October 07, 2013

DriveTime

Took the truck out for a drive... for the first time in what feels like forever. Probably HoY! We had some temperature issues on the way home from HoY and had to replace thermostat, sensor & gauge but it looks like that has sorted the issue and it's likely not anything more sinister with the engine itself (whew). After not driving the truck for so long it always takes a little bit of getting accustomed to, also keeping an eye out for cops as it goes to the mechanic tomorrow for it's Pre-COF check and then they take it for the COF (so yes, currently not road legal, but needed to check it was actually going to get to the mechanic without overheating).

Also took a drive up Horokiwi to show Jamie the new grazing, and seeing as I was passenger I got a chance to have a bit more of a look at the road. It's going to be a slow journey up the hill in the truck and an even slower one down the hill so that I don't run out of brakes. Most of the overhead branches look to have been 'pruned' by the local forrestry trucks, but there is one very thick overhead branch just before the grazing that is giving me the shits a little bit... may have to take a chainsaw with me when I take the horses up next weekend.

Wish me luck for the COF. I hate COF time.

September 28, 2013

On the Move

Well, the new owners at Grays Road seem to be nice people and all - but I constantly have this feeling of being in their way or intruding somehow on their lifestyle. A sense of them feeling like they're doing me a favour letting me be there, rather than providing a service I pay for. I am sure they don't mean for it to be that way at all, but I honestly don't even feel comfortable bringing the horses down and riding them.

So yesterday I scoped out some grazing in Horokiwi - it's cold, and the arena is small but I think it will be more 'comfortable'. I'm taking the horses up there in a few weeks. Fingers crossed it all works out. I think it will be nice for Neo to be in a shared paddock. Perhaps the change of location will reduce some of his issues? Or even just being in a busier environment with more horses will help? I can't hope for too much, because I know it's unlikely... but there is nothing wrong with having a spark of hope burning away quietly!

September 20, 2013

Met the newbies

Met the new owners last night (Jessop? Family). They seem ok with me staying but sounds like they have a lot of stock so I'm not sure how/if it will work. Will start to look at what else is around so I am prepared for whatever eventuates.

Cody was an absolute tart last night too. But she is cute so I forgive her.

Truck got a new temperature gauge - not a very exciting present for trucky, but one that was needed.

September 16, 2013

Tip run!

I love going to the tip. That awesome feeling of getting rid of crap you don't need and clearing out space. Ended up taking a whole lot of household rubbish plus stuff from the grazing including my hoarder disorder rugs. Does anyone else do this, or is it just me? When rugs get broken beyond simple repair, I keep them, always intending to perhaps cut them up and make tailbags from them or to re-use the strapping. I almost never do. The result is I took 8 dead rugs to the tip on the weekend! 

Also helped Wilsons move their jumps out of the arena and stacked mine in a pile. End of an era it feels like, with the arena closing down. Also even if I keep grazing there I'm not going to have many jumps, but at least nobody else would be leaving poo in the arena like they tend to.

Heaps of folks at Waiaknae and Pukahu - see all their updates on facey and get a bit depressed that my horses are doing nothing, but really Neo is retired and Cody not fit enough yet to be doing much anyway so I just can't justify travelling for a single round.

Did buy new jods, b-vertigo which I usually hate but I think they look cute with my red boots (I am breaking them out of retirement!)

September 11, 2013

Crap weather

Another storm on it's way through. Tonight the horses have 3 rugs on as it was too windy to take their sheets off so I just chucked an extra rug over the 2 they already had on. Hopefully not too uncomfy for the little critters! Have not done any more cleaning or much of anything the past few days with the horses. I am too old and lazy to ride in the rain and wind these days!

September 09, 2013

Grazing sold

So the place where I graze has been sold. Hopefully meet the new owner in a week & a half and find out if I can stay on there. Spent some of this weekend cleaning and tidying just in case I do need to move on quickly. Interesting times!

