Busy Week!

I'll actually start with the end of last week.  I went and watched the Pony Club/Horsemasters XC Clinic at Hillcrest Farms.  It was fun, and the instructor was good.  I found myself wanting to do it again, too.  I turned in my paperwork to join the group, so hopefully Jay and I will be able to take advantage of some great training opportunities!  

Sunday Jay and I met Gabby and Skate at Tanglewood for a trail ride.  We discussed doing the Yadkin Valley Hounds Hunter Pace, but I'll say we both decided it might be best to start with something a little more tame, especially with all of the recent rain.  I was taking a horse who had just had two weeks off and a feed increase, too!  When I was tacking Jay up, he started pawing.  He normally does not do that.  He will paw sometimes when he is impatient, usually at feeding time or in the trailer when we pull back in at home, but not tacking up like that.  I will admit that I did get a little nervous at that point.

We mounted up and headed out and put Jay in the lead.  We even did some trotting through the woods.  I could feel Jay sucking back at times, but I just added a little leg and he went on.  We had a nice, pleasant, leisurely ride.  It is true that he did eyeball all of the logs, though!  It was so good for me to be out front on Jay like that, and now I know that he is as good as always even with two weeks off and a feed increase!  Both horses did very well, and Skate handled the mud and muck like a pro, too!

Yesterday I took Jay out to another place that has a great deal.  For $50 you can become a "member" and ride there 4 times a month. The facility is fabulous:  a huge ring with beautiful jumps, a new wooden round pen, and a large dressage arena that is in the final stages of completion.  There are also beautiful trails out along the Yadkin River that even go out to some vineyards.  I was told you could ride out at least three hours one way.

It was much more windy yesterday afternoon than I expected, and by the time I was tacked up to ride it was feeding time...and the owner was feeding the pasture horses near the ring.  Jay was again not bothered in the least, and was even in what I will now call "away mode" since he doesn't just do it at shows!  What a nice ride!  I even cantered quite a bit, and I am definitely feeling better about it.  I couldn't have found a better horse, that is for sure.

I am also happy to report that Jay is already starting to pick up some weight.  He goes to the vet tomorrow, and I will still talk to her about it and probably run blood work and do a fecal, but I am relieved to know we are headed in the right direction.  Thursday the farrier comes out, and I am planning to put hind shoes on Jay.  He is doing OK with only front shoes, but since we are starting to do more riding, and more variety, I think he will do better to add hind shoes too.  He also makes it clear that he doesn't like to walk on gravel, smart boy, he pulls over to the side to get onto the grass (which was a big no-no at that fancy barn yesterday!)

Our busy week continues Friday when I am taking Jay over to Rocking B for a saddle fitting.  Deuce is coming along for the ride, too.  His new Mom will be meeting us there.  I have found Deuce a wonderful home as a companion to an Appaloosa mare.  His new owner doesn't have children, so her animals are her children.  She does dog rescue, and has also rescued some horses in the past.  I certainly got a glowing report when I called her vet for a referral!  Her 20 something year old TB passed away last fall, and her App is not happy being there all alone.  The woman has a back injury that prevents her from riding, but she likes having the horses.  So all in all, I think it will be the perfect situation for Deuce, and he will have a forever home there.  She keeps all of her horses for life,  but is willing to give me first refusal just in case something changes in the future.  I will miss Deuce, I have had him for three years now, but I think it is the best decision for a number of reasons. I just hope Jay will adjust happily to being in the pasture alone, but having other horses nearby.