I have some sort of horrible sinus issues (and don't have the time, money, or energy to deal with a dr. appointment just yet) and aside from being miserable, last night I couldn't sleep. When I did get a few minutes of sleep here and there, what did I dream of? YOU GUYS! I need a serious get-away if my bloggy buddies were in my dreams. I dreamed of all the baby horses, I don't remember any details but Julie was there and Pongo and Izzy and Bodhi! Granite was there as well of course. Don't you love cold medicine induced crazy dreams?! Oh, I just had to share that with you all. It made me laugh (then it scared me, perhaps I need more face-to-face time with my friends).
Aside from my miserable woes of being sick and sleep deprived. Eva is coming out to my place tonight and we are (suppose to) go look at a small handful of horses for her tomorrow. Of course, now the forecast is calling for MORE SNOW, so cross your fingers that it still works out. I have loaded the IPod with fun tunes, broke out every conformation book I have, charged the camera, and grabbed a note pad. I am ready!!
So, what are the most important things YOU look for in purchasing a horse (aside from things like breed, age, height-- bc thats WHY we are looking at these in particular anyway)?
Friday, February 12, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
I need a vacation
Hey y'all. I have just had a frustrating last couple of days... To top it off, I am siting in front of the TV watching my beloved Carolina Tarheels lose to our arch nemesis Dook. Should I bore you with the gory details? Well, what is a blog if not a forum for me to gripe when the desire hits?
Monday: Monday didn't suck too badly. I slept in and skipped my workout, which made me feel guilty. But, Eva met me after work. We went to visit Granite. She was surprised at how grown-up Granite looks (she hasn't seen him since summer). He was sweet and uber docile as usual. We had to rush off from the barn however and head over to our Monday Night Cooperative Extension Horse Management Class. The topic of the night was pre-purchase vetting and emergency care. I learned a lot! What I also learned was that the vet that gave the presentation (and who happens to work for the hospital that Granite now uses at Becky's barn) is cute and wears no wedding ring! He is so smart and he could have talked to (ok, maybe it was at) me all night long. Sadly, the 2 hours were over in an instant and we were on our way to the local dinner to indulge in some grease and de-brief the class and my new found crush on gorgeous, supremely intelligent young vet (please tell me how to get this guy to ask me out!).
Tuesday: 5:00am, Eva and I get up and endure an hour of Bob (from the Biggest Loser) push us through 3 levels of the Weight Loss Yoga DVD (have I mentioned that in 5 weeks of strict workouts, I have gained 4 lb-- screw you Mr. Scale! Ms. Measuring tape tells me I have lost an inch in my waist however). Oh, the joys of being a fat kid! I am off to work and there 30 min early (I wanted to allow extra time with Eva staying in the house and all). Work was crappy and I was so tried on the way home. I fell asleep on the couch while waiting on dinner. This is unusual and signaled something was off. I have had a dull stinging headache for the past 4 days, but thought maybe it was alcohol induced (although i only had 3-4 beers fri, sat, sun, and none on monday). I woke up from my nap with a scratchy throat. I then proceeded to watch 4 episodes of Unstable. The show annoys me to no end, but the alternative was American Idol in the living room with the roomie and her bf, but that show gives me a headache even when I don't ALREADY have a headache-- plus Unstable at least has horses and I love the theme song. I went to sleep early and slept restlessly as we have 30-40mph winds in the area and I was awoken to more than one tree cracking and falling in the 'woods' behind my apartment.
