Liebster Award

It was so nice of L. Williams to nominate me for the Liebster award.  I'm always surprised that anyone reads my blog, but I definitely enjoy reading L. Williams' blog!  I'm truly honoured.  You have no idea!

HOW TO ACCEPT THE AWARD: The Liebster Blog Award is a way to recognize blogs who have less than 200 followers.  Liebster is a German word that means beloved and valued.  Here are the rules for accepting the award:

1. Thank the person who nominated you and include a link back to their blog.
2. List 11 random facts about yourself.
3. Answer the 11 questions given to you.
4. Create 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate.
5. Choose 11 bloggers with 200 or fewer followers to nominate and include links to their blogs.
6. Go to each blogger's page and let them know you have nominated them.

11 Random Facts

1. My favorite food is peas.  Raw peas in the pod straight from the garden.  If you cook them, they're not my favorite food anymore.  Few people grow peas these days, and there are people at home who grow them just for me.  
2. I eat popcorn every day.  
3. I eat every hour.  I will get sick if I don't eat regularly enough.  Because of this, I keep fruit snacks in my purse, in my car, on my night stand, in my desk at work, etc.  When the Apocalypse happens, come find me.  We will not starve.  
4. I have a minor in Latin.  I can read and write in Latin, and I have also studied Ancient Greek, Irish Gaelic, Italian, and French.  I am bilingual in French and find languages easy to pick up.
5. I hate my birthday.  Bad things happen on my birthday, and as I get older, I am getting surlier about it.  A couple years ago, I actually went on a vacation with my parents out of the province and told none of my friends who were planning a party for me and were less than impressed by my absence.  
6. My friends call me the pope-killer because when I went to World Youth Day in Germany, Pope John Paul II died that year before we got to see him.  This past year when I went to Italy with my mom (who really wanted to see the pope), he retired the day we flew out and there was no pope for the entire time we were there.
7. I love the Royal Family.  I read EVERYTHING about them and I'm a big history buff when it comes to the entire monarchy.
8. I love writing stories.  My friend and I have been writing together since we were young, and I participated in Nanowrimo a couple years ago.  Whenever we get together, we call it "storying" instead of writing (so as not to feel too pretentious about our literary aspirations) and our routine includes eating a box of Kraft Dinner straight from the pot while we watch old episodes of Xena and discuss plot lines.  I let no one else read my stories but her.
9. My grandfather was an expert marksman and sniper in World War II and an amazing salmon fisher who used to guide tourists on the river.  His son, my father, can shoot or fish nothing, nor does he have the patience to do so.  My biggest regret is not learning to do those things while my grandfather was still alive.
10. I have had almost every type of pet (cat, horse, dog, bird, rabbits, fish) but my parents aren't really pet people.
11. I have night terrors - or at least that's what I call them.  They're actually a mix between nightmares and sleepwalking.  I wake up in the night and assume irrational things are happening like the ceiling is collapsing or there are strange men in my room.  I then react like any rational person in those types of situations - I will battle roll out of bed and defend myself (and sometimes my stuffed animals) from disasters and intruders.  I have been told it is terrifying.  This is also probably why I'm single.

