Shame. On. Me.

I cannot even BELIEVE my last post was in January of 2015.


It's July, in 2016, and so much has happened. I'm not sure why I haven't been inspired enough to write. But I guess, I gotta just let that go - I'm here now.

So, things were going fine at CVEE, but as time went on, so much was changing that I just felt like it wasn't even the same place I started boarding at. I was getting frustrated that new horses would come in and just get shoved in Dusty's paddock. Then, it was super-muddy this spring and they "rotated" the two horses next to Dusty's paddock with Dusty and his gang. The problem with that was, they kept horses in on days when there was more than a 20% chance of rain - so if they were kept in one day because of rain, then they had to be stuck in the next day so the "other" horse group could go out, then they'd be in the next day again for rain. :( And on top of that all, they never even TOLD me this was going on. I found out from other boarders. Very, very disappointing.

Then, since I haven't blogged in forever, I should mention that they stopped including feed in the board, and were charging $20 more PER HORSE, per month, for feed. They also took away the "multiple horse discount" which for me was $10 per month. They also raised board on top of that. Dusty lost his hair in December, so I also had to pay the $20 extra fee for two months for hi to wear his blanket. It was really just getting to be too much, and I really wasn't interested in sticking around to wait for the NEXT increase.

I also discovered that I could no longer use the indoor because it aggravated my asthma. The barn actually did too, which I didn't discover just yet at this time. There were more and more people all over the place, and I always felt like either I was in their way, or they were in my way. And then so many people had their opinions on things ... it's nice if someone wants to help out, but it just got annoying after awhile.

I was finding that I was loving spending time alone with Dusty and Cocoa nights at the barn. I'd go at night, and no one else would be there. It was fantastic to be there just with them, with no interruptions. I have to say, it allowed me to bond a LOT with Dusty. I learned so much about him, and he about me. So even though I enjoyed socializing with many of the people from my barn, I also loved that I knew I'd be alone with my boys most of the time.

I decided to look around to see if I could find some other boarding options that were either closer to home or cheaper, or both! There was an ad for West Bend, an opening for two horses. The ad said it would be a perfect situation for retired horses. I called and talked with Greg, and we decided to have me come look at the place. It was/is literally five minutes from my house. The barn was small, and newer. Very relaxed, but well looked after. They had two other boarders, and were looking to add two horses. Jackie and I had made a sort-of pact that one of us would not leave without the other. So, I told her that I was looking and that I'd found a spot I liked. I talked to the guys, and they thought they might be able to make a spot for Kimi. Jackie came and met the guys, but didn't like the idea that there was no bathroom to readily use, and that they fed Sprout grain from Fleet versus Safe Choice. So, I decided to stick it out at CVEE, but told the guys to keep my name and number.

By September, I'd had enough and decided I wanted to move. I contacted Greg, but he said they had filled the two spots with two retired barrel racing horses. He also said he'd let me know if they didn't work out, or if something else came up. In January, they contacted me to let me know they had to put the mini they had, Chocolate, down, and that they'd be putting up some new fencing in May so they could accommodate both of my boys - but not until May. I knew I wanted to go, but I was reluctant to leave my friends. In my heart I knew that things change so often - nothing ever stays the same. I knew it was time for us to go. The flat paddock for Cocoa, and the wood fencing for Dusty. Not to mention, it was going to be almost $100 less per month.

To be continued ...

Fat-back, coughing!

Well, Monday night I felt a cough coming on, so I came home and rested after dinner. Tuesday morning, I got a lipoma removed from my back in the morning, then went to work. I worked until 8pm on a video I need to get done for Minnesota profit sharing meetings. When I had Al pick me up, I had him take me right to Urgent Care because I just could not get my breath. I had taken my inhaler several times that day, and only gotten minimal relief. So, they gave me a breathing treatment, checked for flu (OMG that was awful!), then sent me on my way to pick up prednisone (sp?) and arythrimyacin (sp?) for bronchitis. I stayed home all day yesterday - New Year's Eve. I feel better today, and actually got up and showered, etc. Al took me up to check on Dusty and Cocoa. Dusty moved to the H Barn today, so I wanted to make sure he was ok. It was like he knew he was headed there . :) He was happy and content munching away on his hay! Mr. Cocoa was happy as can be eating, too. So great to have my boys so close together!! I hope Dusty moves across from Cocoa, but for now he is in Ivy's old stall while she's gone. Hopefully all will be settled quickly and he will be happy and content in his "new" home! I love those boys like crazy!!

