So now that I have time to write a proper blog...
Casey texted me at 9:30am and said the vet could come at 11:30, and could I make it?
I was sleeping hard...after 2 days of working at 5am with little sleep, I was loving the extra sleep. But I literally fell out of bed!
Got there at exactly 11:30, and the vet was already there. I'm famous for running late...but he hadn't been there too long.
He was very nice. He looked her all over, did flexion tests...looked at her teeth. She still has her wolf teeth, which are huge the vet said. He said they were not a problem [right now], but if they started to be an issue I should get them pulled. And of course, I will do that. Could be part of the reason she pops her head up every now and then when I give a squeeze on the rein.
Amber's facial expression was priceless during the exam. She was very well behaved for the vet, but she looked so confused. As he flexed her hind leg, she gave a bewildered glance at us like "What's all this about?"
Vet said she was in good health, no sign of lameness or injury (present or past), she was in good weight and seemed to have a nice disposition. That's my girl!
So I'm relieved and very excited. I unofficially have a very healthy, sound, sane horse. What more could a girl want?
I just ordered her halter and stall name plates, as well as a few other things for her. Friday can't come fast enough!
Andrea will be picking her up on Saturday after I get off work.
Just a note to myself, thing I need to get before we haul out:
Coggins
Shot papers
Proof of ownership
How much grain she's getting
When she was last wormed
When she was last trimmed
Also, I have put up her designated blog - Chestnut Mare Syndrome. Run over and follow it - I apologize for all the moving around lately, I just didn't feel it was right to continue to blog on Jack's blog. I felt like it should be left alone. That's an era past; and blogging about my journey to the next horse seemed wrong. This is my final move. I plan on having Amber until she crosses the rainbow bridge.
http://chestnutmaresyndrome.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Amber is mine!
Okay, unofficially,but she passed the ppe! I will go into more detail later, im on my phone right now. But the vet said she had a nice personality...she was so good during the exam.
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Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas!
Unfortunately, I didn't get to visit my big red present today, but I had a wonderful time with my family, despite a touch of family drama. ;) Never get through a Christmas without some though, it's like a tradition!
I got a lot of nice things, much more than I expected. I asked everyone to please not get me more than one or two things, because a horse is a HUGE thing to ask for, but I was floored when I discovered how many presents had been bought for me. I got lots of beautiful clothes, and some pretty new riding vests to keep me warm for the rest of the winter! I got some pretty jewelry, some bath and body works stuff, and a purse by my favorite designer. I also got a Sansa fuze, and it's CUTE! Much more compact than my old MP3. Also a can of de-icer for my car - LOVED that gift. Very handy! Several more things as well - including a Pillow Pet! It's a purple and pink unicorn - I loved it! So cute.
I was also given $300 in cash gifts outside the $1,000 mom has promised on Amber. I am so thankful that I have such a loving, generous family. Not many families would do so much.
I took the dogs over to my Grandma's to play. Allie got to chase her favorite thing, the broom my Grandma has under the carport. She loves to chase it while you sweep it over the ground. The dogs also got a Christmas treat - they each got a plate of turkey! They practically inhaled it.
I'm going to be hopping into bed now though. I have work at 5am, and I expect I will have to get up earlier than usual because it's going to snow tonight so the roads won't be excellent at that hour and I will have to be cautious.
Can't remember if I mentioned this or not in my last blog, but I have tonsillitis for the second time...it's just awful. It's difficult to swallow, and crunchy food seems to have a bad habit of getting stuck in my throat and choking me. And my tonsils are oozing a disgusting discharge that makes my mouth taste and smell terrible, no matter how often I brush. I'm taking antibiotics, and I hope it clears up soon. It's not nearly as bad as last time, when I had strep throat at the same time. I literally couldn't swallow at all. I had to take a vicodin just to be able to eat.
Let's hope I feel better soon!
I got a lot of nice things, much more than I expected. I asked everyone to please not get me more than one or two things, because a horse is a HUGE thing to ask for, but I was floored when I discovered how many presents had been bought for me. I got lots of beautiful clothes, and some pretty new riding vests to keep me warm for the rest of the winter! I got some pretty jewelry, some bath and body works stuff, and a purse by my favorite designer. I also got a Sansa fuze, and it's CUTE! Much more compact than my old MP3. Also a can of de-icer for my car - LOVED that gift. Very handy! Several more things as well - including a Pillow Pet! It's a purple and pink unicorn - I loved it! So cute.
