Where were we? It's been how long?
*Scrolls through phone photo gallery to see where I've been for nearly a month*
As always, I've been extraordinarily busy, but it's finally not all been about work. In the latter part of June, I took some extra days off to basically be a kid again and spend the day at the barn with the horses. That is always time well spent! The horses all have such different personalities, and it's just so fun watching the boys continue to expand their confidence and learning bit by bit.
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| Mounting block inspections. I had a first sit on this guy, but no photo evidence since my assistant photographer was also handling the lead rope and treat distribution. |
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| I've outsourced pony training to an onsite assistant (pictured) ;) |
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| Demonstrating trailer loading to her student |
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| Look at him go ;) |
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| Then she demonstrated tarp/spooky object crossing while he watched and learned. |
After some lazy pony days, I took even more vacation time. We're exploring alternatives to our current home base as we look to transition away from here. The wish list includes being within an hour or two of an international airport, NO FERRIES between us and the nearest bigger center, and obviously for my wish list there needs to be an equestrian scene, and even better, one I can afford to be fully part of.
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| Summer means we have float plane service, which is amazing. 35 minutes to this 'airport' in downtown Vancouver. If only the ponies could fly too, it's otherwise about a 7 hour trip with the 2 ferries and driving time:( |
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| It is a beautiful part of the world, I'm just done with the isolation factor for now. |
Property values vary widely across the province (and country) and I am of an age where I don't want a mortgage. It's fun to look around and dream at this point because this is a next year or two plan, not something pressing where we need to decide now. Basically, we're in the stage where it's all the excitement and none of the stress or commitment. This time we were off to the Okanagan in the interior of BC to do some real estate browsing and exploring.
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| This rail trail goes around the whole valley and is part of the Trans Canada trail. I could definitely get used to riding there! |
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| Wine country BC. I don't actually like wine but the equestrian scene and climate are agreeable! |
We got back home this weekend and it's full speed ahead again until mid August. The ponies have their annual check ups, vaccinations and teeth tomorrow. Buck has a funky hoof that needs ongoing attention, some of the competitors visiting for the horse show next week want beach photos (somehow I've become an equine photographer this summer), and I've got another clinic weekend coming up.
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| Enjoying summer field time |
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| It's been quite hot, so equally they've had a lot of home time so they can stay in the shade during the day |
I think that catches you up. Beginning of August we are off to Toronto area again (this time I will NOT be buying more ponies :D), then we have our annual pony camp out and clinic happening when I get back. Hopefully Buck's hoof is back to a usable state by then, otherwise Reggie's going to be the star of the show for the foreseeable :)
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| Last winter's abscess grew out and now the hoof wall below it broke off this morning and looks like this. Our farrier assures me panic is not required, it looks worse than it is. He's totally sound on it but it's obviously not ideal and that bit in the center is getting trimmed off so it can't crack further. |