September 06, 2013

Toothache

I have toothache and I don't like it, not one little bit! Doesn't make me want to ride horses at all. Dentist on Tuesday to fix that and likely empty my bank account at the same time.
Cold snap looks like it might have passed? Chilly few days, horses in winter rugs etc but now the sun is out and the harbour looks fairly mild. No plans for the horses this weekend- just to get batteries back in the truck and see if there is anything obvious that needs to be done for CoF. Don't really feel like going to any shows as I am fat and Cody is fluffy and it all just feels a bit blah :(

August 31, 2013

Batteries

The truck's batteries went flat because I haven't been driving it, so today Jamie came and grabbed them so we can charge them at home. Step one towards getting back on the road!

Neo wasn't in a great mood today so he didn't get ridden and Cody was fussy / unhappy... Think she is due to see the dentist! At least it was superb weather, and only a month now till daylight saving time starts- yay!



August 27, 2013

August 25, 2013

So it's not Light

Rode Neo today, in the heat of the day with bright sunlight streaming through the arena. He was great. Not perfect by standards of other horses, but perfect by Neo standards. Calm, happy. I guess this means I can rule out photosensitivity as a cause of his issues. Annoying as I really thought I was onto something with that one.
Rode Cody yesterday in her happymouth (I've been using her swimming bridle, which has a level 1 myler on it.. not for any reason, just because I'm lazy and didn't want to clean her show bridle). Lots of difference! Tanky horse was very tanky and not very listeny! 

August 21, 2013

Just the Grass

Still full of beans today was our Miss CodyPants, but lots softer and more supple and no disuniting or anything like that. So it must have just been a naughty day rather than pain. I'll keep an eye on it though, as I always do... but today she was certainly feeling better than she has in ages - I got actual BEND out of her on the circles.

August 19, 2013

Cody sore?

Lots of disuniting today and pinging around like an absolute dickhead - even some bucking. Spring grass growth? Or is the pain in her hock coming back?

August 06, 2013

Better in the Dark?

Was quite late out at the horses today - not really sure why. But after riding Cody I got on Neo and it was actually sort of dark. Anyway, rode him and he was the best he has been in ages. I wonder if it was BECAUSE it was dark? Like if it's not his eyesight (eyes tested twice by 2 different vets) perhaps it is sort of a sensitivity to the light which is part of what is making him mental? Will try a few things over the next couple of weeks to see if we can test this theory.

July 03, 2013

liebster

Ok, this is one of those blog posts (for the 'Liebster award') that has been going around. Thanks to Rebecca for tagging me in - always interesting to learn more about folks. I'm not going to tag anyone in, as I don't really follow any blogs, but I will answer the questions and include 11 random facts about me in case anyone out there in cyberspace is interested.
1.Who was your favourite horse?
Of all time, perhaps "Milton". I also had a huge crush on John Cottle's "Watch Me" when I was a pony rider. Of my own horses I truly don't have a favourite - they have each taught me different things and I've had successes and um 'strong learning!' on so many of them.

2.Why?

Because grey! Also because super jumpers, but I am totally biased towards grey horses and turn into a little kid when I see a grey horse "look, look, horsey!".

3.What person has most affected negatively or positively your attitude towards riding?

My mother, probably.

4.Why?

When things are going badly with her, I don't really enjoy the horses. I guess this comes from growing up in a horsey home and having the 'family unit' and relationships wrapped up in the horses. After a lifetime of that you can't split them apart.

5.What are the three things you couldn't live without?

Internet! Chocolate! I would say horses, but that's not true - I gave up for 3 years when I was doing a lot of travel for work and I didn't die, I just cried a lot and missed it a lot. I still want to say horses though.

6.If you couldn't compete/take part in the discipline you do now, what sort of riding would you do?

If I couldn't showjump... eh, so hard to know! I hate eventing and XC is like the hatepassion of my life - it makes me physically sick. Western, endurance and all that jazz just don't push any buttons for me. I closet-enjoy dressage from time to time but their restrictions on what you can wear piss me right off. Mum being a jockey and father a race trainer, well, that's enough to put me off the racing game for a lifetime. Is there anything left? I can't ride without competing. I love competition. Maybe I'd have to take up showhunter? haha.

