I don't really have anything exciting to write about, but I'm feeling chatty and there is no one around at work to chatter with, so I thought I would bore you guys! hahahaha
I had another great lesson on Monday night - for some reason, some things are starting to sink in! I'm a quick learner when it comes to book stuff, but I have a harder time with more tactile things. Riding and sports kind of fit into that category. I do well at a basic/intermediate level, but when things get more advanced, my coordination goes out the window. I also don't have good spatial skills - parking and backing up my car are a good example of this. I'm sure the barn owner has had a few chuckles watching me back up around her complicated laneways to get out of the barn! I can't imagine ever driving a truck and trailer. It would be good for a laugh, at least!
After my lesson on Monday night, we went for a short walk down the laneway out to the road to cool off. The bugs were bad, but we weren't out long. I took Rusty down the road a bit - a few hundred feet at most. There is a shoulder and a gentle sloping ditch at this part of the road, so I knew it was pretty safe. Rusty is fine with cars going by - 2 went past us on our short jaunt. I'm the one that needs training! If you remember, I need to go about 1/2 a mile down a busy-ish road to get to quiet gravel roads for some hacking/trail riding. I've decided that I'm going to try and go out and back in increasing distances to help build up my nerves. The road isn't a highway or anything, but can be busy at certain times of the day. So, Monday night was my first (short) trip out and it was a success!
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I have been having a bit of a dilemma over board. Due to the hay fiascos of this year and last, my board is going up by $50 as of September 1st. The new amount is manageable, but just. I'm disappointed that her fees are going up, but I also understand. It is hard to run a horse business, so she has to do these things to survive. I may not be able to afford too many lessons in the fall, due to the hubby's work situation, so that is a bit of a bummer.
I have contemplated moving Rusty (again), but I really don't want to if I can avoid it. I like the barn I'm at - there are a lot of pros and only a very few cons. (yes, I actually made a list). If Rusty was younger and didn't have problems with his eyes, I would probably make the decision to move him to a cheaper place and put him on outdoor (pasture) board. However, his eyes and the treatments that he needs require a bit of monitoring and I feel pretty lucky about having my own personal vet help me with that.
So, all of that to say that I probably won't move him unless our financial situation takes a big nose dive. My hubby is just working on a contract right now, so I have been saving a lot of money to cover board and horse expenses in case his contract isn't renewed. We have good reason to believe it will be renewed, but you just never know these days.
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My new saddle STILL isn't here yet. I'm convinced it is being shipped up from Alabama by covered wagon or something. Geez! Summer will be over by the time it gets here.
Told you guys I was chatty today... Kudos to anyone that made it down this far!! We have a long weekend this weekend , so I'm hoping to get out to the barn and get a few summer pictures of Rusty to update this old blog! Hope everyone has a fun weekend...
Name That....
2 days ago
5 comments:
Good to hear from you! I see on the news that you guys are still stealing all our rain!! It is a record breaking heat wave here on the coast. I'd prefer the rain!
Sucks to hear the board is going up! I dont think hay prices are going to be getting any cheaper! At the same time, if you are happy at the barn you are at that is worth its weight in gold...good boarding is hard to find out here.
A good place to board is hard to find, if I were you I would stay there.
Great to hear from you! Thigs have been kinda quiet on my end of the blogging world as well.
Sometimes though, quiet is a good thing :o)
Sorry about your board going up - I hear you con costs. My boys may have to make a 2nd or even 3rd move this year as my parents are out of pasture! I have loads of pasture - but need fencing...so we'll see.
Yeesh-the weather is weird this year. I can not complain on my end. The hay crop was down. This spring was dry and by the time the rain hit, it was too cool for it to thicken up much. But the grass is good. So far this is closing in as the 5th coolest summer on record for my area.
But it always make me feel bad for the regions who are suffering in the feed department. This area had been in a drought for a decade and a severe, severe drought for 3 years prior to the rains coming back last year. Grass was scarce and hay even more so.
It's good to see you posting again! Feel free to get on and chat anytime.;)
I love it when you're chatty. I'm glad that you and Rusty are doing so well together...and on the road, too. I get nervous riding on the road, too...but mainly because Baby Doll feels so tight and wired, as if she is ready to blow up at any second. Not fun!
Sorry about the board going up and the financial situation, too. Seems like a huge jump, too. But I suppose hay is pricey and that reflects that. But you guys have so much grass growing up there....is there just not many hay growers, or has the hay crops been damaged by rain, etc?
My hubby's been out of work now for 5 weeks with only one pay check coming on during that time. I'm a stay at home mom, so there's no other income. Times are tough around here, too.
Thankfully, one of my neighbors who owns several hundred acres across the road offered to let my lease his land graze my horse over there for only $20 a month. It sure is helping us save a little money for her care. I still have to feed the chickens, goats, sheep, llamas and dog and cats...oh...and kids, too, though. lol!
So, we're pulling in our belts really tight. We eat a lot of peaches and eggs now. lol!
~Lisa
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