WW

We got over a foot of snow last night -- Riley made snow angels.

Day one in the Pessoa (picture heavy)

Being a little bit wild tracking right (his bad side)

Things started off a little rough while I reinstalled lunging basics with Riley. He was very good about his first time wearing the Pessoa. He's only the second horse I fitted one on and based on their very informative video on Youtube, I was prepared for typical reactions to the piece that goes behind their hind and how to set him up for success with the lines. Something tells me that Riley may have been long-lined at some point because he was the least reactive of all three horses we worked with on Saturday (*Henry gave out a series of hilarious bucks showing his disdain for the system). But I instantly got what I wanted on lunge = forward. He was very forward, so without any instruction (and he wasn't being naughty) he immediately picked up a trot once I let him all the way out on the line. I encouraged him to continue to move out and settle in so he could get used to the tension on the lines (they were on the loosest setting).

Warm up trot:)

Warm up canter -- look at that hind leg!

Once he got a feel for lunging again/the Pessoa I set the system on the "long and low setting". Essentially you loosen the side lines and run them through the bit and between the legs. He looked brilliant tracking left and wants to hold himself in a natural self-carriage. He also loves stretching and he was really reaching down and using his back. When I switched him to track right he started off really good but got distracted by a hunter just down the road a in safety orange jacket. he used it as an excuse to test me by stopping and turning in on the line. Grrrr. So we had a bit of a come to Jesus moment. With it being his first day back to work, I didn't want to frazzle his brain, but I also couldn't let him get away with that sort of behavior. Forward is always the answer. So, I stayed calm, made the circle smaller and tried again. He is a stubborn fool sometimes!!! Emily was supervising us and was giving me great advice, but I really couldn't anticipate just when to correct him without getting too aggravated so Emily took over. He got pretty nervous and Emily has to remind him that he could, in fact, walk to the right again (he gets very offended by the whip sometimes).

Emily walking Riley around the ring trying to reset his baby brain.

Emily, reinstalling FORWARD after his meltdown. Zoooooom!

I'm such a visual learner, so it's incredible helpful for me to watch someone work with Riley. I stayed around to watch her work with her two young horses too and her mare reacts very similar to Riley so it was a great lesson! Once he got his brain back, Emily was able to really drive him forward by almost standing near his hind end (as opposed to his shoulder) and she reminded me that sometimes you have to almost "ride" them from the ground when they get stuck. It's like he's behind my leg, but on the ground if that makes sense. In the end, we got some really nice work out of him and Emily handed the line back to me so I  could practice my new skills. I have to say, I'm really impressed with how he's looking. For a horses that's had 3 months off and was barely ridden last year the vacation had treated him well. He still has a top line and looks reasonably fit!

A little resistant, but getting the hang of things -- you can see the gears working:)

Looking fancy.

Not too bad for a horse that's been out of work.

 *I realize now after working him in the new bridle that I need to get Bartville to adjust the cheek pieces slightly. It looks fine from the side, but I think he needs it up a little higher on his nose.

**Also, I don't have a saddle yet, but I may be signing up for a Jimmy Wofford clinic in April! Yay!

Finding the right horse for you. A tribute to Cuna.

I am slightly at a loss for words as I try to write this...

Aimee was faced with the most heart-wrenching horse-owner decision this week. It's the decision that we all dread and the most important and selfless act one can do on behalf of their equine partner. She let her beautiful partner Cuna go. She could no longer watch as he suffered uncomfortably and she made the call to let him pass with dignity. For all he did for her in their short duration together it was the least she could do for him. Over the last few months she's watched as his condition has gone up and down, she's felt hope and defeat and finally when things truly started to look bleak she was able to do the right thing for him. To say I admire her would be an understatement.

You see, I was the kind of girl that wanted to ride ever since I was a little kid. I would ride anything (mostly because my parents couldn't really afford to support my horse-crazed activities) which led to catch riding bad ponies and sale horses. Looking back, I deliberately put myself in danger simply because I wanted to ride. In Florida, I would arrive to shows at my trainer's farm and get legged up on whatever horse or pony she was trying to sell. It was never pretty watching me get around a jump course or xc, but I learned how to be a scrappy rider that could stay on. At the time, that was all that really mattered. I had horses in my life and I was happy. As I got older, something started to change. I took a couple of really bad falls (after a stint of 11 years without falling) and my mortality, which was something I had never given any attention to, was moving to the forefront of my mind. I took a long hiatus from riding during college and few years afterwards but when I got back into riding back in 2008 I felt fearless again. I was exercise riding draft horses at an equine therapy center. I galloped through the woods without a care in the world. I wanted to find a trainer to ride with and get some finesse back so I started taking lessons again. She had a young, feisty mare to give me as a project and I took her on, blindly because (again) I just wanted to ride. She was dangerous, and wild, and 100% the wrong horse for me. She taught me so much in our short time together, but despite the fact that I knew she'd never trust anyone the was she trusted me, I couldn't convince myself to buy her. My trainer offered more than once, but in the deepest corners of my heart I knew that all she would do was further shake my confidence. I had taken her from being almost completely feral to school-horse quiet in the barn. She'd let me do anything with her but she was outright dangerous with anyone else at times. I wanted a horse I could event, foxhunt, trail ride, and do a little bit of everything with and she simply not the right horse for me. I'm glad that in the end I didn't have to make the decision, but it still hurt like crazy when she was shipped away.