7.What is your dream job?

I took a few years off my job in IT to ride horses fulltime. I think it is my dream job - there were days when you hate it of course (in the rain and the mud) but overall it was something I loved doing. But I realised I couldn't do it forever, so now I'm back in an office job. But that's ok, I got a change to do my dream job and many folk never do.

8. If you were given $100,000 tax free what would you buy first?

Pay off debt.

9. Do you like Feijoas?

omg YES

10.When you are all worn out and need a drink, what is it that you drink?

Pinot Noir is my drink of choice for pretty much all occasions, though it's not so ideal in the heat of summer so sometimes I will hit up an overpriced cider or a pina colada! 

11.What are your favourite pair of footwear.

My pink eject boots, or my tretorn riding boots. Anything that looks a little bit different and is comfy!

And 11 random facts about me:
1. I am a very wimpy rider, I'm scared of most everything
2. This winter I grazed the edge of the BMI obese category - while I've never been a skinny minnie, being on the verge of obese was a real wakeup call (& I'm currently trying to fix it)
3. I think it's important to wear matching bra & undies every day - mismatched stuff annoys me for the whole day
4. I've never smoked a cigarette in my life
5. I have a girl-crush on Hello Kitty and all things Hello Kitty
6. I love the colour pink (if you found your way to this blog you probably already know this)
7. I get annoyed when people seem surprised that I drive a truck, as if it's something that chicks can't do?
8. I was terrified of cars till my mid-20s and didn't learn to drive until I was about 26
9. I drink way too many energy drinks, usually the sugarfree ones too which are full of all kinds of chemicals
10. I'm terrified of telephones and I will have to mentally prep, sometimes for an entire day or more, prior to making a voice call
11. When people are really noisy eaters, it makes me want to commit hate crimes against them.


June 23, 2013

Storm

Well the big storm in Wellington has been a bit of a non-event for the horses. They've been snuggly warm each time I've gone to check on them (though I have been giving them a bit of extra feed) - the road they're grazed on has been closed for days, but not actively policed so I've had no trouble getting to them. No damage at the grazing and not too much flooding either. Quite lucky, after seeing photos of a lot of trees down into fences and barns for other folks.

At home it's been a different story- days without power and water has been not particularly fun! But the roads have been passable (at least in the ute) so I've been taking advantage of friends who have power to nab the occasional shower and at least work has had power and been warm. 

Stole the portable cooker & solar lights etc out of the truck which meant I could still cook at home (handy)... just need to remember to put things back into the truck or at least re-stock what I've taken!

June 15, 2013

Saddles and all

Rode.
Both horses.
With bridles and saddles! First time in 4-5 months for Neo, and first time since HoY for Cody. Cody was a bit of a fidget pants but overall her lovely well-behaved self. Neo was an asshole with rearing and bucking and lashing out but did settle down after a little while. 
I actually feel good for having given them both a proper ride. Heck, even trucky got a crank and a little jaunt to make sure it's still happy.

June 10, 2013

Nothing happening

Well, the horses are doing pretty much nothing except enjoying the occasional sunny days. Friends headed up to Manfeild yesterday for winter showjumping, I'm kind of jealous - but not jealous enough to get the horses into work and the truck legal! We're about 2 weeks away from winter solstice and the shortest day, which is awesome (even if it does typically signal a few months of terrible weather) it means summer is eventually going to roll around again.

Weight loss is currently on track - in fact my super pretty black & red ariat front zip volante long boots are now a bit too loose! Awesomes.


May 30, 2013

Goals

I feel like I have no goals for my riding or for the horses. While that isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's not really ideal either. Without things to aim for this can be an un-fulfilling hobby (and an expensive one at that!). I tried to come up with some goals but they were all a bit vague and obviously I wasn't into it - so I tried to get to the root of it. I love horses, I love showjumping, so why don't I care? I've been getting fatter and lazier and I wonder if this is a part of it?

