How important is your relationship?

For me, the connection between horse and rider is everything. If I don't click with my horse, it isn't even worth having one because it takes all the enjoyment right out of it. I suppose there are a million people who would dispute that, and they wouldn't necessarily be wrong. I think it boils down to why you have horses in the first place.

To some people, mainly avid competitors, horses are a means to an end. They need horses to compete in the sports they enjoy, and that's as far as it goes. They don't need to "get along with" their horse in order to love equestrian activities. I'm not saying they mistreat their animals- far from it. But they have little to no emotional attachment to them. It's a business relationship, so to speak.

On the other end of the spectrum, you have the people who covet their horses' affection above anything else. To Hell with the glory of being a successful competitor or winning a case full of rosettes if it's done with a horse that you don't connect with. It doesn't matter how athletic or well trained the horse is if your personalities clash, it's just not fun.

And I'm sure there are gray areas in between the two.

I would fall under the second category. I value my horses not because they're expensive investments, but because they're my companions. If my horses aren't happy and we don't enjoy each other's company, what's the point of having them? I don't want a horse that I feel detached from, or one that wants nothing to do with me. Again, what would be the point?

My old BO offered to let me show Harley, her Quarter Horse, but I turned it down. I don't really like that horse and he doesn't care for me, either. Granted, he's much more docile and easier to ride than Victor. But he's not my Victor. It wouldn't have meant anything. And it has nothing to do with familiarity, because I've know Harley a lot longer than I've known Victor.

And it doesn't necessarily have to be your own horse that you click with. Reba and I were two peas in a pod. =)

So tell me, do you value a purely athletic and successful horse, or one that is more of a good friend? Or are you somewhere in between?

Photos! The horses' first day at home.

I know these are long overdue. I believe they were taken May 1st... They got a kick out of the neighbor's goats. XDD

I can't believe how sparse the pasture was. The grass has really grown well with all the rain we've had. The dirt areas in the pictures are now almost completely covered. =)

Just got back from my second lesson

And I blacked out halfway through and had to quit early. I'm shocked at how out of shape I am. Yes, it was hot out, but I used to be able to maintain a working trot for an hour straight in this weather without a problem. It's so incredibly frustrating. I feel like a blob when I'm on the horse. It feels terrible. Kudos to poor Hershey for putting up with my flabbiness with such a patient attitude. He's a pretty cool horse. Always such a gentleman. ;)

But... Ugghh. I've never had to stop early before. I'm exceedingly mad at myself. Lorena would be so disappointed if she saw that. I know exactly what she'd say, too. "How the Hell could you be tired?! I taught you better than that, Miss Thang!"

Yep. That's what she'd say.

I need to start riding my own horses. Victor has gotten fat. He and I are a couple of lard asses right now. What a pair we make. XDDD

I don't know what to think of this place.

My mom and I found a lesson barn about fifteen minutes away from our house. They breed Paints and do mostly roping, WP, and HUS. The trainer said there are about 100 horses on the property. The facility is very nice and most of the horses looked really good, but I did see a couple of skinny broodmares and one horse that was a bag of bones and had clumps of fur falling out. I have no idea what the story is behind those few horses. I don't know if she's rehabbing them or what. The stalls were kept immaculate and all the horses had food in front of them. The owner/trainer seems to really know what she's doing.

I had a lesson with her today on her $30,000 Paint gelding, which was the most expensive horse I've ever ridden! The lesson went well and it was a whole new experience learning to ride a WP/HUS horse. He was trained to respond completely off of leg aids, which was really cool. My legs are going to hate me tomorrow, but it was worth it. I have another lesson scheduled for the same time next week.

The barn isn't as laid-back as my old boarding barn. Maybe that's why it feels so weird to me. And I get the impression that the people there are strictly riders, not horsemen. The horse was saddled for me and she didn't even want me to rub him down afterward. Which is okay for me because I already know how to do those things, but what about beginners? I get the impression that she only teaches people how to ride, and not how to take care of a horse.

I don't know. I'm interested to see what happens with the skinny horses. I don't know how you can have dozens of horses that look like they're ready for a show, and then have ones that look like poop. If things don't improve, I'm going to quit. I'll just have to wait and see.

