The last couple times Jill'd been riding, she'd thought what a lovely pony he was. It was boring to only have the grass ring to go round and round and she was tempted to try some other course soon...
It was nice to be challenged about riding the line in a certain number of strides. He really listened when she asked him to come back - twas lovely to know he was so responsive and adaptable. whoo hoo!
She was still sick however. The pain in her side was not abating, in fact it was going on a week this time. Recurring, long lasting and at least moderate pain... isn't that the kind of thing one sought medical attention for? The doctor's didn't have any suggestions for her however. Guess work in white coats, that what a friend of hers always said and that's what it felt like at the moment.
Jill said the rash he had from all the rain was clearing up nicely and was asked "Why does he have a rash?" She thought the rain explanation was pretty clear, and was taking her time coming up with an answer to the boss -- it reminded her of when a kid asked her at the Equine Research Teaching booth WHY a horse has bars in their mouth. Evolution she'd said, but the child insisted again, "But WHY?"
*
Remember when she sat the little tiny blond on the huuuuuge haystack and said “stay” and left the child there in the sun on the prickly straw for hours?
*
The woman needed a shot of whiskey before mounting her horse. Jill did not normally approve of such behaviour, but in this scenario, it made sense to her. The horse owner needed just to r e l a x a little bit, to make it all better.
It was not as easy to accept for Jill that the coach suggesting this unusual and no doubt uninsurable technique needed a shot too, but she withheld comment. She also kept her mouth shut when the horse owner mentioned that the booze bottle in the tack locker had a fullness level shrinking faster than her sips warranted. Far be it for her to be outspoken in regards to her boss's conduct.
2008-06-29
2008-06-26
"You've Really Improved"
Jill did not know what to make of the compliment. The same person who had scribed the marks during Jill's rider level examination and told her she did well, when in fact she had failed, had more kind words.
She also quoted the former-examiner as having said Jill attended several clinics she ran, when Jill hadn't. Though the woman had offerred her a free horse to ride, even after failing her on the rider exam, saying the beast "had potential for someone who knew what they were doing." Jill had been quite comforted by that offer, and encouraged to manage the politics required to pass, though she hadn't taken a shine to the aforesaid chesnut.
(on second thought, maybe she meant when Jill was a volunteer student at the coach assesment? And when she attended the instructor assesment? it was a couple of "clinics" if you looked at it that way.)
*
Jill had never understood why the other instructor went to the CLIENTS with her concerns, instead of to her co-worker, Jill herself, directly. Jill was trying to pitch in, to pull together as a team, while their boss was laid up, and was in fact working for free (paying the milage to the barn out of her own pocket, despite a lack of alternate income) -- but the other coach, who was getting paid cash, had set about damaging the business, citing Jill as a dangerous teacher. If that was true, couldn't she give Jill some costructive suggestions and support?
If it weren't actually true, what were Jill's options? To argue? To try and generate an alternative word of mouth among clients? To go to the very weak boss with complaints about the lack of team spirit, and requesting the boss solve it? No options seemed appealling and Jill honestly felt the best thing she could do for the boss, was bail out, and so that's what she did.
*
Now, the same fellow teacher was saying "And, I hope this doesn't sound arrogant, but your teaching has really improved." How had she even heard anything? She was riding in a lesson with some strange visitor at the other end of the ring, while Jill did a very boring school with a now 11 yr old student she had always gotten on very well with. Same old, same old. It didn't make sense...
*
They had a private lesson in the grass field. The canter was the beautiful kind of canter Jill would imagine when she wasn't riding... just glorious. The teacher said, "That looks lovely. You should be so proud. " And, Jill was.
Her request for the class had been a focus on related distances, like riding the same line in 5 comfortable strides, then 4 or 6. It went well.
The teacher suggested taking him out to a Dressage show, so that he didn't always anticipate "An Event" when taken off the property.
At the last event, his former trainer had spoken to the teacher while Jill was riding. "Wow, you guys have him jumping so well." From what Jill could remember, the owner had taken him away from that trainer, because the woman was jumping him too much.
*
The little guy was happily strong and sound. Jill was exhausted. She did a few rounds of the up up down posting she'd been making her students do, a few rounds in two point each direction and then let him gallop a little. She let him get his breath back and then the did another little hand gallop the other direction. He seemed to WANT to do the giant 4 ft course that was set up and looking beautiful in there, but Jill's legs were already shaking. And, he was lathered up. And, she was only planning to stop in and admire his new shoes, she wasn't really prepared for riding... T'was lovely to see him. Even though he actually kicked her while she was scrubbing his skin condition. She whacked him back instantly with the hard part of the brush and a shout, hopefully making the point that the conduct was inappropriate.