Wednesday: Alas, my alarm sounded at 5am to get me up for my hour of fun with Bob. I felt like I had been hit by a mac truck. Headache, sore throat, sore everything, sinus pressure! I am ALWAYS sick and went to the Dr. like less than 3 weeks ago for these same shenanigans. Needless to say, I rain-checked on Bob. But it really upsets me because I promised myself that I would work out 4-6 days per week for 6 weeks then re-evaluate. This is week 5 and I'm still on track (if I follow through the rest of the week). My day at work was great. My boss gave me a few new opportunities/responsibilities and in this early portion in my career, I am anxious for any extra work or opportunity to learn or meet new people. But without too much detail, what broke my heart and upset me big-time today was a comment I received in regards to my owning Granite preventing me from being able to cover my bills (including soon-to-come student loan payments) on my current salary. Granite is not only my pet (read: child), he is also my sport, and an investment (side note--good news, his 1/2 brother is up for sale for over 7 times what I paid for Granite and his 1/2 sister for 3 times --not to mention, I am of firm belief that his other 1/2 is better than the other 1/2 of those sibilings).
My question to you is, do you ever get push back from non-horsey people about the investment (of time and $) that you put into your horse(s)? Do people accuse you of irresponsible spending (like the comment I received) or skewed priorities? How do you make people understand? Or do you even try?
I don't want my superiors to think I am an irresponsible person. I keep Granite at a reasonably priced stable on pasture board. I don't take riding lessons, right now, I am not riding at all. And in order to take care of Granite I make sacrifices in the way of never shopping (or thrift shopping when I need work clothes), working out via DVD instead of joining the YMCA, shopping thrifty and foregoing fun events or trips.
Ugh! Its so frustrating! Maybe I'm just in a bad mood and am too sensitive.
Sorry for the grumpy rambling. I did have a lovely dinner with two friends and have a weekend of horse shopping with my Bestest to which to look forward :)
UPDATE: with 10:45 left in the game, UNC is now winning-- fingers crossed!
Monday: Monday didn't suck too badly. I slept in and skipped my workout, which made me feel guilty. But, Eva met me after work. We went to visit Granite. She was surprised at how grown-up Granite looks (she hasn't seen him since summer). He was sweet and uber docile as usual. We had to rush off from the barn however and head over to our Monday Night Cooperative Extension Horse Management Class. The topic of the night was pre-purchase vetting and emergency care. I learned a lot! What I also learned was that the vet that gave the presentation (and who happens to work for the hospital that Granite now uses at Becky's barn) is cute and wears no wedding ring! He is so smart and he could have talked to (ok, maybe it was at) me all night long. Sadly, the 2 hours were over in an instant and we were on our way to the local dinner to indulge in some grease and de-brief the class and my new found crush on gorgeous, supremely intelligent young vet (please tell me how to get this guy to ask me out!).
Tuesday: 5:00am, Eva and I get up and endure an hour of Bob (from the Biggest Loser) push us through 3 levels of the Weight Loss Yoga DVD (have I mentioned that in 5 weeks of strict workouts, I have gained 4 lb-- screw you Mr. Scale! Ms. Measuring tape tells me I have lost an inch in my waist however). Oh, the joys of being a fat kid! I am off to work and there 30 min early (I wanted to allow extra time with Eva staying in the house and all). Work was crappy and I was so tried on the way home. I fell asleep on the couch while waiting on dinner. This is unusual and signaled something was off. I have had a dull stinging headache for the past 4 days, but thought maybe it was alcohol induced (although i only had 3-4 beers fri, sat, sun, and none on monday). I woke up from my nap with a scratchy throat. I then proceeded to watch 4 episodes of Unstable. The show annoys me to no end, but the alternative was American Idol in the living room with the roomie and her bf, but that show gives me a headache even when I don't ALREADY have a headache-- plus Unstable at least has horses and I love the theme song. I went to sleep early and slept restlessly as we have 30-40mph winds in the area and I was awoken to more than one tree cracking and falling in the 'woods' behind my apartment.
