Virtual Brush Box

Ladies Night

On midnight Christmas Eve, animals talk. This year, Mathilda gave us an earful: “Nobody ever asks the other horses. You are at the barn, what two, three, hours tops? We are the ones who have to live with your choice 24/7. Okay, I admit, he’s cute in his way. However, 19 years of an arrangedContinue reading “Ladies Night”

Not a Mudder

Work: More rain. No work but a surprise heat therapy session. As it had been raining since breakfast, I assumed the day was a write-off. When I went to do a carrot check in the afternoon, I found my bold future event horse completely dry from standing in the run-in shed all day. Mathilda, aContinue reading “Not a Mudder”

Thank you, Duke*

[*The wellington story] Work: AM heat therapy/very short walk, albeit with bouncy dog. Walked over schooling logs as a sop to me. PM groom/ground ex [turning box, plank]. It’s shaping up to be an easy week, so why push it? Although on the way out of the ring, I asked him for an in-hand jumpContinue reading “Thank you, Duke*”

Rain Delay

Work: canceled on account of rain. I’ve paid my rainy day dues. At one show, the heavens opened as I was on deck for a jump-off with a friend’s horse. I knotted the reins for grip. I put a big, honking knot in my friend’s new leather reins. Her mare pulled on one end. IContinue reading “Rain Delay”

Daily Temps

Work: PM heat therapy & groom. Ran out of daylight. Grade: none. We have a cheap digital thermometer, which makes taking daily temperatures a breeze. Beats the stuffing out of the days of glass thermometers & clothespins. Speaking of breeze, both horses break wind as soon as I, um, begin the process. Every time. It’sContinue reading “Daily Temps”

Equine Tics

Work: AM heat therapy/walk – top of the hill. He realized he was farther from the barn than usual but held it together. PM long groom/no exercises – yesterday’s trip down memory lane put me in a mood, so I fussed on him until I got over myself. Plus, he met me at the fenceContinue reading “Equine Tics”

In the Beginning

Work: AM heat therapy/walk [reverse of Tues], PM groom/ground exercises [weave cones, turn-around box, reverse poles, plank] Grade: [spookier than strictly necessary during grooming but redeemed himself in the ring, which alone is worth a star.] In their infinite wisdom, Horse Illustrated has published my story of shopping for Rodney as “Horse Tales: TheContinue reading “In the Beginning”