Other hobbies

Well, since I'm in between horse stories for the moment (waiting on my Skito!), I thought I'd write about something else.  Hobbies.  I have many.  There are just so many things that I'm interested in, so many things that I like to do or would like to do...I always have something going on.  Part of my problem is that I hate sitting still.  Even watching TV in the evenings, winding down, I like to be doing something.  That's just me.  Horses are #1 (easily!), but here are a few other things I enjoy. 

Archery: my husband took me to a Sportsman's Warehouse about five years ago and asked me to pick out a compound bow for myself.  He'd had one for a year or so and thought I'd like it...I was skeptical.  Turns out that I really do enjoy it.  And I'm pretty good at it.  I have lots of bulls-eye pics, but I like this one best, although it is blurry.

My husband and I were at the shooting range.  Tired of shooting at flat targets, we came up with a game.  First, we shot at kitty's paw (notice it's sticking out), but that was too easy as well.  We decided to turn the cat and aim for the nose.  My husband is a good shot, but I totally whipped him that day.  I can shoot a gun as well, but much prefer my bow - it's quiet, it requires a slightly different skill set, and you can re-use your ammo - I am a bit of a cheapskate, yes, lol.  I haven't hunted yet, but plan to at some point in the future.  No trophy hunting for me, I won't shoot what I don't plan to eat.  My bow ranks up in the top three inanimate objects that I would hate to live without, the other two being my fugly, but still fabulous, truck and my saddle. 

Knitting/crochet - I taught myself to do both; knitting probably seven years ago, crochet one year ago.  It keeps me busy when I have to be inside and quiet (late in the evening when the kids are asleep, waiting for an appointment, etc.), and I truly enjoy making things for my kids that can't be bought in stores.

Mario mushroom and one of the cutest kids ever.

A red one, currently in-progress for my nephew.

Sewing: another thing that I am trying to learn on my own (thank God for Youtube!).  I do this when I have to be inside, but I don't have to be quiet, lol.  This is a hand bag that my daughter and I are making together.  She picked out the colors and the pattern, and it looks beautiful in person.

Not perfect, but that makes it better imo.

Cross-stitch (is your head spinning yet?): No pictures of finished works, but I'm trying desperately to finish two beautiful stockings for my kids before Christmas. 

If we had a yard, I would have a garden.  And chickens.  I miss my chickens and goats.  Instead, I have a small patio garden.

Bertha and two of her chicks.

Sweet Pea (came with the name but it fit, so...)

Sweet Pea and Sierra - they know I'm hiding.

ETA: Fishing!  I love fishing...well, at least when the fish are biting.  I'm terrible at it, though.  This is one of those things that I should have learned from my grandfather when he was still alive, but I was a teenager with better things to do at the time *sigh*.  I can catch little fish all day long, but decent-sized fish elude me....

Case in point, this tiny little bream.  The smile is because this particular trip was the first time I'd fished in over a decade (how old does it make me feel to say 'in over a decade' - geez!).

With my beautiful daughter in the background <3

My final hobby is trying to keep this guy out of trouble.

So handsome, so accident-prone. 

This happened late last month.  He actually had to have surgery to re-attach a tendon to one of his thumb joints.  He and Ruby both love to keep me on my toes.

Well, I think that's about it.  Even when I'm not riding, I have a ton going on but I like it that way :)

Fat jeans, skinny jeans

I'm one of those ladies who's weight tends to fluctuate with the seasons.  The reasoning, for me, is that I tend to be much less active during the winter...I hate the cold, and the holidays being during this time doesn't help either (kids mean lots of special baking, and everything has to have proper taste-testing, amiright?).  So, I have slightly different sizes of jeans to wear during the summer/fall versus winter/spring. 

My husband came out to the barn with me yesterday.  He isn't a horse guy, per se, but I'd been talking  about Ruby's recent girthing issues so he came out to give me a fresh set of eyes.  In fact, he had the idea to tack up Ruby in saddle with different girths, then slow-mo record  her while I walked her around.  He wanted to stay very close to her left side (where she rubbed most recently) so we could get a good idea of exactly what was happening.

BTW: I have mentioned a few times that Ruby isn't exactly outgoing and friendly...I am one of the few (maybe the only?) people of whom she approves, the rest are merely tolerated.  Ruby's face while Chris crouched down to walk beside her and directly behind me was a sight to behold, lol.  She did not approve of his creepy behavior at all.  In fact, when I'd tie her to change girths, she would hide her face on whatever side of the post was opposite of Chris and bug her eyes like she could not believe how much she'd just been violated (how's that for anthropomorphizing!).  A few times I had to talk her down...she seemed to be thinking of retaliation towards him a few times while we were walking.

Unfortunately, all vidoes are still on the hub's phone and he's at work, but the problem became glaringly obvious...Ruby needs a longer girth.  Duh.  I swear that sometimes I need to be hit over the head with a mini-bat.  A 'fat girth', if you will, like I sometimes need my fat jeans.  Three of the girths are 18", while I have one that is 22".  Funny how all three of the 18" girths fit differently though, so today I'm going to measure them all. 

