Virtual Brush Box

Riding

Awareness of the outside world. On the subject of mental health, 988. Put it in the mental file next to 911.

~~~

Background. The idea of getting on a lesson horse causes me anxiety. At the moment, I am able to get on my own horse without excess stomach acid. [The Crux]

(Of course, talking about this causes my brain to suggest getting wound up about both. To which, I say Shush!)

A realization while watching a troop of beginner horses do their thing at Stepping Stone Farm.

One. I didn’t want to get on any of them. I knew this.

I was leading horses who were heading to a show to be ridden by tots. I had not the slightest interest in getting on a single one.

[Missing The Saddlebreds, Or Not]

That lead to …

Two. I have been putting ‘riding a lesson horse’ in the same bin as riding my own horse. Riding is riding, right? Both activities involve getting on a horse.

Maybe not, at least for me.

Walking into a room full of people you know is different than walking into a room full of strangers.

I can chat.

When I’m in extrovert mode, I have no problem plonking myself down at a table of strangers and introducing myself.

[More Banquet Thoughts, Where To Sit]

However, it is a separate skill.

Perhaps I need to approach getting on a lesson horse as its own activity, one that requires a different energy.

I shall have to ponder.

Onwards!
Katherine

Images
Words
Images of Words

Appaloosa Drive, Irondale AL, USA

Onwards!
Katherine

Horsekeeping

Awareness of the outside world. The world can keep track of itself for a while.

~~~

Items
shipping wrap(s)
frozen pops

Procedure
Put on shipping wrap with lowest strap snug around fetlock.
Insert ice pops along the leg.
Fasten rest of the straps.
Voila.

I use 2 pops on each side of the leg, meaning 4 pops per leg, two legs a time, swap out 8 new frozen new pops for the back legs. I’m glad I have the economy-sized bag of ice pops, which I only bought because that’s what the store had.

Internet recommends 20-30 minutes.

Not veterinary advice. YMMV. (It’s reflex. Lotta lawyers in the family.)

Notes

Is there ever a good reason to need ice boots?

Rodney is presenting with swollen lower legs and a mild fever. Suspicion falls on a virus.

Attitude great. Treats and carrots go in the appropriate slot. No pain behaviors. Moving a bit slowly. Sound despite legs that look like tree trunks.

Rodney is the opposite of stoic. If he says he’s good, then there is nothing nowhere that is bothering him. This is the upside of dealing with a cupcake.

We anticipate that he will be fine in a few days.

Update. Milton’s legs swelled a few days later. He preferred one pop per side rather than two.

Onwards!
Katherine

Riding

Awareness of the outside world. BreyerFest this weekend.

~~~

Two trips to Falcon Hill Farm last week.

Rodney becoming low-key about trot poles, low crossrails, and being in a ring with jump standards.

Acclimatization appears to be working. (crosses fingers)

Onwards!
Katherine

Riding

Awareness of the outside world. Horseboarding UK.

~~~

Ariat Heritage RT zip paddock boots, Carousel Tack Shoppe.

The round toes make them look like dorky kid’s shoes but SO comfortable. My toes and the balls of my feet can’t believe their luck.

Props to Karen Howerton, new owner of CTS, for suggesting this style of boot for a wider foot.

Update. “Also, wore my new boots. After showing them to Coach Courtney, I mostly didn’t think about them, which means they work.” [Return To Saddle Seat]

Onwards!
Katherine

Riding

Awareness of the outside world. Tevis Cup: Western States Trail Museum, An Idea Coming to Fruition, April 13, 2022.

~~~

100 miles, 55 rides, 43 hours 41 minutes (give or take), 26:09 min per mile.

[Smelling The Barn, Week 13, Virtual Tevis 2022]
[VT archives]

Onwards!
Katherine