I'm baaaaaaacckk!

Hi everyone! I've been itching to write a few posts lately, so I'm taking that as a sign that I should start posting again. I won't write a big long post today, but I have a few big issues I'm going to need some advice on over the next few weeks.

I've been busy for the past little while- there has been alot going on in my personal life that needed some attention. Things are improving on that front, so I feel a bit more free now to focus on the fun stuff in my life, such as working out and riding!

What have I been up to, you ask? How about a tidy bulleted list? :-)

• My step-son finally moved out. That is a big relief for me. Things were difficult dealing with him at home and now he can work things out on his own. We will work at building a better relationship with him, but it will be easier without day-to-day life getting in the way.
  
• I've started applying for new jobs, which is quite time consuming in the government. I have had tests, interviews and more tests. Things are looking good for a change this year though. I'm applying for promotions, so the process is a bit more involved.
  
• I'm doing a major overhaul/spring cleaning on my house. I'm working on prepping rooms in most of the house for new paint and new trim. It is long overdue. Can't wait for the long Easter weekend to get started.
  
• My crazy cat hurt his leg and we had to make another trip to the vet. Luckily his leg wasn't broken, but just sprained, so he is now back to his old self. I love our vet clinic - they are very nice and concerned about every pet that comes in there. They all love how mellow my cat is when he is at their office.
  
• Richard and I have our income tax done and submitted almost a month before it is due - this is 100% better than last year - I am even getting a refund!
  
• Rusty wintered well and I have been riding a couple of times per week. We have even been riding outside in the sand arena for the past two weeks. Our weather here has been unbelievable. We haven't had snow for over a month and it has been so warm that all of the snow on the ground is gone too. I even have a few tulips trying to grow in my garden. There a couple of spots of greeen grass around and a few buds on the trees. Spring is such a great time in cold climates - everyone feels renewed and energized and looking forward to the summer.

I think that is a good first post - more to come in the next few days...!

Taking a break

I don't really have much to write about these days... I think about post ideas and can't seem to come up with anything interesting.

So, I'm going to take a break for awhile - not sure how long it will be. I am on twitter and Facebook, so if anyone wants to keep track of me there, send me an email and we'll sort that out.

~ Happy trails ~

I love the Olympics - Our first gold medal!

Not too much going on here, so I thought I would link to some awesome (woot!) Olympic footage of an amazing young Canadian athlete.

Alexandre Bilodeau won our first gold medal of these games, as well as the first gold medal for Canada on Canadian soil. There were some great feature videos on this guy, to give us a bit of background on him... Some of the athletes stories are just so touching.

(Note - I'm not sure how to embed these videos, so you'll have to just click on the links... Also hope they will work in the US...)

This video is a bit of a tearjerker, in my opinion.

Watch his winning run here... (watch for his brother in the stands)

There are a couple more video links on the main page, which are worth watching if you have the time (or didn't watch it live!)

(Note - here is a link from NBC (that I can't watch...) in case my links don't work...)

Are you watching the Olympics? What sports are your favourites?

What my pets will do for a treat*...

Things are pretty quiet around here. I've tried to write a couple of posts, but don't really have enough material to cobble something together. So, instead of any real content, I give you another silly video of my pets. :-) Make sure you have your sound on, if you can. Also, sorry that it is a bit dark...

*Interestingly enough, the cat and dog will start this little act on their own to get our attention. Once we look over, they sit up and look at the pantry where the treats are kept.... Not sure who has who trained...? lol

It's not easy...

...to resist tack sales!!!! Check out what was in my inbox today... Horseloverz.com is a site I order from often because they are great about shipping to Canada. I think I need to unsubscribe from this email list, before I do something silly and order more tack I don't need!

Never fear - my credit card is safe today... I don't know if I can hold out 'til June though (one of my goals for 2010!)