Sometimes you learn, and then re-learn.

So, Dusty is unofficially mine. :) I've done a little with him, but nothing major. I hurt my back on Saturday, so I just went up and hung out with Jackie and walked Cocoa around the arena. I tried hopping on Kimi but quickly regretted it, as my back was very sore. I also slid off the saddle in such a way that bruised the inside of my right thigh. Youch! Anyway, I know Cocoa enjoyed the attention and the break from his normal routine. He even got a little spunky and nipped a little! Sassy boy!

So I took Dusty's blanket off of him, because it's been fairly warm out and last time I checked him he was sweaty underneath. It's supposed to get cold in the next few days, so either I need to get him a new blanket or get the one he is wearing washed. I'm not a big fan of the one he's wearing now because it has to go over his head which is a pain. So maybe I'll get him a new one. :) Just need to figure out the size.

I also got him a new rope halter and lead rope. I went to lunge him, and he lunged fine (except when he tried to call out and swing his head, then stepped on the lunge line and pulled his halter off) to the left, but I couldn't get him to go to the right. He kept walking right to me. I always wondered, when Ute would lunge us during our lessons it was only ever one way. So, I got him to a point where I made him take a few steps with me on that side, so I decided to be happy with that and end on a good note. There was no one else in the arena, so I didn't want to take any chances. I fear that I do that too much. I am working on figuring that out.

I saw Chrissy Fohr as I was heading from the H barn to the A barn, and she asked how things were going with Dusty. She told me a story about a woman she used to train, who started riding her mostly-blind horse who always rode western, as dressage, at age 24 because he needed to feel her more with having limited sight. She said he is now 32 and still going strong! :) It was nice to hear that story. She said she misses giving lessons, and I told her I might just be seeking her out for some! But, probably not gonna happen tho, since it would be a really weird situation with Ute. Oh well.

So I'll head up to the barn tomorrow morning to brush out my insanely dirty boys, and try on a few new saddles on Dusty McTrusty-Pants. :) Cheryl brought me a barrel saddle and a Cashel soft saddle, which are both wider. Hopefully one of them will work for us. I feel like I'm collecting saddles. :( Oh well, just looking forward to bond time with 'm boys!! ;)

Very ... anti-climactic.

Got a text from Ute today, asking if we are on for our lesson at 5:45 on Wednesday. Then another text came from her that said I'm glad he said yes. So, I guess I've officially taken the plunge!

My two boys!

And the very next day, I had a lesson on Dusty with Ute, and she tells me she has an idea. She told me that she is in need of a horse that already knows jumping - so that she can teach her students to jump on a horse that already knows how. She said that Dusty is a great horse but she doesn't normally teach students at that level, and she doesn't really need Dusty. She offered to give him to me. Yes, GIVE HIM TO ME!!!! I was speechless! I wanted to say yes but I couldn't just jump in to it. I needed to talk it over with Al first. So, I've been going back and forth in my head trying to decide. Seriously, I wanted him so bad, and then when I'm seriously faced with having him, I can't decide?? Well, after talking to Al, I decided yes and told Ute. But I haven't heard back from her since I told her (via text). She just wants Savannah to be able to still ride him, for her own pleasure. I'm totally OK with that. I trust her, and I know she is a good rider and will keep him tuned up for me. :) What a great deal!

It will be tight to have both boys, but I think this is what I'm supposed to do. I worry about my Cokes - he's in some pain. I had the chiropractor out last week and he seemed to feel better after his treatment. The problem with that, is... so if he only feels better after a treatment for a day (he seemed in pain again yesterday) how do I manage his pain for him? Nancy made me feel guilty because she said she knows horses that have worse arthritis that are "still being used". I don't know how I feel about that. Does that make it right? For me and/or Cocoa? If I can get him comfortable, to where he's not in pain, I doubt that I'd even ride him then. I can see the kids riding him, but I just really think I'm too heavy for him. I am going to take it one day at a time and see how it all goes.

