TOABH: 18 on the 18th

Archie's 18th birthday is almost here! And somehow I've managed to do most of the blog hops - hurray! This one is gonna be on the cheesy side, but whatever #noshame :)

Eighteen on the Eighteenth.

In honor of Archie's 18th birthday, tell me 18 things you love about your horse.

I love that Isabel is a trail riding machine

And equally boss at riding camp games.

She'll gobble up big scary roll tops (of doom)

As easily as a handful of candy canes.

I love Isabel's fancy prancing;

She wants to succeed as much as I do.

She meets every occasion with her patented tail flick,

And her 'no fucks given' attitude. 

Isabel is expressive and sassy as can be;

And I love those curled ears.

She's always game to try anything once,

Even when I want to back away in fear.

I love her big jump in a little body,

And her look that says "excuse me I'm a princess, please."

But she's as honest as the day is long

With a future of endless possibilities. 

I love that Isabel and I started a new sport together.

And, more than anything else, I love spending time with her.

TOABH - Metamophosis

Another week, another blog hop in anticipation of Archie's big 18th bday!

Metamorphosis

We've talked about what your horse doesn't like to do, and I don't want to confuse this with that.  I'm not talking about personality quirks or training foibles.  Tell me:  if you could change something (or things) about your horse, what would you?

So. Hm. What would I change in Isabel? (*scratches head...*).

I tend to like bigger horses... but I also actually really like the way I fit Isabel. 

Her feet are solid and she's essentially sound and an easy keeper (knocking on wood!).

I don't know much about conformation, but she seems to be nicely put together and is quite sturdy. Tho perhaps there could be more hind end strength? I worry a little bit about arthritis in her hocks... but past trainers have backed me away from the ledge and said that the best thing for her longevity is to consistently work correctly, rather than intervene medically.

pic from last summer

So. Uh... I really don't know? I generally have a 'love the one you're with' kind of attitude, and Isabel's petty good as she is - even if she's not the type of horse I ever imagined for myself. 

TOABH: DTR

This week's topic from Beka's blog hop is another subject I generally avoid thinking about... 

Defining the Relationship

Snookum-ukums, where do you see this going? 

Let's be realistic. What's the plan with your pony? Is it a five-year investment with a return, is it until you move up beyond the Kin's abilities, or is it forever?

I don't own Isabel - making long-term planning a bit sketchy and quite out of my power. 

By way of background: I began leasing Isabel in Oct 2012 when her owner left the country for six months and wanted a leaser. I wasn't looking (and had never leased before), but the terms made it a good trial opportunity. 

the early days

Things went well and we continued the lease indefinitely when the owner returned to the US. For the next year we shared the horse (our very different schedules made this nbd), then last summer the owner became too busy to ride. But just as her world calmed down, she sustained a gruesome foot injury that has kept her from the saddle ever since. 

So I've had essentially a de facto full lease for almost a year now. 

The owner is hoping to start riding again in mid-April, and my grand plans and schemes can't interfere with her pony time. Hopefully it will prove just as easy as our previous time spent sharing the horse. 

Ok, so back to the topic at hand: defining the relationship. 

The short answer is that I really don't know. 

And frankly - if Isabel's owner asked me tomorrow if I wanted to buy the horse, I wouldn't readily have an answer... 

If Isabel and I can continue along as we are, there might be really exciting things in store for us. I am hopeful that we can explore those opportunities as they come. 

"c'mon let's go do fun stuff!" - isabel

But I'm leery of the commitment in owning. I could probably swing it financially - but it would be a balancing act. So I would want a horse that can fulfill my riding goals. Tho I also get very attached - so if my horse couldn't keep up anymore... well I would want to be able to do right by that horse, while still having something else I could ride...

So the long answer boils down to the same thing: I really don't know. Fortunately there's no pressure to answer these questions yet haha. 

example: fun stuff

TOABH: Fail

It's that time again for Beka's blog hop! 

Fail.

We know what makes Thunderhooves happy, but what does he hate to do?  Let's not ignore those times that you have whip out all the tricks or pharmaceuticals for grooming.

Isabel hates changes of terrain, ESPECIALLY water and mud. She says she is a desert horse and they do not have those crazy things in the desert. Or, if they do - no self respecting princess would go anywhere near, let alone *touch* them... 

In the above pic, she is literally staring down the wet spot on the floor, trying to alert us all to the extreme DANGER.... 

She doesn't like going through puddles at ALL - whether I'm leading her or riding her. The first time we schooled cross country we had to be ponied in to the water complex. But the second time schooling she discovered her extreme passion for xc and was a total champ - even with the water. So I thought we had it all figured out. 

But.... our first time running xc at an event proved me wrong (above. note that she had seen this exact water obstacle twice before)... I got her through the water, but wasn't entirely sure until after I watched the video whether we had a step back. Earlier on course she had a sudden balk at some cedar chips on the ground too - tho fortunately it wasn't enough to unseat me. 