A Winter's Walk

I don't have much going on here in littlekeeblerland, so I thought I would post the photos from my 15 minute walk down the driveway on the weekend. It has been alternating rain and snow for the past couple of days, so I'm glad I was able to get out on the weekend.

Heading north down the driveway...not too far to go today

Trying to get a nice winter shot of Rusty...

I like this gnarly tree - can't remember what kind it is - the bark is a strange colour...

Cute little bunny tracks

I stopped a few times to try and get a good shadow picture

I really like macro shots - need to practice at them though. My little camera isn't the greatest for those shots.

On the way back to the barn, looking over at the arena. Rusty is hoping that we don't have to go back in there and do more work!

Squeaky Snow Sunday

I thought I would shake up a silent Sunday post by posting a video of Rusty and the squeaky snow we have right now. Please excuse my mad video skillz - it is hard to walk and video things! It was such a nice day here that I decided to take Rusty for a walk down the laneway after our ride.

Squeaky Snow in January from Laura Jones on Vimeo.

Good news about Max!!

It turns out that Max has not ruptured his ACL after all!!!!! Wooooo!! That is good news for both us and for Max!

We finally had our appointment with the surgeon and based on the amount of stability in the knee, he felt that the ACL is ok. He suspected that there might be some very minor damage, but the knee joint is very stable and Max isn't in any pain, so we are good for now.

Max is restricted to handwalking for a couple more weeks, then he should be able to play off-leash again. The vet has just advised against having him jump too much. Max loves jumping on top of, over and after things - fences, frisbees, benches, snowbanks, horse jumps, etc... but we will have to be diligent and not let him do those things any more.

Now I just have to relax and stop worrying about him...!

Silent Sunday

What a weekend...

2010 really isn't off to the best start with me... Life sure likes to throw in challenges to keep you on your toes!

On Friday afternoon, we found out that the hubby is losing his job at the end of January. We were sort of expecting this and he has a few leads on new jobs, but we're not sure how it will all go. Fun!

And - remember that emergency vet fund I was so proud of in my New Year's post? Well, I'm extremely glad I have it, because we'll be needing it.

Rusty is fine - hopefully he stays that way.

It is my dog Max. We are pretty sure that he has ruptured his ACL. We saw our vet on Saturday morning and she was very sure that was the problem. She was kind and saved us the money for sedation and x-rays to confirm, since the orthapedic surgeon will be re-doing all of the tests when we see him early next week.

What a bummer! Max seems to be in good spirits and acting like his normal wiggly self, he just can't put much weight on his back leg, which confuses him sometimes.

On a good note, I saw Avatar this weekend and it was really good! The graphics/animation/3D were spectacular and well worth the money to go out and see it!

I also rode ol' Rusty for the first time in a month. He was a bit peppy, which for Rusty is probably the energy level of a normal horse! lol He even threw in a few little crow hops and head tosses just to keep me guessing. As much as it is annoying, I have to laugh at him when he does this, because he doesn't put a lot of effort into his bucks - I'm sure he could, but he just does enough to try and get out of working. What a guy.

I've also done a few clicker training sessions (just for something different to do) with him and he is really getting it. I keep meaning to do a post about it, but I need to get some pictures or video first, because it is pretty funny.

Sorry for the bummer post, but that is what is happening in my little corner of the world today!

Wordless Wednesday - barn cat edition

Farewell 2009...

...don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out!

I think I will join in with some of my fellow bloggers and do a bit of a review on 2009. Then I can close the file on that year and look forward to 2010. I'll spare you guys the boring details, but in a nutshell, 2009 had a lot of ups and downs for me - but that is life, isn't it? To quote Forrest Gump:

“Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.”

Let's see in 2009: Rusty had a really bad uveitis flare-up (thought he was going to go blind, but turns out he is ok) and a mild impaction colic a few weeks ago (also now fine). I got my new

western saddle in August and I still love it. The last six months have been a bit stressful for me, health-wise. Doing quite a bit better now and have about 6 Dr's appointments in January to hopefully sort out everything else. I did manage to get in a decent amount of riding - I even cantered around the hay fields - a first for me with Rusty.

