Grrrr

Another one from the archives. This one cracks me up since she looks all mean but she was really just shaking off mosquitos. Palomino is like "WTF?" Happy Pony hasn't had a mean day in her life, but here ya go, introducing "Angry Pony"

Q&A

Thanks so much to Nicole of Equinpilot for nominating Ginger's blog for a Liebster award!

Since I'm pretty late to the party and the blogs I love have been nominated a billion times already, I'll just go ahead and tell you 11 random facts about me and answer Nicole's 11 questions. At the end of this post, I've included links to some pretty awesome bloggers that aren't already listed on my "Rainy Day Reading" in the sidebar to your right. If you're not familiar with any of them, I'd encourage you to check them out, they're all great blogs with gorgeous horses and wonderful people.

So, without further adieu, my 'acceptance speech' ;)

11 Things You don't Know About Me

1. I'm seriously ADD when it comes to careers. Education wise, I went to university to be a vet, then changed my mind and geared towards a career in Forestry. Then, years later, I went back and graduated again, this time specializing in GIS (Geographic Information Systems).

2. On the same subject, I've held jobs ranging from a vet tech to a provincial park ranger to an operator at a paper mill to barn manager, and now as a GIS/CAD Tech. And I'm not that old :)

3. I'm a vegetarian. Which is totally A-OK on the west coast, but a bit of a challenge here in cattle country.

4. I'm allergic to just about everything, horses included.

5. I'm really short. 5'2" with my boots on. And G is just about 6'5". It's a bit ridiculous.

6. I have a love of architecture and design. I really want to design and build my own house (and barn!) one day.

7. I'm pretty serious about living in the moment and enjoying every day like it could be your last. (also relates to the above multiple career choices. If I'm not happy or if I'm bored I don't tend to stick it out. One day I hope to grow up and be a responsible adult :)

8. I love classic cars (and trucks). The truck I bought 2 years ago to handle the prairie winters is the first new-ish vehicle I've ever owned.

9. While I think they're super cool, I have a fear of sharks (and killer whales). A couple of years ago, I caved into the pressure and I swam in the ocean in Mexico. Something big bumped into me. I got out ASAP. My friends mocked me. The next week we were back in Canada and on the news it said there were numerous shark attacks in the area and I think two deaths AT THE SAME BEACH. So I stick to swimming pools and lakes.

10. I love hiking and mountain biking. If I wasn't so into horses (and currently living where there are no mountains!), I think I could really get into downhill mountain biking.

11. I’m scared of flying. I’m usually so nervous I’m physically ill before long flights. Yet I love travelling. You probably don't want to be my travel buddy. Let's just meet at the destination ;)

 11 questions from Nicole:
1. Did you find your horse(s) or did the horse(s) find you?

My horse found me. I was looking through online ads to set a price for a horse I was selling and fell in love with Ginger’s photo and eventually bought her sight unseen (except videos). Exactly what you’re not supposed to do J But it’s worked out quite well.

2. What is the most unusual item in you tack trunk or barn?

I really don’t own any unusual tack – I just ride in a snaffle bridle and my stubben saddle.

My barn at home has lots of cool old windows and doors stored inside. I’ve been saving for fun pieces to incorporate when we build a new house. I guess that’s not super weird, but they do take up a lot of room!

3. Do you believe it is bad luck to change a horse's barn name?

Not really, but if I change it I try to stick with something similar so there isn’t too much confusion. I wouldn't change their registered name because there is usually some history attached to it.

4. What is your horse's favorite treat?

Ginger loves TUMS. The fruit flavored kind. She’s very polite so it was a bit of a surprise when she stole G’s tums right out of his hand because she wanted to try them so bad.

Lainey loved bananas!

5. Any unusual breed of horse you would ride if given a chance?

There is a local breeder who has Canadians, which are somewhat unusual. I love them and won’t rule out one of my own one day. I’ve also always admired Cleveland Bays, but they are a bit on the big side for me.

6. Do you cross train your horse (s)? If yes what other stuff do they do?

I love doing a bit of everything with my horses. I think it stops them from being bored and usually you can sneak in “work” on training issues regardless of what discipline you’re supposedly riding in. In the past couple of years we’ve tried reining, sorting cattle, trail rides, dressage, gymkhanas, jumping, english pleasure, and western trail.

7. If you had your own place what other animal(s) would you own?

Ducks. Probably the white ones. I love them, they’re so funny.

8. What was your inspiration to start riding or being involved with horses?

I really don’t remember – I’ve loved them since I was a little kid and always known it was something I wanted to do. When I was a kid a relative gave me $50 for Christmas. I remember not wanting to put it in the bank because at that time the Canadian $50 bill had a picture of the RCMP musical ride on the back and I really wanted to ride like them.