Fast forward a few years and lots and lots of lessons and horses later and I found myself at a farm in Conowingo, MD riding some OTTBs with a friend of mine. Even though I wasn't looking for a horse, she kept legging me up on these green beans. I liked a few of them but nothing really clicked. She truly understood what I wanted in a horse. Something young-ish, good brain, not too big and not too small, a horse that I could do a little bit of everything and that would make me confident again. She found me that horse unknowingly with Riley. He restored my confidence with every ride and I knew I had to have him. He was (is) without a doubt, the right horse for me and our journey is just beginning.

But the truth is, I wouldn't have understood that without Aimee. Following her journey and struggle with Izzy, I watched as she made the difficult decision to sell her on and start looking for a new partner. She was really at a crossroads in her horse-y life and then Cuna came along. I cannot put in to words how much she needed him and he needed her at the exact moment in their lives, but the transformation with Aimee's riding and the blossoming of her confidence was inspiring. I wanted that relationship with a horse. It feels like a real honor to have been able to follow along with them over the last year or so.

When I found Riley and began to blog about him, Aimee would always say that Riley was like a mini-Cuna. I always thought that was a really nice thing to say, but now, after everything they've been through it seems like the most incredible compliment anyone could give my horse. If Riley turns out to be 1/8th the horse that Cuna was I would be the happiest girl in the world.

That's what the right horse will do for you... There's not enough time on this Earth to waste with the wrong horse. Everyone deserves to have a little bit of Cuna in their life.

Now go hug your horse!

Getting back on track and setting some tentative goals

Gorgeous sunrise at Derry Meeting.

So the weather has been a bit bipolar to say the least. We've had days where the high was 5 degrees followed two days later by 60 degrees and rain. The conditions at the farm have held up pretty well considering we had a foot of snow on the ground two weeks ago, last week we got 2 inches of rain in an hour, and now the ground is frozen again. According to the farm owner, our property is holding up better than most (she currently boards her horse at a very fancy facility that she said is a complete mud pit). Now that the ground is frozen again the chopped up muddy areas are tough for some of the horses to walk on, but I have to say that Riley is not even a little sore. I'm hoping he doesn't bruise his soles over the next couple of weeks, but so far, so good. So fingers crossed for that. In the meantime, I've been picking up bits and pieces of tack to replace what was stolen. I broke down and ordered Riley a new bridle (though I'll probably reserve it for showing, etc) and it looks lovely. I was inspired by Aimee's post about bridles, so I took the plunge and tried out an Ovation Figure 8. It has just enough fancy stitching, a fancy padded crown piece and it's nicely padded overall without being bulky.

Riley turns 5, we get lots and lots of snow and my pony is the best ever (A picture heavy post)

Breakfast time is VERY exciting! I had to park so far away and trudge through crazy snow drifts to bring him his mash!

Being total lunatics when I showed up with the feed buckets. Riley gives Henry a run for his money.

My horse who has barely been ridden in three months, save for one other ponying adventure, was caught and tacked up in a foot of snow out in his field and ponied his bff 1.2 miles back to the barn like a champ. Love him.

With frigid temps (yes, worse than this) on the way, we decided to move the boys back to the barn. Party time is over. Riley will be back in work in a few weeks hopefully!

Emily opted for the giant snow drift covered banks rather than the slippery roads. The boys were so good! I chaperoned by car.

While the boys in the other gelding field weren't particularly helpful, it's these guys we were most worried about. See that pinto donkey? VERY SCARY INDEED.

The view when I left the barn yesterday. Everything was a sheet of ice when I arrived, but the horses got out for a few hours to play in the snow and we got lots of rain today that hopefully melted most of the mess.

We're going to have to separate these two soon. Lots of screaming for one another as I turned them out one at a time. Usually I'd take them both out together but I was stumbling around in a foot of snow!

That's all for now. The temperature today is 50, dropping to 17 over night. The high tomorrow is 10 with a low of 5 and a real feel of -15. Yikes.

This isn't North Dakota, but...

Tomorrow's high is 17. Low, 7.

We're getting a wicked snow storm tonight that is coupled with 35 mph winds which will makes things interesting at the barn. Luckily I don't feed today or tomorrow and my Honda would not fare well in that nonsense...however the girls were out in full force today to fill up hay racks, give everyone a warm mash and double up blankets...

Riley begs to be let into the truck.

