SO, I'm not really sure what this journal will turn into yet, but I enjoy writing my thoughts down, so I had to make one. I have a feeling it will be a mix of all sorts of things.
WARNING: I'm long-winded. I am mostly doing this for my own outlet, so I won't be offended if nobody reads this stuff through.
I'm 21 years old, and will be graduating college May 9th. I have a major in elementary education, with a focus on liberal arts, and a minor in psychology. Right now I'm student teaching, and working for a non-profit agency that does section 24 work with children. I work hard, and it's not easy, but it's very rewarding. Student teaching 7:30-2:30 5 days a week, and work 3-7 4 days a week....Busy girl. I ran for Umaine cross country and track for two years, I decided the pressure was too much for me, but I do love to run. Right now there's no time for that....I'm hoping to get back in shape and running this summer when I am not so stressed.
Ohhh horses. well, I got hooked on them when I was 8. I still have never been in a position to own my first horse, but cannot wait to be settled down and ready to do so. In the meantime, I'm working closely with a woman who has 6 horses and needs help keeping them all in shape. We're conditioning 3 of these horses for competitive trail, and trying to keep the other 3 in steady use as well. Right now I'm only able to ride 1 or 2 times a week at best. I've taken lessons in english, a few jumping and a few dressage, but mostly just general lessons. Its been over a year since I've been able to afford lessons, college makes me poor!!! I will be done with the rent situation this May and am looking into leasing/lessons to get myself back in the swing of things.
For the most part this may be about trail riding adventures, but bear with me as well as I try to figure out the finesse of dressage and try to grow the guts for jumping....
Horses in my life(though none are MINE)
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Amanda: 13 yo Morgan mare, very forward and willing to work. She is a wonderful trail horse, and has brought her owner great success in CTRs. She is willing to do anything for her rider, and isn't afraid of a thing. We can take her through anything and she'll lead the way with confidence.
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Moxie: 5 yo Morgan mare, Amanda's daughter. She was ponied when she was younger, has been ridden and trained, but wasn't worked regularly until this year. She's very green when it comes to the trails, but she is turning out to be just as reliable as her mother.
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Washburn: Oh, what to say about burnie. He's a 6 yo Morgan gelding. He's a great trail horse, but only for a balanced and prepared rider. He's a bit of a chicken, and tends to spin and leap numerous times on any given ride. He has a bit of a bucking issue as well(they are very tiny, hoppy kind of bucks..and mostly does it when he hasn't been ridden regularly and I get on)....wondering if it's because I weigh 50ish pounds less than his regular rider?
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Sparky: 13 yo gelding shetland pony cross with...something. He's a cutie. I look awful tall on him, he's 12 hands and I'm 5'2" but I'm light, so it's fairly easy for him. He's actually better behaved with, and prefers to be ridden by, an adult. He has no real vices, just needs to lose some major weight.

chunky pony!!! I take him on group trail rides sometimes, usually with a bareback pad and rope halter.
-My avatar is Dottie, the horse I rode all of last summer. She was a great girl, but has been sold by her owner so I no longer ride her.
My ride Sunday: we went out on some trails, with a mix of dirt roads as well....so that we can trot rather than tip-toeing over ice and snow the whole way

It was great riding weather, I rode Moxie today. She was a great girl, every time she got tense I'd speak calmly to her and she'd settle right back down. She's doing so well for such a green horse! We had some head-tossing today, I think she just was impatient/bored with so much walking, but I'm not sure...will have to keep an eye on it.
Congrats if you made it through all that!!!