I really thought about not posting any until I had more news, but this blog is really important to me. I’ve had it pre-Simon and I will have it post-Simon (which is hopefully in like 20 years). So, here’s another not exactly uplifting post. During my mega-pouting session last week, I did a lot of pondering on the subject of what I put on the internet. If I were to critique my blog, I would think that I’m a bit…
I had the vet out today, and the short story is that I still don’t have a firm answer and what I have is not excellent news. First we lunged Simon in the round pen, and he looked sound both directions. Didn’t show any of the dropping behavior I described to her at the walk, trot or canter. Next they flexed his hock/stifle/suspensory. He jogged out pretty well with the left, and slightly worse to the right but still not…
I can’t/shouldn’t dwell on the issues I talked about yesterday anymore for my mental sanity, so let’s think back on happier times. The first time I saw Simon, he was a gangly awkward young Thoroughbred. My former trainer had recently brought him back from her western barn after a long layup, and she needed someone to give him some rides to see if he could fit into the lesson program. Horseless at the time, I hopped on and rode a few…
My lack of showing isn’t the only reason my riding and blog enthusiasm is a bit dampened this summer. Simon is NQR, and has been off/on for months. I mentioned in the spring how he was falling out in the hind occasionally during our rides. Had the vet out twice, and on the second visit we injected his hocks. That fixed the problem entirely… for about three weeks. I’ve tried taking video to see if I can re-create it on…
Last month, I wrote a post about free horses in Texas where I was a bit dumbfounded about people wanting everything for nothing or throwing horses away that were no longer valuable. I received the following comment from Liz on that post: I think it would be really neat if you did a “part II” response post to this one where you have tallied the # hours you rode/trainer rode, # hours at barn not riding, # vet visits, #…
I joked with a barn friend last night that I am turning Simon into a trick pony… that may or may not be true. Last night when motivation to do proper flat work was at an all time low, I got out a stirrup leather and put it around his neck. My theory? See how he would do riding from just a neck strap. We walk, trot, cantered pretty much without touching the reins at all. He was a little…
I’ve been writing on virtually anything but my horse lately, and I know you’re all dying to know the intense details of Sir Simon’s life right now. Let me tell you, it’s super riveting. He rounded out a busy May of showing and training with a nice fat vacation while it rained and I was out of town. Usually I’ll schedule some training rides for the princess when I can’t get out, but I figured he worked hard and could use…
When you get rained out/take a break/go on vacation and let it go to nine days since seeing your large majestic horse creature, you are bound to come back to some surprises. Simon for one, was surprised his mom abandoned him. I came back to a wild & wooly creature who was caked in sweat and looked at me like, “I’m HOT. I’m COVERED in flies. My eyes HURT. Where have you been woman?!?” I guess he has gotten used…