I am working on uploading video from my ride yesterday but in the mean time, I thought I would discuss my Rolex preparations. I am stuck at work until tomorrow afternoon but we are leaving bright and early at 5am on Friday and driving straight through to Kentucky. It is about 650 miles and we are guesstimating around 13 hours of driving, plus or minus depending on traffic.
Today I prepared all of Lucy's things for my absence. Since I rough board, going away means that someone else has to take on all of Lucy's chores. Kenny has volunteered to do some of it and my barn owner will do the rest, and the same for Claire's horse Boe.
Whenever I go away I try my best to make caring for my horse as easy as possible for whomever is helping me. I rationed out all of her grain today and put it in gallon-sized ziploc bags so they are ready to dump into her bucket. I also wrote out all the details of our trip for my BO so he knows exactly when we're leaving and returning. I threw down extra hay from the hay loft for Lucy so that he doesn't have to worry about any of that, and I bleached her buckets so that they'll stay cleaner easier. I refilled her fly spray container and built up the banks in her stall with extra bedding so he won't have to add any more.
I also called my vet and let them know I'd be out of town, and told them Kenny and my BO have permission to make decisions for Lucy if they can't get in touch with me. I did the same when Kenny and I went on our honeymoon last October. Having Lucy insured gives me peace of mind and I had a discussion with my BO to outline what I would want her treated for (colic, even if surgery was needed) vs what I would want her put down for (any broken bones in legs or other major injuries with little chance of recovery). It wasn't a very pleasant conversation but I felt it was necessary to be on the same page as it wouldn't be fair to him or the horse to leave them hanging and not able to get in contact with me if a serious crisis arose.
As for ME, I am readying my camera equipment by going through all of my lenses and making sure they're in good working order and clean. I recharged my extra batteries and dug out my waterproof sleeve in case it pours so that my camera and lense will be protected.
I still have no idea what to pack so I think I will just pack everything (typical, huh?!). I really need a pair of Wellington boots, especially since KY has gotten so much rain and the XC course is rumoured to be a mud pit right now, and I went to Dover today and drooled over the Hunter boots but I simply canNOT bring myself to spend $110 on a pair of boots. Sigh. I really want some, though.
I think that about covers it; there's really nothing else I can do that I can think of!
And now that my video is done processing, here it is:
See you soon!!!
ReplyDeleteI was more than slightly panicky about Promise when I went on a cruise last October, lol. Normally, I would leave my mom or my grandmother with the responsibility to make those kinds of decisions, but my mom was with me, and since my grandmother is in hospice, and we weren't sure if she'd make it until we got back, I didn't think she was of sound enough mind to make a tough decision like that. So, I had the barn owner promise (haha!) to email me if anything should go wrong, and I checked it twice a day on the ship. And, obviously, gave her permission to make a decision for a broken bone, severe colic, etc. The one time I got an email from her that week, I almost had a heart attack, but it was just a sweet little message that Promise was doing great.
ReplyDeleteUsually, it turns out all of our worries are for nothing!! So, have an amazing trip -- Lucy's in great hands!
I just found your site and I love it! You have a great writing style and I can't wait to learn more about you and Lucy. I'm going to subscribe and link up to you. Hope you have a great time on your trip, can't wait to hear more about it. Oh, and congrats on being selected to blog about it!
ReplyDeleteBraffie, I hope we get the chance to meet!
ReplyDeletePromise, I hear you...if my communication were limited I'd be a total wreck but I could use my cell phone without any problems in Hawaii and of course I'll have it at all times in Kentucky this weekend.
Michelle, what a sweet comment :) I am glad you're enjoying the blog, welcome! :)
Someday I hope to go watch Rolex.
ReplyDeleteI hate having that conversation with the barn owner of what to do in case of equine emergency..I had to have that talk too when my family went to Cancun. Fortunately, everything was grand while I was gone and Cruizer stayed on his normal routine of eat, sleep, play, and terrorize his pasture buddies. Its terrifying to think of what may happen though if everyone isn't on the same page about the horse's care.