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Adventures With Izzie, Diego And Iris

85K views 1K replies 37 participants last post by  gottatrot 
#1 ·
Well, I'm dreadfully bored at work, so I decided I'd make a member journal about my girly. I kind of keep quiet on the forum, so perhaps this is a way for people to get to know us a bit.

I own one very wonderful mare named Written In The Stars aka Izzie. Not the best registered name, but it was the only one we could agree on once we decided to change it from the dreadful name she used to have (OLA Shaharazaud; the OLA was given from her previous owners naming their backyard breeding operation Oak Leaf Arabians, which only bred Half Arabians). They also lied on her registration papers about when she was born. If you search OLA Shaharazaud the birth date listed is 4/21/2010, but her papers say 5/6/2010. Coincidence I sent in the deposit for her in April and picked her up May 13th of her yearling year? I think not. They hadn't registered her yet, and also did not register as PtHA as they claimed she was registered in (whatever, we've only done fairs and AHA shows).

Anyway, about Izzie! Izzie is a now 5 year old Half Arabian/Half Paint mare (pedigree here for those interested: Written In The Stars Part-bred Arab). We bought her as a fresh yearling just by seeing her picture on video of her movement. She seemed like a willing, happy filly, so we figured let's go for it! Worst case, she'd wind up a trail horse. Best case, I'd have one heck of a show horse! Well, I got both ;) She's a fun little trail horse who, while nervous sometimes, really wants to do what I ask of her. I am fair when I ask something new, but she knows she has to put forth some effort to earn a reward. This is just an example of her willingness. We had only walked in the creek one other time, and it was from the ground as a yearling or two year old:

I'll make a couple posts of her throughout the years so not as to make one enormous post :D

Horse Vertebrate Mammal Working animal Saddle
 
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#763 ·
Cassie, I HATE dress shopping too. And I'm still carrying a bit more weight than I'd like, so blah. Just hate trying dresses on. I'm hoping Syd finds one she likes. For only being 2.5 she is SO picky about what she wears!! Makes me want to pull my hair out :lol:

He really can't :D he's staying down with Blair for training, but he seemed super excited last night. Which made me incredibly excited. I'm just so happy for him!!

I had Nick measure out the arena, and it's definitely narrower than a dressage arena, and WAY shorter. Particularly with the truck parked in there :/ It was good practice though since we are SO used to the giant open field. I think that is what skews me A LOT in there, and then combined with the hard floor and hearing her hoofbeats. It all just messes with my head a bit and makes me imagine we are going way too fast or way too slow or strung out or just a mess. Because I felt all those emotions last night, and the video doesn't fit what I was feeling during those times.

It's actually her perfect fit now. The fitter has this neat little machine that can widen and narrow the front of the saddle to allow for it to fit how it needs to be. I'm definitely pleased with it. It didn't shift AT ALL during our ride, which is HUGE. Everything shifts on this horse. But this didn't! I definitely feel better, but I think after so long in that Harry Dabbs I'm all skewed now, and then factor in the bareback riding. I'm a mess haha! I don't look it, but I feel like it!

Thank you Cassie! I take that as a high compliment from you :D and reaffirms my ponderings over this saddle versus the old one (the old one had me in a chair seat, skewing my feeling of when she sits and works), and now I have to relearn how she feels now. Though, we're finding the more we work, the less she comes down on her forehand now. I need to remember this when I'm riding for the next little bit as I grow accustomed to the correct saddle. And oh yes, I imagine we will get that a lot :lol: we already do, and people are always like "REALLY? Are you sure??" Haha, yes, I have her papers :lol: and goodness was she sassy. I was like come on now. There is no need for this today. I'm glad she's maintained fitness so well though. Both Nick and I were like "How is she only slightly warm, slightly sweaty, and barely breathing hard?!" Because we had to WORK a little bit with her attitude. But thank you! That compliment will have me smiling the rest of the day :D
 
#764 ·
It SUCKS when you're a woman to shop, I always struggle for clothes or anything else. It's just a pain and most women I know that have any kind of shape struggle too. I always have to end up getting my stuff tailored but every stores sizes are different from store to store, vanity sizing is out of control, so every store and in every make you have to try on a variety of sizes and after a few you just get exhausted! Hopefully Syd finds something she likes!

That's really wonderful for him! It's so special when you can finally have a horse of your very own to bond with and enjoy :)

Yeah, our arena is pretty small too I can't remember the exact size but it's the same width but a little over half the length. I want to say 100 x 115 but the footing looks really hard on a horse's legs, I see why you aren't a fan. That's like our horses when they go to one of the show grounds because they're used to our textile footing they tend to get hurt on the footing. It's just bad footing. But I can imagine the disorientation going around in confined surroundings. But I do think sometimes what we feel and what we see is deceptive some rides feel better or worse than what they look like!

