My teeth hurt. For many years I wished my teeth were less, shall we say bucky (that was Dr.P's phrase). Then in my late teens to my early 30s I figured I would live with it. I was attractive enough, it was silly vanity to want to do anything about my teeth. Besides, I would look a lot worse with braces, right?
So now in my mid 40s I've decided if I want something I should seriously consider it. Just waiting, rather than deciding means missing opportunity. Or it may mean wishing for something that if I thought about it I'd realize I don't want.
So I decided to do something about my teeth. It wasn't a quick decision. I actually had to wait for months before I could set up the medical savings account. It's very expensive. Now I wonder what was I thinking. It hurts, it's annoying, and it will hurt and be annoying for most of a year. 38 weeks - ok, 36 since I've already done 2. It's almost as long as a pregnancy!
Maybe (ok not maybe) the horse thing is the same. I've been working towards having a horse. I'm having second thoughts about leasing G. The stable is close, but it's so lonely. I want to ride with my friends.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Horses for Thanksgiving week
It's been a busy week, busy with good things mostly. I rode G on Wednesday morning. It was a furlough day. Menchi got to visit the horses. He was very excited. When I rode in the arena his barked and whined, but it wouldn't have been safe to let him off leash. He would have gotten kicked because he doesn't know how to behave around horses. I rode G enough to work up a sweat. It was an hour with lots of trotting and some loping. The arena was still heavy from the rain, so it was a real workout.
Michelle said she was going to worm G that afternoon. I don't know how soon any difference could be seen. She also talked about his teeth and feet, but no firm date on those.
We went to Riverside and had a great Thanksgiving. More on that in another entry.
We came home on Friday and I rode G again until he was sweaty. I also lunged him a little. I noticed his saddle really is sitting on his withers. He has very high withers and is thin, so it isn't surprising. I'm looking at saddle pads that might help. I'm unwilling to spend too much money since he isn't mine and I don't plan on keeping my lease forever.
Saturday I had my lesson on Danny. After riding G, I have a lot more confidence and respect for Danny. It was a good lesson. Lots of loping with lead changes. Afterwards we went on a trail ride. It was great weather, but a bit windy. That meant 2 hours on Danny :-) Then he was going to do another lesson. He was probably tired after that! I went hiking with Gary and Menchi at Placerita after the trail ride. I was sure tired.
Today I go back to ride G. I'm going to pay more attention to his saddle placement. Maybe part of his lowering his head while loping is the saddle hurting his back.
Michelle said she was going to worm G that afternoon. I don't know how soon any difference could be seen. She also talked about his teeth and feet, but no firm date on those.
We went to Riverside and had a great Thanksgiving. More on that in another entry.
We came home on Friday and I rode G again until he was sweaty. I also lunged him a little. I noticed his saddle really is sitting on his withers. He has very high withers and is thin, so it isn't surprising. I'm looking at saddle pads that might help. I'm unwilling to spend too much money since he isn't mine and I don't plan on keeping my lease forever.
Saturday I had my lesson on Danny. After riding G, I have a lot more confidence and respect for Danny. It was a good lesson. Lots of loping with lead changes. Afterwards we went on a trail ride. It was great weather, but a bit windy. That meant 2 hours on Danny :-) Then he was going to do another lesson. He was probably tired after that! I went hiking with Gary and Menchi at Placerita after the trail ride. I was sure tired.
Today I go back to ride G. I'm going to pay more attention to his saddle placement. Maybe part of his lowering his head while loping is the saddle hurting his back.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
gymkhana with rain
There was gymkhana scheduled for today at G's ranch. Gary and I went to check it out, and I was hoping to meet more people. Unfortunately it was raining.
The event started with pole bending. Several kids in the peewee division were led. A few rode it solo. Then the adults and the rain started. Several horses misbehaved. One in particular bucked and reared, refusing to do the course. Out of the arena the horse continued to act up. It seemed a bit dangerous to me. One girl was injured either once she was on her horse, or I think when she was mounting. He was rearing quite a bit. She thinks her ankle is broken. I guess I'll hear about it later.
The gymkhana was called off after all of the pole bending was over. They'll reschedule for the week after Thanksgiving.
I felt badly that I didn't spend any time with G. I gave him some treats and pet him, but I didn't take him out of his stall at all. Maybe in a few months I could try him in a gymkhana event. It isn't terribly competitive. Some people rode it fast, but many just were going through the course at a trot.
