The Daily Dumb

[lenapesadie]

I “adopted” a senior horse this spring. He came with a leather halter lead shank combo and a turnout sheet. Well used and dirty, but complete with engraved name plate on halter and his name embroidered on the turnout sheet.

Dumb #1 - it’s me again. I assumed that the well used turnout sheet with his name embroidered on it ya know would fit the horse. Sent it out for pro cleaning and thought nothing more about it. I assumed WRONG.

Dumb #2 - The turnout sheet in question maybe fit this horse when he was an undeveloped 3 yr old. Maybe. His butt was hanging out 4-6”, the fabric strains and bunches up over his shoulders and the neck opening is so tight it chokes him out if he tries to put his head down in a grazing position. PSA - skip the embroidery and get blankets that fit.

Senior horse made some honest attempts at biting me (he wasn’t successful and I didn’t get onto him for it) as I tried it on him this weekend. Once I had it on, I assured the poor guy I’d be trying to bite too and promptly removed the offending blanket.

Horse didn’t try to bite or otherwise act grouchy when trying on blankets that came a lot closer to fitting him. He’s no dumb dumb. He just doesn’t like being pinched by blankets 2/3 sizes too small.

Now, whatever situation resulted in this poor horse being subjected to uncomfortable clothes that don’t come close to fitting is absolutely dumb.

[endlessclimb]

I had a conversation today with trainer man where he was trying to tell me there was no point in asking a horse to counter bend. That he always wants his horse’s nose to the inside (because the nose is all you want, right? haaaa)

No attempts at explaining, both biomechanically or super dumbed down, made any headway. Finally I just said “I ask my horses to do it to see if they will” and rode away. Ugh.

[endlessclimb]

Also - holy AWESOME update on the OTTB with the ugly legs -

That owner. I could just hug him and squish him. He has the best timing and feel of any neon green person I have EVER seen. He’s also learning lots at his riding lessons up the road.

He walk trot cantered that horse (who is shockingly sound at the moment) both way the other night. On a loose rein. With one hand, while trying to hold his cowboy hat on with the other. I could have cried I was so happy. He was having a little trouble at the mounting block (horse stands nicely but swings hips away), so I’ve been training him to do that “shimmy closer when I tap your croup” trick and he learned it fast.

I really think it’s going to work out!! I told that guy flat out how awesome he was, how much potential he has, and how great the two look together. I LOVE a happy ending. I also LOVE when beginners take lessons. It makes the whole experience so much more pleasant for both horse and rider. Hooray!!

[Russinka]

Best news! So glad it’s working out for both of them <3

[endlessclimb]

Went on a trail ride today. Agreed to go before I knew Crazy and her Eastern European boy toy were going.

I ended up getting off my horse to help European man bridle for two reasons - 1) I didn’t have time to stand there for 45 minutes as I was on a time crunch and 2) I couldnt take watching him slam the bit into her teeth and wrench on her ears for one more minute.

While I was helping I told him off, telling him that he absolutely can not be pulling on her ears or face because that HURTS HER and it’s no wonder the mare doesn’t like him to bridle. His response? “But I have a treat”. Wtf.

I hurt his feelings. I don’t care. Morons.

[endlessclimb]

OTTB owner was there tonight when I went for evening feed and to check on the horses (young one got her shoes pulled, wanted to feel for heat etc.). He was cantering around happy as a clam when I walked in. He said the shimmy trick worked great for him, so that’s great! Hope the horse retains it.

So entirely happy for that pair.

[cheval_convert]

I chuckled when I read this. Does that make me a bad person?

[B_and_B]

I’m the daily dumb. Cut a corner with the young boy (2 and a half, big Shire gelding) tonight. Really thought the flat halter and a borrowed shank from the another horse’s halter…a shank with a chain because sometimes that horse needs that…and no gloves, and a calm evening I could get away with not going back for his rope halter and cotton lead that I had forgotten. Ow. Ow. Ow. Did not know you could take little pinky fingernails off sideways.

[endlessclimb]

Oooo you made my stomach flip with the nail comment. OUCH

[Bebe_Falcon1]

@endlessclimb

If I ever see someone being mean to the barn staff, they are immediately written off in my mind. Same goes for waiters/waitresses and low level customer service reps.