That's pretty neat! I'm really happy for you guys!I'm so glad you've found something you really like! Lol it takes a while to get it together, I was a mess when I first got back int a saddle too. It happens to us all :P

You're welcome :-D I'm really glad to see you guys coming along so well! And I can imagine! I used to get asked if Dante was a lusitano or azteca or some kind of spanish horse or cross. lol well at least she reminded you that she's still your Izzie and still has plenty of opinions to spare! It's great she's kept so fit! I've noticed a lot of horses haven't been doing a lot of sweating either, I guess that's a good thing provided how cold it is! I bet it helps regulate their systems!
 
#765 ·
You guys look good! As always! & your indoor arena looks nice. So jelly.
Bahaha she was just being lazy huh?! Like, no, mom...it's too cold, I don't wanna WORK TODAY! :lol:
I'm soooooooooo happy that the saddle seems to be working out for you & Izzie. :) Like, about time right?! It's been LOOOOOOOONG enough without a saddle/good-fitting saddle. You deserve it.
Seriously, that's awesome. Plus you seem super comfortable in it too/secure. All good signs! & it not shifting is definitely good. I'm sure it does feel odd being in a saddle (a properly fitting one at that) since you were bareback for the longest time.

An adjustment would be nice, I'm sure she will like that then get back to her normal self! I just got adjusted the other day, it really made me feel brand new! I love the chiro. She's definitely in good shape since she barely works up a sweat. Wish it was the same for me! :rofl: SO happy for you guys!! Like perfect way to start the new year. :smile:
 
#766 ·
Cassie, yeah the vanity sizing is ridiculous. Shouldn't be THAT hard to find stuff!! Thankfully if I find a dress I like that just needs some tweaking, Nick's aunt can do it. So that helps a ton! I'm sure Syd will find something she loves, then throw a fit when she can't bring it home :lol: she hasn't had to order something and then wait before! Hard for a 2 year old to understand that concept!

Yeah, that sounds small too :/ I've often thought yours looked short, but didn't realize it was that short! Yeah, it's why I only ride there in extreme circumstances, and am not very upset that I had to cancel last night. Kind of worried me to ride three days in a row there :/ most of the show grounds we show at have great footing. Not textile, but still pretty nice. Izzie typically doesn't mind, but I don't think she likes this arena either. Just so hard. And yeah, most of the arenas I ride in are much wider and either have a full aisle on either side of the arena or are fully enclosed. This one is a bit weird where there is an aisle, but they have it partially blocked off. Was a great practice in paying attention to me though :lol: and exactly. Like, that walk to canter I thought was an actual walk to canter. So it was like "huh, that isn't walk to canter" when I saw the video. I mean, not bad having truly put that request away since our last show, but still. Not a clear walk to canter. I need Nick to record more often... but I was glad my thoughts on our warm up and the rest of the riding were way off base. It looks way better than I was thinking.

Thank you :D I haven't been asked if she was a spanish type yet, but I've had someone recommend breeding her to one. Politely saying "no" was rather hard since I'm not really interested in going that direction. Just not what I have in mind for Izzie. Oh yes, she absolutely reminded me she's still my brat :lol: and not going to lie, I was disappointed she wasn't sweating. I had hoped to get her to sweat just to see if there were iffy sweat patterns. We rode for a solid hour (well, with walk breaks to catch our breath), so I had expected something. Silly mare!

Allison, thank you! We're trying! And the indoor is at least dry and not slick :lol: that's about the best I can say about it. And yeah, work was totally overrated. Like how dare I even ask?!

Thank you! It felt like forever, though I know people have gone longer. I'm just glad to have what seems like a solid option. And I am super comfortable in it. Still a bit weird getting used to it, but I feel very secure. Which I appreciate. Makes me realize how unsecure I was in the Harry Dabbs :lol:

She would definitely love the adjustment! Soon enough she can get one :) the chiro is a wonderful place! I wish it was the same for me as well :lol: but alas! I wish she had though! I wanted to check the sweat patterns, darn mare! I'm hoping this is just a hint of how great 2017 is going to be!

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Not really any update. It snowed last night, and while it wasn't much (1-3"), our roads get notoriously slick and little attention is paid to the back roads. Izzie lives on a barely lane and a half wide road, with the arena being before I get to Izzie's. So, with the awkward turn into the arena, just wasn't worth it. I did, however, have Cliff check her back last night for any soreness, and nothing came up. Hooray! I'll take that as a good sign thank you kindly! I'm sore in all the right places too, so I was ok with having a break :lol: I did laundry, sat in my chair, and watched movies last night. It was AMAZING! And Nick made nachos for dinner :lol: spoiled!