The event started with pole bending. Several kids in the peewee division were led. A few rode it solo. Then the adults and the rain started. Several horses misbehaved. One in particular bucked and reared, refusing to do the course. Out of the arena the horse continued to act up. It seemed a bit dangerous to me. One girl was injured either once she was on her horse, or I think when she was mounting. He was rearing quite a bit. She thinks her ankle is broken. I guess I'll hear about it later.
The gymkhana was called off after all of the pole bending was over. They'll reschedule for the week after Thanksgiving.
I felt badly that I didn't spend any time with G. I gave him some treats and pet him, but I didn't take him out of his stall at all. Maybe in a few months I could try him in a gymkhana event. It isn't terribly competitive. Some people rode it fast, but many just were going through the course at a trot.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Good lesson
I had a lesson on G today. It was more about me finding out what I should expect of him that teaching me new skills. I feel much more positive about the whole thing now. I rode him at a lope quite a bit. Kept him at a trot longer too. Michelle was very encouraging about his progress physically. I also lunged him a bit. He did pretty well for Michelle, so I know how to do it now, and know he can do it.
All in all it was a very good $35 spent.
I'm very hopeful that I'll meet someone to trail ride with at the gymkhana on Sunday.
Tomorrow I ride Danny at Don E Brooks.
All in all it was a very good $35 spent.
I'm very hopeful that I'll meet someone to trail ride with at the gymkhana on Sunday.
Tomorrow I ride Danny at Don E Brooks.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Short ride
Wednesday before parent conferences means a lot of classroom time and not a lot of horse time. I groomed him and saddled up for a short ride in the arena. The sun was below the hills, but there was plenty of light. We walked two, turned and walked two more. Then we did some circles, halts, and backing. We trotted one in each direction and a couple times he broke his gait, back to a walk. He picked it up again when I pushed him though.
I have a lesson set up for Friday on him. It isn't that I need the lesson as much as I want to know how much to push him. I don't want to do too much too fast, but I think I'm doing too little.
Michelle is going to email my info to the boarders in hopes of finding a trail partner. If things don't pick up, I think I'll only do one more month there. It's a nice place, but too quiet and the trails are a mystery to me at this point. If I owned and I knew the trails, it would be a nice place to board. At this point I think I'd be happier doing two lessons a week at Don E Brooks instead.
I have a lesson set up for Friday on him. It isn't that I need the lesson as much as I want to know how much to push him. I don't want to do too much too fast, but I think I'm doing too little.
Michelle is going to email my info to the boarders in hopes of finding a trail partner. If things don't pick up, I think I'll only do one more month there. It's a nice place, but too quiet and the trails are a mystery to me at this point. If I owned and I knew the trails, it would be a nice place to board. At this point I think I'd be happier doing two lessons a week at Don E Brooks instead.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
A little boring
So, day whatever. G is just a little boring. Before I give up on him, I'm going to try a few things. First, I put a note on the tack room wall asking for a trail buddy. I'm not going to go off on the trails alone until I've done it with someone more experienced. Next, I think I'm going to contact Michelle about a lesson. She can help me know how much to push G. Also she can teach me to lunge him. I tried a little in the arena and I just annoyed G. I need more direction.
I rode him in the arena and he just didn't seem as willing or as responsive as the last time. Then I rode him around the ranch. He started tripping and lowering his head, kind of limping. I got off and after a few moments he seemed to be walking fine. I just don't know. When I cleaned his feet I picked a very small rock from his "toe", the front of his hoof near the white line. Maybe his feet hurt, maybe not. Maybe I'm just seeing trouble where there is none.
I need to figure it out. "It" being what I want to do with the horsey situation. I'm thinking about leasing Danny during the winter break. The cost is much higher than leasing G. Twice as much plus more vet bills. It would be a full lease though, so I could ride Saturday and Sunday as well as any other day I wanted. The problem is, how many days a week can I ride during school. If I can't ride at least 4 times a week, would I be doing him a disservice?
I've thought about buying him and moving him to the closer stable, but then who would I ride with? I really haven't met enough people there yet.
I rode him in the arena and he just didn't seem as willing or as responsive as the last time. Then I rode him around the ranch. He started tripping and lowering his head, kind of limping. I got off and after a few moments he seemed to be walking fine. I just don't know. When I cleaned his feet I picked a very small rock from his "toe", the front of his hoof near the white line. Maybe his feet hurt, maybe not. Maybe I'm just seeing trouble where there is none.