11 Questions from L. Williams

1. Favorite type of jump: Big ones.  Since I've only ever jumped crossrails (and one sad attempt at a 2 foot fence which shall remain nameless), I am in awe by all jumps.  Someday. 
2. Favorite Professional Rider/Horse Team: Ian Millar.  No doubt in my mind.  Not only is he Captain Canada, but I am in awe with his riding.  While all the other jumpers are out on the course like they're running from a nuclear bomb, he always looks so calm - like he's out for a hack and there just happens to be five foot fences in his way.
3. Favorite Riding Exercise: Anything where there is a pattern because I get bored easily and also because Walker will usually pick up on the pattern after 2 or 3 times through.  Then it's easy sailing.
4. Least Favorite Riding Exercise: No stirrups posting.  Because I can't do it.  My legs ache immediately the minute I drop my stirrups and apparently I'm too out of shape to propel my body in the air every couple of beats.  Obviously, this is on my to-do list.
5. Where do you see yourself next years (horse/career/life): I expect to still own Walker of course, and hopefully we will have found a place/discipline that we enjoy.  I have no idea what will happen with my career or the rest of my life.  Either I will get hired on at the firm I'm at and live in this godforsaken city for a few more years, or else I will try and find a new place for us to eek out a living.
6. Advice you would give yourself 5 years ago:  Buy a horse.  I regret not doing this earlier.
7. If you could change your name, what would  you change it to? I like my name.  In fact, I'm so attached to my last name that if I ever get married and have kids, I'm going to be very upset if the kids have to have my husband's name!
8. If you could train with anyone, who would it be and why? It's a toss up for me between someone like Ian Millar, Jane Savoie or Buck Brannaman.  I feel like there's something different to be offered from each of them, whether it is the skills and work ethic it takes to compete at a high level, the methodical understanding of the horse and how to make him stronger and healthier, or the simple horsemanship that helps a person truly connect with a horse.
9. I'm giving you $5k.  What would you buy? I would probably put it on my debt because that wouldn't even dent it.  But if I had no debt, I would buy a new saddle.
10. Give me the recipe for your favorite dish you can make: I'm sorry but I am the plainest eater on the planet.  I am a meat and potatoes kind of girl, and I put no sauce on the meat so I have nothing special to share.  That recipe includes: boil potatoes, mash potatoes, fry your choice of meat, and eat.
11. Dream vacation destination? Ireland.  I've been wanting to go to Ireland since I was a little girl.  Some day I'll get there.  

11 Questions from Me

1. What other discipline would you try if you had the chance and why?
2. If you had no financial concerns or ties, what job would you rather be doing than the one you have now?  What is your dream job?
3. What is your one weakness?
4. Describe the qualities of your perfect horse (breed, age, height, colour, capabilities, etc.)
5. What is one of your favorite quotes?
6. What would you name the autobiography of your life?
7. Tell me about the best day you've had with your horse.
8. What other animals do you have in your life?
9. What is your favorite TV show (assuming you have time for that kind of thing!)
10. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you go? Don't worry, you can bring your horse!
11. You can put three pictures on your desk at work.  Which ones do you choose and of who or what

11 Bloggers

1. Julie at The Little Bay Princess
2. K at Kiss Me, I'm Irish
3. Lauren at My Life With Charlie
4. Gingham at Pia's (and Prairie!) Parade

And all the rest of mine were already taken by the other winners or L. Williams... fail...  But for a list of blogs I enjoy, check the column to the right.  I'm always interested in finding new blogs!

A Few Observations

When I lunged Walker on Sunday night for the first time, a few things came to my attention.

1. Weight

I'm content with his weight now, although he's definitely what I would call "top heavy" because of any lack of musculature in his hind end.  He doesn't look nearly as emaciated, so I can check that off my list of worries.  Now it's just a matter of turning that fat into muscle.

2. Fitness

He's really not using himself properly.  I distinctly remember complaining that I had a hard time making Walker collect compared to other horses, but watching him trot on the edge of the lunge line confirmed my suspicions that he at least used to use himself a bit more properly.  On Sunday, he ran around like a giraffe, neck straight in the air, hollow back.  He never looked like that before so at least there used to be some level of fitness and desire to use his hind end.  Now I'm really going to be back a few steps because he is barely reaching under himself with his back legs.  Of course, I don't fault him any of this, considering his extended break, but it might take slightly longer than I originally thought to bring him back to full fitness.

3. Manners

Despite a few naughty moments on the end of the lunge line, I do think he's going to remember his manners pretty quickly.  He spooked at some weird noises, but then again, it's a new barn, and he has never actually done any real work there yet.  Although at one point he got scared and stuck his tail almost vertically in the air, once he calmed down, he was back to being a gigantic puppy.  I think he just needs a bit of a refresher on that end.

