Intermittent Progress

 Sorry for the January radio silence. Honestly, the horses got slightly put on the back burner (or as much as they can when they live at home) while I let work and the weather slow down my outdoor time. 

It feels like it's always dark when I take a time out

                                  

I've already made some little steps towards some of my plans for 2026, so I do have some small updates.

I tentatively listed Sophie on a regional facebook page and had a ton of interest, but it's 2026 and everyone wants extra videos of all the things. I advertised locally enough that I think anyone truly interested would just get in their car and come visit. I wasn't feeling the joy for all the extra media right now, and I'll take accountability for that. So, I reevaluate. Do I send her to a trainer this spring for a refresh and professional marketing in a more equestrian area (big $$$$ given where I live) or just keep the odd ad out there and get more videos when the weather improves, in hopes the right person will come along at the right time? I think the second choice is the one for now. As nice as it might be to distance myself from the actual sale process, I will feel better meeting her new people. The not so secret part is that we like her just fine. She doesn't *need* to go anywhere soon, but I think I've finally wrapped my head around the idea of it. We'll reevaluate the trainer option if nothing happens here.

She's worth a visit

The boys continue to grow like weeds. It's a near daily occurrence where I'm questioning if they're taller/bigger  than last time I looked (which of course in 24hrs the answer better be no!) but the overall trend is that they're starting to seem Large Grown Up Pony instead of Baby Pony. 

This guy was dramatically lame one weekend but it was luckily an abscess that resolved fairly quickly. Was he really going to be ok with me fussing and wrapping and soaking his foot? It felt like a bit of an escalation from our normal hoof picking routine. All these little 'firsts' the pop up when you don't expect them.  But of course he was fine! Good minded ponies for the win.

Meanwhile, his friend is apparently grown up enough to wash his own dishes now.

I haven't signed them up for any outings this winter, but I do have a couple of clinics coming up that I'll go audit so I can learn. I'm feeling a little guilty about just letting them sit, but I try to remind myself that come spring there will be ample opportunities (and daylight) to get them out more. They're only just coming 3, so while seeing the world is valuable there's not much else I want to ask of them yet. Picking and choosing a couple of good outings this spring or summer makes more sense right now than clinics for the sake of clinics.

I have about a million variations of this picture, I think G feels obligated to send me a proof of life pic or video every morning when he feeds :D

Work is work. I've mentioned I want to expand out to more contract and freelance opportunities, and the last couple of months have been heavily focused on creating a good base for that. I've basically let that goal take over my life. It feels a little like I'm putting out maximum effort for minimum financial gain at the moment. I struggle to put myself out there too, so I find some of the networking and interviewing a  little anxiety inducing. I'm pretty grateful I didn't scale back the day job. While it makes my hours crazy right now, the sense of security having that paycheck definitely is worth it. I put way less pressure on myself knowing there is no great financial loss if this doesn't pan out.  Slowly but surely small contracts are finding me and my new barn/truck savings account is seeing it's first small deposits funded by new adventures. That feels like a positive! 

Further excellent media brought to you by NoTime TM and overly friendly horses

                                             

The better physical and mental health thing took a bit of a hit at the end of 2025/beginning of 2026. Nothing dramatic, I think it's just a tough time of year and the lack of sunshine gets to me too. Plus, the extra hours working at a desk don't do anyone any favors. The days are getting longer again and it's easier every day to fit in more outdoor activity, which feels like the key to it all for me.

Moody fog bitey face games

                                     

Hopefully I'll be back sooner rather than later. I've lost my riding and horsey mojo a little, but it's still such a joyful thing to have the horses at home. They feel a little more like an every day part of life rather than an "I went to the barn!' event I should blog about, so for now I'll probably just continue on with the general updates spaced over the winter.