Today the roads are clear, and while it is disgustingly cold out (17 degrees), we are hauling her to ride. I'm not letting the cold be an excuse right now when I NEED to check this saddle out. Throughout the month I might not go ride because of the cold, but before I spend this amount of money I'm checking it out best I can! Probably will be a fairly short ride since it's only going to get more frigid when the sun goes down, so I'm aiming to do a quick ride, hope for a fabulous one, and call it a day.
 
#767 ·
It really is, when I go to a store and need an XS there is something wrong with that! What do girls do who are actually really extra small? Oh that's great you have a capable seamstress to help your out and find

And it is small but I'm pretty used to it at this point. And I don't blame you, the footing is terrible! And you want to be careful with your girl! But sight to feel is sometimes not the same and sometimes it's pretty frustrating lol. Practice does help!

lol something about that legendary arabian stamina I think! But I agree I wouldn't cross Izzie with a spanish type either. I find spanish horses fascinating but I don't think they're same kind of quality as a warmblood as far as dressage goes.

I'm sorry it's so cold out, we have the same weather here with snow on the ground but glad Izzie isnt sore after the difficult ride!!
 
#768 ·
I know! It's just plain sad really. Or when I need such a variety in jean sizes. It's a mess. And I am thankful for that!

I think if I rode in an arena that size all the time I'd get used to it too. Most of our show venues are quite large, so I rarely ride in something tiny. And I'm lucky when we can put my arena letters up and actually try to keep to the width of a standard size arena. Otherwise, I know most of my stuff is ridden on a larger scale. Or sometimes smaller. Depends on the situation lol but yeah, that arena isn't something to ride in repeatedly. One day I'll have an arena with nice footing.... and yeah. Recording helps the most to me right now so I can see the video and remember what was happening during it or how I felt about it.

Haha, yeah. I was like "Izzie, SERIOUSLY?! I haven't asked you to work this hard in a while!!" I just had to laugh really. And I have zero intention of breeding her to one. The woman who suggested I do it is an absolute quack. Not someone I'll be taking suggestions from at all.

The cold is getting old. But this above freezing is nice for walking outside, not nice for riding plans. Above freezing means all the snow is melting and stuff is thawing. Meaning the ground is SLICK. And going to rain all week this week. Just what I want *sigh*

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Anyway, onto my way belated update. It's been a mess of a weekend.

I rode Friday, and that was the last day I rode. Izzie worked as well as can be expected. Canter was still a bit eh, but I honestly think it's a combination of her feet needing to be trimmed and the arena being so hard. Thankfully she's getting her feet trimmed tomorrow, yay!

We got down to the arena to be met with some major disappointment. They left a tractor and a truck PARKED in the arena. On Wednesday it was just the truck at one end of the arena. Not a HUGE deal, just shortened the arena. Friday they had the tractor at one end, and the truck parked on the side facing into the middle of the arena. On top of that all the horses were in. Which isn't a big deal and she needed to learn to focus on me anyway (she's normally pretty good about focusing in general with other horses around.) So anyway. We get our warm up in. I pick up the trot after our walk break and work on lateral work and a bit of collection work. Not a lot since I'm aware she may be a bit stiff from Wednesday, feet need to be trimmed, she needs the chiro, etc. You get the picture. Trying to be fair to Izzie.

So you all remember on Wednesday she wanted ZERO part of listening to my seat and core cues. Like, blew through them. Friday she felt good. I was trying to be careful not to half halt strongly on the outside or over use my inside leg when we did the lateral work. It was ok, and Nick recorded some of us coming straight at him. It's not the best we've done before, but it was decent.

Oh, yeah, forgot to mention. RIGHT as I picked up the trot and started working on lateral work, two guys came in the start feeding. They were carrying bales of hay across the arena as I was riding, leaving bales in the way, etc and just being SUPER distracting. So Izzie was having a tough time focusing because "THEY ARE GETTING FED!!!" These guys were screaming at the other horses and just being horrible. We got a few good passes, a few decent lengthenings, and called it a day. Wasn't worth dealing with these guys.

But my happiness and why I mentioned Izzie blowing through my core half halts on Wednesday. Friday, she had a brain for those. We were in full blown lengthen when I half halted with my core to bring her back down to a regular trot/borderline collected trot. And it was seriously like BAM! Back into regular trot. So happy!!

So I was pleased with that.