According to the barn manager, he finally got out with the herd today, and he already has a buddy: a mare named Zeva.  I'm not surprised in the least.  Walker has always been a lady's man!

Dream Herd

Lately I've been thinking about my imaginary dream herd of horses.  I'm pretty determined that some day I am going to own lots of land, a barn (with a rockin' indoor and outdoor arena), and I will eventually move all my horses to here when they retire.  As much as I would love to have a slew of top notch horses and compete at all the coolest shows, let's be real here, people.  I'm only going to shoot for the following six different horses instead. :P

Walker: I will never sell Walker.  Never.  He is destined to live the life of a princess in my care, and when he gets old and if I haven't found it already, I will start to look for the perfect house with the perfect backyard for him to retire.

The Jumper:  Otherwise known as my second horse, and while perhaps he won't be a jumper, the point is that he will be the horse I get to compete in whatever discipline I want to do in the future.  And let's be honest.  He will be my flashy gelding that I paid an obscene amount of money for and will probably have horrible manners but will make me feel like a superstar while Walker continues to remind me that I'm an overachieving lunatic.

The Husband Horse:  Originally intended to be Walker's companion horse when he retires, he will also be the lovely little gelding I get for little to no money to babysit friends, husband(s) and reckless children who visit.

The Team: I want a team of draft horses.  A friend of my father's has horses, and he uses his team to plow his garden and haul wood.  I want to do those things and be all sixteenth century pioneer.  And I would also love to hitch my horses up to the cart and drive around the neighborhood.  "Why?" you ask.  WHY NOT?

The Broodmare:  I think it would be fun (and mildly terrifying) to breed a foal or two.  I doubt I have the nerves for all the ups and downs involved, but I would like to try my hand at it sometime.  I would either sell the baby for a profit or use the opportunity to train a foal from day 1.

Other Horses I Would Consider:
- A Rescue Horse: I would love to rescue a horse, and if the opportunity presented itself, I would want to make sure that I was properly equipped for the situation.

- a Pony: I don't know why because I don't really like ponies (and Walker hates them), but it would be kind of fun to do pony rides for little kids.

- A Donkey/Goat: I feel like there's always room for more animals on a farm, especially an imaginary one!

Back to Work Schedule

Walker and I finally have a back to work schedule.  We decided that the best thing to do was to tranquilize him with just a mild tranquilizer and turn him out alone for a couple days to get some energy out.  The first day he was really good, so I don't think I'm going to bother with the tranquilizer when I go to ride him, but I've been given the ok to lunge him a little bit before I ride just in case.

His current exercise schedule is: turn out for a couple days alone, turn out with the herd (this will be his first intro to the new herd), and meanwhile I am starting to lunge him this week for a couple days.  I'm hoping to hop on his back for the first time later this week.

The vet has also given me a much needed excuse to create the ultimate spreadsheet because of her generously detailed instructions on tranquilizer, turnout, lunging, and riding. I really quite like her. Completely for free, she pretty much designed Walker's entire back to work schedule, and I merrily skipped off to make a colour coded spreadsheet I could post up in my apartment.

Tonight was the first night that I lunged him, and I must say that I think he has forgotten how to lunge.  Well, I'm pretty sure he hasn't forgotten, but he's kind of got that "Make me!" attitude going on.  He was a little high, of course, and spooked a couple times at some weird noises, including when the wind blew some plastic wrap.  For the first time ever, he actually broke in on the circle when he spooked which, despite being both dangerous and disrespectful, was so uncharacteristic of him.  Because I have to be careful not to overdo it on the lunge line, I couldn't really lunge the bejesus out of him for any of his naughty moments like I would have liked.

