Day 120 - Dead Cockroach
Just kidding. I caught him at the apex of his roll.
I’m exhausted. I spent a day at camp at training. My limbs feel heavy because of me being so tired. We did a low ropes course and lots of hiking. I like everyone on the staff so far!
Day 119 - Smile for the camera!
Even Red was trying to smile in this picture :) What a cutie. I don’t get to go out the rest of this week because of my job at camp. I just did my training today, and tomorrow I continue training, only this time at the actual camp! Tomorrow will be a day of hiking and I’m very very excited!
Day 118 - Looking dapper in tack
Today I had yet another great ride on Red! We worked through the flat all gaits both directions. Then my dad set up a little jump for us! We worked on maintaing stride length as we approached the jump by also setting up poles in front of the jump. It was a little hard to do because the sand in the arena is really deep in some places, so he’d loose his footing :/ Nonetheless, we accomplished a lot, and it felt like a great ride to me!
I stopped riding with the big, black, thick, Western “pad” thing that we use in therapy. I decided that it was interfering with our work, so we got rid of it. Now we’re just using the regular saddle pad and a saddle-shaped one over it. Two saddle pads and everything feels great! :D
Red also got a bath today, so he’ll probably be filthy by the time I see him next. I don’t know when I’ll see him next because I have training for my job all this week.
Day 117 - I Will Be Okay
Part of my little mental breakdown yesterday was because I feel like there is no point to me riding. I’ll never be a professional, I’ll never make money in the horse world, and I’ll never have another horse like him. When he passes, all I’ll be left with is an empty wallet and a broken heart.
But what I’m working on is realizing that my heart may be broken when he passes, but it will also be completely full of memories and stories of my little red horse who loved his job and gave all he had to me.
Day 116 - Superhorse.
He really saved me today. My dad agreed to go out with me to the barn, but I was feeling really disheartened. I just read a person’s post about how they had to buy a special horse for special competitions, and for some reason it really made me upset. It made me feel like there was no purpose in my riding - I don’t compete, I don’t want to compete, I don’t take lessons even though I want to, I don’t jump even though I want to and I know Red can… I was telling myself that I wasn’t worth riding. I wasn’t good enough to ride or own or do anything with horses.
But I got out to the barn and cried with Red. He stood there as I cried and talked it out to Dad. He let me wrap my arms around him, and he stood there with me as I sobbed and kissed him. I decided to bring him in to groom him, but I didn’t want to get on. My dad convinced me to saddle up and just ride.
And this was the best ride I’ve had in months.
All of the work I put in on my posting helped him stay balanced, which helped produce a perfect canter on both leads. It was the most amazing feeling! He really responded and worked well beneath me. It was just phenomenal. I’m thinking about trailering Red up some place for a lesson. I want to jump in a big, open arena with a professional who knows about jumping. I want to try with him. I know he can do it, and I know I can.
Hey, about the head tossing! I also have a TB who is big on head tossing at the canter (especially to his weaker direction), and I use a standing martingale on him. It works, but my boy’s head tossing is mostly out of annoyance - he hates hates hates it when people get in his mouth or lock up their elbows. Is Red similar? If not, next time he starts tossing, try to feel him out - is he unbalanced? That could be the reason for his head tossing. He may be trying to “find” his balance and so is throwing his weight around to even himself out or compensate. Lots of consistent transition work, circles, and bends can help him work his balance out :)
AHHH Thank you sososo much for submitting this! This is exactly what I needed to hear. I’m sure that is what Red tosses his head for. I know he hates it when I’m heavy on his mouth, but if I’m not feeling his mouth then he runs away with the bit. Would you recommend a standing martingale for him? What kind of transition work? What kinds of bends? Eep! Thank you SO MUCH for submitting this for me! Red’s weaker direction is going clockwise, so I can be sure to work on that!
Day 115 - Being a turd
Red has this deal with shaking/tossing his head. He does it when he’s in a stall to get attention. But I don’t know why he does it when we’re cantering. The vet and the farrier have both given him 100% clean bills of health. So I don’t know why he tosses his head. If you have any recommendations for what to do, please submit them to me! I’m thinking about getting a martingale for him.
Day 114 - A Handsome Profile
I need to learn more about horse confirmation. It would be nice to know what to expect what Red’s body will look like once he gets into better shape!
I love his coloring. Chestnut thoroughbreds are the best, right Erin!?!
Day 113 - A Vintage Photo and an Update a Day Late
This photo is from the first day I tried out Red. A lot of people have criticized me on how I found Red. I didn’t look at many horses, just him. I didn’t bring a vet, my barn owner, a trainer, or anyone out to the barn with me. All I had was my dad, my mom, my brother, and my knowledge. He was free to a good home, but I didn’t look for any health issues or soundness issues. I just threw my saddle on him and rode around before deciding to get him.
It may not have been the most kosher way to go about getting a horse, but it really worked out for me. He may be 24, but he acts so much younger. He’s a handful of a horse to ride, but we’re working through that.
I don’t know what the point of this note is. I just wish people could recognize that I know more about horses than people believe that I do. I may not work with a trainer, I may not take weekly lessons, I may not have some green prospect horse, but I’ve done all of that. I’ve done everything I could have possibly done in the horse world except breed and raise my own foal. I trained horses for the old barn I rode at. I showed those horses I helped train. I took 11 years of lessons. I’ve done all of that. I just want to have fun now with my horse. But people always antagonize me and make me feel and seem stupid.
Day 112 - Chrome
I’ve got to give Red a bath sometime soon. When he’s truly clean, he gets the absolute best chrome! He’s got great chrome on his neck and shoulders and all over really. It’s too bad I don’t have any good pictures of how chrome-y he is!
Day 111 - Action Shot!
I’m still working really hard to get in shape. It’s hard though, especially with such treats here at home. I can’t wait to get into my apartment where the club house has an exercise room and I can be in charge of what I eat. That’ll be nice.
ANYWAYS.
I’m going to see Red again tomorrow. I probably won’t ride, but I’m thinking it will be bath day.
That’s a lie. I’ll ride. I want to get more progress done with him tomorrow.
xacidxjellox asked: awww, red seems like such fun! what a handsome man! he must be a fun ride. C:
Aw thanks! He is such a fun horse to ride :) He was bred to be a racehorse, and he still has that instinct, so it’s fun to just let him go and run his heart out! :D
Thanks for such a lovely message!
Day 110 - Cute Pony, Happy Emily
I had such a great ride yesterday! I even got a blister on my ring finger from Red pulling at the reins. I guess that part is a little irritating, but it was also fun. Red feels like a racehorse when we get to gallop around outside :)
