Wednesday 11 March 2015

(Almost) Rock Bottom

Adding the almost to the title since no one has been injured or worse and obviously I'd hate to tempt fate and really get to explore rock bottom!

Moving both the girls together seemed like a super good idea at the time, but it's seriously coming back to bite me in a big way. I think it helped Ginger initially, since she did settle in and eat/drink right away, which never happens. But the past two days both horses have been seriously herd bound to one another and giant PITA's. I had to switch their paddocks around this morning because I just couldn't handle it anymore. They can still see/hear each other, but there are a couple of horses/paddocks between them. At last check, Ginger is still screaming, running the fence line, and refusing to eat or drink. I'm trying to not panic that she's going to colic or run through a fence or really hurt her (sometimes stiff) back end or something. I think perhaps a clean break would have been better! Neither of them have ever been particularly herd bound before, especially to each other, so this is a new thing and on a level I haven't seen before, particularly when they are sharing fence lines with other (calm, friendly) horses who I'm sure wouldn't mind being friends. I put a raincoat on her since I'm pretty sure she won't use her shelter, and it's pouring rain, so of course now I am also having flashbacks to the time she got tangled in her blanket and wouldn't let anyone rescue her. (Seriously, they had to call me to come free her so she had to wait for me to get away from work and ended up with that funny white mark on her neck from the tangled blanket giving her a pressure sore)
Random pic of the baby kitty to keep things happier.
What's even more surprising is that Bridget has lost her little mind as well. I was unprepared for that since she is always the rock steady one and she's even been to this particular place and arena before and been just fine (actually they both have, but at least with Ginger we expect she'll be upset her routine has changed). Bridget has of course moved around and been out to other barns plenty, so the last thing I expected yesterday when I rode was to have one of the more difficult rides of my life. I was so unprepared I didn't even think to bring a longe line so I was stuck riding through it. She called to Ginger a couple of times on the way out of the barn, which isn't like her, but Ginger was kicking up such a fuss I ignored it. Once I got on at the ring though, it was apparent the baby pony was gearing up for a huge meltdown. I feel like I handled it very well, since I've been there plenty with babies when I was younger and braver and just sort of went on autopilot with the bendy circles and one rein stops where necessary. Still, not a nice feeling to know my 'steady eddy' has quite so many nasty moves. My legs are still a bit tired today (and my back, oh boy, the prancy giraffe trot and crowhop canters are for younger people than me) ! Bridget doesn't intimidate me at all, at least, and we know her status quo is normally chill and lazy, so I am sure we'll work through this shortly.

SOMEONE HEEELLLLLPPPP, I am alone in the desert!!!!!! Only pic you get, needed both hands on the wheel :)

I'm really wishing I had just brought Bridget or Ginger alone - both of them together is competely overwhelming at the moment and I may go deaf from all the screaming. So much drama. This was supposed to be fun! I'll do a recap on Ginger's outing tomorrow, since I don't think I can put much more negativity and whining paranoia into one post. I'll explode the internet or something.

On the plus side, when I went to the tack store this morning to replace a broken halter and some stolen tack (told you it's been a bad week), I saw these awesome blue full seats in the super clearance bin and they were my size! I'm choosing to believe the universe was sending me a sign that I've not been completely forsaken - after all, it was only hours after publicly admitting my desire for some blue breeches on Lauren's happy blue breech post. Also, I'm pretty sure full seats are going to be neccessary this week, so double win! (And yes, I think I've just admitted that I'm almost OK with my tack getting stolen and my horses trying to kill me - apparently all it took was a pair of blue breeches in the clearance bin to make me believe the world is still on my side lol)


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7 comments

  1. Now I'm flashing back to the horrible time I had last year taking my horse to two clinics. She'd even been to one location before, several times, and she was freaking out anyway. I'm sorry you are going through this now, and that even Bridget is reacting that way.

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    1. It's so funny how they can get. I wish I had the tools to diffuse the situation before it gets to that level, because it's hard when it seems to be their general state of being for days on end. I have faith Bridget will find her brain - this was a bit of a big ask for her and she is still a baby. Thanks for the kind thoughts :))

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  2. Aww man... sounds like you are ready for a tall glass of wine my friend.
    This time of year seems to have all the horses acting out their willies, I wouldn't stress yet.
    Best of luck.

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    1. I vented to a friend last night over a drink and her thought was "MARES!" and springtime. You're both probably right - I need to just let it be and laugh :)

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  3. Ha! Suzie is doing the same thing too.

    Perhaps the Winter has made them go batty? Try not to stress too much about it *hugs*

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    1. Poor you! I'm feeling more positive today and feel like I will have good rides tonight!

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  4. so frustrating! sorry it's been such a struggle - hopefully they snap out of it as quickly as it started? and hey, at least you'll look fab in your fancy new blue pants even when the mares are losing their marbles!! (i also just found a super discounted pair of blue pants in just my size and couldn't be happier... it's the little things!). in any case, good luck dealing with it and hopefully things get better soon!

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