Right now I'm shooting for our first ride being Wednesday, although more realistically Thursday or even later since I can't go out and lunge Monday or Tuesday.  If he manages to get his manners back sooner rather than later, then I will ride sooner rather than later. Until then, naughty pony needs a bit of an attitude adjustment, and while I do believe he will pull himself together quickly enough, I intend to make sure of it!

The Queen

I found this lovely documentary on YouTube the other day that I'm currently streaming while I do some paperwork at work today.  I have a great fascination and admiration for the Queen, and I love that she loves horses too.

This documentary is called "The Queen: A Passion For Horses".  Enjoy :)

Mornings

I'm not a morning person.

In fact, I'm so NOT a morning person that I couldn't even bring myself to write this post yesterday morning like I originally planned.

I always dream of someday owning my own barn and having horses in the back yard, but in all honesty, I fear that they would starve to death before I could convince myself to wake up on the weekend and feed them.

Don't get me wrong, I can get up early when I have to. In fact, I get up at 6 every day when I have work or school, but in school I usually need a nap, and when I work, I'm usually the picture of crankiness.

A quick Google search tells me that this is what Dawn looks like

I don't sleep well at night so I think that just adds to it. I'm a night hawk. I don't go to bed until midnight, but then it wouldn't be a normal night unless I laid in bed for 2-3 hours trying to fall asleep. I've had some exceptionally bad nights where I've been awake until 4, just to have to wake up at 6 for school/work. 

I also tend to be sick every morning.  It's a weird metabolism thing, and I've been that way my whole life. Needless to say, it's easy to understand why I loathe mornings.

All that being said, I still wish I was a morning person. There is something so calming about the morning, and I always feel like the morning has so much untapped potential. I mean, that's several hours of the day I never see (if I can help it).

I also feel like horse people should be morning people. It's that whole "up at the crack of dawn to feed the cows" mentality that transcends the equestrian sport.  In fact, I sometimes see people talk about their "morning ride", and I'm so impressed because my idea of a morning ride is one at 11:30 AM.  If I get my way on the weekend, I'm up at the crack of noon.

I find these days that working has made my mornings even worse.  It doesn't help that I have no desire to go to work or that I live in a city that has yet to see summer, but I find that I'm just so physically exhausted that it really takes every bit of energy I have just to get myself to work on time.  That can't bode well for the next 40 years of my life, that's for sure.

What about you?  Are you a morning person?  A night hawk?  Both?

Tack Room Makeover

Before I started hand walking, I was really debating just hopping on the pony to ride.  For obvious reasons, I'm glad that I didn't do that.  I was also intelligent enough to realize that the high winds from the hurricane this weekend would definitely knock the common sense right out of him.

Since I was mostly stuck inside all weekend, I decided to tackle my tack room (better known as my storage room turned tack room because of the obscene amount of stuff I own).  I thought that if I was going to start riding Walker soon, then it would probably be a good idea if I could get to my saddles, especially since I'm still not clear on whether there is a place for my stuff at the barn or not.  It's amazing to think that I used to fit almost 50% of this stuff in a tiny locker at my old barn.

Before

I found an old shoe rack that I used to have at another apartment and decided to use it as shelving.  On top, I put the things I will use most often like my breeches and a few bins filled with riding gloves, some cleaning supplies, and bits.

My main goal was to literally create a path through the room to the back.  I still have to go out and buy a few hooks, but then I'm going to hang my jackets and bridles in there as well.  For now, I have my girths just strung over my saddles, and that Sobeys bag is actually my cowboy hat since I don't have a hat case for it yet.

After

All the bins have been put to an organized use

I am keeping all of my riding clothes in there too
(since there's no room in my dresser for them)

Soon I have to find out if there is a place for some of my stuff at the barn, in which case I will need to do some more organizing to decide what is going to stay there 24/7 and what will stay here.  For now, I still have some junk in my car, namely my grooming kit, first aid kit, shampoo kit, and a miscellaneous bin with some odds and ends.  Most of that will have to stay at the barn (except for the shampoo kit), but it's nice to have a good start on organizing everything.