We are in a holding pattern right now at the farm. I can't ride Riley who is so beautifully sound it's nearly soul crushing. When we were at a farm with an arena I couldn't ride him because he was crippled. By the time I can piece together enough tack to ride him, the ground will be frozen solid. Sigh. My hope at this stage is that the saddle I am borrowing on Wednesday fits him well enough to get a few rides in and see how he's feeling under saddle. We've made arrangements with a farm next door to use their indoor for $20 a ride which would be great (though, literally $20/ride is money that could be spent toward replacing my tack). I'd like to keep him in SOME sort of work throughout the winter... or, do I just throw him out for two months and figure out everything else? He's only 4 after all. My wonderful farrier comes next Thursday and I'm really curious to see what he says about Riley's feet. They've come a long way in the last 6 months and he's at the 10 week mark for being barefoot and not a lame step in sight. I've witnessed him cantering up and down terrain, jumping ditches and streams and I can't wait to get back on!
It's my birthday this week and I'm just feeling blue about it all. I'm sorry for the lack of positive posts lately. I'm trying to look for a silver lining, really I am. You guys have been more support than I could ever ask for.
In other news, I'm turning my pitbull Lucy into the best barn dog ever. Not only is her recall nearly 99% confirmed, she left the chickens alone, doesn't care too much about the horses and makes me feel a little safer when I'm there. I'll turn her into a barn dog yet! My plan is to start bringing her out on the early mornings when I feed and on Sundays (I have too much to do on Saturdays and she might get bored). Perhaps the presence of a pitbull will help deter any future robberies! *Sadly, my loveable Boxer is too distracted at the barn and a bit too interested in the horses, so he can stay home and be an old man:)
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| She's got the good life. |
Aw, love your pup! I know you feel blue now, but things will get better soon. Keep your head up.
ReplyDeleteIt is very challenging to suck up the hard knocks and maintain a positive attitude. Especially when they seem to pile up on you. Especially in the dark times of winter.
ReplyDeleteLately - I know whereof I speak.
Here's my recipe:
Make an effort to eat + sleep well and regularly.
Get outside when the sun is shining - no sunglasses.
Surround yourself with folks who are happy and centered.
It will help. :D
I'm sorry you're going through a rough time right now. Everything that's happened at the barn + the changing weather has got to be trying on the mood.
ReplyDeleteIf it were me, with a 4yo who's coming off a bout of lameness and a very tight budget, I would give him the winter off. The way I see it, having more time off is only going to increase his soundness and improve his mind. If you were to ride once a week for five months (Dec-Apr), that's $400 that could go in your tack fund.
I know the proposition of not riding in the winter sucks, but those are my $0.02 (or $0.05, since we no longer have pennies in Canada!).
I hold a very similar belief system, too much good means a lot of bad to come.
ReplyDeleteLook for the good... by focusing on the good, more good comes. I don't know about you but I do get Seasonal Affective Disorder and it takes alot for me to be positive. So I work at it and things do get better.
ReplyDeleteYou've had so much bad, it's time for the good to come rolling in! Definitely let us know about the fundraiser--I'm sure everyone will be happy to pitch in.
ReplyDeleteChin up! I haven't forgotten about the bridle :D
ReplyDeleteYour dog is beautiful!
I feel like life only throws at you what you can handle -- that whole "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" adage is something I do believe in. So remember in your heart that while things are tough right now, you ARE making it through!
ReplyDeleteDon't know you, you don't know me, but, I am sorry you were robbed. In some ways, I can commiserate. A year ago, we got robbed....never posted about it. I just couldn't control my anger, and not use a whole lot of bad language. They didn't take tack..."they" took our laptop, my camera, and aplaystation game system....
ReplyDeleteYou have a right to be blue, honest....and to be angry to....