Just Another Day

Today, and this whole week, actually, have been pretty normal. The horses are starting to behave a little better, and everything seems like it is finally working out, which is nice. I talked to this guy from Dorintosh about getting shavings for the bedding today. He said I could have them for free if I picked them up myself; that was nice of him. Slowly, everything is falling into place and coming together.

Snowy is really starting to be good. Although she hasn't gone a single session without trying her absolute hardest to buck me off (and the bruises all over the legs from being bashed into the forks of my saddle testify!) she has improved tremendously. She now works solidly and on contact, and doesn't slip and lean at the canter. She has balance and knows how to move. I'm so exited for the show. Give it a few more weeks work, and she will be as good as gold! I have recently decided not to enter her in any jumping competions, and see if I can use my old jumper one more time, if he is in any shape to ride.

Jazmyne is coming along too. I rode her again today, and we TROTTED for the FIRST time!! Pretty soon we will be ready to graduate from the roundpen and out into the real world! I have decided that Jazmyne needs to start living inside. I have arranged to get shavings for her for bedding in the barn, and hopefully I will get my hay soon. I feel bad for locking her inside during the summer, but it is so hot and the bugs are soo very bad that she is getting terrible sores all over her body. Her ear is ripped up from bug bites; her chest is raw; her stomach swollen and scabby, and her face a mess. Poor thing breaks my heart. But if she stays inside during the heat of the day when the bugs are the worst, she should hopefully get better.

Can't live with them, Can't live without them...

I went on a canoe trip two weeks ago. By the third day, I was getting shaky; I needed my horse back. Last week I spent the entire time on or with a horse. By the third day, I needed to get away from them. I was going crazy.

What is it about those animals anyway? First, they steal your heart. And then they crush it into a billion little pieces. And with one little nicker or lick or something else painfully cute, they steal it all over again.

Anyway, a quick update on what everybody is up to:

Jazmyne is finally losing weight. You can see a little bit of her ribs, and the crest on her neck is finally turning into muscles. Perhaps I might start feeding her again. She's getting better at alot of things, although she still is a pain to catch, regardless of if you have oats or not. But she stands still when I get on, and is starting to understand the idea of longing and driving.

Snowy was going really well last week at Amanda's house. She was starting to hold herself in a nice frame and actually look like a show horse. But today I took her out on a trail ride with dad, and she spooked super hard core at something and piled me. Sometimes I wonder what goes through her brain. Most of the time I wonder if anything at all makes it through. She's such a genius. Anyway, I am still planning on showing her at the end of August, and am going home from Sr.Teen a day early to get ready for it. I am planning on doing quite a few western classes, as well as some showmanship on Saturday. On Sunday (yes, I'm missing church) I'm doing a few English Pleasure and hack classes, two dressage classes, a few hunter rounds, and hopefully some jumper. Jumper starts at 2'6" this year, and goes up to 3'3". I wish I could go in the modified jumper (3'3") but I stopped riding my real jumper, so I will have to call it quits at 2'9" on Snowy, if that. After the show, she will be up for sale for $3500.

Shazam started his training a few weeks ago, and is doing alright. He knows a little about doing the "face-up" which is a training technique used to get the horse's trust, respect, and attention. He also stands for saddling, and allows a rope to be swung all around him. Next summer I can ride him, and hopefully sell him for $2000.

Daistar is still my little baby. He moved out for the summer though, and is living at the Mielke's house with Shazam. He is growing lots and is starting to look really pretty.

Asa is doing alright too. He went on a trail ride with me today and did really good. The bugs annoy him though, so he tossed his head and jigged, which didn't really bug dad, but Im a little nervous to use him for a lesson horse on Friday. I don't like using Snowy very much, simply because she likes to buck, but I don't want Asa to scare my students. I don't know what I'll do.