Right?! We were at a wedding of one of my husband’s friends, everyone was in their mid-20s. One of the other guests there, who we were only acquaintances with at this point (we had mutual friends), starts ragging on the servers who are at the moment bringing out the hors d’oevres (did I spell that right?). Anyway, I tend to let a lot of things slide because I can’t do confrontation, but this bothered me … and I said something. Twice. What it was, I can’t remember, but it wasn’t rude … it was more “I’m sure they’re doing the best they can” kind of thing. We were standing in a circle with a few of our mutual friends, and I remember feeling like nobody else was backing me up on this which was a little distressing. Common decency not so common…? Anyway, we all continue on with our evening … she proceeds to get stupid drunk and boozy in the rental accommodations we’d all been booked into (a small chalet-type thing with separate bedrooms split amongst this same group of mutual friends). Manages to smash a bottle of wine (champagne?), glass everywhere. The girl is a hot, obnoxious mess.

Well, turns out this hot, obnoxious mess can hold a GRUDGE. From then on, I was invisible to her. I remember seeing her again at a future get-together with these same mutual friends and she literally blanked me AS I was trying to be civil and introduce my infant daughter to her and the mutual friend that had walked over with her. It was so childish, that I was genuinely at a loss for words.

Eventually she and her husband broke up (I guess he eventually saw the light too) and that was the end of that, she finally stopped showing up at get-togethers with these mutual friends. Hallelujah!

[TheJenners]

@Bebe_Falcon1

Well, turns out this hot, obnoxious mess can hold a GRUDGE. From then on, I was invisible to her. I remember seeing her again at a future get-together with these same mutual friends and she literally blanked me AS I was trying to be civil and introduce my infant daughter to her and the mutual friend that had walked over with her. It was so childish, that I was genuinely at a loss for words.

Had something very similar happen once, minus kiddo. I was talking to a woman’s husband about something in which she featured and she walked right by, cold shouldering us both. She used to work with me, “retired” after 10 years when she got preggers, and was a gossip to the point that is was… evil? malicious? to the people she gossiped about, but I don’t think she realized it? If she did then she was evil. But I think she just broke her understand and empathy bone as a child and it never healed right, I truly think she is damaged in some fashion. Or a sociopath. Or is it psychopath? Regardless. To make it horsey, I did try to be her friend to include taking her on a trail ride, and put her up in my house for a month no charge when she sold her condo but hadn’t moved in with her now-husband yet. Come to find out, she told everyone my house was “filthy” and she couldn’t stand it. Errrm. I had two long-haired dogs and lived alone and worked about 55 hours a week plus had several horses boarded that I went to ride on days off. House cleaning, not top priority, but filthy? No.

[Bebe_Falcon1]

@TheJenners

But I think she just broke her understand and empathy bone as a child and it never healed right, I truly think she is damaged in some fashion. Or a sociopath. Or is it psychopath?

I actually looked this up because I really don’t know the difference between the two, but would lean towards sociopath although both are on the Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) spectrum. If it were just the cold shoulder on that one occasion I’d wonder if she thought you were gossiping about her, but to add-in all the other details … yeah, the nutty is strong with that one.

I don’t know if you experienced this as well, but the worst part of the situation for me was feeling like I’d done something wrong … but what?! As an introvert, I find extroverts often have a hard time sussing me out and can be very suspicious of my quieter nature… so I think that was probably a big part of it as she was in the habit of ignoring me even before the wedding situation.

Truly though, nobody was happier when I learned of her divorce

[BatCoach]

@endlessclimb

If I ever see someone being mean to the barn staff, they are immediately written off in my mind. Same goes for waiters/waitresses and low level customer service reps.

100%. I have worked in multiple retail and food-industry jobs when I was younger and throughout college. Everything from the cashiering at Target to bartender to waitress at a fine dining restaurant. I firmly believe that this country would be a better place if everyone had to experience being in the service industry for a month.

It is not as easy as it looks. Struggling to pay your bills based on the tips is rough. Having to smile and nod at rude, sexist assholes just so you don’t blow your chance at a tip is horrible. The “verbal tip” when a customer compliments your service and then just tips 10% was equally bad.

I simply will not tolerate someone being rude to a service member. I also can tell when a waiter/waitress is slacking and will tip accordingly, but having been on the other side gives you a good sense for when someone is working their buns off but the kitchen is backed up, the hostess double-sat their section and things are in the weeds beyond their control.