OK - goals for 2010...

I’m not a huge believer in official New Year’s Resolutions per se, but I do think it is a good idea to write out some goals for the year. A couple of times in the past, I have made a big declaration that I would do something in the year coming up and when I didn’t achieve it, I felt like a bit of a failure.

So, this year, I will write out some goals that are attainable – and to do something a bit different, I’m going to review them every 3 months or so to make sure I’m on track or to see if I need to make a few modifications. We actually do that at work with our performance reviews, because as we all know, the best laid plans often go awry…

Without further ado, here are my horsey goals for 2010 (you are all sitting on the edge of your seats, jus waiting for this, aren’t you??? lol)

• During the winter months, make it to the barn 3x a week to ride or work on clicker training (started this last week for something fun and Rusty was actually getting it – more to come on this)
• In the spring/summer/fall (April – October), ride or work with Rusty 4x a week.
• Attend a hunter pace or an organized trail ride. (Need to set aside a bit of money for trailering fees now and review dates/options)
• Continue weekly lessons starting in Feb or March (often too cold in Jan) if financially possible, if not lessons twice a month will be a good alternative
• Maintain my emergency vet fund (for all pets). I have a decent amount set aside and I need to make sure not to touch that money…

Here is my crazy one that I might not be able to keep, but need to try:

• Avoid buying any tack, riding clothes or anything from a tack shop (except in case of emergency), in person or online until June 2010 (this may sound drastic, but I have so much tack for one horse that it is almost embarrassing! I actually bought 4 new saddle pads this fall! I think I have a problem!)

And the most important one:

• Start a contingency fund for a new horse and/or for retirement board.

Yes, this seems a bit drastic, but if something were to happen to Rusty, I have no money set aside to buy a new horse. Rusty is happy, healthy and sound right now, but he is close to 20 and you just never know. If he were to be retired all of a sudden, I also couldn’t afford to board two horses at my current barn. I should also add a sub-goal to this one – research a few retirement farms in the area, just so I know my options. I know there are a few farms where I could board two horses for just a little more than I pay for Rusty right now. I really like where I am, but money is the driving factor, unfortunately…

Happy New Years to everyone - your families and your four-legged companions, large and small!

Wordless Wednesday

Merry Christmas!

Just a quick note to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! I hope everyone has a chance to take a break and enjoy some good food and time with friends, family and equines! :-)

Stick a fork in me, I'm done...

Just a quick update from me today:

1) Rusty's eyes seem to be doing ok - bute and wearing a fly mask seem to be keeping things under control. As long as they don't get as bad as last year, we'll be ahead of the game...

2)I bought a new saddle pad for my western saddle and I think it is super - I caved and spent the money on a Thinline felt western pad. It is grey felt, with a thinline pad sewn in the top. I think it really does absorb some shock. I'm a bit of a bouncy rider and I think it was making Rusty even more grumpy than usual. I've ridden twice with it (with a wool blanket on top) and it really seems to make a difference. So, here's to a product that actually sort of does what it is advertised to do!

3) I won a book from a blog contest from the wonderful Oregon Sunshine. I received the book a couple of weeks ago, but have been very negligent in posting about it. It is a book called "Hope Rising" by Kim Meeder, stories from a non-profit horse rescue in Central Oregon. I've been warned that I will need some kleenex while reading, so it sounds like a wonderful book to get into on a cold, damp winters day.

4)I'm going to take a break from this blog for awhile. I think just until after Christmas, but we'll see. I just don't have much going on and I'm having a hard time coming up with stuff to write. I'm also stressed out and tired, so a break will give me a chance to get things sorted out. I'll still be writing over at Cowboys Love Fat Calves with that wonderful group of ladies, as some of my stress is from health and fitness issues. I still plan to keep reading and commenting, since I don't think I could stay away from horse blogs for too long! :-)

Happy trails!

