The Horse is the Cheapest Part!

My dear Rileigh got his saddle fitted on Friday ...to the tune of $560. He needed the tree widened and the flocking adjusted. I'm very glad that I didn't have to buy a new saddle, and my saddle could be worked on that day - but I really was not expecting to spend so much money! There's a noticeable difference in Riles' way of going in his newly adjusted saddle, though; he seems much happier, so I guess it's worth it.

I took a lesson yesterday to prepare for our show next weekend. Rileigh was doing fairly well.
That horse can't find distances to save his life! He's so funny, and totally lacks confidence in his ability to get to the jump. Honestly, the jumps don't intimidate him as far as I can tell, but getting up to them does. Even if I set him up well and see a perfect distance, he still would rather run into the jump trying to get closer than take the good spot, unless I very clearly tell him exactly when he needs to get his butt off the ground. Even then, he does it because I ask him to, but one can feel/see that he's still unsure. It's kind of weird; he's never had a crash or traumatizing experience from missing a distance, and at the heights we're doing he's more than capable of going quite long and getting over nicely. We're working on it though!

See Exhibit A: My doofus horse jumping like a freak, per usual. It's not like he's barely getting over them!


My trainer swears to me that most of these fences are around 3' ...they look quite small to me, though.




I completely love this photo, taken the last stride in front of a jump.


In unrelated news, I accidentally shaved my head last night and now have a very short buzz. I was a tad upset, but there's nothing I can do but embrace it. Hair grows, anyway.

Snap, Crackle, Pop

I'd love to say I've been busy, but such is not the case; I'm just unmotivated.
I suppose now's as good a time to update as any, though.

I'm showing in 3' jumpers with Rileigh over the first weekend in March. It's our first time showing at 3', so I'm excited. I'll be sure to get photos.
He was adjusted by the chiropractor yesterday, and my fears were confirmed - his jumping saddle is too tight behind the withers, especially on the right(he's a little bigger on that side). Riles has added a ton of muscle to his topline in the past 6 months, and I'd been suspecting the saddle fit might be getting a little off. I'm calling to make an appointment with the saddle fitter today, and hopefully the problem can be fixed with a flocking adjustment.
Otherwise he's been doing well. He was great today, the adjustment obviously helped; he was much more forward in the bridle. He's always forward, but more "run around" forward, not into the bridle nicely without being asked. It was a good feeling today.

^ feeling frisky over the weekend during a random cold snap(35F that morning!) in between 80 degree weather.

Zipper was also adjusted by the chiropractor. I've been suspecting a bit of hip or pelvic soreness resulting in some troubles he has picking up the right lead, which is why I wanted him looked at. Fortunately, the vet that does the chiropractic work is a pelvic lameness specialist at a university hospital up north, and was immediately able to tell his right SI joint was out just from watching him jog. In addition to the sacroiliac pain Zipper's left poll was very sore and required major adjustment. The vet said he's probably had the poll out for a while, and the SI trouble was caused by compensating for that. He expects huge improvement now. It was really obvious that he felt so much better even right after being treated. I'm looking forward to hearing from Hannah how he is under saddle today.

^ looking extra manly in his pink unicorn halter

MJ's still getting into the swing of things under saddle, but she's improving with every ride. I'm feeling that in another few months she'll be doing really fabulously.

^ being ridden about a week ago. Still quite tense, but such a leap from where we started, and she's doing even better now.

Too Long

Long time no post! Sorry. Lots of things have been happening. I keep meaning to say something of actual substance on this ...but it hasn't happened yet.

MJ had her teeth floated and I've started riding her again. She's been doing decently, spooky and extremely tense, but improving every ride. The vet did a fecal and said worms were not a concern; he hopes that her condition will improve since her teeth have been floated and she can eat more comfortably. She'll also be putting on some muscle now that she's back in regular work. Running from invisible mare eating monsters in the ring takes lots of work.




Last week my boyfriend, David, rode Zipper. He has some riding experience, can w/t/c and jump small jumps comfortably, but he hasn't ridden regularly in a long time. I'm hoping that Zipper will be the ticket to getting him back into riding. I'd love to be able to ride/show with him. Zipper was awesome, I was worried that David might be a bit much for him to carry(he's gained a lot of weight recently ...), but he didn't seem uncomfortable at all.



Later in the day, after David rode, I sporadically decided to hop on Zipper bareback. He behaved super well. However, it was so uncomfortable. He's definitely not built for being ridden without any sort of padding; I'm still in pain a week later.


Rileigh's been doing well. I'm planning to take him to the next show my barn is going to(next weekend? I'm not sure). I don't often show with my barn because of the cost, so it's exciting. XC schooling this weekend isn't going to work out, the venue I was planning on is preparing for a big event a couple weeks out. I'm still planning to go up to Ocala, because I need some things from the tack store.