Our second event arrived without our having had any further opportunities to school. We never even made it in to the water this go round - tho very luckily for us the flags were set in such a way that we at least made it through them... 

'NOPE' - isabel

And, some readers may remember that this ride ended just moments later when Isabel stopped at some deep mud and I experienced an unplanned dismount. Oops. 

this, tho? yea, this is nbd. 

So there's some work to be done here if we ever want to become proper eventers haha. It just amazes me since Isabel powers through the streams at home with no problem... Hopefully that means the problems will be resolved with more experience (fingers crossed!)... 

Anyways, on a semi related note - last Thanksgiving I compiled this little video of "outtakes" - fun moments of fail. Seems fitting for this blog hop too :)

 

video link here

TOABH: Ermahgerd

Another week, another great blog hop from Beka. 

Ermahgerd.

What is your pony's absolute favorite riding activity?  What makes those little ears perk and causes the knees to lift?  Let's just focus on the favorites - we'll save the bucks for next week.

Well I'm going to have to go with a popular choice here: Isabel loves running cross country. Her first time out showed a little bit of hesitation and trepidation - but every time since then she's been a machine.

It's like she understands why we're out there and is totally gung ho about it.

But she's also still completely polite. Not racing or ripping my arms out of their sockets. And when we school she stands quietly in between turns and has no issues with horses coming and going, or leaving the group herself.

The only things she dislikes about xc are changes in terrain and water... which is admittedly kind of a problem... But I think we will be able to work on it.

I'm struggling with a bit of a one-track mind right now - what with all the snow and all outside, all I can think about is when we'll be able to go out for the first schooling of the season... hopefully soon!! :)

TOABH - Costly

Beka's latest blog hop topic in anticipation of Archie's 18th birthday asks us to do what I'd really rather not lol. As I commented on L. Williams' post on this topic, I kinda hate looking back on money spent bc of that whole hindsight being 20/20 thing... but simultaneously it's foolish not to have a realistic understanding of the costs involved. 

Costly

What has been your horse's most expensive injury to date? Let's exclude maintenance things, like hock injections and the magical monthly package of MSM. What single episode blew your savings or left you boiling ramen? If you want to get technical about it, time is money, too. 

Isabel has not had any serious injuries during my lease (knocking on wood!). The worst was a wound on the inside of her hock, and we treated with bute and SMZs (and no vet visit). 

About six months in to my lease, tho, Isabel was diagnosed with Lyme disease and treated with Doxy. I am happy to report that I don't have the slightest idea what that cost (except that the test alone is $92). She received a follow up treatment after a few months, and again, none of those costs reached me. 

Early this winter we suspected she had ulcers. My trainer outlined a very reasonable treatment plan (including generics and ranitidine), however Isabel's owner was more comfortable seeking a vet's opinion. The vet's recommended course of action was significantly pricier (naturally), and we agreed to split the costs - $250 each.

'i'm worth it' - isabel

In the grand scheme of things, I've made out pretty well, I think - tho that's mostly a function of my non-owner status. 

'Maintenance' is where my dollars really go (chiro, gastric supps, saddle fitter, farrier etc) and there are a few additional things I would like to do to mitigate the risk of future big vet bills... But alas, these are not my decisions to make. 

TOABH: A Rose

I missed the last iteration of TOABH's hop on idiosyncrasies, but for those interested in Isabel's little quirks, they're all documented here haha.

Meanwhile, for this week's question, we get to dive into the world of pet names - both good and bad lol.

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

Every horse seems to have at least three names: the “real” one, the barn one, and that special one. What are some of your pony’s names?

First off, the most common appellations are Isabel and Izzy (and even just Iz).

Then her show name is Isabel's Charm, which I wrote about here (and included baby pictures!!!).

Then there are all the other names she gets called. In no particular order:

Princess
Ms Thing
Izamonster
Mare
Ms Iz (aka Missus)
Hey Girl (not really a nickname, but she gets called this pretty often anyway lol)
Snizzle or Snizzy

Surely there are more (and her owner likely has her own set too), but this'll do for now :)

TOABH: Self Actualized

I'm using Beka's latest question in her blog hop celebrating Archie's imminent birthday to delve even further into anthropomorphic fantasy land. lol

Self-Actualized.

Assuming that your horse has absolutely everything he needs (food, bedding, a warm stall, plenty of blankets, and a pasture mate he neither humps, maims nor gets abused by),  what does your horse need to be the best version of himself?

I initially struggled to think of an answer to this question. Like, all Isabel really wants is food - but that's a given in this hypothetical scenario (and in reality too, if we're being honest). And she's already a confident and independent creature who seems incredibly comfortable in and accepting of the environment around her (changeable tho that environment may be). What else could Isabel possibly need reach her fullest potential?