I was also given $300 in cash gifts outside the $1,000 mom has promised on Amber. I am so thankful that I have such a loving, generous family. Not many families would do so much.
I took the dogs over to my Grandma's to play. Allie got to chase her favorite thing, the broom my Grandma has under the carport. She loves to chase it while you sweep it over the ground. The dogs also got a Christmas treat - they each got a plate of turkey! They practically inhaled it.
I'm going to be hopping into bed now though. I have work at 5am, and I expect I will have to get up earlier than usual because it's going to snow tonight so the roads won't be excellent at that hour and I will have to be cautious.
Can't remember if I mentioned this or not in my last blog, but I have tonsillitis for the second time...it's just awful. It's difficult to swallow, and crunchy food seems to have a bad habit of getting stuck in my throat and choking me. And my tonsils are oozing a disgusting discharge that makes my mouth taste and smell terrible, no matter how often I brush. I'm taking antibiotics, and I hope it clears up soon. It's not nearly as bad as last time, when I had strep throat at the same time. I literally couldn't swallow at all. I had to take a vicodin just to be able to eat.
Let's hope I feel better soon!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Om Nom Nom
Went out to clean stalls today, and as I was cleaning one of the stalls that is attached to Amber's lot, I noticed her near the gate, so I whistled at her and got her attention, and it melted my heart when she perked right up and came right on over to see me. What a sweet girl. She looked me over thoroughly for treats, and then stood and 'helped' me clean the stall after she was sure I had nothing yummy to eat. She of course got a lot of treats when I was done, and licked me to beg for more. When I closed the stall door, she continued to beg, which is what that picture is of.
She has the sweetest personality. A lot of horses are just neutral with their humans. Willing and good natured, but just neutral. Not Amber! She is a clear people lover.
I saw her old leaser today. I guess she got out of trouble with her parents...I wondered if Casey had to break the news to her, but I didn't want to say anything myself. She kind of looked at me funny when I was loving on Amber, and I felt a little awkward. I certainly don't want to hurt anyone's feelings...
I went to visit Avalon Equestrian after I left! It was good to see Andrea again. All the horses looked healthy, happy, and alert, but very relaxed. The barn is small but very quaint. Not teeny tiny, but not huge either. Fencing looks safe, hay looked good, and everything was very clean. The riding ring isn't finished 100% yet, but looked to be taking shape, and she said they were putting up a dressage arena soon.
You guys might remember I posted about a gelding I used to ride as a young teen named Tic Tac. I don't know if I mentioned it or not, but he was purchased by a girl from that barn and moved to Avalon - I got to see him! He's older now, 19, but looked great. Shorter than I remember - he's only 14.2hhs, but I remember him being taller! Shows how things change so much over time. Not him, of course, but I guess I got taller! ;)
I think the move would be a positive one. Andrea seems very safety conscious (as she has always been), and I don't think I will ever have to worry about Amber's welfare there.
Now we wait for the vet check next week.
Monday, December 20, 2010
10 Hours
Of work. Agh. Busy night, not enough workers scheduled.
Anyway, I'm going out to see my girl tomorrow and ride. Still trying to schedule that vet check, and the longer we put it off the more nervous I get. PLEASE be healthy Amber, for goodness sake.
I wanted to post and announce I have officially chosen Amber's show name.
I thought I was sold on Made You Look, but a name came to me that I think really, really fits her better. Evening Sunsong. I think it's beautiful and classy, and makes one think of a fiery sunset, which plays up the bright, bright red she is with her shorter summer coat.
I'm ordering a nice engraved plate for the halter, and a plate for her stall. And of course a tag for her stable halter.
I definitely don't want her halter to get mixed up and lost, because if I move to a new barn I don't want to have to buy yet another stable halter because hers got lost amongst a sea of public-use halters. Kind of thinking of duct taping her lead to the halter too...because I know people will borrow a lead and forget to return it to the halter they got it off.
Also, I believe Amber and I will be moving to Avalon Equestrian Center on January 1. Assuming her PPE goes fine.