Trying to look ahead, not back

Holy cow. What a crappy week I had last week. I'm trying not to dwell on what happened, but move forward and have a better time of things this week.

Stress just plain stinks. I'm sure everyone knows what I mean.

Rusty and I had a bad week too. We did 3 rides and he was used in a lesson on Thursday. Sounds good right? Well, we have been battling each other this week. I find it frustrating because I know alot of the problems are in my riding. I keep hoping to have made more progress by this point in my riding. Oh well....keep keeping on, right?

Rusty is also having eye problems again. It seems to flare up this time of year for some reason. He is on bute and it helps, but you can still sort of tell he isn't quite himself.

We don't need the vet out, since it is the same deal as last year. Although, I'm tempted to ask our friend some questions. I actually have a veterinary ophthalmologist in my living room right now! He is a friend of my hubby's and they are working in their bicycles together. I really don't like to bother him when he is here for a fun visit, so I'll save my questions in case things get worse and I really need his help.

Goals for this week:

• Evaluate Rusty's eye and talk with the barn owner to see if riding is a good idea right now, or if we should give him a bit of a break until his eye clears up a bit. If she thinks it is ok to keep riding (she's a vet), then we'll keep plugging along and working on our issues!
• Try and think positive!!!! It is so easy to dwell on the negative things and miss the good things...

What is everyone up to this week? Lots of big plans for Thanksgiving for you gals down south?

Random update

I really don't have alot to say for once! I've been riding and going to work and grumbling about the darkness and the mud.

The mud. Holy cow guys, the mud at the barn is just brutal. And it isn't going away. For the first time probably ever, I'm wishing for the ground to freeze and a good layer of snow to hit. Every time I've been at the barn over the past three weeks, I've been faced with this:

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

Look at that tail! I actually had to leave it, because it was only just above freezing. My hands couldn't take the cold water and I didn't want Rusty to get cold... It rained the day after I took these pictures, so it rinsed out his tail enough that it doesn't look like that any more.

One more picture to share - I bought Rusty a cute black and green cooler. He doesn't work super hard in our lessons, but now that he is pretty fuzzy, I wanted to have something to put on him just in case. I got it on sale from Dover and it is a smidge small for him - we can just barely get the belly straps done up (ahem - Mr. Porkchop!), but it will work to cool him out in.

Happy trails!

A girl can dream, can't she?

So, not much going on up here. We've had great weather for November, so I've been out riding as much as possible. I have the afternoon off from work today, so I'll be heading out to the barn as soon as I get home so I can ride outside in the daylight! That is quite a novelty this time of year!

Since I don't have alot going on, I have been up to no good on the internet. I have been doing some online shopping (for horse stuff, of course!) which I'll show you guys when it all arrives.

I've also been looking at horses online. Most of the time I do this just to try and keep current about what is for sale. Lately though, I have been daydreaming. Daydreaming about two of my favourite breeds and wondering what I will be able to afford or want to buy for my next horse.

Two of my favourite non-QH breeds are thoroughbreds and Canadien horses. There are alot of Canadien breeders in my area, so there is lots to look at. Although, I've noticed a huge decline in the number of horses available over the past couple of years. I also have tried to avoid looking up these types of horses as most of them are just too big for me. The average Canadien is about 15.3hh these days and most of them are well over 16hh. Since I'm so short, a horse that big just doesn't work. I would end up looking like I was in a kid's lead-line class! I know this for a fact, since the first horse I started riding as an adult was my friend's 16.3hh OTTB mare. She was extremely safe and easy to ride, but I just couldn't get comfortable or feel like I had any leg on her at all.

Yesterday I was looking up some horse web sites and came across a link to a breeder's web site. The first horse in their "for sale" list had me gasping!

Isn't he gorgeous??? Sigh...