Pleaaaaaaaase? I promise I won't be a back seat driver!

Also, my horse is special.

The cutest pony, ever.

A Very Special Christmas Themed Contest (re-post)

Aoife (another awesome Irish horse girl with an impossible name to spell or pronounce) is running a very fun Christmas themed contest on her blog. She wanted to have a giveaway for some of my paper cut work, so she's graciously commissioned me to make the prizes!

While she has asked people to promote my Etsy shop as a caveat of the contest, I did not ask her for promotion (but I will gladly take it). 

So if you like Christmas, and dressing up your pony, head on over to her blog to read more details about the giveaway. If you've ever wanted one of my paper cuts but didn't have the funds, this is a perfect way to win one!

**Not Riley**, but basically what I think he'd do if I put a Santa hat on him. This is probably one of the only times I will ever use a stock photos, apologies!

New Paper cuts!

I'm having a winter sale if anyone is interested!

Enter coupon code: WINTERISCOMING for 25% your entire order! http://www.etsy.com/shop/TraceALine

Here are my latest pieces:

Aimee + Cuna!!!!

Sam - a gift for someone who recently lost her horse

Quick Update

It's been snowing like crazy here so with the robbery behind us and 10" of fluffy white stuff everything has come to a screeching halt at the farm.

Riley and Henry who came galloping up in the mud for breakfast. Riley is looking terrific and gets a trim on Thursday. We're 3 months without shoes now! Henry thinks he's being coy trying to steal Riley's breakfast!

Lucy on Sunday romping around in the fresh snow. Is there anything better than making the very first footprints in fresh snow?

Finally, an engraved reminder to put on my big-girl pants, sit up and RIDE!

Holding Pattern

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:)

She's got the good life.

Aftermath

I am so truly grateful for each and everyone one of you that reached out to me in some way yesterday. It was a day filled with many emotions. I was angry and felt violated because of the burglary. I was grateful and content that my horse was okay. I felt selfish for wanting to throw a pity party for myself and my friend. I was overwhelmed with feelings of hurt and sadness because things in my life have been really shitty lately. I tried my best to look on the positive side of things, no, they didn't take EVERYTHING of mine, but they did take everything of value. All the stuff that's hardest to replace and the most expensive. I live on a very strict budget and it took me months to gather up all of those items. Worse, it took me a really long time to find a saddle to fit Riley and I hate thinking about having to do that all over again.

I mean is life playing a cruel joke on me? My horse is sounder than ever and then THIS happens? It's unfair.

But pity party aside, we went to the barn to see what else was missing and what we need to replace.

I've been lucky enough to have at least one of you guys offer me bridles and breastplates. We lost and still need:

*Cob size bridle (preferably with flash)
*Dr. Bristol snaffle (full cheek)
*48" and a 50" wintec/fleece girths
*Lunging surcingle
*side reins
*thinline pads (I'm so mad mine is gone!!!!!)
*and oh yea, if anyone has a medium/wide or wide 17.5" jump saddle they're not using that would be great too (ha, wishful thinking)

There's more stuff obviously that we lost but these are a few of the major ones. If any of you have anything you're not using and could send our way it would be greatly appreciated. I hate even asking but times are really tight right now especially with just moving into the new barn and even though my stuff was covered by my homeowner's insurance, I can't swing the $1000 deductible right now. Maybe I should just have a fundraiser!

I gave Riley a million hugs and thought about how lucky I am to have the sweetest horse in the world.

Funny how they know when we are sad.

I took this just as we were leaving and the sun was starting to set. It's so beautiful there. I can't wait to hack these paths with Riley.

Please repost

Our tack room was broken in to last night and all of our tack was stolen. Three saddles, 2 bridles and everything else you can imagine. Here's a fill description with photos if you'd like to share or be on the look out.

17.5 Berney Bros monoflap XC Saddle. Dark brown with exposed knee blocks & long rear thigh block. One billet on one side is lighter brown. Custom made.

17" Parker Toptami forward seat jumping saddle. Brown with smooth molding flaps over concealed knee rolls. No paddins on flaps. Older saddle with newer billets.

Nunn Finer bridle cob size.Brown with flash. Rubber reins with brass buckles. Full cheek Dr. Bristol snaffle bit.

Thinline pad, two short girths, long girth, lunge line, side reins and two saddle pads

Heritage 17.5 all purpose/jumping saddle. Nearly new. Has "hertitage" stamped into the leather in various places. New stirrups leathers (darker than saddle with flex irons).

Nearly new Thinline fleece half pad taken with Heritage saddle.

Horse size Nunn Finer figure 8 bridle with Happy Mouth mullen bit with silver buckles, etc. Rubber reins. Nunn Finer breast plate and neck strap. Fleece 48" girth.

 There's a slight chance this is covered by my homeowners insurance, but I'm not sure and three of us have lost everything. I'm going to the barn to see if anything else is gone.