The new Skito should be done soon.  It will have the laminated inserts (more support, less squish) and shims, which will probably cause an entirely new set of girthing circumstances so I'll measure her for a new girth when it arrives.  Maybe then we'll be able to get back to riding!

P.S.  I hope that my reference to 'fat jeans' hasn't offended anyone.  Know that while I like to laugh at myself, I am not making light of anyone who is having weight or health issues - the only person I am poking fun at is myself :)

Bummed - updated

I debated on whether or not to post this, but in the interest of portraying an accurate picture of what some wannabe teams have to go through (everything is not sunshine and roses), here goes.

The new girth came yesterday, and it was all I could do to finish up my household stuff before heading to the barn to try it out.  

First impression: it was thick and not as pliable as I thought it probably should be to work for Ruby (and it would probably have been closer to $300 or $400 if it was).

I got out to the barn, put a fresh trim on Ruby's fronts (doing hinds today), and tacked up.  One thing I noticed right away, besides all the extra room between her fronts legs and the edge of the girth, was that I had to adjust my breast collar just to reach the girth...which was actually sitting in her girth groove.  At this point, I was thinking that this could work.

Notice where the girth is sitting and that the breast collar buckle is not dangling.  All the wetness is liberally-applied ShowSheen, just in case.  Still waiting for the Chamois Butt'r to arrive.

We walked to the round pen where I wanted to lunge her a bit to see how she moved.  There was something....but maybe it was the because she was moving through sand?   I only asked her to do a few circles in each direction, walk-trot, then I asked her to stop and checked the girth.

I'm sorry - I know it's from a different side but pics on her right side came out blurry. Notice that now the breast collar is hanging and the girth has moved forward.  I'd already started to readjust the girth before I thought 'pics', so yeah, the billets.

I readjusted the girth, stretched the mare's front legs, and walked her over to the mounting block.  Then I started a timer.  We stayed in the round pen.  Ruby would occasionally stop and pin ears when asked to move again.  As we continued, mare's attitude got progressively worse, though still not dangerous...but she was clearly frustrated that I wasn't 'hearing' what she was telling me.

I climbed down and walked her back to the barn.

Moved forward again.

Dammit! After 9 minutes of walking on flat ground.

She only rubbed on the left side, right side was fine.  The girth was tightened to the same number of holes on both sides, and we did the same number of circles to the left and right, so I'm not sure why one side rubbed and not the other.  This is what I'm thinking...I've mentioned previously that Ruby has dips behind her shoulder.  They are more pronounced due to the amount of time she's had off. Perhaps the saddle is pushing forward into these dips with movement, which is causing these girth rubs - if this is the case, it is not extreme enough to be obvious to me, but maybe I need to be beat over the head with a mini-bat?  Input is welcome. No more riding until the Skito (with lotsa shims) and Chamois Butt'r has arrived.  Even then, I'm not sure this particular girth will work for her because it seems bulky and doesn't conform to her compared to the mohair girths.  I'll give it one more try before I send it back, but will be getting off the second she stops of her own accord.

Update: checked Ruby's rub today and it looks much better.  No broken skin, no swelling, etc.  That doesn't mean it didn't hurt though :(

Update 2: I had a thought as I was drifting off to sleep last night.  Maybe the girth was pulled forward by the breast collar.  I have the breast collar fitted to Ruby pretty well.  There is some leeway, but not much as I have had my saddle slip before - on a different and very round horse but it's not an experience that I ever want to have again (horse running through my aids, down and up a steep gulley, horse bolting at a 45 degree angle out of said gully when saddle slips...).  If the shoulder straps are too tight, it's possible that everything is getting pulled forward just enough to cause issues.  When Ruby is comfortable, she has a huge stride (for her size).

Jan 2014

Jan 2014

Sept 2014

So, my point is: it may be possible that her shoulder movement is pulling the breast collar forward, which is then pulling saddle, girth, or both forward as well.  I have used the breast collar on several other horses at this point, always having to tweak the fit, so it may not be the same fit as it was late last year before we stopped riding.  Our next rides (after the rub heals and the Skito arrives) will be sans breast collar before I give up on the new girth. 

P.S.  I'm going to feel really dumb if this the cause of our recent issues.  But relieved as well, that it's such an easy fix. 

Brace yourselves....

Horse stuff is coming.

Ruby's new Skito is being made, and her new girth is in the mail - woot!  I decided to take Saiph's recommendation and ordered the Shoulder Relief Girth from Total Saddle Fit.  I like the fact that it shouldn't move forward into her armpit/elbow area, and with a 30-day, no-questions-asked return policy, I don't really have anything to lose.  Crossing fingers that she likes it!

Shopping

I love shopping for horse stuff (and only horse stuff...I'm weird like that).  Both my birthday and Christmas are coming up, so the buttering-up of hubby has begun.  Wishlist commence!