She also quoted the former-examiner as having said Jill attended several clinics she ran, when Jill hadn't. Though the woman had offerred her a free horse to ride, even after failing her on the rider exam, saying the beast "had potential for someone who knew what they were doing." Jill had been quite comforted by that offer, and encouraged to manage the politics required to pass, though she hadn't taken a shine to the aforesaid chesnut.
(on second thought, maybe she meant when Jill was a volunteer student at the coach assesment? And when she attended the instructor assesment? it was a couple of "clinics" if you looked at it that way.)
*
Jill had never understood why the other instructor went to the CLIENTS with her concerns, instead of to her co-worker, Jill herself, directly. Jill was trying to pitch in, to pull together as a team, while their boss was laid up, and was in fact working for free (paying the milage to the barn out of her own pocket, despite a lack of alternate income) -- but the other coach, who was getting paid cash, had set about damaging the business, citing Jill as a dangerous teacher. If that was true, couldn't she give Jill some costructive suggestions and support?
If it weren't actually true, what were Jill's options? To argue? To try and generate an alternative word of mouth among clients? To go to the very weak boss with complaints about the lack of team spirit, and requesting the boss solve it? No options seemed appealling and Jill honestly felt the best thing she could do for the boss, was bail out, and so that's what she did.
*
Now, the same fellow teacher was saying "And, I hope this doesn't sound arrogant, but your teaching has really improved." How had she even heard anything? She was riding in a lesson with some strange visitor at the other end of the ring, while Jill did a very boring school with a now 11 yr old student she had always gotten on very well with. Same old, same old. It didn't make sense...
*
They had a private lesson in the grass field. The canter was the beautiful kind of canter Jill would imagine when she wasn't riding... just glorious. The teacher said, "That looks lovely. You should be so proud. " And, Jill was.
Her request for the class had been a focus on related distances, like riding the same line in 5 comfortable strides, then 4 or 6. It went well.
The teacher suggested taking him out to a Dressage show, so that he didn't always anticipate "An Event" when taken off the property.
At the last event, his former trainer had spoken to the teacher while Jill was riding. "Wow, you guys have him jumping so well." From what Jill could remember, the owner had taken him away from that trainer, because the woman was jumping him too much.
*
The little guy was happily strong and sound. Jill was exhausted. She did a few rounds of the up up down posting she'd been making her students do, a few rounds in two point each direction and then let him gallop a little. She let him get his breath back and then the did another little hand gallop the other direction. He seemed to WANT to do the giant 4 ft course that was set up and looking beautiful in there, but Jill's legs were already shaking. And, he was lathered up. And, she was only planning to stop in and admire his new shoes, she wasn't really prepared for riding... T'was lovely to see him. Even though he actually kicked her while she was scrubbing his skin condition. She whacked him back instantly with the hard part of the brush and a shout, hopefully making the point that the conduct was inappropriate.
2008-06-25
Muddy Bud
The big dark bay had rolled so thoroughly in the mud that Jill had to spend as much time grooming and she did riding! The dressage practice wasn't bad, though it wasn't great. Canter was better than trot - Jill was finding it was happening that way, one gait would be good, the other not and then it would rotate.
They did some gallops around the grass ring and then jumped all the jumps from a collected canter, including the creepy wall and the gate that he had never seen before. Jill felt that he was not stopping anymore, he seemed to be enjoying jumps! And, he was letting her organize in front of them.
She'd been looking at old photos at her parents. She sure hoped her position didn't still look like that!
*
In the lesson, they targeted some oxer practice. The horse was confident now and it was nice for Jill to feel that she could actually flub it once in a while and the sky wouldn't fall in. And, he could flub it once in a while and still bail himself out too... He impressed student and teacher with a freakasorous spot to a fair size spread, because he had the scope to work it out anyway, with ease!
Some of the camp kids were watching the lesson. When they finished schooling the teacher said to the young 'uns, "Jill's got a big show this weekend." One of the little people piped up enthusiastically, "I think she's gonna win!"
