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!!