A few photos

These are some old photos of the new farmette, taken before we moved in. These are all I have until I can figure out what's wrong with my computer.

Here's the barn:
The pasture:


Part of the back area, which would be great for another pasture if my parents would let me fence it off. I'm still working on that...

Alas, the best pictures are on my camera. We've been doing tons of landscaping and whatnot.

On another note, having only two horses has presented a problem: they're herd bound. I've never had that issue with them before. It doesn't help that they're a pair bond. Even before we moved, they were always side-by-side. I've only ridden three times since we moved. I rode once with my mom and they did fine as long as they were together. But if I take Victor out of sight, Norman goes nuts. That's why I really want to fence off another turnout area, so I can separate them for a few hours a day. I'm pretty sure I can break them of it if I can just make another pasture. Victor isn't too bad, he only gets upset when Norman starts running the fence line.

I rode him a couple nights ago and he threw a fit when I took him too far away from the pasture. It didn't bother me (I'm used to his tantrums), but it scared the bejeebers out of my mother. Now she wants to get me a new horse. *facepalm* Like Victor's hissy fits are anything new? He'll calm down with more riding. He was the same way when I first bought him and tried to take him out trail riding at the old barn. He eventually just gave up and settled down to the point where we could hack out alone without any drama. It just takes a lot of time and patience with him.

Other than that, not much is going on. *sigh*

I miss Reba so much. :'(

For some odd reason...

My computer isn't letting me upload photos from my camera. I'll post pics as soon as I figure out what the problem is.

I have a gazillion photos that refuse to get onto my computer and it might drive me insane. *twitch*

Sorry for my major hiatus...

Things have been seriously chaotic around here. But hey! Guess what!

My mom and I got completely and utterly fed up and the boarding stable. Things went from bad to worse and we just couldn't stand it. Ugh. It makes my queasy just thinking about it.

My mom and I have also been wanting our own horse property for years. And we've been "window shopping" for eons. The rest of the family was pretty much against moving until my mom found this one place online. We convinced Dad to at least go look at it, and voila! He loved it.

Long story short, we moved! And we now have our beasties at home. I can't tell you what a relief it is to be free of that hell hole. The horses seem much happier as well. It's just the two of them in our pasture, so there's no bickering or bullying, especially at feeding time. It's wonderful.

We have a 2-stall barn with a hay loft and a smallish pasture that's just right for our two guys. There's also about six acres in back that we can ride in. No arena, but that's a small price to pay. =) It's wonderful being out in the country, too.

Pictures are coming soon!

Now, I also have some bad news. Major bad news, at least to me it was. Lorena just informed me today that Mitch and Cynthia are leaving the barn and taking Reba with them. I want to throw up. They're taking their two horses, Jack the pony and Mitch's [totally bitchy, obnoxious, dangerous] TWH mare along with Reba to Cynthia's mother's place. They're putting up a fence as we speak. There's no barn or anything. Just a pasture. That means no shelter during storms or in the dead of winter when wind chills reach 20 below. That sounds wonderful for a 25 year old horse, doesn't it? I'm sure Reba will just love getting the shit beaten out of her by Mitch's horse and being fed moldy cattle hay.

[/end sarcasm]

I'm scared to death for Reba. She's old, she has back problems, and Cynthia won't give a flying fuck. It's all the more frustrating because I'm powerless to do anything about it. I hope she enjoyed the bath I gave her right before I left, because it will probably be her last. I saw her today and took a piece of her mane with me since I don't know if I'll get another chance. I might never see her again. This sucks.

The BO is pretty irked about it, too. She and Cynthia were supposedly such good buddies, and now Stank Bitch Cynthia is taking a paying boarder right out from under her. Yeah, they were real pals.

She's not taking Reba because she cares about her, she's taking her to stick it to everyone and because she doesn't want to lose her toy. The BO's place is by no means perfect, but at least there are people there who look out for all the horses and clean up after people like Mitch and Cynthia. However, I am glad that Cristy and Lorena won't have to put up with the garbage anymore. I know they were as miserable as I was. But I'm hoping the situation will be a lot better with Mitch and Cynthia gone. Nonetheless, I'm ecstatic to be done with the place.

*sigh* So yeah. That's my juicy news. Lord have mercy on poor Reba. I'm really going to miss her.