Still fighting old demons...

Selling horses sucks!  There is no way around it.  Especially when you really do love the horse.

Now that I have that off my chest....

A woman came out today to look at Poca.  We had communicated via email for a few days, and I was under the impression that Poca was a good fit for what she wanted.  I had told her in no uncertain terms that all we've ever really asked Poca to do is walk.  The same goes with her previous owners.  She seemed ok with that.

Fast forward...  Girl comes from Ocala with trailer in tow.  Although Poca has been on a horsey vacation for several weeks, she was an absolute angel.   She stood still as always while saddling and mounting.  She walked around calmly.  She neckreined and even gave me a sidepass when asked  (good considering she is still learning that).  I thought she did well.

NOT!  I was not prepared when the girl asked me to canter Poca around the paddock.  I told her that I'd put her on the lunge line and show her how she moved, but I wasn't comfortable doing it under saddle.  Essentially, I chickened out and blew the sale.

So after she left, I did some soul searching.  Why wouldn't I canter Poca?  I know how to ride.  Right?

This is what I came up with:

1. I have always cantered Poca on the trail.  I've never asked her to canter in a circle in an arena or pasture.
2. I didn't think it would look good.  I knew she wouldn't know what I wanted, and it was gonna be sloppy.
3. The BIGGEST reason of all - I was scared.  Apparently, I am still fighting Faith and Izzy demons.  I was afraid Poca was going to do something stupid, and I would come off and/or get hurt.

LOL, I thought I'd remind you of a few of my old battle scars before moving on.

This is where Faith kicked me

My rope burn

Where Faith stepped on me

Anyway...

I knew I had to face my fears and bust out my big girl panties.  I took Poca over to the trailer and swapped saddles.  (I love my endurance saddle.  It's less bulky and allows me to actually feel the horse underneath me.)  We headed back into the paddock and trotted a few laps to warm ourselves up.  Then, I played it out in my head.  I knew what I needed to do.  Inside rein, sit back, outside leg...  I took breath and asked.  At first, she just tried to trot faster and turn sharply.  We slowed back down, regrouped, and went through the motions again. This time I also kissed to her and said canter.  There is was.  A canter!  It was not pretty, but it was there.  We slowed down and changed directions.  Same routine and tada, another canter!

I cannot tell you how relieved I was.  There was no bucking.  She didn't even fight it.  She was just unsure, but she figured it out.  Surprisingly, after 30 minutes or so, she was even picking up a canter from a walk.

They say things happen for a reason.  Maybe I chickened out because this person was not the one for Poca.  Maybe Poca was not through with me yet.  Maybe I needed to be reminded that I have the ability.  Either way, I am looking forward to working with Poca more this weekend and finding her the perfect forever home.

Jacksonville Horse

A new site for Jax horse lovers

Jacksonville Horse

Only Linc...

My farrier, Rob, came out to trim the horses' feet today.  I decided to pull Linc's shoes off till Poca sells.  This is what we found in his front right.

http://www.letssaythanks.com/

http://www.letssaythanks.com/

Looks like Santa is not done yet...

Beauty update...

One of my favorite pics of Cory and Beauty

I had a little case of the blues tonight, but then an angel sent me the most amazing update on Beauty.  I thought I would share it with everyone.

From Marilyn:

Beauty, Wendy and Pokey Joe (aka Rudolph) were a big hit at Church yesterday. After worship everyone came into the fellowship hall for lunch and caroling. I surprised everyone with a CD of "Rudolph the red nosed reindeer" and in walks my Dad with Pokey dressed like Rudolph. He "worked" the room like a pro and everyone was thrilled... then we went out back and gave everyone pony rides with under 3's on Pokey, 3-8's on Beauty, and over 8's on Wendy. Wendy was a little surprised by the flashes on the parents' cameras but Beauty and Pokey were perfection. We made lots of happy faces and our faces were happy too!!

From Mandarin Lutheran:

Today after service, we enjoyed a wonderful time singing carols, lunching on pizza and visiting together. Though the weather outside was what some would call "frightful", kids of all ages enjoyed pony and horseback rides on Black Beauty and Wendy. Rudolph even crashed our party and was the biggest hit! He kindly stayed around to give the littlest party goers rides ~ their smiles were absolutely the widest smiles of the day!

A special BIG "Thank You" goes out to Cindy Misner for working so quickly to coordinate everything and to Marilyn Whitford (and the Whitford/Carter family) for the live music sing-along and for supplying the four-legged entertainment.

We are truly blessed at MLC, and are so thankful for the gifts that God has given each of us!

The fruit of the spirit is love, joy and peace.  - Galatians 5:22

Lazy day

I guess I am not the only one who doesn't feel motivated to do anything...