9. What is the worst horse's name (show, registered or barn) you ever heard?

I owned a mare who was registered as “An Impressive Trick”. It always bugged me and made me think of hookers lol

10. What happy moment riding you would want to repeat?

Any of the moments where we’re completely in sync or blast away any of my negative 'we're not ready for this' thoughts. I also really miss trail rides on the coast with my good friend M, she’s fabulous company and her horse and Ginger are buddies too.

11. What is a funny fact about your horse(s)?

Ginger is like a giant dog – she’s the first horse I’ve owned that waits at the gate and gets really excited to go out on trail rides. She will also walk herself next to you or lunge herself– you don’t actually have to hold the leadrope/ lunge line. The NH people at home think I really worked hard on my ‘liberty’ horse but she’s just like that.

 

Finally, besides the ones in my sidebar, here are some more great blogs you should be reading:

1.Chasing the Dream

2.Pia's (and Prairie's) Parade

3.Poor Woman Showing

4.CANTER Mid-Atlantic Delaware

5.I Will Jump Sweet Jumps

6.A Horse Crazy American in Germany

7.A Filly's Best Friend

8.Flying Solo

9.Sprinkler Bandit

10.I Is Roxie!

11.The Adventures of Lucy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ginger Update: June 2013

She's doing great and looking shiny fir summer. The farrier comes tomorrow, so we'll get those feet trimmed up. I can't believe how long her mane is getting. I'm going to have my work cut out for me getting it tamed again!

I Miss Ginger

I just texted my honey: "I miss Ginger". Which was shortly followed by: "and you"
Thank goodness he gets it (and misses Ginger too).

It's been a long long time since I was last "horseless". No matter how rational I try to be about this ("Hey, Self, you're saving money you can use for lessons/clinics/shows next year. Or a bigger down payment on property. Besides, you don't have time right now to keep Ginger in work. She needs more than a couple of rides a week. And remember how the vet said it wasn't a bad idea for her to have some time off? Check out the weather here lately, poor pony would be miserable! Six months away really isn't much in the grand scheme of things!") the emotional side of me just wants a giant pony hug like only Ginny can give.

I'm still dragging my heels and haven't signed up for lessons here. I know it would be the smart thing to do, bettering my riding and all that, but without my partner in crime it's hard to get overly excited. I used to be the girl at the barn that would ride anything, anytime. I'm having trouble getting back to that frame of mind. On the brighter side, once my contract here is over, I'm contemplating spending a month with Ginger at a trainer friend's place to get us back in the game together. Now THAT would be something to get excited about :) We'll see where life takes us a few months from now. I've had an amazing job offer here but I suspect I'll be following my heart and returning home with Ginger (and G!) ;)

Wild Weather

We're back to that time of year when it's warm and sunny all day. Yay - take that, Pacific Northwest! But, since life is never perfect, almost every evening the clouds roll in. If we're lucky, it rains a bit. If we're not so lucky, there's some thunder and lightning to go with the wind and rain. And if we're really unlucky, there's always the chance of a tornado.

Yesterday, there were tornado warnings in place and some serious storm activity. I was quite relieved Ginger is safe and sound in BC aka the land of moderate weather.

Here's a photo from yesterday, and a little over an hour away from me:

From: http://www.theweathernetwork.com/photos/view/active-weather/tornado-warning/11599532

Last year when the horses were here with me, I spent many hours checking weather forecasts and tracking storms, worried about the girls out in their big open pasture. At least around here, the usual practice is to have the horses out 24/7. If you pay for stall board, your horse will come in at night in the winter, but otherwise they're out with everyone else. It's actually difficult to find a boarding situation where there is any shelter available beyond trees or a windbreak fence. I'm pretty sure the horses are happy with that, but yesterday I was again wondering just how safe it is when the weather is truly horrible.

A quick Google search shows a whole lot of people whose horses have died from lightning strikes and wind storms. So sad. The consensus seems to be split, though. In the barn they're trapped inside should anything happen, but out in the field they're unprotected from lightning and blowing debris.

I think I'd be happiest if the horses had a run in shelter, similar to what we use on the coast. Then they could make the judgement call themselves. I think I would add a gate on the front to lock them in if needed though, i.e if a fence got damaged.

What's your opinion?

Fun Clip Job

This pic appeared on my facebook feed this morning via a local tack store:

 

 

I wish I could tell you more about it - it's credited to Greta Alexander, and under the giraffe exterior, cute pony sure looks like my type of horse :)

 

In which Lainey considers becoming a cowhorse

Once upon a time in the year 2011:

After a sudden move from forests and oceans to rolling ranch country, Lainey finds herself feeling lost and without purpose. Her identity is in question, she is an English horse in a Western world. She talks to the locals, who assure her that working cowhorse is a viable career choice. She takes some time to think it over:

 

The "Bring It On" look the cow is sporting concerns her.

 

Keeping a positive attitude, Lainey looks elsewhere to regain her purpose and quickly finds her true calling:

 

 Life is good.