They did some gallops around the grass ring and then jumped all the jumps from a collected canter, including the creepy wall and the gate that he had never seen before. Jill felt that he was not stopping anymore, he seemed to be enjoying jumps! And, he was letting her organize in front of them.
She'd been looking at old photos at her parents. She sure hoped her position didn't still look like that!
*
In the lesson, they targeted some oxer practice. The horse was confident now and it was nice for Jill to feel that she could actually flub it once in a while and the sky wouldn't fall in. And, he could flub it once in a while and still bail himself out too... He impressed student and teacher with a freakasorous spot to a fair size spread, because he had the scope to work it out anyway, with ease!
Some of the camp kids were watching the lesson. When they finished schooling the teacher said to the young 'uns, "Jill's got a big show this weekend." One of the little people piped up enthusiastically, "I think she's gonna win!"
2008-06-23
Growing Up
At some point you have to take up riding as a sport, instead of passtime and one of Jill's students hadn't been showing the maturity or concentration while on horse back to crossover. It was frustrating.
They went out that day for a walk in the snow before heading into the arena, because the young blond was ready early and the class before had gone in late. Jill had the pony on a shank instead of just holding the bridle and was explaining to the child how riding outside required her to be even more aware than when in the arena. She was stressing the importance of sitting up and deep in the saddle with your anchors on and feeling what your horse was doing - for the spook factor et al. But the student was bored and not listening and asking when the "real" lesson would start.
Then, the pony spooked and knocked Jill over and dumped the kid. After that, she showed real concentration. Even later in the arena when someone didn't call door and spooked the pony by coming in unannounced! The kid rode the horse like the live animal it was instead of making comparisons to her horse video game etc.
Telling another more advanced same age student about it later, the child laughed at her saying "you fell off and you weren't even riding!?"
*
The farm owner quoted the inn keeper's act and said that the horse(s) could be sold at auction for the amount owed.
When the senior vet called Jill directly, she summed up the horses' condition as a side note saying "they need more food." Jill was not so sure she would have gone so far out of her way to follow the detailed recommendation of the more junior vet... changing every item they ate, instantly. Purchasing it at great, unexpected expense in bulk no less. She would have made gradual changes and made sure they like it and assured herself she was prepared and able to follow it through for a long time. The old guy's teeth still hadn't been done, which was the problem that prompted Jill to request the vet come in in the first place!!! If it hurt to eat, why try feeding him m o r e ???
In Jill's observation, a lack of consistency of care and treatment was one of the challenges the equines had already experienced... especially the old guy. She didn't mean to be skeptical, but she was. And, in making realistic decisions, Jill suspected it was better to go too long between farrier attention (due to financial constraints or worse, bad debts) if the beast was barefoot, and could break over and wear down the foot naturally. But she wasn't in charge of whether they were shod or not, or if the service provider was paid promptly and tried to find the upsides.
Since they weren't allowed to be turned out together, Jill was not as pleased with the place they were now boarded. Yes it had been a place she found, but she thought she would be able to direct their routine there. Instead, she worried about them constantly. First of all, she didn't have the time to police TWO paddocks for safety all the time - and she'd addressed boards down with giant nails and old rusty shoes with sharp nail sticking out lying around and other such concerns in the old guy's field a few times now. And the little guy just stood at the gate all the time. He had been so happy for the months before when he'd had a fellow herd animal to herd. The owner wasn't aware of that and now he had no buddy to stand head to tail with and swish flies away, or snuggle into in all the bad weather they'd been having. Maybe she could make him a run in, since she couldn't find him a friend. Individual turn out for 12 hours a day was a lot different than for the 2 hours a day he got once upon a time and Jill wondered if there was anything she could do to help him out. She couldn't afford a rain sheet and she couldn't afford to go out there every time it rained to put it on him!
She had bought the venice turpentine for their feet even though her own rent wasn't paid. And she'd borrowed a saddle pad in order to clean the other one which came out looking the same as it went in. ACK. She didn't want to give the boss the info/idea on the potential part boarder til she got the money she was owed. She hoped that would be soon.
*
if anyone can talk the boss into it, its Jill. That's what a mother said to her pony birthday party wishing daughter.
They went out that day for a walk in the snow before heading into the arena, because the young blond was ready early and the class before had gone in late. Jill had the pony on a shank instead of just holding the bridle and was explaining to the child how riding outside required her to be even more aware than when in the arena. She was stressing the importance of sitting up and deep in the saddle with your anchors on and feeling what your horse was doing - for the spook factor et al. But the student was bored and not listening and asking when the "real" lesson would start.