The trainer has a stall open now, and I have talked to Casey and she is fine with it, said the choice is mine, just make sure the horses are well cared for there. Which, I'd do that anyway. The barn has taken in USERL horses, so that speaks volumes because their guidelines are tough and you won't get a horse and you won't keep a horse from them if you aren't doing things right.
I'm very happy that Casey is supportive of this, and is supportive of my desire to further my dressage education. I think Amber will be happy wherever she is, so long as she has food, water, shelter and love, all of which she will have plenty of with me.
Obviously it's a lot to think about, and I am still mulling it over, but I think it would be a positive move to make.
Amber can take a few days to get adjusted to the new barn, and then I'm going to make a general 'outline' for our training for the 2011 show season. I don't tend to strictly follow outlines - if something isn't working right away, I will move onto something that comes easier, but it does help to have some structure to what you want to accomplish. She's already getting the idea of leg yields, and has good crossover at the walk already. She's got a very soft mouth, and her transitions are good. Her down transitions are just BAM, on a dime. The foundation we have is good already, and she hasn't been in proper arena work training for long at all.
Anyway, I'm going out to see my girl tomorrow and ride. Still trying to schedule that vet check, and the longer we put it off the more nervous I get. PLEASE be healthy Amber, for goodness sake.
I wanted to post and announce I have officially chosen Amber's show name.
I thought I was sold on Made You Look, but a name came to me that I think really, really fits her better. Evening Sunsong. I think it's beautiful and classy, and makes one think of a fiery sunset, which plays up the bright, bright red she is with her shorter summer coat.
I'm ordering a nice engraved plate for the halter, and a plate for her stall. And of course a tag for her stable halter.
I definitely don't want her halter to get mixed up and lost, because if I move to a new barn I don't want to have to buy yet another stable halter because hers got lost amongst a sea of public-use halters. Kind of thinking of duct taping her lead to the halter too...because I know people will borrow a lead and forget to return it to the halter they got it off.
Also, I believe Amber and I will be moving to Avalon Equestrian Center on January 1. Assuming her PPE goes fine.
The trainer has a stall open now, and I have talked to Casey and she is fine with it, said the choice is mine, just make sure the horses are well cared for there. Which, I'd do that anyway. The barn has taken in USERL horses, so that speaks volumes because their guidelines are tough and you won't get a horse and you won't keep a horse from them if you aren't doing things right.
I'm very happy that Casey is supportive of this, and is supportive of my desire to further my dressage education. I think Amber will be happy wherever she is, so long as she has food, water, shelter and love, all of which she will have plenty of with me.
Obviously it's a lot to think about, and I am still mulling it over, but I think it would be a positive move to make.
Amber can take a few days to get adjusted to the new barn, and then I'm going to make a general 'outline' for our training for the 2011 show season. I don't tend to strictly follow outlines - if something isn't working right away, I will move onto something that comes easier, but it does help to have some structure to what you want to accomplish. She's already getting the idea of leg yields, and has good crossover at the walk already. She's got a very soft mouth, and her transitions are good. Her down transitions are just BAM, on a dime. The foundation we have is good already, and she hasn't been in proper arena work training for long at all.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Gorgeous Weather...not...
Yeah, it was nasty today. Sleet/rain, and dead cold.
Amber was, as usual, a sweetheart though. I tacked her up and took her to the indoor. A few other students were riding today. I warmed Amber up alone, and she was excellent. A little funny in the deep spots in the footing, but all the horses are. Much better in the indoor than last time. Bending and trying to find my contact.
When the other students came in, it kind of went to pot. She wanted to tailgate and get a little pissy when I wouldn't allow it, so I made her walk while the rest trotted to reinforce that she takes directions from me, not the horses and riders around her.
She got two honey and oat granola bars for being a good girl and then we tried on blankets. Two were way too small, and one that fit was a cooler, so I was thinking of buying it anyway as a liner for the really cold weather, but Casey said it was actually one of the school's show coolers.
Of course, she has a thick winter coat so I might not get her a blanket at all this winter. Especially if she's going to have a stall. She won't show until spring. Next winter I'll blanket her to keep the fuzz minimal since we should be showing right on through most of it. I definitely don't want her to sweat under blankets.