I need to figure it out. "It" being what I want to do with the horsey situation. I'm thinking about leasing Danny during the winter break. The cost is much higher than leasing G. Twice as much plus more vet bills. It would be a full lease though, so I could ride Saturday and Sunday as well as any other day I wanted. The problem is, how many days a week can I ride during school. If I can't ride at least 4 times a week, would I be doing him a disservice?
I've thought about buying him and moving him to the closer stable, but then who would I ride with? I really haven't met enough people there yet.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Day 6 - arena work
At some point I guess I'll stop titling these posts by day.
Finally, good weather for riding. It's Veteran's Day so no school. I did work for a couple hours on report cards, but the sunshine made me stop. A storm is coming, and I can do report cards in the rain. I have to make hay while the sun is shining!
I need to find someone to ride trail with me. I had hoped Nancy would do it, but turns out she doesn't ride on trails anymore. Her horse is 27 years-old so they stick to the arena. No one else was there today, other than John. We talked about gophers and such.
I rode G in the arena for almost 45 minutes. It's kind of boring, but he needs to build up muscles before we can do fun things. He really responds to my legs and shifts in my body weight. He also responds to some voice commands, though not perfectly by any means. Certainly if I shift my body and look in one direction, that's the way he turns. One of my friends said something about steering with your bellybutton. It seems to work with him. We walked, circled, did figure eights, backed, and such. I trotted him a little and did transitions from trot walk, mostly with voice and body shifts rather than reigning. I didn't lope this time. All the reading I've done says if a horse hasn't been ridden in a long time to build up slowly.
After I rode him, I turned him out in the arena to roll. He is so funny to watch. He rolls, gets up, shakes, and sneezes. Then he lays down and does it all again on his other side. I think he's really starting to like me.
I wish I could give him a bath, but it's too cold. I always smell much more horsey when I come home from riding him than after riding Danny. I really think being in a large pen with other horses and room to wander is much better than being in a stall all alone.
Finally, good weather for riding. It's Veteran's Day so no school. I did work for a couple hours on report cards, but the sunshine made me stop. A storm is coming, and I can do report cards in the rain. I have to make hay while the sun is shining!
I need to find someone to ride trail with me. I had hoped Nancy would do it, but turns out she doesn't ride on trails anymore. Her horse is 27 years-old so they stick to the arena. No one else was there today, other than John. We talked about gophers and such.
I rode G in the arena for almost 45 minutes. It's kind of boring, but he needs to build up muscles before we can do fun things. He really responds to my legs and shifts in my body weight. He also responds to some voice commands, though not perfectly by any means. Certainly if I shift my body and look in one direction, that's the way he turns. One of my friends said something about steering with your bellybutton. It seems to work with him. We walked, circled, did figure eights, backed, and such. I trotted him a little and did transitions from trot walk, mostly with voice and body shifts rather than reigning. I didn't lope this time. All the reading I've done says if a horse hasn't been ridden in a long time to build up slowly.
After I rode him, I turned him out in the arena to roll. He is so funny to watch. He rolls, gets up, shakes, and sneezes. Then he lays down and does it all again on his other side. I think he's really starting to like me.
I wish I could give him a bath, but it's too cold. I always smell much more horsey when I come home from riding him than after riding Danny. I really think being in a large pen with other horses and room to wander is much better than being in a stall all alone.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Day 5 - too windy again
So, weather defeats me again. Another howling Santa Ana means I didn't ride G today. I didn't have time anyway since report cards are due tomorrow.
As soon as my "contractual hours" were over at 3:15 I rushed over to the ranch. I took G out and groomed him. Then I turned him out in the arena. He rolled a few times and shook like a big goofy dog. So much for my grooming. Now he's all sandy. Other than rolling, he just kind of stood around. Most horses I've seen kick up their heels and run about when turned out. (rhyme!) I went into the arena with him and walked around. He followed me, but really that's not much exercise. On the other hand, it's more exercise than he would have had if I didn't go.
I went back to school and worked on report cards after I put G away.
Now I'm home and looking online at how to lunge a horse. (report cards are not done) If I lunge him, he'll get some good exercise on days I can't ride. I'm thinking I might ask Michelle for a lunging lesson. Or maybe one of my riding buddies would come over and help me out.
