Back on Course

The second day we arrived I took Dickie for a spin in the outdoor. The giant amazeballs outdoor. It was windy and I hadn't been on him in a month so it wasn't my wisest choice but he was a good boy. He snorted and wanted to look everywhere but where he was going but I can't blame him. The place is gorgeous and I keep gawking myself. 

Today it was hotter than hell. Those of you in hot parts of the world wouldn't care but I'm a delicate flower. I spent my summers in Alaska growing up and most of my free time in an ice skating rink. If it hits 80 I feel like I might pass out. I decided to hit the trails rather than swelter in the arena in the hopes we could find a little shade. 

The property is on 80 acres and most of it is for riding. There's a gravel access road around the property so the footing is great at all speeds.

The first part of the loop runs along a huge grassy field that was just mowed. It was killing me not to go the long way around the far side of the field but I didn't want to over do it on a hot day. 

The loop ends in the prettiest fruit orchard. I picked an apple and fed it to Dickie from his back. I realized I've never fed Dickie a treat that way. Bre and I used to ride along the Oregon trail remnants were there were old cabins and apple orchards. She was so used to me feeding her that way she'd slam on the brakes and eye ball me if I even leaned over to check my girth. 

We were both sweaty by the end but he still had tons of gas. He was spunky and asking to trot and canter the whole way. He's turning into such a fun horse. Last year just getting him around the arena was an accomplishment. These days I can hop on without even lunging. He strides out on the trail by himself brave as can be. I'm such a lucky horse owner. 

Finally Settled

Being at my friends house was great but I really needed an arena to get back to work. I spent much of June calling stables and stopping in. I had originally hoped to move to the stable across the street. The more I thought about it the more I realized I wouldn't be happy. The indoor is teensy with questionable footing. The outdoor is lovely but only in the summer. 

I ended up at a place I always thought looked amazing. I didn't go there initially because of the price and I thought it was father. After driving to BFE for ten months anything seemed closer. And once I went there I realized it was much much closer. Stalls in the small less expensive barns rarely come up but they just happened to have an open space so I jumped on it. I figured I would be on a waiting list for months. 

The main barn has about 40 stalls and is very fancy. Everyone seems friendly and I talked to several people who have been there for many years. Much better than my old barn where a boarder didn't stay more than a few months. Dickie is in one of two four stall barns. I get the benefits of a high end barn then go back to my quiet barn. We could never afford fancy barn but I think I would like the little barns better anyway. The stalls are 12x 14 and he looks like a pony in there. They are bedded at least six inches deep with fluffy shaving. My horse is a huge pig and the stall didn't even look dirty in the morning between the size and amount of bedding. He loves deep bedding and has fun rolling around. 

The gelding pasture is giant. You can see it towards the upper right (has trees along the left and back corner). He was hilarious when I turned him lose. He ran and ran. He wasn't panicked he just ran for the fun of it. There's about ten geldings and they all get along. When I went to get him today he already had buddies. He must be pretty happy because I had to walk half way across the field before he decided to come. 

There is a 100 x 200' indoor, a 200'x 300' all weather outdoor, and a round pen. There's also 80 acres of trails, cross country jumps, a water obstacle, and access to even more trails off the property. 

And best of all they provide feed. Most of the barns in this area don't include grain and often don't offer alfalfa hay. EVERYTHING is included. No more stuffing hay in my car! No more wrastling 50lb bags of grain with my bad back. The only thing I need to provide is his supplement. 

I still can't believe we found this place!!! We just moved weds and he's already settling in. I rode him today and I didn't want to stop. There is so much to explore. I can't wait to get through a weekend of work so I can get back in the saddle. 

And this happened too.....

My mom has an older F-250 Diesel with only 133k (diesels go 500+ for reals). I have lusted after it for years. It's been sitting unused, other than running it to keep is healthy, for years. She sold the horse trailer years ago and has an SUV for the boats and cargo trailers. I can't believe it BUT MY MOM AND STEP DAD GAVE IT TO ME!!!