Then, the pony spooked and knocked Jill over and dumped the kid. After that, she showed real concentration. Even later in the arena when someone didn't call door and spooked the pony by coming in unannounced! The kid rode the horse like the live animal it was instead of making comparisons to her horse video game etc.
Telling another more advanced same age student about it later, the child laughed at her saying "you fell off and you weren't even riding!?"
*
The farm owner quoted the inn keeper's act and said that the horse(s) could be sold at auction for the amount owed.
When the senior vet called Jill directly, she summed up the horses' condition as a side note saying "they need more food." Jill was not so sure she would have gone so far out of her way to follow the detailed recommendation of the more junior vet... changing every item they ate, instantly. Purchasing it at great, unexpected expense in bulk no less. She would have made gradual changes and made sure they like it and assured herself she was prepared and able to follow it through for a long time. The old guy's teeth still hadn't been done, which was the problem that prompted Jill to request the vet come in in the first place!!! If it hurt to eat, why try feeding him m o r e ???
In Jill's observation, a lack of consistency of care and treatment was one of the challenges the equines had already experienced... especially the old guy. She didn't mean to be skeptical, but she was. And, in making realistic decisions, Jill suspected it was better to go too long between farrier attention (due to financial constraints or worse, bad debts) if the beast was barefoot, and could break over and wear down the foot naturally. But she wasn't in charge of whether they were shod or not, or if the service provider was paid promptly and tried to find the upsides.
Since they weren't allowed to be turned out together, Jill was not as pleased with the place they were now boarded. Yes it had been a place she found, but she thought she would be able to direct their routine there. Instead, she worried about them constantly. First of all, she didn't have the time to police TWO paddocks for safety all the time - and she'd addressed boards down with giant nails and old rusty shoes with sharp nail sticking out lying around and other such concerns in the old guy's field a few times now. And the little guy just stood at the gate all the time. He had been so happy for the months before when he'd had a fellow herd animal to herd. The owner wasn't aware of that and now he had no buddy to stand head to tail with and swish flies away, or snuggle into in all the bad weather they'd been having. Maybe she could make him a run in, since she couldn't find him a friend. Individual turn out for 12 hours a day was a lot different than for the 2 hours a day he got once upon a time and Jill wondered if there was anything she could do to help him out. She couldn't afford a rain sheet and she couldn't afford to go out there every time it rained to put it on him!
She had bought the venice turpentine for their feet even though her own rent wasn't paid. And she'd borrowed a saddle pad in order to clean the other one which came out looking the same as it went in. ACK. She didn't want to give the boss the info/idea on the potential part boarder til she got the money she was owed. She hoped that would be soon.
*
if anyone can talk the boss into it, its Jill. That's what a mother said to her pony birthday party wishing daughter.
2008-06-19
Working Woman
The bay thoroughbred school horse had been whinnying and carrying on in his stall for ages. She couldn't believe how much he looked forward to turn out. When she finally had him and her favourite trustworthy clyde friend in hand, on the way out the wide door, she saw the hay truck. She scowled trying to stop her horse friends, because there didn't seem to be a reasonable way to walk around the big rig. But, there was no turning the beasts around either, they expected to march on full speed ahead! Fortunately, the driver realized the predicament and backed the rig up enough that they could fit through.
*
Jill was singing the songs in her guitar practice while she worked. It was a good way to keep your voice strong - the hard work had her out of breath but she could still carry her tunes! The ones she was trying to learn on guitar right now that is. One of the hay supplier loader guys made a comment about singing along... the other one was wearing a hard rock cafe t-shirt that just revealed a touch of tatoo under each sleeve. No matter how she tried she couldn't make out what they were. A Warner Brothers logo maybe? She watched him work through the office window while she ate her sandwich. He was attractive, in his way, but needed to cut his hair. She never understood why grown men didn't recognize the point when they had to stop carrying the long tresses of their youth!
*
Jill mentioned she thought the big black horse looked like a police horse. Turned out that Len and Rob deliver to the mounted cops regularly and have noticed how unspookable the animals there are. "They treat them like motorcycles" Jill said, frowning, knowing that horsemanship is not actually welcome in the mounted unit.