More and more I want to spend this much time with Danny. G is ok, and he needs me (or someone), but Danny is much more the horse I want. My fantasy at this point is to buy Danny and move him to this nearby ranch. I wonder how he'd do in a stall rather than a pasture. When I say pasture, I don't mean a grassy pasture. It's a large pen with many horses - no grass, only dirt.
As soon as my "contractual hours" were over at 3:15 I rushed over to the ranch. I took G out and groomed him. Then I turned him out in the arena. He rolled a few times and shook like a big goofy dog. So much for my grooming. Now he's all sandy. Other than rolling, he just kind of stood around. Most horses I've seen kick up their heels and run about when turned out. (rhyme!) I went into the arena with him and walked around. He followed me, but really that's not much exercise. On the other hand, it's more exercise than he would have had if I didn't go.
I went back to school and worked on report cards after I put G away.
Now I'm home and looking online at how to lunge a horse. (report cards are not done) If I lunge him, he'll get some good exercise on days I can't ride. I'm thinking I might ask Michelle for a lunging lesson. Or maybe one of my riding buddies would come over and help me out.
More and more I want to spend this much time with Danny. G is ok, and he needs me (or someone), but Danny is much more the horse I want. My fantasy at this point is to buy Danny and move him to this nearby ranch. I wonder how he'd do in a stall rather than a pasture. When I say pasture, I don't mean a grassy pasture. It's a large pen with many horses - no grass, only dirt.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Day 4 - it's my birthday
Yesterday was my 47th birthday. The family came out from Riverside, so it was busy weekend. On Saturday I had my lesson on Danny at Don E Brooks. Afterwards I went on a trail ride with Gayle, Autumn, Rene, and the twins, Charlotte and Ramona. It was fun, and the girls got to do a little trotting. On the way home we stopped to see G. It wasn't my day to ride him, so they just looked at him and I gave him cookies.
Sunday we had a big brunch, without the traditional champagne. We had too much to do, so post champagne sleepiness was not on the menu. After eating too much, I had to go run 1.2 miles at the marathon with some of my students. Blahh, I was glad I kept my breakfast down. It was a close thing!
When I got home the family went with me to see G again. Elsa didn't see him the day before, and Caitlin had never seen him either. After they left, I got down to business.
I took G into the arena and we walked several laps in each direction. Then we trotted, and then I finally loped him. His lope is kind of rough. I hope it smooths out as he gains muscle tone. We loped a couple laps in each direction, then walked, and then loped a bit again. G doesn't really neck reign too well. He goes off leg pressure. I need to learn to direct him that way, but I also want him to learn to neck reign.
After the arena, I rode him around the outer perimeter of the ranch twice. There are two steep, but short hills that are good for muscle building. He seems pretty nervous when we are out on the "trail". Hopefully he will calm down with experience.
Just as I put him away it started to rain again. The tin roof shelters amplify the sound, making it seem like a bigger storm. By the time I got home, it was hailing. That must have been deafening at the ranch!
Sunday we had a big brunch, without the traditional champagne. We had too much to do, so post champagne sleepiness was not on the menu. After eating too much, I had to go run 1.2 miles at the marathon with some of my students. Blahh, I was glad I kept my breakfast down. It was a close thing!
When I got home the family went with me to see G again. Elsa didn't see him the day before, and Caitlin had never seen him either. After they left, I got down to business.
I took G into the arena and we walked several laps in each direction. Then we trotted, and then I finally loped him. His lope is kind of rough. I hope it smooths out as he gains muscle tone. We loped a couple laps in each direction, then walked, and then loped a bit again. G doesn't really neck reign too well. He goes off leg pressure. I need to learn to direct him that way, but I also want him to learn to neck reign.
After the arena, I rode him around the outer perimeter of the ranch twice. There are two steep, but short hills that are good for muscle building. He seems pretty nervous when we are out on the "trail". Hopefully he will calm down with experience.
Just as I put him away it started to rain again. The tin roof shelters amplify the sound, making it seem like a bigger storm. By the time I got home, it was hailing. That must have been deafening at the ranch!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Day 3 - giant dog?
So is G just a giant dog? I wasn't able to get to the ranch before sunset, and what a beautiful sunset! It had rained off and on all day and the clouds were the perfect canvas.
