November's 10 Questions

Been a super slow week here in horse news...we need to be near a phone and G's cell died so he's taking mine to work with him. I'm stuck by the home phone like it's 1985 :)  Back to regularly scheduled programming tomorrow, I hope. Thanks to L Williams for another 10 Questions!

1. Have you ever owned a horse? 

Yes, two Welsh Cobs currently, and prior to that about 10 others. I was the girl with no $ that had the 'project' that I resold every year or two. No longer that kid, so the ponies are here to stay now :)

Ginger and Bridget, Nov 2014. Never noticed before that they are posing identically.

2. What is your favorite aspect of your discipline? 

I'm not even sure I have a discipline - I grew up doing the local open type shows where you're either english or western, or both if you have the tack and want to ride in the morning AND afternoon. I enjoy dressage, I LOVE jumping, I really liked what little time I spent around working cowhorse, and I want to be an eventer when I grow up! Generally speaking, I love the support and camaraderie you find at a good barn or a well run show.

Working cowhorse Ginger ;) Think she was about 4 here and this would have been one of my first rides on her.

3. What pet peeves do you have concerning your discipline? 

People who will do anything to win, at the expense of their horse.

4. Do you do barn chores?

After many years of doing chores to pay for my lease, then keeping my horses at home, then managing a barn to help pay the bills I got sort of done with it all. For the past year or so, full board = heaven. I still clean up after myself and maintain the little arena I have use of, but beyond that I'm enjoying a little break. Our long term plan is to buy a larger acreage and move the horses back home again, and part of me does look forward to chores again - I do feel like I miss out a lot on the day to day things now.

5. What is your least favorite barn chore? 

Cleaning up the hay shed. Allergies suck.

6. What do you consider the worst vice in a horse?

Rearing. Bolting. Hate them both. Long time readers will know Ginger has been known to panic and bolt, but fingers crossed she's getting more confident as she gets older and more apt to stay calm enough to remember her training and check in with her rider. Long story short, she stays around because I don't feel like this is her trying to be naughty :)

Only picture I could find of either of my horses doing anything remotely 'bad' ha ha. Baby Ginger tries bucking and apparently decides it doesn't suit her because I've never seen her do it again. Also, wow, does she ever look like her mama now.

7. What saddle brand is your favorite? 

There was a County saddle at the last barn that felt like it was made for me. Right now, my favorite would be anything that could fit the combination of Bridget and I.

8. Do you ride with a quarter sheet in the winter? 

We get A LOT of rain and not so much cold weather, so they're not super practical here. I'm currently on the hunt for a water proof one with a really light lining that doesn't resemble a giant piece of plastic :)

9. Does your horse wear boots? What kind? 

No proper boots at the moment for my girls. Unless we count Ginger's Old Mac boots for rocky trails, and the bell boots they wear for schooling. I'm finding it really difficult to fit giant boned ponies with short cannons, and as with the quarter sheet, we deal with a lot of water so boots would have to be breathable and waterproof. Too overwehelming for me with mail order tack, but I'm always on the lookout for something suitable when I shop in person.

10. Full seat or knee patch breeches?

Either. I have a pair of winter full seats that fit so well and I love more than anything, but in summer I definitely go for the knee patch!