*
Blabbety blabbety blabbety he quoted a scottish proverb, obviously meant in celebration that their work was done. Jill made a joking interpretation about how it was so kind of them to offer to stick around and do the rest of the heavy lifting at the farm, for free, for the rest of the day.
*
The fence was falling down all over the place. One board was down in her old man friend's paddock with nails sticking up, but she fixed it. At least in a makeshift way. And checked him all over for injuries, thankful that there was none. He didn't seem to like his new food, but she hoped he looked a bit let hippy anyway.
The little guy was eating his. His coat was a bit gross and his nose a little runny. It had been the old guy last time. There was a scrape mark on his neck but the tooth was looking good.
While being ridden, in the grass room only, her little pocket bay was being good. She was trying to see the benefit of the blacksmith delay, instead of being disappointed she wasn't out riding the roads already. If she couldn't get some lessons soon, would she get some students? Maybe one to video tape her dressage school and/or stand guard during some jumping once in a while.
She has some ideas to find a part boarder. But she didn't dare start dealing with "the boss" just yet, the peaceful silence was appreciated, even if she was still unpaid.
*
Jill was singing the songs in her guitar practice while she worked. It was a good way to keep your voice strong - the hard work had her out of breath but she could still carry her tunes! The ones she was trying to learn on guitar right now that is. One of the hay supplier loader guys made a comment about singing along... the other one was wearing a hard rock cafe t-shirt that just revealed a touch of tatoo under each sleeve. No matter how she tried she couldn't make out what they were. A Warner Brothers logo maybe? She watched him work through the office window while she ate her sandwich. He was attractive, in his way, but needed to cut his hair. She never understood why grown men didn't recognize the point when they had to stop carrying the long tresses of their youth!
*
Jill mentioned she thought the big black horse looked like a police horse. Turned out that Len and Rob deliver to the mounted cops regularly and have noticed how unspookable the animals there are. "They treat them like motorcycles" Jill said, frowning, knowing that horsemanship is not actually welcome in the mounted unit.
*
Blabbety blabbety blabbety he quoted a scottish proverb, obviously meant in celebration that their work was done. Jill made a joking interpretation about how it was so kind of them to offer to stick around and do the rest of the heavy lifting at the farm, for free, for the rest of the day.
*
The fence was falling down all over the place. One board was down in her old man friend's paddock with nails sticking up, but she fixed it. At least in a makeshift way. And checked him all over for injuries, thankful that there was none. He didn't seem to like his new food, but she hoped he looked a bit let hippy anyway.
The little guy was eating his. His coat was a bit gross and his nose a little runny. It had been the old guy last time. There was a scrape mark on his neck but the tooth was looking good.
While being ridden, in the grass room only, her little pocket bay was being good. She was trying to see the benefit of the blacksmith delay, instead of being disappointed she wasn't out riding the roads already. If she couldn't get some lessons soon, would she get some students? Maybe one to video tape her dressage school and/or stand guard during some jumping once in a while.
She has some ideas to find a part boarder. But she didn't dare start dealing with "the boss" just yet, the peaceful silence was appreciated, even if she was still unpaid.
2008-06-18
Wishin
Jill was grateful to see the baker sheets had been used in the cold. This weather was hard for dressing horsies!!
How she wanted to take some lessons. And, GIVE some lessons, on her pony.
its been hard for me riding him dressage with no teacher, and no mirrors. I feel like he is like at my level, so we do what I know how to do, in as a fine a form as I know to wish for and only 15 minutes have passed.
there are some horses i get on and i have to work a lot to teach them what i know. he already knows, so i don't know what to do.
*
bag of ribs it hurt her to go see
*
can we do the pairs again?
How she wanted to take some lessons. And, GIVE some lessons, on her pony.
its been hard for me riding him dressage with no teacher, and no mirrors. I feel like he is like at my level, so we do what I know how to do, in as a fine a form as I know to wish for and only 15 minutes have passed.
there are some horses i get on and i have to work a lot to teach them what i know. he already knows, so i don't know what to do.
*
bag of ribs it hurt her to go see
*
can we do the pairs again?
2008-06-14
Ride Reports
Jill had taken the saddle pad off because it was clearly in need of cleaning. The owner took a fit when she saw it and said that it would cause saddle sores! Jill agreed that it was quite dirty especially after the day's very sweaty ride and wished the owner would make good on her offer to provide an alternate one, so she could take it to the laundromat and wash it. The poor rider just didn't have the funds to buy a spare, and getting it home on exactly laundry day hadn't been working out all that well...
