feet on the trailer ramp let alone in the trailer. The decision was made to call in a second person with a different trailer, and for Rio to move on out.

So while Crystal and Sky played "get on the darn trailer" for another 3 hours I went and settled Rio in for the night.... he walked off the trailer looked around... and went "ok this place is cool"... then spent the next two hours going from fence line to fence line in his pasture talking to the other horses and people who were stopping to admire him.

Megan's horse made an even longer trip in from Wisconsin, and was also settling in today so we spent time just hanging out, and watching the horses acclimate. Having made a similar move with my own mare from Colorado in 2004 I don't envy Megan. She was happy to finally have the stress of planning the move over and her horse safe and sound in Florida.

Belle setting in after a 1300 mile trip!

And, what about Sky? She never made it on the trailer, but did manage to hurt herself... so a little doctoring and a tranquilizer and we'll try round two on Tuesday with an experienced hauler...

Crystal's predicament has made me realize just how lucky and grateful I am that I've gotten my head on straight when it comes for planning for the un-expected... I was able to help her out with the shipping costs when things went south, and it felt good to be in a position to help someone. But, I think she learned a hard life lesson today about planning ahead (especially with horses who don't like to load in trailers) both when it comes to schooling, and time, but also finances. Things always cost more then you think they will, and sometimes things don't go your way.

She has a gardien angel on her shoulder though because one of the boarders at the new barn is good with problem loaders and has offered to try and move her.

It'll be me attempting to help load her because Crystal has to work so lets all say a prayer that Sky gets on the trailer!...

Settled in for the night...

TO BE CONTINUED....

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all of our family and horse loving friends. May 2013 bring you all many blessings! 

<3 Rio & Sam <3

What Happened to 2012?

It's 12/12/12... its the last time we'll see a triple repeating digit like that in my  life time... unless I live to be 131... that's sort of profound really when you think about it. I've spent a lot of time putting things in my life into prospective the last 6 months. Life goes by so fast. You truly have to appreciate every moment of it. I feel like it was January yesterday and I was sitting here typing a blog about new years resolutions for 2012 and now here we are 2 weeks away from 2013... say what?!?

This year has been a roller coster ride of up ups and downs, highs and lows. I haven't blogged a whole lot the last few months because, well one, I got a job yeah go me! almost 2 years of not having full time employment was beginning to takes its toll. But, I'm back teaching, and even though I spend a lot of time working and stressing over work I really do love my job.

I've joined a church that I love. It feels like a whole in my life that was missing has been filled. I'm part of something bigger then all the craziness life can some times throw you and for the first time in a long time I feel like my life is more balanced.



Working the church pumpkin patch to earn money for the youth group

I became an aunt! its crazy how much I love my niece! More then I thought possible which is saying a lot. I know her mom will kill me, but I can't wait to teach Evelyn, and her little brother Liam  how to ride a pony someday!

Evelyn & Aunt Sammy

 The other reason would be my lame horse... seems like about this time last year we went through the issues with hoof abscesses and thrush. Then we had a good six months of great riding only to come up lame again around Sept./Oct. of this year. 

Trying to stay positive... If you have to be hurt at least you can look cool in matching lime green...

It was one thing after another in fact... a respiratory infection followed a few weeks later by a mystery fever of 104 that lasted 48 hours, and went a way never to return, no known cause and no other symptoms... then he came up lame. I thought it was an abscess, but the lameness would come and go on and off. When I finally decided the vet should have a look it turned out Rio had strained tendons in both front feet.  The cause? The farrier was trimming him too much in the heel and not enough in the toe leaving him with a very long toe and next to no heel. This of course was totally avoidable, and you can bet I felt like a pretty crappy horse mom for not catching it sooner or avoiding it all together. 

Rio and his new girlfriend Sky

A farrier change some corrective trimming, and six weeks off with cold hosing and wraps solved the tendon irritation. You can bet I was happy that we avoided a bowed tendon which the vet felt was only a matter of time with out the treatment. Just when I thought everything was going great he turns up lame again. All I could think was please don't let it be a re-injury of the tendon, and luckily it wasn't. This time it truly was a hoof abscess. 

We finally drained the hoof abscess which was pretty deep couple of  weeks ago and we've come back with a vengeance. He is riding possibly the best he has in at least a year now. 

Just in time too! A friend of mine recently bought herself a second horse, and moved into our barn along with another girl that's been leasing one of the barn horses. Finally I've had people to train along side which is what I truly need to push myself and Rio to the next level. Having them around made me realize how much I've missed having structured, consistent riding with a purpose in my life. I think Rio enjoys it too because the more time I spend with him the more he thrives, and all the little bad habits he's developed over the last couple of years are slowly disappearing with the regular work. He rides more forward of his own willingness. He stands to be mounted. He very rarely pulls or roots, and he is pretty much game to try what ever I happen to throw at him. 

In January the 3 of us (plus Christian who leases Rio) will be moving barns. It was a very tough decision to leave my current barn. I love it there. I love the people. And, I am going to miss having a lighted ring to ride in at night during the winter.

The positive side to the move is that the four of us will be joining other like minded boarders who also train and ride more regularly. There are a couple of great trainers on sight, and because we are doing self care board will be slightly cheaper which means I might actually be able to afford a lesson here or there. It also, means I'll have other horses to teach off of myself so that I could put that money towards lessons. And, the 5 or 6 of us who will be training/riding together have enough knowledge between all of us to really be able to help each other. 

My goal when I bought Rio as an almost 6 year old was always to ride and show low level dressage and eventing, but its so hard to do with out a support system and now I think I have the right support system to give it a go. It only took 7 years to get there! 

It seems like things have just fallen in to place over the past 3 months for all of this to happen so I'm giving that credit to God with a big thank you for answering my prayers. I don't know that I will continue to be this lucky. In fact I'm sure there will be ups and downs. But, I'm going to work hard and love every minute I have with my friends and my horse. 

Its just a little late... Thanksgiving was almost 3 weeks ago, but I feel it important to voice what I am thankful for anyways. 

I am thankful for a job that allows me to have my best friends in my life. I am so thankful for Rio, and Buster (the most awesome dog!)  and so thankful for good friends.... special shout out to Christian who leases Rio,  and who has stuck by us through all of these changes, and health debacles, and who plays a major role in getting Rio pointed in the right direction. I'm thankful for my family who humors all my horse crazy obsessions as well. And, I'm looking forward to an amazing 2013 with lots more to come. 

Thanks Giving 2012 honoring our American heritage!



Buster says hello!

Happy Halloween!

October is my favorite time of year. Cool fall weather, changing leaves, football games, and Halloween! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, and always has been. So of course I took the opportunity to dress the pony up and torcher him just a little. Isn't Rio a cute little devil?

I promise a long overdue update soon! Until then Happy Halloween to all and I will leave you with a little Fergus... my new favorite cartoon!