So instead of having a riding-specific goal, I have a goal that sort of runs alongside the horses. By 1st August (horses birthday!) I want to no longer be overweight. I've been making an effort for over a month now, and I'm well on my way to where I want to be. I still don't feel enthusiastic, but I am hoping that when I can be more balanced and look better in the saddle again that things will fall into place. And heck, if they don't - it's not like I've lost anything except for some excess weight that I didn't need in the first place.

I really hope I can stick with it - I'm quite fickle at times. I'm pretty sure Neo is excited about the idea of not having to cart as much weight around though (big strong Cody probably doesn't care).

May 22, 2013

Shoes off

So Cody got her shoes taken off. As her feet were so bad when she arrived, I'm a little nervous about it - but I do like to give them some time without shoes while they're turned out if they can handle it. I'll be keeping an eye on things. Neo is still without shoes (around 4 years now, I think, since he has worn shoes) and his hooves are looking great (not so handy when he is basically retired and not DOING anything with his great looking hooves). Truck still has no CoF. Is there an award for being the laziest person on the planet?

May 16, 2013

Cuddle buddies

I seriously can't believe this weather, it's all kinds of awesome. However it does mean my ponies are getting sweaty. I've even put them into lighter rugs. Need to give them both a proper bath though, perhaps a good swim in the inlet if the tides will be deep enough this weekend.



I love these horses so much - Neo's little pink nose and Cody's little yellow nose - they are such darlings. Cody gets her shoes off this week as well - getting all prepared for an extremely lazy winter.

May 13, 2013

so many sunny days

The weather has been insanely good. Of course, I'm not taking advantage of that. Horses are still pretty much turned out. Did move them back into the paddock I'd been saving for them (and then watched them hoon and kick around and probably destroy part of it.. nice work horses). They're on fibre-sure at the moment which they absolutely don't need and I think when I whip their rugs off next time I will find 2 blobs of fat rather than 2 horses. Hmm.

May 06, 2013

Mammoths

My horses have been taken and replaced with woolly mammoths! They certainly aren't looking show-ready at this time of year, but I am glad that they seem to be holding their weight. After HoY I weaned Cody off hardfeed and since then her and Neo have really only been on grass with a half slice of hay each on rainy days. I've just grabbed some fibre sure this past weekend as the temperatures are starting to drop - they don't really need it, but it makes me feel happy to be able to give them a little feed while I go and swap rugs / check legs and all that jazz.
Yesterday was a stunning sunny day (out of the blue and unexpected, but very nice to have!) so the ponies had the whole day without rugs - so nice for them. Still not feeling motivated to do anything more than the odd ride every week or fortnight. Next horse-related goal is probably to get off my bum and take the truck for it's CoF!

April 30, 2013

Tempted

Tempted to start this up again. Though it's winter, and I only have 2 horses... so likely it will be few & far between with the updates anyway (and boring as hell when there are updates!). The team at the moment is a bit of an odd one:

Sherbet Twist (Neo)
I've had this fella for about 6 years or more now, I think. He's 12yo and measures anywhere between 15.3 and 16.1 depending on the day and his mood. The past 3 years have been pretty awful with him - going from a happy and confident 1.15 horse looking to move up, to a neurotic difficult animal with a list of issues as long as my arm. The last round of quality time with the vet has suggested that he has an acute allergy to something outdoors. Beyond that we're not really sure. At the moment he is effectively retired, but I'm hoping to try to bring him back into work over winter and see is he is any happier and if he can return to competition at all (even if it will see him being the most high maintenance horse I've had). 

PitStop (Cody)
The new addition, had her about 6 months now (though she spent 3 of those months on rehab for an arthritic hock). 14yo stationbred mare who has competed up to Young Rider heights (about 3 years ago, before a long turnout in the back paddocks doing approximately nothing). Haven't managed a clear round on her yet, and she is an interesting ride, but lots of fun. She is getting ridden about once a week at the moment so her joints don't get too stiff from a winter holiday.