The thrush treatment that they had discussed had been dumped down the drain and left for Jill to pay for. The owner said afterwards that she didn't know what it was but that was an outright lie. It still bothered Jill how the woman had started rearranging things in the mini kit she had made for herself to carry to the other side - Jill was the one who was there every day, why couldn't she carry only the items she preferred to use? The owner accused "there's no thrush buster in there" when indeed there was, but she added another. Sigh, it was all getting very tiresome. Obviously the woman did not want expert input or to gather facts before making decisions and obviously she wasn't happy with their arrangement -- it didn't seem like there was any pleasing her, and Jill was starting to see why barn owners would find it easier to lie to their clients than deal honestly with them.
On the upside, she jumped the first course she could remember since her rider level test. And, it was bitless and included the Grand Prix horse spookable pink planks with no fuss. Jill was grateful for the recently rained on grass footing that made it soft enough to do so, and for the other riders in the ring - and especially for her encouraging jump crew. Whoo hoo!
The words "you could do whatever you want with her" kept ringing in her ears. And, she was also taking comfort in the words "you should call my mom. she'll have something for you."
Meanwhile, her mom was encouraging her to exploit familial relations to find a "real" job. Was she picturing her daughter in some panty hose and suit type position that she wanted for her? Clearly Jill would never be the woman her parents wanted her to be. At her age, she was sick of even trying, because they never approved anyway and because she wanted very different things for herself. It was hard to keep in touch with them during this tough time, because she was always being reminded how low and desperate she was -- as if she wasn't worrying about it enough on her own, she'd get a reminder every time she called. Perhaps they were both just picturing her commuting long distances to be employed in the meat packing assembly line and had more in common than Jill thought... she was frightened and depressed that's for sure.
*
Jill went up late in the day and they went on a quick but nice hack. It took about an hour to do the whole concession from Kennedy to Hwy 10 at 375m/min, including both bridges and a bike to pass! He'd spooked so bad, and so suddenly, she felt like she got whiplash, no joke.
He was getting fuzzy already and she asked the owner for his blanket when the replacement halter came along.
The next day was mittens wearing weather already! The lesson was cancelled and she worked on flat work on her own and was delighted to reach the swinging trot...
*
it felt like teaching a kid to ride popcorn instead of a pony! it was the snow banks in the arena and the wind outside if not just the cold itself making him so frisky. and the heaters were broken so gramma and gramma had to watch all the hair raising terror in the complete cold!
Jill said she did not have warm enough boots for that kind of crap.
*
she reported that he was good for dressage and good for stadium (although he did LEAP an entire jump and the nine foot ground pole in one clean sweep, giving the clinic instructor a heart attack). He was especially solid cross country, settled right into a rhythm and leapt of the bank into water. SOOOOOOOOOO much better than last year!
*
too bad she'd gone to the trouble of getting a recording device for the vet appt, when it ended up being rescheduled. alas.
The thrush treatment that they had discussed had been dumped down the drain and left for Jill to pay for. The owner said afterwards that she didn't know what it was but that was an outright lie. It still bothered Jill how the woman had started rearranging things in the mini kit she had made for herself to carry to the other side - Jill was the one who was there every day, why couldn't she carry only the items she preferred to use? The owner accused "there's no thrush buster in there" when indeed there was, but she added another. Sigh, it was all getting very tiresome. Obviously the woman did not want expert input or to gather facts before making decisions and obviously she wasn't happy with their arrangement -- it didn't seem like there was any pleasing her, and Jill was starting to see why barn owners would find it easier to lie to their clients than deal honestly with them.
On the upside, she jumped the first course she could remember since her rider level test. And, it was bitless and included the Grand Prix horse spookable pink planks with no fuss. Jill was grateful for the recently rained on grass footing that made it soft enough to do so, and for the other riders in the ring - and especially for her encouraging jump crew. Whoo hoo!
The words "you could do whatever you want with her" kept ringing in her ears. And, she was also taking comfort in the words "you should call my mom. she'll have something for you."
Meanwhile, her mom was encouraging her to exploit familial relations to find a "real" job. Was she picturing her daughter in some panty hose and suit type position that she wanted for her? Clearly Jill would never be the woman her parents wanted her to be. At her age, she was sick of even trying, because they never approved anyway and because she wanted very different things for herself. It was hard to keep in touch with them during this tough time, because she was always being reminded how low and desperate she was -- as if she wasn't worrying about it enough on her own, she'd get a reminder every time she called. Perhaps they were both just picturing her commuting long distances to be employed in the meat packing assembly line and had more in common than Jill thought... she was frightened and depressed that's for sure.