Wednesday: Alas, my alarm sounded at 5am to get me up for my hour of fun with Bob. I felt like I had been hit by a mac truck. Headache, sore throat, sore everything, sinus pressure! I am ALWAYS sick and went to the Dr. like less than 3 weeks ago for these same shenanigans. Needless to say, I rain-checked on Bob. But it really upsets me because I promised myself that I would work out 4-6 days per week for 6 weeks then re-evaluate. This is week 5 and I'm still on track (if I follow through the rest of the week). My day at work was great. My boss gave me a few new opportunities/responsibilities and in this early portion in my career, I am anxious for any extra work or opportunity to learn or meet new people. But without too much detail, what broke my heart and upset me big-time today was a comment I received in regards to my owning Granite preventing me from being able to cover my bills (including soon-to-come student loan payments) on my current salary. Granite is not only my pet (read: child), he is also my sport, and an investment (side note--good news, his 1/2 brother is up for sale for over 7 times what I paid for Granite and his 1/2 sister for 3 times --not to mention, I am of firm belief that his other 1/2 is better than the other 1/2 of those sibilings).
My question to you is, do you ever get push back from non-horsey people about the investment (of time and $) that you put into your horse(s)? Do people accuse you of irresponsible spending (like the comment I received) or skewed priorities? How do you make people understand? Or do you even try?
I don't want my superiors to think I am an irresponsible person. I keep Granite at a reasonably priced stable on pasture board. I don't take riding lessons, right now, I am not riding at all. And in order to take care of Granite I make sacrifices in the way of never shopping (or thrift shopping when I need work clothes), working out via DVD instead of joining the YMCA, shopping thrifty and foregoing fun events or trips.
Ugh! Its so frustrating! Maybe I'm just in a bad mood and am too sensitive.
Sorry for the grumpy rambling. I did have a lovely dinner with two friends and have a weekend of horse shopping with my Bestest to which to look forward :)
UPDATE: with 10:45 left in the game, UNC is now winning-- fingers crossed!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Granite is Famous... in a small town.
Friday, February 5, 2010
99 reasons why I love my barn...
Lil' Aspen Farms....
Land of the Free, Home of the Paints.
Granite is out numbered in that he is taller and less spotty than most of his Painted Playmates.
But he is none the less happy for it.
He dines on a large pasture of beautiful green grass and has access to a cozy shelter equipped with a buffet of delicious (or what appears to be as I personally have not taste tested) hay.
Owner/Manager/Trainer, Becky, makes sure he is toasty in his blanket if the North Carolina temps reach below a frosty 32.
She makes sure that despite snow or blazing temps that all the critters are fed and watered.
She worms them regularly and makes sure to call the vet and farrier at appropriate intervals to set up appointments and the proceeds to hold my horse for me while I am at work.
She answers my never-ending calls and emails "just checking in on my boy".
She offers advice when questions or concerns arise.
She also knows the power of allowing an owner their own space and to afford them their own opinion when it comes to their equine child.
I have an arena with lovely rubber footing.
I have a round pen in which to work my terrible two year old (jokes, of course, for Granite is perfection-ok, that part is a joke as well).
My barn is 10 minutes from work and home.
There are no screaming children or bratty rich bitches (eh, maybe I lied, one has the potential to fall into category 2).
Things are neat and clean, although we are allowed to use the barn-- its not a museum.
Although I only pasture board, if anything were to happen I have access to a stall.
My things are safe.
My HORSE is safe.
Becky notices anything unusual in Granite's behavior or physique.
I am happy there! Very happy.
And as you all know, I have planned to have Becky start Granite undersaddle for me. But financial issues (whats new!?) are throwing a wrench in the process. I emailed Becky to "just check in" since I haven't been able to go see Granite in a week. I also mentioned that perhaps we could talk about working out a schedule or some way to have her and I work in tandem to get him started.
Her response solidifies the fact that, for this time in our lives, Granite and I have found an amazing home...
"And as far as Granite goes, don't worry we will work something out when that time comes. Also Granite( and the other horses) is doing fine, fat and happy at the buffet."
Those simple sentences mean so much to me. I am eternally grateful. I often fall into the most amazing situations with truly wonderful people!
I love the way the world works :)
Land of the Free, Home of the Paints.
Granite is out numbered in that he is taller and less spotty than most of his Painted Playmates.
But he is none the less happy for it.
He dines on a large pasture of beautiful green grass and has access to a cozy shelter equipped with a buffet of delicious (or what appears to be as I personally have not taste tested) hay.
