Hi folks - sorry I haven’t updated. The first of the month when all the bills came due knocked me for a loop. I mean, I know the total, but all the front-loaded costs of buying a horse… Um. PPE, insurance, blankets, $125 to my favorite saddle fitter to add flocking to Feronia’s old saddle, dental (see below) etc etc… And now she is going into shoes (also see below.)
I also had a bit of a crisis over Lola being more of a project than I anticipated. She is absolutely a blast to ride - very responsive, quick, and Loves. To. Go. She’s a little nervy, but feels safe. Trainer reminded me that every time I ride her, I have a bigger smile at the end. The trainer still loves her and thinks she could be a very fancy dressage pony.
Our first canter was a mad scramble for only a few strides; the second time, she was all “OK, let’s DO IT!” Not Feronia’s beautiful canter, but enough to work with.
She’s still difficult for me (but not others) to bridle, and standing at the mounting block is a work in progress. Treats help!
Getting her a dental has made a huge difference in how steady in the contact she can be. I do think her teeth were bothering her. She had some sharp points.
I was hoping to keep her barefoot, hoping I’d just need boots for riding outside the arena, but she’s footsore and not getting better. Her soles are thin and soft. And because she is out 24/7, and the way barn work is set up, I can’t get booting done as I’d prefer. So I’m having shoes with pads put on on Tuesday. The farrier thinks this could be temporary, just until she has more sole. I will be able to start taking her to the orchards again. We will have company to start with, and then a lot.of “50 foot trail rides” until I’m sure she’s ok going out alone with me. (She’s been out alone with the trainer, and with someone at the barn where I bought her.)
I’m unfortunately on a bit of a break because I had very minor surgery on Friday, and have 10 stitches in the skin along my spine, and can’t do anything that might cause them to pop (back skin is very tight.) So 2 weeks of no riding and minimal handling, I can’t lift anything heavy, etc.
Oh… She got out Thursday night, my fault for not doing the gate chain properly, but didn’t get into any trouble and was standing outside waiting to be let back in on Friday morning. I think she just hung out with her friends.