*
Jill went up late in the day and they went on a quick but nice hack. It took about an hour to do the whole concession from Kennedy to Hwy 10 at 375m/min, including both bridges and a bike to pass! He'd spooked so bad, and so suddenly, she felt like she got whiplash, no joke.
He was getting fuzzy already and she asked the owner for his blanket when the replacement halter came along.
The next day was mittens wearing weather already! The lesson was cancelled and she worked on flat work on her own and was delighted to reach the swinging trot...
*
it felt like teaching a kid to ride popcorn instead of a pony! it was the snow banks in the arena and the wind outside if not just the cold itself making him so frisky. and the heaters were broken so gramma and gramma had to watch all the hair raising terror in the complete cold!
Jill said she did not have warm enough boots for that kind of crap.
*
she reported that he was good for dressage and good for stadium (although he did LEAP an entire jump and the nine foot ground pole in one clean sweep, giving the clinic instructor a heart attack). He was especially solid cross country, settled right into a rhythm and leapt of the bank into water. SOOOOOOOOOO much better than last year!
*
too bad she'd gone to the trouble of getting a recording device for the vet appt, when it ended up being rescheduled. alas.
2008-06-13
Absence and Ailments
Jill had decided that with her teacher being in the US for a show for two weeks that she would totally goof off, and hack as much as possible. But, by the time she got to the stable the first night, it was too dark to go outside and she ended up tooling around in the arena. Ug.
He seemed quite stiff behind, probably from the show on the weekend (Jill was stiff too!), so they just did a half hour of flat work.
The next day was beautiful, so she took him out to the Christmas tree farm. He was not frisky in the slightest, but he was CRANKY and in fact he kept trying to turn around and go home. Jill felt he wasn't moving in his normal way and must be anxious for dinner and they kept it short with just one small canter.
The next day they trotted and cantered the whole concession to Heart Lake road. She was aware that he was stiff on the right lead and that up hills he was veering a bit with the left hind pushing more than the right - the opposite of his usual weakness. He was happy though, and the work seemd to do him good.
His halter was broken.
*
Lady was having a problem in that her tonge was so swollen it was sticking out of her mouth about 3 inches and she couldn't eat or drink. There was a big puddle of drool anywhere she stood. In examining the tongue no cut could be seen, no toxic weeds were spotted in the paddock and no one knew what to make of it. Poor thing. The vet's theory was she was allergic to bee stings but Jill kept her horse buddy f a r away just in case it turned out to be contagious. Would she really have to be put down?
He seemed quite stiff behind, probably from the show on the weekend (Jill was stiff too!), so they just did a half hour of flat work.
The next day was beautiful, so she took him out to the Christmas tree farm. He was not frisky in the slightest, but he was CRANKY and in fact he kept trying to turn around and go home. Jill felt he wasn't moving in his normal way and must be anxious for dinner and they kept it short with just one small canter.
The next day they trotted and cantered the whole concession to Heart Lake road. She was aware that he was stiff on the right lead and that up hills he was veering a bit with the left hind pushing more than the right - the opposite of his usual weakness. He was happy though, and the work seemd to do him good.
His halter was broken.
*
Lady was having a problem in that her tonge was so swollen it was sticking out of her mouth about 3 inches and she couldn't eat or drink. There was a big puddle of drool anywhere she stood. In examining the tongue no cut could be seen, no toxic weeds were spotted in the paddock and no one knew what to make of it. Poor thing. The vet's theory was she was allergic to bee stings but Jill kept her horse buddy f a r away just in case it turned out to be contagious. Would she really have to be put down?
2008-06-01
Eat Cake
"Have you heard about the birthday parties where they've smuggled a pony up the highrise elevator?" Roomie asked as she stepped in the door.
As Jill got home and felt so suddenly ill, she thought back over what she'd eaten. Then, she worried about the cake. She'd only eaten the bottom half of the chocolate riches she'd been given - so, if it WAS posioned, hopefully at least she'd only gotten half! ha. Who would have ever thought she would sit down with that fellow employee/rival and share in her birthday cake. She'd only done it to be nice, but she didn't trust as much her companion's motives...