The transmission only has three gears so it will tow the shit out of things but it's not meant cruise in the freeway at 65. The plus side is that the c6 transmission is very dependable so if I take good care of it I am set. For the longer freeway drives I will be getting rides with friends who have newer trucks. But for hauling to lessons, trail rides, and local shows this truck will be perfect. 

I've been learning all about cavitation, pyrometers, and glow plugs. Can't wait to have an adventure!!! 

What we are doing these days

We are doing lots of pony massage sessions but not much else. 

Dickie managed to get TWO shoes off and every day the farrier can come out I'm working. He can't make it til next week. Luckily he's not like bre and doesn't mind. 

 

So this happened......

I wasn't planning on it but I ended up getting a trailer! 

It's not some new fancy slant load but the price was great, it's sturdy, in great condition, and has lots of room for the beast. It has a spring loaded ramp, walk through escape doors on both sides, and is padded inside. The inside is in mint condition. It's 7'4" in the low spots on the sides and 7'6" where his head will be. I know they come taller but not in my price range. 

It has a few surface rust spots but this is Oregon so most steel trailers have some. The trailer lived in a hot dry climate until two years ago. There isn't a tack room which is a bummer but I looked into 20+ trailers in my budget and nothing was over 7ft. Dickie's comfort is more important than my convience. 

I can't pick it up until the weekend because I work and the truck is in the shop. I want it right now!!!!!  

Btw acquisition of truck will be another post. 

Lazy Horse and Rider

I don't have much to show equine wise for the last few weeks. My hip was pretty hot and bothered after all the walking show weekend. Then I had to work for a living and catch up on family stuff. Dickie has been spending his days eating grass and looking pretty. I feel bad that we have lost ground fitness wise but I think he will come back pretty quickly. 

He's at my friends pasture but I know I will need more than a field to get us back on track. I've been looking at places. Boarding is so hard. Either the location is perfect but it's too expensive. Or the arena is too small. Or not enough turnout. Or nowhere outside to ride. Over the last year of trying to settle into the right place I have figured out what is a must have for me and what is a want. My last barn had pretty much everything if only the owner wasn't terrible. 

Here is a list of my boarding must haves (what are yours?)

1) At least one arena bigger than a small dressage court. Dickie is a big guy and getting bigger. Having a forward horse is really important to me. It's hard for a horse to feel confident moving forward if they are constantly worrying about the next corner. Not to mention the wear and tear on joints.

2) Outdoor arena. I forgot how crazy I go being stuck inside until I was at a barn with no outdoor. Sometimes I ride in the pouring rain just because I can't stand the walls anymore. Plus, most well maintainined barns also have a lesson program of some sort. The outdoor means I always have a place to escape the crowds. 

3) Trails or a path around the property. Even a big field would meet this requirement. This is also related to my winter claustrophobia. I have to get out of the arena. I don't have a trailer so I can't just pack up for a trail ride. Hill work is also essential to building a strong balanced horse. 

4) Turnout. I want my horse OUT. He gets stir crazy when he's in and it's just not good for horses to be stuck inside. It makes them more prone to colic and ulcers. Turnout on hilly pasture is important for horses with lose stifles. 

My other needs are the basics that go without saying (low drama, clean water, safe). Everything else is gravy but I can live without. I don't care if the barn looks run down as long as it is safe. I don't need a fancy tackroom. Washrack is nice but I can use a hose outside if I need to. 

Views Around the Farm (heavy on photos, light on words)

Stadium set for prelim Sat am

View looking back from the finish of intro/BN/N

An upper level jump with a cute turtle on top. 

The last intro fence. 

Another view of the course. 

They have two water complexes and the frogs were singing away. 

It was cloudy Sun Am when prelim went. 

Prelim rider coming through the water complex. 

Same rider sailing over the corner on on her way out of the water. 

The dressage rings were swampy like the warmup but stil had their fair share of holes.