Saturday we went tack shopping. I got a pair of winter breeches since I've been freezing, and a pair of winter riding gloves (been riding in summer ones; anything would be warmer!!) Also bought new stirrup leathers since we ARE keeping the saddle. We both just love it. Hoping we continue to love it since it stressed me out to say the final "yes, it's working for us well." And bought that Passier Lederbalsam to condition my tack. Super pumped about it!

Sunday I had my meeting for my incentive fund. Found out I needed a paper signed by the veterinarian who cares for Izzie's sire. One problem. I am not on speaking terms with Izzie's old owner due to her using pictures of my children and pictures of my horse she stole off Facebook to use to sell Izzie's half siblings (through their sire). Solution, Blair is handling it for me. SO thankful.

I've been feeling BLAH since Saturday, and still do. Just sucks. Yesterday we took all the Christmas stuff in the house down, and I went to town cleaning it all up. Tonight I just have the bathroom to clean and one load of laundry to fold. Then I'm vegging. It has been a ROTTEN day today, so I need some relaxing time. Going to put a movie on for the kids, and probably sit and read a book. I need some me time.

Tomorrow Izzie gets her feet trimmed. Trying on a blanket and neck sleezy that I'm trying from Blair. Hoping they work and I can send her money :lol: perk of having a best friend own a used tack sale business: I get to try stuff on Izzie before I buy it :lol:

And then she has a chiro appointment on February 11th :) we have ZERO free weekends for the rest of January, and trying to go during the week is just WAY too stressful. So, going in February :)

Not sure when I'll get to ride again. If it keeps raining, it won't be for a while. Clay is just WAY too slippery when it's wet. And it's not worth getting Izzie hurt.

Oh, almost forgot. Here's the video from Friday. Just remember there was a disgusting number of distractions going on around her, and I wasn't asking for a whole lot.

 
#769 ·
She looks SO GOOD, Katie! And so glad you're both happy with the saddle! I'm so jealous of your posting trot! Lol.

I can't believe that lady stole your pics! Especially with the kids! WTH?? I would be so mad! I hope it gets straightened out without any drama. Common courtesy is such a simple thing!
 
#770 ·
SO freaking perfect. & don't argue with me, seriously, you both look so good. I'm super happy she's back to her normal self haha, like yes yes yes! :D
Awww you definitely deserve some you time. :)

Tack shopping is so much fun. :D & that's terrible she stole your pictures. So messed up. People have some nerve lemme tell you.
 
#771 ·
Tina, thank you! I'm very happy with it all :) and relieved haha! Lol, you'll get there. I'm working on digging out ALL of my old videos from when I was younger. You just wait.... I only have ONE tape (yes, VHS), and need to find a VHS player (hoping in laws have one I can borrow), but mom got me a converter thingy for Christmas. It lets me put them on my computer, somehow. I'll be figuring it out and then you can really see where I started haha! Cause it wasn't pretty!

And yeah, that was a MASSIVE blow up. She failed to see how it was an issue to share out pictures of my kids on Izzie (didn't even blur out their faces!!!) Claimed it was to show the temperament the sire passes on.... like, you have kids. Take pictures of them climbing all over the stud then. Izzie was with her for ONE year. Where the lady did NOTHING with her. She is allowed ZERO credit to what Izzie is now aside from picking a mare for her stud and turning them loose together. But anyway. Yes, it was ugly. I still have the screenshots from that mess.

Allison, you are awesome, thank you! :lol: I'm happy too. Much easier to work with her when she's happy! And I needed it. God I needed it. Didn't fold the last load of laundry nor clean the bathroom. Just didn't have any desire. Instead, I chatted on the phone with Blair for like an hour and a half. Felt like only a few minutes since we both talk so much :lol: but it was a good refresher for my soul to just chat with her.

It really is though! I'm DYING to go to Equine Affair when it comes to Columbus in April. I'm going on the hunt for a bridle! I'm super crazy picky haha! And yeah, I was NOT happy. I despise her. She's trying to use Izzie's accomplishments to sell her horses. Izzie is the ONLY horse she has bred that has gone on to do anything. And yes, I checked on the database. Well, I guess they *could* be showing open shows, but who really knows. Izzie has two full sisters that I'm aware of, and at least two others that the stud sired. The pictures were sent to a friend of mine, and she let me know. I wasn't amused. At all.

And no update because I was good and lazy last night :lol: I'll be trying the possibly new to us blankets tonight, so I'll be sure to snap some pictures. And Izzie is getting her feet trimmed, which is good! She needs them done!
 
#772 ·
Ooooh a new bridle would be lovely! :D That's really a shame she can't just sell her horses without being a dramatic you-know-what, like come on now. But all that matters is you got lucky finding Izzie & that lady can go fall off a horse for all we care. :lol: LOL. & girl talk is important, so I'm glad you got to relax for once. We all need those nights!