She had a thousand things to say when the boss called, but of course she didn't say any of them. She just thanked the boss for relaying a message to her and welcomed her back. All she hoped was that maybe the hard work she'd had put in would show and would make the boss's life a little easier somehow.
*
To tell you the truth, I think our first meeting was Grandview." Jill smiled to the handsome artsy lanking fella. "That's when you passed your business card through the driver's side window to me, but Bee, the intended go-between, managed to just keep it. I thought she must have a friend that liked you and I resented the entire carpool."
She remembered that he'd made her laugh on course that day. She was just a specatator/cheerleader that day, and was actually impressed to watch the photographer catch a loose horse, the first human it encountered after a rider fall.
He clearly didn't remember meeting her back then.
Would she become more special to him? To anyone? Jill remained single, yet optimistic.
*
Her bay retired-riding project peed outside, just as she approached the paddock, which she'd never seen him do before. And which she was worried was a sign he was staying out overnight - the surest way to teach them to go ahead and do such a thing! They were paying indoor boad for both horses. She felt a bit better about the paddock walking now that she remembered about his stall walking. He ate better when she rode too, she would make sure they went out on adventures at least a few times on the weekend. She also wanted to practice riding more with her seat.
*
Jill thought the grass in the paddocks did not look all that great, and neither did the horse! She spoke to the barn owner about his weight, and she said she'd make sure he got more food.
She rode for 35 min in the grass ring in the snaffle. He warmed up great, even when they went all the way around the outside... he had the glorious canter, and, she didn't even have spurs on. She worked canter halt, halt canter and then to keep him keen she jumped a few jumps and went back to the transitions. Sometimes he would root and pull so hard she could not Sit Up and she got mad at her own lack of stregnth, and looked forward to working him in the "big" bit the next day.
Twas lovely to just hose him down and toss him out afterwards. They BOTH liked it.
One of her young friends agreed to take action on his thrush action before Jill could get there. They were going cross country schooling and Tessa said she'd groom! whoo hoo.
As Jill got home and felt so suddenly ill, she thought back over what she'd eaten. Then, she worried about the cake. She'd only eaten the bottom half of the chocolate riches she'd been given - so, if it WAS posioned, hopefully at least she'd only gotten half! ha. Who would have ever thought she would sit down with that fellow employee/rival and share in her birthday cake. She'd only done it to be nice, but she didn't trust as much her companion's motives...
She had a thousand things to say when the boss called, but of course she didn't say any of them. She just thanked the boss for relaying a message to her and welcomed her back. All she hoped was that maybe the hard work she'd had put in would show and would make the boss's life a little easier somehow.
*
To tell you the truth, I think our first meeting was Grandview." Jill smiled to the handsome artsy lanking fella. "That's when you passed your business card through the driver's side window to me, but Bee, the intended go-between, managed to just keep it. I thought she must have a friend that liked you and I resented the entire carpool."
She remembered that he'd made her laugh on course that day. She was just a specatator/cheerleader that day, and was actually impressed to watch the photographer catch a loose horse, the first human it encountered after a rider fall.
He clearly didn't remember meeting her back then.
Would she become more special to him? To anyone? Jill remained single, yet optimistic.
*
Her bay retired-riding project peed outside, just as she approached the paddock, which she'd never seen him do before. And which she was worried was a sign he was staying out overnight - the surest way to teach them to go ahead and do such a thing! They were paying indoor boad for both horses. She felt a bit better about the paddock walking now that she remembered about his stall walking. He ate better when she rode too, she would make sure they went out on adventures at least a few times on the weekend. She also wanted to practice riding more with her seat.
*
Jill thought the grass in the paddocks did not look all that great, and neither did the horse! She spoke to the barn owner about his weight, and she said she'd make sure he got more food.
She rode for 35 min in the grass ring in the snaffle. He warmed up great, even when they went all the way around the outside... he had the glorious canter, and, she didn't even have spurs on. She worked canter halt, halt canter and then to keep him keen she jumped a few jumps and went back to the transitions. Sometimes he would root and pull so hard she could not Sit Up and she got mad at her own lack of stregnth, and looked forward to working him in the "big" bit the next day.
Twas lovely to just hose him down and toss him out afterwards. They BOTH liked it.
One of her young friends agreed to take action on his thrush action before Jill could get there. They were going cross country schooling and Tessa said she'd groom! whoo hoo.
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