So, I will report back once it's all finalized!!

Ask, and you shall receive the answer.

Hmmmm, ok. Since my last post, I rode Dusty once by myself with Jackie and Sue in the arena. We did good, but I did something dumb and thought I would pony Cocoa around the arena while riding Dusty. Bite off more than you can chew much, Charlotte? Um yeah. I ended up putting Cocoa in Dusty's stall, where he was harassed by the horse next to him and was frantically calling out for Kimi. That in itself made me stressed. So, I cut my ride on Dusty short to go get Cokes and walk him around the arena. That was fine, but I felt such a sense of disappointment in myself, and almost guilt for thinking I could not feel bad about spending time on Dusty while Cokes didn't get the attention. I left with a very confused heart. And I prayed and tried to be still and listen.

So it's Thanksgiving weekend and we always have off Thursday and Friday. So, I ask Ute if I can ride Dusty Friday morning with Jackie, and she says yes. I get there, say hello to Cocoa, Kimi, and Jackie, and head up to the A barn to get Dusty and tack him up. I see Michelle and ask her where Dusty is outside and she tells me, but then she says "Be careful walking him in and out... You know about his blindness issues, right?" Um, no. I didn't. I suspected he might have issues in the one eye because it's got cloudiness in it. But I guess he's totally blind in the left and about 75% in the right. I saw Annette and mentioned that I didn't know he was going blind, and she said it's a sensitive subject with Ute. Of course I know that blind horses can be ridden just fine, so I tacked up and we rode. It went pretty good - I know that I was hesitant. So, I just decided to untack and hang out with Jackie. Putting him back in pasture was hard because it was very bright, I was nervous with those stupid wire gates, and I he really couldn't see well, so he was nervous and sniffing. Well, I safely got him back and all was well. I went back and hung out with Jackie for a bit, and ended up riding Kimi! Not a huge fan of the English saddle, but we did it. :) I was able to stay soft with my hands and legs and keep her where I wanted her to be. I can totally tell what I've learned in my lessons!! That's a great feeling.

Jackie said she'd love for me to ride Kimi more. I would like that too. I asked her what she thought about me putting Cocoa's saddle on her and she said let's give it a try. So we took her saddle off and put mine up there, and it looks like it'll work! She said she'd love to make some play dates. :) I know she likes me to ride Kimi. She said it's fun to watch someone else ride her.

I'm not sure where this journey is taking me, but I think it's pretty clear that I'm supposed to be on it. I am getting better everyday at just being still and trying to listen to what God is telling me. He brings such great blessings in to my life, I just need to trust and believe.

Dream it out... why not!?

Let me preface by saying, Cocoa is not going anywhere. He may be lame, but I am doing whatever I can to keep him feeling good. But, I also know the chance of me being able to ride him again are slim. And, I'm going to be honest with myself now... I don't really want to ride him again. I have found the riding partner I have always been looking for in Dusty, the Haflinger at the barn. I've been riding him for about a month and a half now, and I am really getting along with him so well! Riding him is easy, and it's fun. I don't know why, but I do not get afraid when I'm riding him. Last Wednesday, we had a horse freak out and ram right in to us, and he reacted fantastically - meaning minimally. He did a little scoot and stopped when I asked him to. It was great - as great as being ran in to in an arena could be. I was tense afterward when I'd get around other horses, but more tense in worrying about what THEY might do than Dusty! He is fantastic, I think he likes me, and I know I like him. His ground manners with me are very good - much better than my initial impression of him. I know I can handle him. And, I'll say it. I want him. Not sure how to afford to buy him and afford to board and vet both him and Cocoa. Pray, and pray lots. It may not be what I'm supposed to do - I guess I'll just keep praying about it to find the answer. Oh, one more admission... there was a girl that boards at the barn tonight with a friend, who was going to ride Dusty. I. Was. Jealous. I wanted to snatch him from them and say NO! He's MY horse!!! God, help me please.