Can't wait to see pictures! :D She's getting the spa treatment getting those feetsies done. Did I just say feetsies? Apparently I'm 3. :lol:
 
#773 ·
It would be! I want something that will look and feel better on Izzie's face. Hopefully this year!

Yeah, she's a real witch with a capital B. I did get very lucky :) I'm super happy with her. And yes she can, if she actually rode! She claimed her stud did all these things like champion costume horse, champion dressage, etc. Database doesn't show that, and knowing her.... probably not. Oh, and he did baby piaffe. Her words. Because I'm such a failure my 6 year old mare is ONLY schooling Second Level with some Third Level movements.... Chatting with her was super necessary haha!

LOL, I say feetsies all the time. She was happy to have them done, and the farrier is very good with her. Makes sure she is balanced before he starts, etc. And understands that my dang horse has a high foot and nothing is going to change that! Trust me, the jack hole that tried it last year lamed her for two weeks.

Anyway, smallish update! Izzie had her feet trimmed, and I love my farrier :lol: he always tells me how awesome her feet are! She had good feet, then hit a period where it had been super wet and her feet were extremely soft. So she lived on Keratex. But I couldn't ever stop, and I felt bad asking our friend to put it on. Or we'd forget. Something. So we switched to hoof supplements. I ultimately put her on SmartPaks since I'm rarely the one who feeds her, so I try to make it as easy as humanly possible for anyone else who feeds. That supplement has changed her feet for the better! He was like "her feet are in such great shape! If every horse I trimmed today was like her I'd have been here three hours ago!!" Such minor things :lol: he was a bit late and felt bad about it. Another horse got thrown onto his schedule, and he forgets where Izzie is in the middle of NO WHERE. So instead of 5 it was 6. I told him lateness doesn't bother me really since I get working with animals causes inconsistent times. He comes when I ask (he truly had forgotten I'd texted him earlier, and when I checked it was 3 days before Christmas; so I'm not mad), and he does a good job. I told him I'd only be mad if I was out there and he cancelled on me for something that he could have avoided or if he had known and just hadn't bothered to tell me (like our last farrier.) Also said that road gets DANGEROUS in the winter, and Izzie is not in hard enough work to risk lives get down there. I told him it'd be a mutual canceling on those days. I told him our first show is March 19th, so let's plan to have her trimmed prior (she's trimmed on a 6 week schedule during the summer, but a little longer in the winter since her hooves don't grow as fast.) He wrote it down in his planner so he wouldn't forget :) just a stellar farrier!

We also tried blankets on Izzie :) while they may look a tough long down her legs, they fit elsewhere. They are for stall use only, and only if it's COLD (like, our October shows cold.) And Jammies. They are Jammie's brand, and that, folks, is a LARGE on that mare :lol: it goes down her nose a touch far, but I think a medium would be too tight around her barrel and jaw. She was highly offended I put it all on her, and kept looking at me and Nick like "you have got to be kidding me." She is so mistreated haha!




"Enough with the pictures, I'm out of here"


"WHY must you do this to me?!"


It has a small snag, but still perfectly usable :)


I'm going to do two posts since I have so many "creative" ones that I don't want to pick and choose haha!
 
#774 ·
And my fun, creative ones hehe. Something was extremely interesting over with the other barn, where she lives. You can see how wet everything is, and since we don't own this property... I try to be super respectful not to ride when it's nasty and wet like this. I don't need to damage their property just to ride, even if they say they don't care. And no, I did not get on my horse. I was all by myself and I don't get on when I'm alone lol just held my hand above her neck haha!








We took a selfie LOL


And this one was my favorite :) that is her barn in between her ears lol
 
#777 ·
I wish clothing makers just had a standard rather than sizes be all over the place to where people ask what size you wear and you're like I have no idea.

I'm glad you had a good ride on Miss Izzie and got some good half halts! Sometimes they forget some manners with so much time of lol. And got some good work in with good transitions before the feed came through, I cant say I blame her but I guess she'll have to get used to sometimes others will eat and she'll be working lol.

I'm so glad Blair is able to help you out with the previous owner and with getting your some good used stuff to try and see how well you like both like it. Maybe she'll get a crown pad one of these days lol.

I LOVE the horse jammies! Izzie looks adorable in them, like she's saying do I look pretty? Am I cute? Also love the selfie! Gotta love the horse selfies!

That previous owner of Izzie's sound like a real piece of work, very ignorant without a clue or common sense and a bit of shyster. EEk I'd want to keep away from that mess too! So rude. I'm sure you wouldn't mind had she asked first AND blurred out your kids faces and explained why she'd use them, rather than just using them without consent or asking. People are so rude sometimes, just be basically decent and respectful but for most people that seems too hard to manage.
 