Casey said she hasn't been able to get up with the vet, but I'm sure we will be able to reach him soon and schedule the PPE.
Even with the small indoor, I'm so glad to be able to ride right through the mucky, wet winter weather. Canamer was nice, and the small barn atmosphere was good, but lack of facilities was a huge downfall. Even just poking around is better than not riding at all!
Also got my first paycheck - more than I expected!
One last thing - I'm kind of considering banging Amber's tail. I'm a little worried because her tail is a little short, but it would be banged well below her hocks, but not quite to the fetlocks. I like the look of a banged tail, which is why I want to do hers. I thought of putting a little MTG on her and trying to grow it a few inches in the spring too.
Amber was, as usual, a sweetheart though. I tacked her up and took her to the indoor. A few other students were riding today. I warmed Amber up alone, and she was excellent. A little funny in the deep spots in the footing, but all the horses are. Much better in the indoor than last time. Bending and trying to find my contact.
When the other students came in, it kind of went to pot. She wanted to tailgate and get a little pissy when I wouldn't allow it, so I made her walk while the rest trotted to reinforce that she takes directions from me, not the horses and riders around her.
She got two honey and oat granola bars for being a good girl and then we tried on blankets. Two were way too small, and one that fit was a cooler, so I was thinking of buying it anyway as a liner for the really cold weather, but Casey said it was actually one of the school's show coolers.
Of course, she has a thick winter coat so I might not get her a blanket at all this winter. Especially if she's going to have a stall. She won't show until spring. Next winter I'll blanket her to keep the fuzz minimal since we should be showing right on through most of it. I definitely don't want her to sweat under blankets.
Casey said she hasn't been able to get up with the vet, but I'm sure we will be able to reach him soon and schedule the PPE.
Even with the small indoor, I'm so glad to be able to ride right through the mucky, wet winter weather. Canamer was nice, and the small barn atmosphere was good, but lack of facilities was a huge downfall. Even just poking around is better than not riding at all!
Also got my first paycheck - more than I expected!
One last thing - I'm kind of considering banging Amber's tail. I'm a little worried because her tail is a little short, but it would be banged well below her hocks, but not quite to the fetlocks. I like the look of a banged tail, which is why I want to do hers. I thought of putting a little MTG on her and trying to grow it a few inches in the spring too.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Bye bye mohawk!
I banded Amber's mane today. It was way, way too cold to ride.
Amber, I have found, is a big food lover. Bigger than any other horse I've ever met. I tie her up, and she sits there and makes these adorable faces at me, and you can see that she's totally saying "Hey, I'm CUTE, please give me something yummy to snack on! Please?"
I banded her mane first. Despite the howling wind and cold, she was very patient with my fumbling, frozen fingers. I don't know if she's ever had her mane banded before, because one of the bands made a popping noise that spooked her once just a little, but she jumped back just for a second and got over it.
I don't know if I told you guys, but the mowhawk bridle path she sports was not lack of care on the barn's part, they were letting it grow out because the previous owners had it WAY too long. Almost Arabish long. Now it's long enough to start laying flat, so soon as I get my hands on some clippers I'm trimming her a proper bridle path.
What a great horse I have found. I know that no horse is ever perfect, but I can't find one thing about her that I don't like. I especially like how chilled and calm she is, even when the wind is blasting us and making all sorts of noises. She just stands quietly for me, making cute faces.
She also has an AMAZING tail. It's a little short. I'll probably put some MTG on it and bag it in the spring to get it 2-3 inches longer, so I can do the "traditional" dressage thing of doing a blunt cut on the end. I just like now neat and tidy that looks. But why it's so amazing is, it's so soft and silky! Almost like human hair. I saw her just before she got her full winter coat too, and she is a gorgeous vibrant red underneath all her fuzz. The picture I posted doesn't do it justice.
I think she likes me. She was in one of the shelter stalls that's open to her paddock, making cute faces at me, and another horse came in while I was petting her...she pins her ears at him, making these nasty faces. I think we have a little attention whore on our hands! Very people-oriented. And that's a good thing when the horse is also mannerly and respectful of their humans, because they enjoy being handled and ridden, meaning training is much easier.
It's kind of like when a person WANTS to do something, they learn it easier than if they don't want to or don't care. No different to horses.