Owner/Manager/Trainer, Becky, makes sure he is toasty in his blanket if the North Carolina temps reach below a frosty 32.
She makes sure that despite snow or blazing temps that all the critters are fed and watered.
She worms them regularly and makes sure to call the vet and farrier at appropriate intervals to set up appointments and the proceeds to hold my horse for me while I am at work.
She answers my never-ending calls and emails "just checking in on my boy".
She offers advice when questions or concerns arise.
She also knows the power of allowing an owner their own space and to afford them their own opinion when it comes to their equine child.
I have an arena with lovely rubber footing.
I have a round pen in which to work my terrible two year old (jokes, of course, for Granite is perfection-ok, that part is a joke as well).
My barn is 10 minutes from work and home.
There are no screaming children or bratty rich bitches (eh, maybe I lied, one has the potential to fall into category 2).
Things are neat and clean, although we are allowed to use the barn-- its not a museum.
Although I only pasture board, if anything were to happen I have access to a stall.
My things are safe.
My HORSE is safe.
Becky notices anything unusual in Granite's behavior or physique.
I am happy there! Very happy.
And as you all know, I have planned to have Becky start Granite undersaddle for me. But financial issues (whats new!?) are throwing a wrench in the process. I emailed Becky to "just check in" since I haven't been able to go see Granite in a week. I also mentioned that perhaps we could talk about working out a schedule or some way to have her and I work in tandem to get him started.
Her response solidifies the fact that, for this time in our lives, Granite and I have found an amazing home...
"And as far as Granite goes, don't worry we will work something out when that time comes. Also Granite( and the other horses) is doing fine, fat and happy at the buffet."
Those simple sentences mean so much to me. I am eternally grateful. I often fall into the most amazing situations with truly wonderful people!
I love the way the world works :)
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Thanks A Lot Obama, and You too Bev Perdue!
So you know that tax refund money I had allocated to paying to have Granite's spring shots/ teeth float/ front shoes/ 30 days training??? Well, I got my taxes done on Tuesday, and I got 1/2 of what I did last year! HALF!!! I am soooo mad, but mainly heartbroken. I obviously must use the money I will be getting back to pay for his vetting and farrier service, as these are essentials. This leaves me with the question of the training. I could wait, and hope for a windfall. I could wait, and stash little bits of extra cash as I get them (we are talking like very few dollars a month, I am stretched to the max simply paying his rent and mine). I could try to pay for one ride a week or so (Becky charges $15 a ride, which is great and makes it easier to spread it thin instead of doing the 30 days in a month and half- two). I could pay her for very few rides and I can try to ride also. Or, I can try to run this show on my own.
I have ABSOLUTELY no experience with babies. I have shown for years, rather successfully, but I have never broken, trained, i hesitate to say re-trained, anything! And I know his initial training will help determine the kind of horse and athlete he will be. I don't want to screw this up by being all DYI. BUT-- I want to make this happen. I have waited a LONG time for him to grow and I was so looking forward to April when it was finally time to get his shoes on and send him into the area with Becky (under my watchful and interested eye). So I am trying to think outside of the box and I'm asking you to also.
Do you have any creative ideas? Any suggestions? Simply sympathy?
I had a dream last night that I was riding my first horse, Bonnie (she was a grey TB). We were cantering in the arena with a lot of people around. Then I looked down and she morphed into Granite. At first I was scared because I knew he didn't know the cues to slow down. But then it melted away and he and I just cantered. It was amazing. Now I want to make it a reality.
I have ABSOLUTELY no experience with babies. I have shown for years, rather successfully, but I have never broken, trained, i hesitate to say re-trained, anything! And I know his initial training will help determine the kind of horse and athlete he will be. I don't want to screw this up by being all DYI. BUT-- I want to make this happen. I have waited a LONG time for him to grow and I was so looking forward to April when it was finally time to get his shoes on and send him into the area with Becky (under my watchful and interested eye). So I am trying to think outside of the box and I'm asking you to also.