#778 ·
So, I haven't updated in, well, forever :lol: there really hadn't been much going on. With all the rain the field was just TOO slick to do anything in. So Izzie got a month long vacation. She certainly didn't mind that hahahaha!

I did manage to get a few rides in recently though!

Last Wednesday was our first ride since we officially decided to keep the saddle. I'm still pleased with it, and Izzie certainly is too. She didn't lack ANY forward these past few rides. It was kind of intense really. I woke up pretty darn sore from the workout hahaha!

Rode again Saturday, and whew boy. Forward, forward, forward! It seems to be our mantra hahaha! We worked on some lateral work, and was the first time I really felt her lift up and sit in this new saddle. I'm having a tough time adjusting to a saddle that fits super well. Izzie's old one was narrow, and tossed me into a really bad chair seat. It also skewed my feel on her lifting since it sat in a way that made her feel super uphill. So the adjustment for me was tough. But I told Nick I felt like we could climb a mountain with how lifted she felt. We also did our first lengthened trot of the season to gauge where we are at. I felt like a Dressage superstar haha. I half halted at precisely the right moment each time to keep her lifted and driving, and oh my god. It felt phenomenal. So I'm super duper happy!

And finally I rode on Sunday. We did more of a long and low kind of ride since she seems a bit sore. She is in desperate need of an adjustment, which she gets on Saturday. We think her rib cage is swung to the right again, but she's still trying very hard for me. I've also been focusing a lot on our canter transitions. I've decided I'm a big part of our issues. I think I'm unintentionally tensing when asking her, which pisses her off. So lately I've been relaxing my body, asking, and going with it. And our transitions feel a lot better. Also working hard to relax my lower back at the canter. I fear I have more underlying issues from my accident than I originally thought, and this is the year I'm getting over them.

Nick recorded some of our canter work on Sunday. I didn't ask her to sit super hard, just go forward while I work on relaxing myself. Her canter felt super huge. Like Warmblood big. It was quite nice, and I'm not disappointed with the recording :) I'm also including a video of Izzie with the kiddos.

In other news, I was nominated for the AHA Region 14 Adult Amateur award, and Izzie was nominated for Half Arabian. I'm super pumped :) I'm hoping we have enough people that believe in us to vote for us to earn these awards! But really, I'm just tickled to be nominated :)



 
#779 ·
:lol: it has been forever since you updated. Good to see you lol.

Izzie is really amazing with the kids! That's so awesome that she's so gentle and understanding of them!

The video looks really good! Glad to see despite all the time off, she's able to come back stronger than ever! Forward isnt a bad thing! Lot more to play with! More to organize but more to play with too! But that's awesome you've had such good rides. February is a new month, I hope it's full or horsey time, riding and joy!!

Major congratulations on the nomination!! That's super exciting!
 
#781 · (Edited by Moderator)
I know! Work has been BRUTAL! But it's been good. I love what I do! Just super busy.

I love how she is with them. She really loves those little guys, which definitely makes life easier. Kids LOVE her.

She feels so much stronger! It's insane! Not complaining though :D she was adjusted today, which explains so much the issues we've been having (mainly her squealing only when I slide my right leg back.) Hopefully she feels better! And I'm doubting it. The next two weeks I'm working 4 10 hour days. And with the limited daylight there is a slim chance I'll get to ride. We will see though. Hoping to squeeze some ride time in!

Thank you! Voting just opened today :D So excited!

Seriously has been forever, but it's okay. :D Finally an update, yay!
Izzie is sooo adorable & I love how sweet she is with the kiddos, awww! Too cute. :D
Such a nice canter too, so big! Congrats too, you really deserve it, all that hard work pays off. :) So happy for you guys!!!
Haha yeah! Work and home life! Normally I can update at work, but pretty sure combined total this week spent at my desk was about an hour. And it's chopped up. So I can read, but not always respond!

She really is adorable with them :) I knew she would be when we got her. I just knew it.

It felt HUGE. I was totally okay with that. As long as it wasn't fast, I didn't mind. And it never felt fast :) and thank you! I'm so pumped.

