look who's trotting now

Not gonna lie, the last few weeks have been just a touch intense around here. Between a few important projects at work, setting up the competition xc courses at Shawan Downs (and then actually competing there for Doozy's 2nd proper 3-phase HT, omg), plus hosting a friend in town for that same weekend... And then, obvi, moving the horses to entirely new barns... 

quarantine life is what it is, but the promise of so much grass to come is very real!!!

It's been a lot. At times, even a little bit overwhelming, truth be told.

lot of redundant photos today bc our first few days followed similar patterns: LOTS of hand grazing!

But it's also been very very good. My courses at Shawan rode fine, and I learned a lot along the way -- with really useful feedback from people who, uh, actually know things. 

new patterns, too, tho! doozy moved on tuesday, and by thursday was under saddle again!

And the horse moves have been legitimately GREAT! It's so hard to know what to expect, to transition into entirely new environments after years in one place. 

"selfie" lol

Tho, one thing is for sure --- I've ridden at a LOT of different barns, and drawn paychecks from quite a few too, and it is a proven fact that there are many good ways to keep horses. Everybody does it a little differently, everybody has their preferences. But... Ya know, mostly it all works out!

i feel SO GUILTY about her dry little quarantine paddock surrounded by grass, so we graze a LOT

Safe shelter / turnouts, clean water, good food and forage... Not to mention maybe a few nice amenities for the intrepid rider (whether that be nice arenas or extensive trails!)... And ya know. You've got yourself a good horsey life!

the neighbors are nice and visit often

We've been extra lucky too in feeling extremely welcomed. Doozy, for her part, settled in basically immediately. She kinda just looked around and was like, "Yep ok, I live here now!" lol...

we graze all over the farm, tho! note -- that topmost background field to the left, if you look closely it's dotted with little logs and xc jumps!! our future awaits us!

For real, it's so funny... Charlie is my best boy. Always and forever. But.... welllll... He can be more than a little neurotic at times, LOL. 

for now, tho, hand walkies and grazies!

At first I was grateful that he moved first, bc it took him a little time to settle in. And I felt it was a good reminder for me to be prepared for anything with Doozy. But Doozy was just like, "Meh, nbd!" and has since literally gotten right back to work again haha. 

second ride on the farm was another success!

Nothing against Charlie, obvi, he's the best. But he just always needs a little hand holding, he feels everything at an 11 (out of 10)... Sometimes the vapors get to him, ya know? Poor soul!

she's getting used to the grooming bays!

Doozy has been great, tho. And it's been good to get back into a normal routine. We both benefit from that, I think.

please note: there are kitties <3

So we've kinda eased back into a daily riding routine. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, given that Doozy's last ride was running xc at Jenny Camp, lol, but go figure, she was a professional.

another day, another few grassy mouthfuls before being consigned to the Q paddock

We kept it to just walk-trot the first ride anyway, tho. Rome wasn't built in a day, and all that. Or something haha. I just figured we could familiarize without a ton of pressure.

ooooooh but there are also friends!!!

But by the second ride, she was clicking on all cylinders and we did a proper school. And then for the third ride, we actually got to enjoy some company, when friend Sandra stuck around after a ride to hang out with us and get to know Doozy!

shoutout to Sandra, who snagged some footage from our third ride!!

Doozy apparently appreciated the audience bc she was legit foot perfect for this ride! Like, who knew, but this mare **can** actually trot, omg!

can't wait for more lessons with someone who will remind me to sit up, chin up!

She just went through all her paces in an orderly polite fashion, including some nice canters and even a couple little jompies omg!

ok sometimes i remember to sit up myself. the neck staring tho, oof LOL

And obvi I was tickled to get some footage too --- Doozy's always been so interesting bc she doesn't always look how she feels. And it's anybody's guess what I might be doing with my position in any given moment haha...

ok for real, tho, doozy was legit low key strutting in this ride, so so good, i think she was showing off for Sandra!

It's all good, tho. Maybe even better than good -- considering we might finally be getting the opportunity for more consistent coaching and oversight. 

quick clips from our 3rd on farm school, thanks Sandra!

So it's all good around here. Business as usual. Well. Almost haha. 

oooh and in big news: a new neighbor in quarantine! cute little 3yo Morgan mare, and they'll likely buddy up for eventual herd introductions <3 

The next big milestone will be getting Doozy integrated into her new herd, hopefully in about another  week or so. I've already met some of the other mares, tho, and they're lovely. 

so much happier with her new neighbor! onward!!

It won't be a day too soon, tho, either haha --- Doozy's one and only complaint is having to cope with the little dry lot paddock they use for quarantine. She is, in fact, coping tho. Just a few more days, princess, and you'll get there!

In the meantime, we're looking toward a bit of a heat wave this week so it'll probably be pretty quiet, all things considered. Hope you all had a nice weekend too, and are staying cool!