 

 

It really must be something in the air.  As I was leaving to get Ruby from the vet, I found Cory's babies curled up in her bed.



Padré The Mustang Brings A Taste Of The West To Dressage At Devon | The Chronicle of the Horse

Padré The Mustang Brings A Taste Of The West To Dressage At Devon The Chronicle of the Horse

Taking my own advice...

Twice this past week, I have had to take my own advice.  "SUCK IT UP!"

#1

I am part of the Faculty Council for National Junior Honor Society at my school.  In a nutshell, we review the applicants and decide who gets inducted and who does not meet the criteria.  Our 2010 ceremony was on Thursday, and I had to read the bit about Character.  Easy enough, right?  Not for me... I am terrified of speaking in front of adults.  I know this seems strange coming from a teacher, but I don't find the students as intimidating.  Adults make me break into a sweat and want to run and hide.  But I didn't and instead, I thought of those 3 little words that I so freely share with all my friends.  Everything went fine, and I survived.

#2

I usually don't travel alone on my horse adventures.  I almost always have Chele, Liz, KD, or someone else to hold my hand.  However, this weekend I found myself all alone and wanting to go to the endurance ride at the Black Prong Equestrian Center.  Three things almost stopped me - money, unconditioned horses, and FEAR.  Caren (on FB) suggested I go and volunteer.  I mulled it over, trying to think of a reason why NOT to, but I couldn't find any good ones.  So on Friday, I google mapped my route, loaded up, and headed out.  It was almost dark when we left, and for a brief moment, I almost wussed out.  Then, that little voice in my head said, "Suck it up!"

FYI - Google and GPS's are great EXCEPT when you are pulling a 3H gooseneck and they decide to take you thru the middle of downtown Gainesville on a Friday night.  OMG, if there ever was a time that I wondered WTH was I thinking, that was it!  A few extra gray hairs and a few wrong turns later, we made it.

Everyone was settled in for the night by the time we got there.  Cory and I got settled.  Life is so much easier with our new trailer.  We flipped out the Hi-Ties, rolled out the awning, and enjoyed an easy dinner together.

Morning came all too quickly.  Cory and I hopped out of bed and wandered around looking for someone to point us in some sort of direction.  (I felt like such an idiot.)  Eventually, I met Connie.  She asked if I'd like to scribe for the vets.  Sounded fine to me.

There were 4 vets - Doug, Laura, Anne, and Julia (wish I could remember their last names).  Our day began about 9ish when the riders from the 100 started rolling back in from their first loop and ended about 12:30 that night.  Oddly enough, the last 2 riders were from the 75.  I absolutely loved my "job."  The vets were fabulous and fun to hang with.  I was impressed by the riders.  Most seemed like they took great care of their horses and were concerned about what was best.  I never really got the impression that anyone was there to win a race.

The next morning, Cory and I woke up to cold and misty weather.  Our original plan was to ride one of the loops.  However, we decided against it.  We'd had so much fun the day before.  Rocky and Poca were quite content even though they were hi-tied 24+ hours.  Why mess up a good thing?  We enjoyed some breakfast and headed home (in our pjs).

Poppy is waiting for her share

Ruby waits for a bite too



TAC Campaign - 20 year Anniversary retrospective montage "Everybody Hurt...

I believe this is the most powerful video I've ever seen.

Be safe this Christmas and throughout the New Year.

TROT Cowboy Christmas

A few weekends ago, several of my closest friends and family gathered at 7 Bar L for our end of the year Cowboy Christmas Party and Campout.  Miss Marilyn had a full weekend of fun planned including ride out times, eating, partying, gift exchange, fire side sharing, cowboy church and lots of fun games.

HERE is a link to the MANY pictures that Chele, Traci, and I took.  Below are a few of my favorites.

My handsome hubby

Anna & Layla

Susan

Cory

Marilyn & Bonnie

Traci & Mike

Bobby & KD

KD & Stylin

Traci & Tucker were almost unstoppable in the games

Me & Cory

Marilyn taking the egg & spoon race very seriously

Mom & daughter - KD & Jenny; Stylin & Maybe

Cathy & Traci

Me & Susan

Mike & Marilyn

Jenny crackin the bull whip

Cory riding Linc

Fireside sharing

Erik on Linc

Erik & Cory cantering up the hill

Maybe & Jenny take fun seriously

Cory & Rocky cone weaving

I love how relaxed Linc looks here

Broom ball

KD & Chele

Susan & Clyde

Jenny & Millie

Mike shows off his chaps

Marilyn leads Cowboy church

Jenny had a fabulous backhand

Rocky is such a proud horse

Relaxing by the fire first thing in the morning

Erik had too much fun Saturday night  ;)

Heading out

Chele & Dawn

My psycho dog, Ruby