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Not much of an update. She had an adjustment today, and boy did she need it. Her rib cage was visibly swung to the right, and she had one rib out. She had some issues in her back too that she reacted heavily to before he began. Her pelvis was also twisted to the left. Watching him work and get her fixed up is like magic. Izzie flattens her ears as he gets to an ouchy spot, and as soon as he rights it, ears are up and she has a happy, pleasant expression on her face. I swear one of these days she will go in nickering to him :lol:

I don't know how much riding I'll get to do for the next few weeks. I am working 4 10 hour days. Originally Nick wanted to go to the farm machinery show in Louisville on Friday, but we may go visit my family instead. The place I work in has Monday the 20th off for President's day, but my company does not. So I have to work 10 hour days to make up for that day. Just will have to talk Nick into meeting me down there to ride. I really need to get some ride time in. First show is March 19th. I think she'd be ok, but I'm a worry wort lol

And voting opened today for the awards! I'm super excited! Even if we don't win, I'm still very excited! We find out March 11th if we won :)

Almost forgot! Izzie modeling her new awards :)

And Alicia (evilamc) was awesome and made a little video of just Izzie on our trail ride to Hocking Hills. Izzie was in awe of everything!

 

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#780 ·
Seriously has been forever, but it's okay. :D Finally an update, yay!
Izzie is sooo adorable & I love how sweet she is with the kiddos, awww! Too cute. :D
Such a nice canter too, so big! Congrats too, you really deserve it, all that hard work pays off. :) So happy for you guys!!!
 
#782 ·
Moderators note:

Please excuse this interruption, Tazzie, to your journal.

A few posts have been removed at the request of this journals owner, as she felt they were inappropriate. Forum rules give journals greater protection and discretion by the author, since the main purpose is to document ones ongoing progress in their world of horses. Over and out.
 
#783 ·
I know how much you have on your plate is probably excessive but always better to be busy than not have enough to do imo.

She's great with the kids! I've noticed a lot of arabians seem to be very kid and people oriented. They seem to have an instinctual understanding of children.

Im glad the adjustment helped her and she's going well! So glad she's doing so well!! Im sorry you wont get much time to ride but hopefully soon!!

She looks very becoming in her awards! Very lady like, such a pretty girl!
 
#786 ·
Thank you for removing the comment, Tiny. Particularly in our world I don't appreciate having something like that said about my horse. I know my pictures are not always the most flattering, but I've taken enough of them to disagree with the comment.

Cassie, yeah, I may have overdone it a bit today :lol: I've done A LOT today. The girls I work with are like "I see you've gone crazy..." Just trying to help us catch up. The place I work has been dragging their feet getting a second contractor in (I'm a contractor), so a lot of stuff has fallen quite far behind. I've been busting butt trying to catch us all back up. They think I'm nuts, but oh well. I'm helping! And yes, I'd much rather be busy. Even if that means I won't be able to respond as often :lol:

That was one of the perks I put about her in her bio for the awards. Hoping it'll draw some votes from people who don't really know who to pick! We shall see.

I'm hoping she will be super happy when I do get to ride. She had to have 48+ hrs off after that adjustment (her rib cage was wreak and so was her pelvis), so I didn't get to ride on this BEAUTIFUL weekend. Such is life; she feels better and that is all that matters to me! Nick said he'd meet me down there this week to ride, so hopefully I'll get to squeeze some rides in. I'm sure my mother in law (or father in law) will take the kids so Nick can go down alone and get her tacked up for me to hop on. Best thing he ever learned was how to tack that horse up. Doesn't even mess up the shaped girth. So proud!!

I love her in the awards :D I have to drop the halter a couple of holes still. I didn't realize just how high up it was until I looked at the pictures and went "YIKES!" Least I can drop it down a bit. For reference, that is a Thoroughbred yearling halter :lol: TINY head!

Allison, I'm pleased with how she looks :) definitely makes me happy and makes me sure we picked the right saddle for her. I like it well enough. Still taking some getting used to, and working on fixing my position in it. But having her so happy to go forward makes it easier for me to work on myself. And I'm positive she does. She HURT. Like, chiro went to put his hands on her rib cage the first time and she flattened her ears. As he was adjusting she made a move to nip me (she didn't) because it HURT. You could tell the second he had it where it needed to be. Ears flopped and she was licking and chewing. Total relaxation. Let him happily run his hands all down her ribs after that, till he found the one that was out. Ears pinned again, and then happy when he adjusted it. That man is a godsend to Izzie.

She knows she's pretty :lol: she can be such a ham haha! I love that she loves her awards too :) she didn't mind it at all. Hopefully this week! Probably not today or tomorrow, but hoping for Wednesday depending on weather. I haven't looked at the forecast yet. And ugh, yeah. I was nutso busy this morning. It was good, but man I'm tired now!!

Thanks Carshon! I'm hoping so too :D

If anyone is curious, since it is public, here is the link to the website. If you go down to the nomination bios, you'll find ours. Mine is under Adult Amateur, Caitlyn Lauer. And Izzie is in Half Arabian, Written In The Stars.