Then I remembered - oh yea, she's a princess. She needs attendants. Minions to fan her with palm fronds (she's a desert horse, remember?) and admire and worship her and keep her tiara polished, all while hand-feeding her the very best quality treats and feed and hay while she reclines in opulence. 

Yep. Sounds about right :)

TOABH - Sugar Momma

Beka's latest hop is definitely near and dear to my heart lol. 

Sugar Momma.

Let's continue pretending that horse poop magically transforms into money instead of the other way.  So money doesn't matter.  If you could buy anything for your horse, what would you buy? 

First up: a saddle!!!!! please?? saddle shopping gods, are you reading this??? I'd really really REALLY like one plz! 

oh hai. want to be my friend?

Next - we'd build a totally fantabulous, drool-worthy indoor arena at Isabel's barn, and rip up the existing craptacular outdoor (it's pretty but that's about it) and replace it with something less hole-y and more drain-y. Oh, and install a dressage court and full xc course through more levels than I am ever likely to reach. Bc why not?

yea, less ice would be great thanks

The improved facilities (and our unlimited cash supply via magical horse poop) would attract the very finest trainers, who would then transform me into a rider who doesn't constantly drive my poor, long suffering mare crazy. 

  or, ya know, the trainer would just stare at me in exasperation lol

Then obviously Ms Princess would need regular access to chiro, acupuncture, massage, etc etc - not to mention training rides by the bio-mechanics clinician, who would unlock her inner balanced being...

Then we'd improve the farm's other amenities - like nice wash racks with warm water please! - and knock down neighboring developments to increase our acreage for pastures. Then horses can rotate through the fields - always ending up somewhere new and exciting and full of lush delicious grass...

perhaps somewhat mitigating Isabel's unhappiness at wearing the muzzle

These all seem like kinda straight forward, boring, expected answers... I mean, we'd all love fancy tack and happy healthy ponies and places to actually, ya know, RIDE the horses... 

But that's pretty much my current list! (it may or may not be heavily influenced by the things I want right now but cannot have lol)

TOABH: Wish We Could

This week's installment of Beka's blog hop is a fun one - giving us the chance to use our imagination a bit and fantasize about what we'd do with unlimited resources...

Let's pretend that financial restrictions don't exist and logistics aren't a nightmare.  If you could do anything with your Ponykins, what would you do?

I'm going to add another layer to this nice little fantasy land: Let's also pretend that shoddy confidence and fear aren't real things. Lol. (tho, honestly, remove those restrictions and the money/logistics problems are diminished too....)

Maryland has fairly thriving fox hunting clubs - and there really are lots of opportunities to get involved. I haven't truly explored it yet tho bc I suspect it's not cheap and my priority has been breaking into eventing...

jump field from the hunter trials we did last fall

But I'd really like to!! My trainer P at OF used to hunt a lot, but doesn't like to take her competition horses. I don't share those reservations (and I'm not competing at nearly the same level) - so maybe she can help me get started?

Isabel seems perfect for fox hunting. She loves galloping and jumping over stuff, and doesn't lose her mind in groups of horses. My only hesitation is: MUD. Recall that's how we were eliminated at our last horse trial. P thinks that would be a non-issue tho, as Isabel would be too busy trying to keep up to worry about mud. I am, uh, less convinced. But not enough so that I wouldn't want to try it!! 

So this really is pretty high on my bucket list. And maybe it's not actually as expensive as I imagine... Plus, now that I'm thinking about it - that extra fantasy layer of 'no fear' is actually accounted for in fox hunting - I believe they call it liquid courage?? lol

available for purchase via etsy

TOABH: Fave

In what has become one of my favorite blog hop series, we've got another post from Beka in anticipation of Archie's birthday!!

Fave.

What is your horse's absolute favorite thing?  Outside of riding!  Are there treats that instantly convert your pony into an addict or liniments that leave him yawning and chewing?  What does your horse just love to have?

Haha. What does Isabel love? Food. Period. 

I would be lying if I tried to come up with anything else. 

Isabel would be satisfied if she never had another grooming again. Body work is ok, but kinda too much work, in her opinion. She enjoys showing off to audiences, sure, and she's a proud girl who enjoys attention and ribbons and getting the job done. But ultimately, it's food. 

All food. Any food. Always.

who says you can't graze in the winter?

these maybe top the treats list. i have yet to snap a pic of this year's haul, but it's two HUGE buckets of candy canes lol.

she'll even share with the cats! (and has actually gobbled up kitty kibble before... much to her dismay lol)

time for a quick riding break. she's clearly doing us a favor by trimming the trees

day time. night time. all the time.

this is our pre-show ring routine. yes ppl look at us strangely

she even liked peanuts for a couple days

options are the BEST - hay? grass? water spiked with gatorade??? yes plz to all of it!

she's never met a bucket she didn't like

hard to see - but that's a BRANCH that she's carrying around with her in the woods

  

even pink powdery food is acceptable, sorta

mmm slobbery grasssss. ain't nothing better than that!