Anyway, with the Riversidians on their way I had no time to ride. Plus it was getting dark and very cold. So I put G's new halter on him and turned him out in the arena. First he just wandered around nose to the ground, sniffing. Then he went to a corner and started rolling. Finally he got up and followed me around. I just walked all around with this huge critter close behind. A couple times I just suddenly stopped to see what he would do. He kind of nosed into me and then just stood there waiting for me to go again. Next time I'll take the long lunging whip in and see if he will actually run around. Obviously I'm not going to whip him. It's just kind of a prop.
Lunge, lounge, longe and many other spellings I've seen. I think it's regional as well as misspellings.
The ranch owner had G's teeth checked. He needs them floated. She'll have it done next time the guy is there. I say"the guy" because I don't know if he's the vet or what. I wonder if she had his feet looked at. I think he's going to need shoes. $$
I feel like G is bonding with me a little. Of course I've only seen him 5 times over the last 2 weeks, but it's a start. I just shouldn't bond with him too much. He isn't mine, and he isn't the horse I want to own.
Today is my riding lesson at the other ranch. Now Danny is closer to the horse I want to own, but not yet. After my lesson many of the family are going on a trail ride. C & R have never done a real ride on horses, only pony rides. This is the grandma I want to be. The one with animals, especially horses. 6 people on the ride, I hope they send a good guide. I better get some tip money ready.
Anyway, with the Riversidians on their way I had no time to ride. Plus it was getting dark and very cold. So I put G's new halter on him and turned him out in the arena. First he just wandered around nose to the ground, sniffing. Then he went to a corner and started rolling. Finally he got up and followed me around. I just walked all around with this huge critter close behind. A couple times I just suddenly stopped to see what he would do. He kind of nosed into me and then just stood there waiting for me to go again. Next time I'll take the long lunging whip in and see if he will actually run around. Obviously I'm not going to whip him. It's just kind of a prop.
Lunge, lounge, longe and many other spellings I've seen. I think it's regional as well as misspellings.
The ranch owner had G's teeth checked. He needs them floated. She'll have it done next time the guy is there. I say"the guy" because I don't know if he's the vet or what. I wonder if she had his feet looked at. I think he's going to need shoes. $$
I feel like G is bonding with me a little. Of course I've only seen him 5 times over the last 2 weeks, but it's a start. I just shouldn't bond with him too much. He isn't mine, and he isn't the horse I want to own.
Today is my riding lesson at the other ranch. Now Danny is closer to the horse I want to own, but not yet. After my lesson many of the family are going on a trail ride. C & R have never done a real ride on horses, only pony rides. This is the grandma I want to be. The one with animals, especially horses. 6 people on the ride, I hope they send a good guide. I better get some tip money ready.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Day 2 - too windy
It's day two of my lease with Geronimo. What that really means is that it's Wednesday, Sunday being day one. The Santa Anas have been howling since last evening. We had indoor recess and lunch at school because the wind was so strong. All day I was thinking about G and how much I could ride him in the wind.
When I got to the ranch it was gusting. No one else was around. I took G out of his stall and groomed him. He was calm, so I decided to tack him up. Nancy, a boarder, warned me that the wind might make him spooky. He still was calm so I took him into the arena. We only rode about 20 minutes.
I walked him 2 laps in each direction, the jogged 2 each way. His jog is very slow and very smooth. Kinda boring. We did figure eights, circles, and halts followed by backing. He did well, but it wasn't very satisfying. I stopped while he was still behaving well. I was afraid the wind might cause a problem, and I wanted to stop while I was ahead.
Before I went home I stopped at Fox Feed and spent $25 on a larger halter. He has a big head and the halter he came with is an average size. I bought a green one. It was actually a hard choice. What color goes with a red horse with a white face and a blue eye? Wait! I just realized how patriotic his coloring is!
When I got to the ranch it was gusting. No one else was around. I took G out of his stall and groomed him. He was calm, so I decided to tack him up. Nancy, a boarder, warned me that the wind might make him spooky. He still was calm so I took him into the arena. We only rode about 20 minutes.
I walked him 2 laps in each direction, the jogged 2 each way. His jog is very slow and very smooth. Kinda boring. We did figure eights, circles, and halts followed by backing. He did well, but it wasn't very satisfying. I stopped while he was still behaving well. I was afraid the wind might cause a problem, and I wanted to stop while I was ahead.
Before I went home I stopped at Fox Feed and spent $25 on a larger halter. He has a big head and the halter he came with is an average size. I bought a green one. It was actually a hard choice. What color goes with a red horse with a white face and a blue eye? Wait! I just realized how patriotic his coloring is!
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