Do you have any creative ideas? Any suggestions? Simply sympathy?
I had a dream last night that I was riding my first horse, Bonnie (she was a grey TB). We were cantering in the arena with a lot of people around. Then I looked down and she morphed into Granite. At first I was scared because I knew he didn't know the cues to slow down. But then it melted away and he and I just cantered. It was amazing. Now I want to make it a reality.
The Makings of a Power Pony (and local celebrity) who is loved by many and duplicated by none...
Karma comes from humble beginnings. She was born to a Paso Fino dam and a American Quarter Horse sire. She was sold to Ms. D. Porter at the age of 8months. With Ms. Porter, she thrived on a wide assortment of delectable tidbits and an overwhelming helping of love.
Karma was trained by Ms. D. Porter and spent years mastering the art of Ultimate Trail Conquering, Leading the Trail, Traversing Rivers, Begging for treats, and Imbibing lovely varieties of muscadine wine.
In 2007, Ms. R. Hawley entered Karma's life. At this point Karma was dubbed "Shez Klassic Karma" (as is currently on record with the American Half Quarter Horse Association) in the way of her many snazzy-named Quarter Horse predecessors. Karma was then asked to endure a plethora of pink accessories. During this time, she also learned to love close contact hunter saddles and pink sport boots. She conquered many Hunter Paces and dabbled in Hunter/Jumper lessons. After she was asked to share love and affection with an obnoxiously large and goofy little brother, it was determined that Karma would be placed back into the loving ownership of Ms. D. Porter.
In late 2009, Ms. A. Waldruff fell, like many before her, for the Power Pony in Pink. Ms. Waldruff knew "adorable" and "talent" just as soon as it walked out of the pasture in its size 00 shoes. Ms. Waldruff now claims (often disputed by Ms. I-Am-An-Only-Child-And-I-Want-It-All-Hawley) ownership of Karma and has high hopes for arena work and victory in the mare's future. She also plans to feed her copious amount of sweet snacks in order to bribe her into said arena work and victory.
Karma is also doing more than just looking adorable to earn her keep. She gives lessons once a week to Ms. C. Miller, an aspiring equestrian who longs for the togs of the hunt field nearly as much as the mount. Karma is patient and kind in helping Ms. Miller fulfill her dreams of equestrian diva-ness. In Karma's spare time she also holds therapy sessions in which troubled teens and twenty-somethings lament the fact that zero-few decent men reside in this city.
Karma's fan base is currently in the thousands and certainly grows during every outing she takes. She will soon be international and thus has ordered her faithful minions to create her a Fan Page on the Book of Face, so that her many admirers could have a forum through which to discuss their undying love for the Princess Power Pony in Pink herself.
The above post is from Karma (the mare I used to own prior to the Big Grey Donkey)'s new Fan Page on Facebook. Become at Fan!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Conformation
But, I wanted to share with you a marked up picture of Granite to examine some conformation. He is actually, in my opinion, a pretty well-proportioned horse. He makes a nice overall picture but he has a few minor flaws, some of which I think he may grow out. So, heres a marked up picture for you to check out and compare to the important points for analysis above.
The problems I have identified with Granite are the following:
-Slightly higher in the rump (he isn't even 3 yet, and I'm confident that this will even out)
-His left hoof is slightly clubbed (it has always been his most concerning flaw, but my farrier is confident that as long as we are careful about corrective shoeing and tendon support, that it will be a non-issue)
-In this picture, He looks a little under in the back, I think its just the photo.
-He needs some building up of the haunches, but I think this is also due to age and lack of muscle strength.
Other than that. I think he makes a nice overall picture. In the latest Equus Magazine, there was an article about not focusing on the flaws but picking conformation for the whole picture. Granite has a large head with a roman nose, but its a nice, well defined head and he has soft eyes and a clean throat latch. He has a nice long neck that blends nicely into his shoulder. He has a short back and great bone structure.
AND? He is the love of my life!
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