Regional Information | Region 14
 
#787 ·
I hope youre able to get some rest and relax. I hope you can get some rest. But no problem being nuts, it's better to have a screw loose but be effective and get the job done than contribute nothing.

Aww I hope the voting goes in you and Izzie's favor!

It sounds like she had quite a bit out! I'm glad she's feeling better and hopefully the family can come together for some riding time! Hope you find the time!
 
#788 ·
Last week was 100000% brutal. It was the craziest week I've had since I've been here. But my pushing myself to the limit last week is allowing this week to literally be a breeze. Most of my stuff is getting it on the machines and waiting. Very little is hands on. Which is a WONDERFUL change after how exhausting last week was. I love my job, but my goodness I was whooped!

I'm hoping so. Voting has closed, and we will find out on the 11th. I've sent in my check for the banquet, so we are ready. Pretty excited. Trying not to get my hopes up since one rider and one horse that is against us is in a HUGE barn with a ton of members. I'd have to pull on a lot of stragglers and people who don't like that group. One downside to not being with a barn, but honestly... there aren't too many barns I'd want to be a part of. I consider myself under my best friend's barn, Phoenix Farms, but we aren't stalled there and don't train there. Just stable with her at shows :lol:

She really did. She felt WAY better after he adjusted her. I've been mounting from the off side too, to see if it helps a bit. SO awkward! But thankful I taught Izzie to be mounted from both sides haha!

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Update!!

So, last Friday Nick and I took the kids to the Farm Machinery Show in Louisville. Boy did they have a blast! It was a really enjoyable day with the family. I'd planned to ride Friday night, but I was way too exhausted from all of our walking around and pulling the wagon. So much fun though and worth it!

Saturday Nick and I went riding on his toy. It's fun for the most part, but I'm a chicken :lol: took me three alcoholic beverages to relax enough to enjoy it. I'm horrible with heights and have a paralyzing fear of falling (in this case, rolling his toy off a cliff). We had fun until he submerged the toy in a deep area of water. That ended the fun (the one thing I can't stand is a wet butt!!) Ended up needing to buy new clothes since we were drenched, freezing cold, and had a long drive home. Not amused at all. Oh well. At least we had fun! Here is video of us going through the neat tunnel, and going about 60-65 along the train tracks.



Sunday was a pretty relaxing day, with just plans to ride. We went toward the evening to ride so Nick could fix his toy (he put a hole in the tire). Boy was she good. At first it was sketchy, with a spin/spook thing over a lawnmower. We also had a chainsawing going and someone was shooting targets with an automatic gun of some sort. She was on high alert, so we put her to work. She would not do any lateral work unless my position was correct, which was definitely good for me. We did ok with that. Gave her a long rein, and said maybe it's time to pull the walk to canter back out and get working on it. Now that we are having clean departures from the trot with no squealing or bucking, it's clear she realized the saddle feels good. A few were a bit sketchy with a trot step or two first. But then she jumped into one from the walk and I squealed with excitement, doled out praise, and gave her a long rein before she was even walking. We were riding in a circle around Nick so he could be my eyes on the ground. Gave her a break with tons of pats, and went the other direction. A few messy ones, but then one that was a clear thrust from walk to canter. Instant long rein and quit for the day. They weren't show ring pretty, but I'm alright with that. I want her to understand the concept before we make things show ring pretty.

Monday Nick worked so I did my housework and got most of our laundry done. Met him down to ride once he got off of work. Did our warmup and told him I wanted to work around him again with walk to canter. It was nice having a set of eyes let me know if it was as clean as it felt or not. Our first one we took the wrong lead, which was ENTIRELY my fault. Instant praise anyway since she DID go into the canter. Couple more sketchy ones while I worked out my own positioning. Then had two GORGEOUS ones to the left. I'm talking I would absolutely show them in a rail class. Maybe not quite Dressage, but oh yes. Definitely my rail classes. Switched directions and went the other way. Couple sloppy ones, but then NAILED them again. She got to the point where she was like "I've got this mom, you just don't hinder me." Which a few times I did, which is why we had sloppy ones. Gave her a good breather and then we dragged out the cavalletti. We haven't done them in a while, and never four in a row. Boy do we need practice! But she had been eyeing them for a while now, so figured let's go for it. I think she wanted something new, and I'm not embarrassed to do what my horse wants to do sometimes (she clearly wanted to do cavalletti). I'm showing the video, just know it isn't pretty lol needs some work on both of our parts, but I'm happy enough with it. The end of the video was when I called it a day. I was pleased with it, and didn't want to push her and make her tired and frustrated.

All in all, my horse reminded me just how much fun she is, and how cool of a horse she really is. Man I love her to death.

 
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