Little Ginger

I've been cleaning up my photo files and found some of the pictures I saved of Ginger from when she was just about 2. I can't believe that was already over 4 years ago! I was living out on the coast at the time, with Lainey and a little chestnut Quarter Horse named Rusty hanging out in my back field. Both were fairly new to life under saddle and it felt like a full time job keeping them both ridden regularly enough to progress their training. I had goals of getting Lainey out to some shows, and getting the ever insecure Rusty safe enough find a home as someones trail buddy. So, when I came across photos from a semi local breeder of a young but absolutely gorgeous little Welsh Cob mare, I knew it wasn't the right timing. Still, I uncharacteristically saved the pictures and dreamt of one day having the time and space for her. The ad eventually disappeared and I put it out of my mind, even after Rusty sold on. Little did I know 2 years later I'd be doing research to put a value on another horse for sale and come across another ad for a horse that I had the same reaction to. Funny thing was, it turned out the color of the horse had changed, and the location of the horse was completely different, but the horse itself was the same, the wonderful Gingersnap. Since G is the most generous man in the world, he recognized love at first (and second!) sight and arranged for the funds to purchase Ginger and sent her out to Alberta with Lainey, 2 years ago today. Am I spoiled? Oh yes! Do I have any regrets for just going with my heart and adding another horse to my life, sight unseen? Never!

Small Ginger:

 

 

Shortly after arriving into my life for real:

 

Digging Into The Archives

Since life on the horse front is rather slow at the moment, I think this might be the perfect time to share some pictures and videos of Ginger and company that date prior to the start of the blog or just never got posted. Like this one, in which Ginger shows us her patented move that's disturbed more than one visitor to the barn. (For the record, yes, she's just scratching her belly!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsUvcRnXAxU&feature=youtu.be

 

 

 

Going Crazy

Work is super busy right now, which is why I'm slow to post and even slower to get my butt in gear and get to the barn for some lessons. I've been getting up at 6AM just to get in some gym/running time, which as anyone who knows me can attest, is a measure of how full my days are. I am not a morning person! I hate having to cancel my lessons at the last minute because I am working late, so I haven't bothered this month. I suck, I know. Where's the 'try' in that? :)  The good news is the end of the month signals a return to my 'normal' job duties and 5:00 freedom so I've got some lessons tentatively booked for June. I'm so excited!!

Ginger is still doing great. I really wish she was here. A friend of mine emailed me the other day to let me know the person who filled my spot at the barn at home also had her horse lose a significant amount of weight over a short period of time and already ended up moving barns. That sets all kinds of wheels turning in my head. I'm sorry it happened to her, but it is nice to know it's not just Ginger. Obviously I'll be taking no chances and Ginger will be either coming home with us or boarded elsewhere. Boarding drama. I hate it. It makes me feel a little sick inside.

Property Hunters

There are two properties that interest us at the moment but neither is perfect, and if I'm honest I'm not sure we'll end up making an offer on either. Last night we were discussing the pros and cons of each and couldn't even decide between the two. So, for interests sake, let me know which you'd choose:

Option A:
Pros:
-Super cute log house on 6 acres. Move in ready.
-24x48 garage would make perfect barn. (It was supposed to be a workshop for a potential business so it's on it's own driveway on the opposite side of the property to the house- not exactly ideal for our garage, but perfect for a barn!)
-Property nicely landscaped, has a pond, previously had horses, is fenced, has sone trees for privacy.
-Is in a horsey suburb, all my horse friends would be nearby!
-Is underpriced because of the tenants and ramshackle outbuildings- it's not being presented at it's best.

Cons:
-Old barn needs to be torn down.
-Property has had tenants for two years- yard is a bit neglected and needs some work.
-Need to build a garage
-Need to reno existing garage for horses.
-If I'm being fussy, I'd love new kitchen cabinets and countertops and would change a few of the windows and interior doors.
-Street is a busier one. Our major concern. Still could easily ride to the trails, but would have to go a couple of blocks first on busy street. Might have nightmares about horses escaping onto busy road!

Option B:

Pros:

-HUGE timber frame barn built from wood off the property.
-13 acres fully in pasture, fenced and cross fenced.
-Perfect location on dead end rd close to town and within riding distance of equestrian club grounds.
-Land is dry for there - year round turnout!
-sentimental reasons, it's subdivided from the ranch I rode/worked at as a kid!

Cons:

- No house. This is almost a pro because we could build what we like.
- No septic installed yet.
- Barn currently houses sheep - would need some minor renos just to house horses, or a moderate amount of work to make it amazing.
-barn is actually way larger than we need. Maybe a barn/ garage combo?

Both are listed at the same price, but we have to assume option B will cost a lot more once the house is built. Funds are available for either option, but A would allow us to keep our current house and have additional rental income.

G has his pick made, but I'm still tempted to wait for an option C: the perfect place.