A little visit

Thanks for your sweet comments on my last post. They really did help, and made me smile. :)

Maddy and I drove to MA last weekend to see Lucy and Kayla and pick up my tack and blankets. When I sold Lucy, Kayla didn't yet have a bridle or saddle to ride in that fit her, so I gave her mine to use, and I also left Lucy's Baker stable sheet and her rain sheet for Kayla to use until she could buy her own blankets. Lucy now has a fully-stocked brand new wardrobe and Kayla gets mega bonus points because she washed my blankets before giving them back :D

Lucy looked pretty good. Kayla reported that she's been a bit fresh, but Kayla was fully prepared to deal with Winter Lucy and said she's just taking it easy with her until they find their cold weather groove. Unfortunately at the barn she's at, the horses only get 1/2 day of turnout during the winter, so I'm not surprised Lucy has some extra energy. I encouraged her to go out on some hacks beyond the walls of the indoor to keep Lu from getting bored, and not get stuck doing patterns of the same old stuff in the ring. Kayla's also eager to learn some of Lucy's groundwork tricks, so Maddy gave her a crash course before we headed back to RI.

 

Hello, Blogland

Hi Peeps.

I've been writing this entry in my head, and occasionally actually IN Blogger, for a month or so now, but it always seems so boring and unworthy off the "Publish" button.

Why? Because I have no horse, and this is a horse blog.

I've been going through a horse crisis of sorts. Horses make me depressed, and yet I miss them fiercely. I've ridden a handful of times but a few weeks ago when I rode Maddy's horse Brantley, I ate dirt because he casually refused the Smallest Crossrail on the Planet (after basically giving me a clear memo that he wasn't going to jump it approximately five strides out) in textbook form at the TROT, and like a total jerk I casually looked at the ground and fell right over his shoulder. So really, the whole thing was a FAIL and it hurt my soul more than it hurt my body, because what the hell happened to this?

 

Lucy is flourishing in her new home, which I am so grateful for. With a horse as unique and potentially difficult as she is, I am so relieved she is secure in a great situation with a girl who loves her even when she's nutty, and a trainer who is prepared to deal with her on good days and bad.

 

I've seen photos of her sleeping in a stall full of fluffy white shavings, being cuddled by everyone at the barn, and looking calm and happy. I've heard stories of her being fed lots of treats and munching on hay that's up to her knees in her stall. She gets lots of turnout and I can tell she's in the right place. If our story together had to end, I am grateful hers continues as it is.

 

I am sad and embarrassed that I failed and became another statistic. Girl gets pregnant. Girl has baby. Girl tries to keep horse, but just cannot handle it. Girl sells horse. Girl loses that whole part of herself.

 

Classic.

 

Not that I don't love being a mom, because Hannah is my greatest joy. I just wish I could have figured out a way to do it all.



I went to Equine Affaire with Maddy, Natalie and Lauren, who was up visiting for the weekend. They all bought things for their horses. I bought chocolate and ate my feelings. I just suck so much at being horseless.

So that this entry is not totally depressing, here are some recent photos. Hannah is now 8.5 months old. She says "dada", walks with a walker and also along couches or tables, crawls, high-fives, claps, and plays peek-a-boo. She's also realllly adorable:

Meet Kayla, Lucy's new mom

Today I signed the sales agreement for Lucy, which makes her no longer my horse. I am very sad about this, but also very happy, because her new person is a perfect match. Kayla is head-over-heels for Lucy, and after watching her ride today, I can tell you all that Lucy feels the same. She was so happy and so relaxed under saddle today. Kayla rides with Morgan so Lucy gets to stay where she is, which I am relieved about. I know she will be well taken care of and want for nothing. Kayla plans to event her down the road, but is going to take some time to get to know Lucy better before heading out to competitions.

I will probably do a more introspective post when I have time, but for now, I will leave you all with some photos I took of Kayla and Lucy today.

Lucy & Life

I sure fell off the face of the planet, huh? Life is crazy, but for a good reason: I got a new job and I am now working full time again. I love my job and I am treated very well there. I am a graphic designer for a local marketing agency. The work is fast-paced and never-ending, just the way I like it! The day flies by. My coworkers are all incredibly smart people and I am learning a lot from them.

With the addition of a 40-hr work week, my trips to visit Lucy have been limited, but I did go see her last weekend at King Oak's horse trial. I drove 250 miles round trip in one day by myself with a dog and a baby in 93 degree weather. It was a LONG day. Lucy decided to pick a fight with the water complex in XC and was sadly eliminated, but other than that the event was a great experience. She put in her best dressage test to date and looked tense as usual, but very workmanlike, and had some really lovely moments at the canter. I was a proud mom.

Here are some photos:

It was extremely hot and humid that day. We were all sweating!

going through the water....finally

We are down to crunch time with getting her sold, unfortunately. If she doesn't sell by Oct 1, she's coming home to me. I feel both elated and terrified that this may happen. I have been functioning well without the responsibility of a horse, and telling myself it's for the best, but you all know that I adore her and miss her terribly. It was hard enough to send her away the first time; I don't know how I would do it a second time.

Several people are going to see her in the next two weeks, so maybe the perfect home will present itself.

Here is her equine.com ad. Please share it if you know of someone looking for a horse like Lucy. She is priced extremely reasonably.

I have had the opportunity to go riding with Maddy a few times. There is a Haflinger mare at her barn who is hanging around getting fat (as Haffies tend to do) so her owner has allowed Maddy to ride her, and was kind enough to extend the offer to me. We have been out on the trails twice; yesterday was the second time. This mare is a TANK. She can't be more than 14hh and I'll admit it's really weird to be able to see over a horse's back when I'm standing next to it! I had the most fun yesterday. I actually laughed for half the ride. She was a blast to ride.

Hannah is doing so well. She continues to be the best part of my day, every day. I look forward to getting out of bed to see her smiling up at me in the morning, and I rock her to sleep every night. She is almost six months old and is still tiny, but is getting bigger!

Here are a few photos:

With Mini Lucy, made by Alicia from The Redheaded Mare

With my sister-in-law...I love this photo