Bad (bad!) blogger

I have been extremlely negligent in posting an award that the lovely Cdncowgirl gave me... I just didn't get around to posting it. I'm going to be bad and not pass it on, as I believe it has made its rounds already...

The lemonade stand award is to recognize blogs (bloggers) that show great attitude/gratitude.

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I've been working on a post on the equine eye and an update on Rusty, but it is all kind of confusing, so I'm not sure what I'll end up posting. I did find some pictures of Rusty from this summer and I'm longing for green grass and the warm sun. Just a couple of months to go...

Farewell my preciousssss

No, I'm not talking about Rusty! He is safe in his paddock with his friends the last time I checked!
Nor am I referring to winter - it is still here unfortunately... I'm referring to my beautiful, hand-made in Europe, English saddle...Yep, I took it into the tack shop I got it from to sell on consignment. The saddle is a Tolga, made in Belgium and is extremely comfortable. It is probably close in quality to a Devoucoux or an Antares. I bought it used and it was still pretty pricey. It is the most comfortable English saddle that I have had the chance to ride in. The guy that owns that tack shop told me it would probably be gone in less than a month, as he often has people calling in to see if he has any used ones in the shop... He also told me he wouldn't take much of a percentage on the sale because he felt bad that I wasn't using it.

Why on earth would I try and sell it, you ask??? Well, I just wasn't using it. I don't think it fit Rusty as well as it could, either. The last time I rode in it, I felt off balance and was tipped back a bit. I don't want to get into buying all kinds of riser pads and such. I'm also not enjoying riding english as much as I have in the past. I have been having a hard time with leg position and balance. I'm feeling much more comfortable in a western saddle. Every time I've been at the barn in the past few months, I look at that expensive saddle just sitting there and cringe a bit when I think of what it is worth. I'm all for buying quality tack, but not if it is going to sit around and collect dust.

Since I'm on the topic of selling tack, I've also had some good luck moving other stuff on ebay. I sold a John Lyon's bridle to Canada, the old Parelli level 1 kit to the UK and two Centered Riding DVDs to the US. My stuff has found new homes all over the world! I'm reallllly trying to not buy any more stuff, so I don't have to turn around and sell it all. My personal assistant wanted to get his nose or paw in every picture I was trying to take, so I had to shoo him down to the basement!

What are everyone's saddle preferences? Would you only ride one or the other? Always ridden english and never tried western, or vice versa? What about buying/selling tack on ebay or local message forums? Do you find it worthwhile, either as a buyer or a seller? Do tell!!!

Not too bad for an old guy...

Just a quick post tonight - I have some better material I'm working on, I promise!! :-)

Here is a video I put together with Rusty...

A few notes:

1) A pylon was harmed during the making of this movie. It is was an unfortunate thing, but we will just have to move on.

2) Sorry about all of the camera jiggling.

3) Don't worry - I'm not quitting my day job to make movies.


Rusty - Feb 2009 from Laura Jones on Vimeo.

Hangin' out downtown

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I've been pretty busy with work and family and just haven't made the time to sit down and write something somewhat intelligent...

I'm currently in a wonderful French bakery downtown, waiting for a course to start. It is 7:45 and I don't have to be anywhere until 9:15. It is wonderful to have a bit of time to myself to just hang out. I think I'm gaining weight just sitting in this place - the smell is divine! The French sure know how to make delicious pastries and such. I have an almond croissant waiting on the table beside me. I even ordered my items in French!

I haven't been out to see my poor old horse since Sunday. He had his hooves trimmed - I have to say that I'm super happy with my new farrier. He is efficient and friendly - AND - get this - he calls us to remind us of appointments!! No chasing this guy, leaving 33938337 messages. Now that is good for business. He has a blackberry and keeps track of everyone and their horses in there. He even takes notes on hooves that he is watching or trying to correct. Rusty's hooves are great - he hasn't had shoes on since the summer and I hope to keep it that way. I was happy to see the farrier trim the bars and heels - just like Mrs. Mom has been teaching us!! lol

Rusty's left eye seems to be getting better everyday. It hasn't gotten any worse, which is a good sign. In January, his eyes would improve, then be 10x worse the next day. I even started riding him again a couple of weeks ago!! He is so good - he hasn't been ridden/worked for 6 weeks and he is just as calm as before. He is out of shape - but so am I, so we can get back into work together. The weather has lightened up a bit and the temperatures are sort of normal for us, so I'll be able to get my lessons going regularly again.

I'm really looking forward to March 8th - anyone know why??? Daylight savings baby! That extra hour of light will help the temperatures and it will help me feel like I'm living in the real world instead of a dark, cold cave!!! lol

Vet update

I had the vet out last Wednesday to check on Rusty's eyes. We had to tranq' him in order to do the eye exams. It is always strange to see a horse sedated - it seems like they are going to fall over at any minute...

Anyway, we didn't really find out anything new. His right eye is healing, very slowly. That is good news, I guess. His left eye is actually worse. There are more ulcers and because of the irritation in the eye, the vet couldn't see clearly to rule out uveitis. So, that is still a threat. *sigh*. The vet did some scrapings in the eye and the tests don't show anything fungal or otherwise amiss. There could still be a virus of some sort as well, but there is no real test for that apparently. We are treating with antibiotic ointment and bute. He seems to be doing ok - he is still eating well and he seems to be himself for the most part.

I was able to lunge him on Thursday night and he did well. He was a bit frisky, but nothing unmanageable. I got on afterwards and walked him around for a few minutes. I'm going to try starting him back into regular work over the next few weeks and see how he does. The barn owner and I aren't sure how well he can see, so we are taking things easy. He isn't spooky or jumpy, which is a bit of a surprise since his vision may be a bit cloudy. He has such a puppy dog personality and it is cute to see him try so hard to be good.

I was able to help the barn owner with some chores on Saturday, which makes me feel good. I don't like being a boarder that just strolls in to ride and then leaves. I know I am paying her to do the chores, but I still like to help out, especially since she has been so helpful trying to answer my 1000000 questions about Rusty's eyes...

I was greeted to this cute view when I drove in - two of the guys were having a rest in the warm-ish sun.
I helped do a few stalls and then hauled a bunch of hay from the storage barn over to the main barn. I like it that she stores the hay separately from the horses - much safer in my opinion... Climbing up into the hay reminded me of my childhood.

Leo the cat was following me around - running back and forth with each load of hay. He got bored of that and just curled up in a round bale to watch... Apparently Leo can be a bit of a trouble-maker. In the summer he likes to hide behind jump poles and jump out at the horses as they go by! Sounds a bit of a risky habit to me - he looks so innocent here...!I could take 2 bales at a time on the little sled... I had many onlookers. Notice Rusty's mini-me in the first picture below? This isn't Rusty, but a little appy mare named Kismet. She is about 14.2hh and people mix her and Rusty up all the time. More cute little faces... The little paint is my crush Shorty. He always nickers and comes up to the fence for a scratch.

It was nice to get out and do a bit of "real" barn work. I miss that alot being a spoiled boarder!!