Skito saddle pad:  Up until now I have used either an Equipedic or a pad made especially for my Sensation saddle. The Sensation pad (actually made by EcoGold) leaves something to be desired...The Equipedic is a good pad - very durable, even during repeated washings, but the inserts are due to be replaced.  I'm using this as a partial excuse to buy a Skito, though I will be buying new inserts for the Equipedic as well.  I know, I know, I'm a terrible person but oh, well.  I like the fact that they expect you to send pictures of your horse so that they can make recommendations on what is needed for your particular animal.  I know that Ruby needs shimming, probably quite extensive shimming after her extended vacay, so this removes the guesswork and stress for me.  I plan to order this weekend - yay!

A new girth: OMG at the girth issues with this mare!  Our rides haven't been much more than 15 minutes, and walking only, but even with applications of both Showsheen and Desitin she still has small rubs!  This is partially because she's so fat that the girth is being pushed into her armpit area, and partially because she is so thin-skinned.  At this point, I'm not really sure what to do.  Neoprene is a no-go as it is the neoprene under the buckles that is causing the issue, but I haven't been able to find a mohair girth with felt buckle guards that gets wider under the sternum and comes in 18" size.  I can find mohair girths with leather guards but haven't seen them under 20" - and I'm not sure if leather is the answer.  I tried a Woolback in the past but the length of the material past the buckles made the girth much too long.  Frustrating.  I have sent a question to the maker of this girth explaining the situation, asking if they make 18" girths, and if the girth would still be returnable if they did make a special 18" girth and it didn't work for Ruby.  We will see.

Fetlock boots: I would want boots that offer support without trapping heat, sand, or burrs.  I would want open-front and lightweight.  I'm not planning to buy any at this time, but am looking at possible options.  This is what I'm thinking (opinions appreciated!!!): if Ruby stays sound, I might want extra support on any LD/endurance rides until I'm sure her leg can handle the distance.  If Ruby doesn't stay sound on her own, maybe fetlock boots would make light riding possible along with a joint supplement, injections, etc.   Then there's the other side of the coin - not wanting them to become a crutch if she doesn't need one, which may lead to an injury in the pasture.  Decisions, decisions.  I need a crystal ball already. 

Another project?

Say it ain't so!  A few days ago, a fellow boarder asked if I'd be willing to 'refresh' a certain Paso's ground manners.  Meet Guapo.

9-year-old Paso gelding

Guapo's owner is in her early 50s and having some medical issues.  Guapo has been taking advantage of these issues and her lack of experience.  I have seen Guapo act up in various ways: dragging his owner around, refusing to allow her to tie him, being pushy, neighing incessantly for his pasture buddies, and just being as obnoxious as equinely possible.  No outright dangerous behavior but he's getting there.

Two weekends ago, while myself and some other boarders were waiting for the vet to come, I witnessed his owner attempting to tie and groom him.  Guapo wanted nothing to do with it - this was during Guapo's usual turnout time and he was being obnoxious and fairly nasty.  His owner called me out of the barn and asked what I would do if Ruby was acting up like this.  I told her I would re-establish the rules, first in the round pen, then out in the open.  She asked if I would be willing to do it for her since she is physically unable, and I told her I would be MORE THAN HAPPY to do so. 

The walk to the round pen was quite interesting since Guapo initially thought he was going to get his way (turned out).  When he realized we were actually heading to the round pen, he tried to turn left towards the pasture...and met with an angry elbow multiple times.  Before anyone gets upset about this, think about just how close a horse has to be to you in order to nailed with your elbow....well within the usual 'respect bubble.'  When a horse bumps me, I am not nice about my reaction - I will elbow them as hard as I can, as many times as it takes for them to figure out that they need to back off.  I've nearly been run down by a horse in the past; an experience that I'd rather not have again in the future. 

Okay, so we made it to the round pen and I went to remove his halter.  As I knew he would, he snatched his head away, gave a little buck in my direction (which I was expecting so I'd backed well out of range), and took off zooming around the round pen.  I walked calmly to the middle of the round pen and picked up the lunge whip.  It took about 20 minutes of zooming before he was willing to really start listening.  Then we had a mini-lesson in the round pen about respectful leading and I handed him back to his owner. 

So, as I said, his owner texted me a few days ago and asked if I could work with him while she's out of town.  I told her that I would work with him when I can, but I can't guarantee a certain number of days, etc.  She said she was happy with that, to just tell her how many times I'd worked with him when she returns and we'll figure out $$ for my time. 

Honestly, I'm not too worried about the cash aspect of this - I find it almost painful to watch when a horse doesn't have any ground manners.  He was descending down into a human danger zone with his pushy, dominant behavior.  In reality, for all of Guapo's bluster, he has nothing on a mustang mare so I'm not too concerned.  My main concern is that his owner won't be able to keep it up once she gets back from vacation, but we'll figure that out then I suppose. 

For now, Guapo's not a happy camper.

Guapo yesterday, unhappy with life.

Great (though short) ride yesterday

Mare was happy, forward, and felt fabulous during our very short ride around the pasture yesterday.  It was maybe 3/4 of a mile.  Heather asked if I wanted to go around one more time, but I called it - yes, I am playing it ridiculously safe for now...and possibly for forever. 

Big booty, little muscle definition...sorta like her owner.