A Canadien/TB cross (Bold Ruler and War Admiral back in his pedigree) - beautiful chestnut colour and expected to mature to 15.1/15.2hh! Wow. His barn name is Rusty, which I thought to be a nice little coincidence! :-)

I started to get a little excited and then I realized that there was no price listed AND the horse was located in British Columbia - the other side of the country. Whew! There is no way that I could buy a horse from that far away, so I didn't have to worry about that.

I can't stop looking at his pictures. I was back on the web site today, drooling over his pictures. I'm not sure why this horse has caught my attention so much, considering I tend to prefer coloured, old, broke horses! Even if he was located in the same province, I really have no busines owning a 3yr old horse of any breed. I just don't have the experience to train/ride well enough right now. So I have to keep telling myself not to worry, when the time comes to own my next horse, I will find something I like just as much.

Someone please tell me he is ugly and he has bad confirmation or something! lol

It's so hard not to dream though!!! :-)

Wordless Wednesday

I loooove my new farrier!

So, today was farrier day for Rusty and I. I've been fretting about it all week. I don't want to be "one of those owners" who has a problem horse, but truth be told, I sort of am. Not on purpose, or out of ignorance, but out of a lack of confidence.

Rusty's previous owner told me that he was ok for trims as long as the farrier didn't use a trimming stand. They also told me he needed to be tranquilized to be shod! I didn't plan on having shoes on him, so I was ok with that. Out of coincidence, the previous owner's farrier trimmed a friend's horses and I had the chance to witness his "work". Let's just say I quickly figured out two things - 1)why Rusty was afraid and 2) why my friends horses would come in the barn sound and leave lame after a trim.

The past two farriers I used were willing to trim without the stand, so we were able to avoid the problem altogether. Rusty stands well, as long as that stand is nowhere in sight. The latest farrier wasn't working out, so the other boarder and I switched to someone new. He was recommended by a friend and our vet, so the odds were good. I spoke to him on the phone and told him about Rusty's issues. He said that he often trains horses as well as doing farrier work, so if I wanted he would work with him before the trim, if required.

He trimmed my friends horse first and was happy to answer questions and explain what he was doing. (This mare has been lame for a while - he is working on correcting alot of things. Wish I had taken pictures - lots of neat stuff with the bars) He even had a real coffin bone in his pocket and he explained how everything connected and affected the other parts of the hoof. Very interesting!

When it was Rusty's turn, my nerves were high. He haltered Rusty and we took him out in the sand ring. He wanted to get a sense of what he was up against in a nice open space. He did some groundwork to test Rusty - leading, backing, circling, etc. He complimented me that Rusty was good about respecting personal space and was being responsive. I started to relax a bit and settled in to watch and learn. He slowly picked up each foot and if Rusty pulled his foot away, he put him to work - backing and circling mostly. Rusty caught on fast and even started correcting himself if he pulled his hoof back a bit too soon...!

Long story short, it took him about 30 minutes of training and then he was able to trim all 4 hooves using the stand!!! Turns out Rusty's feet aren't in too bad of shape - the other farrier left alot of flare and he is working at fixing that first.

I probably could have made some progress towards this with Rusty myself, but it would have taken me ages... I'm not 100% confident when doing training like that, but I learned so much today that I'm willing to start trying. The farrier gave me some "homework" to work on, so I'm happy about that too! Again, I wish I had taken some pictures, but I was too busy trying to learn to have been worrying about a camera as well. I'm sure with a couple more training sessions, I will no longer be "that" owner! It's a win-win for me, because I don't like seeing horses stressed out and afraid when there are ways to train them to relax. So many people resort to heavy-handed techniques to do things with horses and it just doesn't work...

I totally had to resist giving this guy a big hug before he left (and I'm not the hugging type!! lol) so I just made do with a "thanks soooo much for your time" comment. I'll be looking forward to my next farrier visit, instead of worrying...! That is a nice change for me!