Three

 As always, I'm over here like "Where does the time go?!" It's May 1st tomorrow, which is slightly wild. I came across some Christmas decor a couple of days ago and I had a moment of wondering why it was put away so soon? Isn't this the beginning of January? 

Meanwhile, outside the window

The boys both turned 3 in early April. Again, the poor timekeeping in my brain is sure it's only been 2 years, despite all evidence to the contrary.

3 feels like a bit of a milestone. They're not babies anymore, they're teenagers now that can have a part time job. 

Got a hayball for his birthday, says it's the best thing ever.

Two pictures of Buck, because Reggie throws his over the fence and cannot be trusted to not have it end up in the neighbour's property

Birthday treats

I've been ground driving them now and then. Reggie is pretty solid, but trotting is a bit exciting now and then - he thinks me jogging behind = me being angry and chasing him, so sometimes there's still a moment or ten where he's worried he's in trouble. I joke he's got a guilty conscience because the number of times I have shouted or hit him or chased him with anything ever = ZERO, but he's always cautious that I'm finally going to lay the law down on him. You can't be too safe, I guess ;) He's still into absolutely everything and stupidly brave and curious and smart and all those adjectives that mean he's going to be a lot of fun to keep one step ahead of.

Fun is basically his middle name

The filth makes him look like a roan

Late sunlight and ponies in the backyard is never going to get old

His bestie, Buck is also fairly sensitive, but generally a little more steady these days. Funny the changes since they first came. He was the one that had big stranger danger and a very minimal amount of trust. I actually think it's only been over this past winter that he finally decided we're worthy, because finally  the last few things he used to be quite anxious about just became no big deal. Ground driving with him has gone about how I'd expect. Once he decided the saddle pad was fine, it was fine, along with everything else. The gear, the lines, me behind are of absolutely minimal concern. This month, we had a day where he 'couldn't' turn right. Then he couldn't stop. He tends to push his shoulders into or through pressure (Reggie included, but thankfully he's learned humans are not acceptable). I am familiar with this default concept from the lovely Bridget. I've been told it's a bit of a driving bred characteristic, but I don't know, I had a TB mare back in the day that was fairly accomplished at it when I got her. Anyway, not a big deal, just fun to compare when Reggie is the opposite and by default would rather die than push into pressure.

The hair is impressive

 Buck's still the biggest fan of a spa day of any horse I've ever met, it's quite endearing how he comes running if he sees me with a brush or comb in hand. We all know I love a good pony spa day myself so he's a dream come true after years of horses that can take it or leave it.

The other night, we played with lining up at the mounting block and leaning on him. There was a moment where I very easily could have sat on him, but then I checked my sanity, because better steering on the ground feels like a sensible prerequisite. Sitting on him for the sake of sitting on him and being led around would be fun, but being able to walk around with steering would be even better :)

Looking grown up

I've got a clinic/camp out scheduled in late May and I think he'll be going to that. Likely just for some ground work and an outing, but I can see some short rides happening in summer. 

Reggie is currently butt high and gangly looking again, so he's going to need more time. Maybe we'll get a little more serious later in the year, depending on how he matures over summer. 

No one here really does 'serious', but you know what I mean

Ideally, if I was adhering to any sort of schedule (which I'm really not) they'll both be walk/trot and a couple of canters this year and then have a break over winter and be ready to be part time riding ponies this time next year. 

Catching Up With Old Friends

When we last left off I had a ton of interest in Sophie's ad but no one who A) seemed like the perfect home AND B) was ready to purchase. So, I let it sit. At some point in the 'letting it sit for now' process G made it known he actually really didn't want to sell her and wasn't changing his mind on that. He's retired now and I think I've mentioned he's the one doing pony chores in the morning while I work. He's also Head of Apple Acquisitions and Purchasing. He's pretty involved. I waited a day or two until I innocently asked if he had any change in his pockets, to which he responded with a quarter. I snatched it, "congrats on the purchase of your new pony!" HA! 

Her face when she sees him coming

Anyway, in all seriousness I'm sick of myself waffling. I can't even imagine how annoying it must be reading this saga. Normally I'm quite a decisive and logical person, but all bets are off when it comes to horses and pets. Unfortunately I think it had to be one of those exercises where I had to go through the process before I realized how wrong it felt. So, she stays, even though that makes minimal logical sense. We should note she officially belongs to G any time she's being annoying. She's always an absolute an absolute angel for him though!

                                                 

Extra costs and accessories now on my wish list may or may not include: 1. A three stall barn, 2. A three horse trailer. 3. An extra 2.5 tons of hay/year

In related events (that tie in surprisingly nicely with the above tale of indecision) let me tell you a story. Wayyyy back in the day in 2004, when I was first dating G, I had a little sorrel QH weanling that was the saddest neglect rescue case you've ever seen. Said little guy defied the odds and survived, and at about a year old, needed a friend to play with. Along came another rescue, a little black colt of unknown breeding rounded up in an SPCA seizure from a neighboring province. It was actually a perfect situation for the both of them. The little black morgan-y type ("Stormy") quickly became a favorite with G. 

Sophie's current barn was built as a bachelor pad for those two. 

"It's my house now!"

A couple of years passed and eventually it was time for both the boys to find their forever homes. I was finishing round 2 of university and due to start a new job in another province. Both the boys had a solid start in life and were good guys. This blog was maybe a couple of years out. The timing felt good, and neither were meant as long term horses for me. I was really sad and ridiculously attached to both, but logic ruled the day. Off they went to their new homes while I did career things without horses for a couple of years.

If you've been with someone for any length of time, you'll know there's often that ONE thing your partner opines you should have never done. In my life, in G's opinion, for 18 years I have been hearing about how You Should Have Never Sold Stormy. 

The above story also may or may not be relevant to the story of why G picked out a little black cob colt - poor Buck's not unfamiliar with being compared at every stage to the apparently forever perfect Stormy.

Buck gets more handsome by the day tho

History repeating where the baby horse needed a friend horse and then we had two of them

Recently, a friend mentioned the new therapeutic riding horse at our local barn. Name was different but description and rescue backstory sounded awfully familiar. Wait. WAAAAIIIITTT. Is he black? 21 ish? 

And so, this weekend, I got to say hi to him again after almost 20 years (and you better believe I got G a meetup too!) It actually felt really emotional to see him again after so many years. I'm incredibly grateful he indirectly found his way back to our small and remote town - the odds of that feel so tiny. He, of course, was politely like "Who is this strange human who is so obsessed with me?"

the famous guy himself. We did the math and he just turned 22.

In a really fun case of it's a small world, this spring break, he's sharing a paddock with Bridget <3 I haven't seen them hanging out, but they're similar people and I wouldn't be surprised.

Not B's best angle, but I'm forever amused that my antisocial pony has chosen a Sophie look alike as her first BFF. Plus, B actually came to say hi to me and that never ever happens, so I felt redeemed after Stormy's dismissal.

I went to watch B in her clinic with her little rider this weekend and had all the feels there too. What better semi retirement job is there for Best Pony than babysitting a good kid that loves her more than anything. It's absolutely the most perfect thing.

Anyway, to wrap this up, using entirely circular horse person logic, keeping Sophie = many years of hay bills, but potentially saves a lifetime of hearing about that horse I should have never sold. 100% a logical decision if I've ever made one. Never let it be said I didn't learn my lesson the first time :) (But also, No More Horses. No more 'projects'. No more baby horses just to keep other baby horses company.) I'm self excluding, I am incapable of logic, incapable of selling anything anymore.