I could tell MANY tales of service horror stories, but that’s a subject for a different thread. Needless to say, don’t judge people unless you have been in their shoes. Being rude or condescending to someone who has a tough job to do is the biggest red flag.

[horseshorseshorseshorses]

This isn’t a dumb but a small joy.

The kid I’m teaching cantered for the first time yesterday and squealed so loud. I could tell she was squealing with joy but her mom and my boss (who I asked to be there to make sure I was explaining how to canter correctly. I needed some moral support) thought it was a squeal of terror. I am so proud of how she did.

[endlessclimb]

How long have you been teaching her? I love teaching kids - I always feel obligated to give back and “fuel the addiction” whenever I can.

[horseshorseshorseshorses]

About 6 weeks. We had a breakthrough a couple of lessons ago and she has progressing with leaps and bounds.

[Spudsmyguy]

@BatCoach

I also can tell when a waiter/waitress is slacking and will tip accordingly

DH and I were at a restaurant and after being seated were promptly ignored. As we’re sitting there, I see the waitress and what was obviously a trainee shadowing her go to another table and took a quick look around and spotted us sitting there. I see the trainer whisper in the trainee’s ear and the trainee comes over and says “we kinda forgot about you sitting here.” I told her that if you want to make it in this business, never, ever tell a customer you forgot about them. Make something up if you have to. We ended up getting comped for dinner that night.

[2DogsFarm]

Combination Daily Dumb & COVID Vent

Watched Yellowstone with horsefriends Sunday.
Saturday 1 of the Sisterhood of 4 tested + for COVID & was absent, claiming she thought it was “just sinuses”.
Um. No. test is looking for a specific virus, Science Gal*
*retired Surgical Tech
Then Monday host called to tell me #2 had tested + & she was waiting for her test to come back.
She texted Wednesday to tell me she was also +.
I had spent the day taking another horsepal for an outpatient surgery - so mostly sitting in a car at less than Social Distance.
Called her - she has had COVID & is not vaccinated “I have antibodies”
Then I went to the local Urgent Care where they do walk-in testing.
Got the noseswab (no Biggie) & was told results would be available in 24-48h on their website.
This morning I got results & {HAPPY DANCE! } I am Negative!
Called Sunday’s host & yesterday’s friend to let them know.

Now for the Dumb:
The 4th Sister is a FB Idiot, considers it her duty to inform her “peeps” there on details of other peoples lives. Generally w/o asking those she outs for whatever.
Sidenote: Vet has fired her as a client for this reason. Asked 4 to take a post down as it contained untruths about vet & a client. Was told “It’s a free country”

So yesterday 4 posts about the three cases of COVID - naming names & coyly saying “Maybe I’m next”
Chances are pretty good on that as those 4 spend a lot of time all but holding hands at the one’s barn - the BO.
A handful of the 15-odd Boarders are 4’s FB “Friends” - so chances are they have read her Announcement & are probably running around with their tails on fire.
Rightly so, as I don’t believe BO has yet shared her nedical status, or that of the other 2 - both boarders & “Help”.

To ice the poopcake, 4 is claiming - in yet another FB spew - she thinks her symptoms of this week - productive cough, fever, joint pain - are merely a cold she caught from her son who shares a teeny house - think: doublewide - with her.
But, she acquieses & goes for a test today.
Surprise - she is +

Karma did put a hand in - 4 forgot her insurance card & got charged $120 for the test everyone else (me included) got free.

I am going for a re-test on Monday & will stay away from The 4 for at least 2 weeks.
You really cannot fix Stoopid.

[trubandloki]

@Spudsmyguy

@BatCoach

I also can tell when a waiter/waitress is slacking and will tip accordingly

DH and I were at a restaurant and after being seated were promptly ignored. As we’re sitting there, I see the waitress and what was obviously a trainee shadowing her go to another table and took a quick look around and spotted us sitting there. I see the trainer whisper in the trainee’s ear and the trainee comes over and says “we kinda forgot about you sitting here.” I told her that if you want to make it in this business, never, ever tell a customer you forgot about them. Make something up if you have to. We ended up getting comped for dinner that night.

I guess I am silly but I would have appreciated the fact that they were honest with me.

[BatCoach]

yeah, I would have admitted my error, apologized profusely and gotten them a free appetizer/soup whatever and really made a point of giving them extra attention for the rest of their meal. Most customers will see through a lie and it just makes the situation worse. Better to cop to your (human) mistake and rectify the situation as best you can.