But should is a tricky word. There is a lot in this world that should be happening and isn't--a lot of things that are more important than a horse being a little behind on training. So, I've decided that "should" will be stricken from my vocabulary when discussing my horses.
There are certain things that will be done with the horses: they will be fed; they will have water; they will have trimmed feet; and they will be in good health. They also will have access to shelter and will have safe fencing. Those are the important things.
Then there are the tries: I will try to get the following things accomplished on each of my horses over the summer. I try my best to make sure they happen, but as long as the "wills" are taken care of, the tries are just icing on the cake.
Paula
I'd like to try to get Paula shown this year. I'm not sure if it will be open or the local breed shows yet. Come to find out, it would actually be cheaper for us to go to breed shows, but I'm not sure I have the tack for it yet. Either way, all I want to do is have fun, so I'm not that worried about being ready for that level--we'll go and try our best. But, I do think the open shows would be a lot of fun. Hopefully the show bill, when it comes out, will help me make up my mind.Fabian
I'd like to try to get Fabian to his first trail ride by the anniversary of when I got him back home, in July. If I can get the time to finish his training under saddle I don't think this will be a problem. Time is the main issue--show horses have to come first, then the work on the house. I'd really like to get him going though. He's ready...he's just waiting on me, poor kid. Betty
Betty always was meant to be the girl in waiting. I do have a few goals for her, though. Of course she needs to learn to fully lead, tie, and load. As soon as we can get those accomplished I'd like to take her to the vet and get the scar tissue looked at on her knee. A few weeks after I picked her up it became infected. I treated her at home, with antibiotics and closely monitored it. She never was lame, which (hopefully) tells me that it's a surface issue. If it becomes infected again then I hope I'll have her to the point I can take her to the vet to get it cut open and cleaned so it will heal up correctly. I'd like to try to have all her basics done by fall so I can start her under saddle over the winter. Paula is the prettiest mover I own but Betty is a close second--I can't wait to show her!
I got Moose into Breeder's Trust and he's got the basics down well, so as soon as I can get his pen set up, he'll be fit up for halter. I plan on taking him to the breed shows and trying to get a few points on him this summer.
Betty always was meant to be the girl in waiting. I do have a few goals for her, though. Of course she needs to learn to fully lead, tie, and load. As soon as we can get those accomplished I'd like to take her to the vet and get the scar tissue looked at on her knee. A few weeks after I picked her up it became infected. I treated her at home, with antibiotics and closely monitored it. She never was lame, which (hopefully) tells me that it's a surface issue. If it becomes infected again then I hope I'll have her to the point I can take her to the vet to get it cut open and cleaned so it will heal up correctly. I'd like to try to have all her basics done by fall so I can start her under saddle over the winter. Paula is the prettiest mover I own but Betty is a close second--I can't wait to show her!Moose
I got Moose into Breeder's Trust and he's got the basics down well, so as soon as I can get his pen set up, he'll be fit up for halter. I plan on taking him to the breed shows and trying to get a few points on him this summer.Bambi
Bambi has grown! She's a whole 15H now! She's still so petite, but if a spot opens up in the future then she's going to be shown anyway. It might be a waste of money, but somehow I'd like to see if we can manage to get a few points. It probably won't be this year, but maybe next. So, in the meantime, I'll keep working on her training under saddle. She's actually a very cute mover, so I'm going to try to do some halter and western pleasure with her. We might only get PAC and Pinto points due to her size, but we'll try anyway. Do me a favor and keep your fingers crossed that she keeps growing through this year! All we can do is try, right?
The Little Horse Owner that Could,
Bambi has grown! She's a whole 15H now! She's still so petite, but if a spot opens up in the future then she's going to be shown anyway. It might be a waste of money, but somehow I'd like to see if we can manage to get a few points. It probably won't be this year, but maybe next. So, in the meantime, I'll keep working on her training under saddle. She's actually a very cute mover, so I'm going to try to do some halter and western pleasure with her. We might only get PAC and Pinto points due to her size, but we'll try anyway. Do me a favor and keep your fingers crossed that she keeps growing through this year! All we can do is try, right?The Little Horse Owner that Could,
7 comments:
Sounds like a good plan - I like your idea of "trys". It's just too easy to get stressed out about all the things we can't get done when we could be happy about all the things we do get done.
We had the same problem around here with "shoulds". But when you have a full time job, plus the everyday care of the herd it's nearly impossible to get everyone worked on a regular basis.
We've come to the conclusion that it is what it is and eventually they will get their training. Otherwise you put yourself in a stressful "must do" situation and that's not good for anyone.
You are going to be one busy woman. I'm wondering how the heck I'm going to get two horses ridden and you've got 3 with two more for groundwork.
The advice of the seasoned professionals who posted before me looks good, but whatever you do I look forward to reading about your success.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. I hope to sell one or two of these kids in the future so I don't have so much on my plate, but for now we're doing ok. There are just never enough hours in the day, are there? :)
All your horses are just beautiful - their coloring, their conformation, their glistening coats... But, Bambi just steals my heart. And there isn't anything wrong with 15h. Starman, who gave me back my confidence and taught my daughter to ride, was "only" 15h. Bambi has the sweetest face ever.
Thank you so much, Annette! Very sweet of you to say. Bambi is really a heart stealer :) I hope I never have to sell her. Her picture is in my header as a foal--she's always had almost an arab-like little face and those big, brown eyes. Heart stealer!!
Thanks again for your kind words :)
Sounds like you have a game plan. That's the first step. Isn't it sad we have to work full time to be able to afford to do the stuff we love... but when we work full time, we don't have time for the things we love... or at least our time is crunched!
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