My job is going well. I have learned a lot and fast, and the managers seem to like me. I've had plenty of time off, but still got plenty of hours in and the manager has been very understanding of my situation that I need at least 24 hours a week, and I need to be guaranteed that because of my upcoming purchase of a horse. I explained that my horse was going to cost me a certain amount each month, and I had to be certain I'd make that amount because I absolutely cannot skimp out on her care. I'm very thankful that the manager has understood and assured me of my hours.
If for some reason that turns out to not be true though, I do have another job as an option, with someone who can vouch for me and help me get the job who also works there.
So I am quite stable financially now. Amber's vet check is going to be scheduled for next Monday if I'm not mistaken. Cross your fingers guys that I have a healthy, sound horse ready to be purchased by her new owner!
By the way, is it incredibly lame, or just natural, that I want to show her off to all my old trainers? I definitely want to try to trailer in to Trish at least once. I was thinking of asking someone at the barn with a trailer if maybe they would want to do a lesson with Trish, and offering to pay for a lesson for them too if they give me and Amber a lift, or just paying for their gas and time. I'm just so proud of her already, and she hasn't even done anything at all really, except be her sweet self.
Amber, I have found, is a big food lover. Bigger than any other horse I've ever met. I tie her up, and she sits there and makes these adorable faces at me, and you can see that she's totally saying "Hey, I'm CUTE, please give me something yummy to snack on! Please?"
I banded her mane first. Despite the howling wind and cold, she was very patient with my fumbling, frozen fingers. I don't know if she's ever had her mane banded before, because one of the bands made a popping noise that spooked her once just a little, but she jumped back just for a second and got over it.
I don't know if I told you guys, but the mowhawk bridle path she sports was not lack of care on the barn's part, they were letting it grow out because the previous owners had it WAY too long. Almost Arabish long. Now it's long enough to start laying flat, so soon as I get my hands on some clippers I'm trimming her a proper bridle path.
What a great horse I have found. I know that no horse is ever perfect, but I can't find one thing about her that I don't like. I especially like how chilled and calm she is, even when the wind is blasting us and making all sorts of noises. She just stands quietly for me, making cute faces.
She also has an AMAZING tail. It's a little short. I'll probably put some MTG on it and bag it in the spring to get it 2-3 inches longer, so I can do the "traditional" dressage thing of doing a blunt cut on the end. I just like now neat and tidy that looks. But why it's so amazing is, it's so soft and silky! Almost like human hair. I saw her just before she got her full winter coat too, and she is a gorgeous vibrant red underneath all her fuzz. The picture I posted doesn't do it justice.
I think she likes me. She was in one of the shelter stalls that's open to her paddock, making cute faces at me, and another horse came in while I was petting her...she pins her ears at him, making these nasty faces. I think we have a little attention whore on our hands! Very people-oriented. And that's a good thing when the horse is also mannerly and respectful of their humans, because they enjoy being handled and ridden, meaning training is much easier.
It's kind of like when a person WANTS to do something, they learn it easier than if they don't want to or don't care. No different to horses.
My job is going well. I have learned a lot and fast, and the managers seem to like me. I've had plenty of time off, but still got plenty of hours in and the manager has been very understanding of my situation that I need at least 24 hours a week, and I need to be guaranteed that because of my upcoming purchase of a horse. I explained that my horse was going to cost me a certain amount each month, and I had to be certain I'd make that amount because I absolutely cannot skimp out on her care. I'm very thankful that the manager has understood and assured me of my hours.
If for some reason that turns out to not be true though, I do have another job as an option, with someone who can vouch for me and help me get the job who also works there.
So I am quite stable financially now. Amber's vet check is going to be scheduled for next Monday if I'm not mistaken. Cross your fingers guys that I have a healthy, sound horse ready to be purchased by her new owner!
By the way, is it incredibly lame, or just natural, that I want to show her off to all my old trainers? I definitely want to try to trailer in to Trish at least once. I was thinking of asking someone at the barn with a trailer if maybe they would want to do a lesson with Trish, and offering to pay for a lesson for them too if they give me and Amber a lift, or just paying for their gas and time. I'm just so proud of her already, and she hasn't even done anything at all really, except be her sweet self.
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