Blog Hop 25 Questions

Is it? I think it is. its the beginning of bloghop season and I LOVE IT.

I actually wrote this post when she first put it up, but no one ever responds to my bloghops so I didnt post it.

But now I'm bored, so here we go.

Mares or Geldings and why:

“They” always say there’s nothing better, with a stronger work ethic, than a mare. I don’t know who “they” is but, they be crazy…just like mares. Ironically, I’ve owned more than 4 mares in my lifetime and my first horse was a mare. A chesnut, Arabian mare. All three on the certified crazy list. Come to think of it I have owned 4 chesnut mares in my lifetime and can attest to the fact I will never do it again.  EH. VERR. They’re too moody, cunning, crafty , smart and pissy. I’ll take my big dumb geldings anyday.

In order TL to BR, Dolly, Dutchess, Cowgirl and Zephyr

Green broke or fully broke?

What is fully broke? Just kidding. But seriously, in the last 14 years or so I have ridden nothing but OTTBs primarily and they are as green broke as they come, right off the track.  I prefer greenbroke, truthfully, as I like to add my own buttons just so NO ONE ELSE CAN RIDE THEM. No, but really I like to start from scratch, that way I know every single thing about their training. Yankee is no longer green, but he sure is  fun to ride and I made him that way!

Would you own a hotter breed?

Obviously. I think I’ve covered them all with Arabs, Anglo-Arabs and OTTBs. Would not do Arabs again though, FTR

What was your dream horse growing up?

Honestly, Iidnt have much time to spend dreaming about horses. I asked for lessons and my parents obliged 9their mistake) and soon after bought me my insane chesnut mare. I loved her fiercely though and when I outgrew found my other dreamhorse, a grey Anglo-Arab. Then I outgrew him and got a Thoroughbred. My horses were my dreamhorses.

Superpony

What kind of bits do you use and why?

For Bacardi at this time we use a Stubben French link with oval mouthpiece for flatwork. For jumping we currently play around with a Stubben Golden Wings gag. Previously I used the Gina Miles Waterford double ring bit but it seemed a little much for his baby brain to handle- we might go back later once he gets a taste of XC though.

Gina Miles

Winged gag

He seems to like the looser feel of the french link. I think we still need to play around with bits, since we havent found something that makes the princess happy, but for now, I think this is our aresenal. I realize that barely answers the question.

Yankee goes happily in a French link for dressage, Waterford snaffle for XC and hackamore for stadium. He needs just a wee reminder on XC with half halts sometimes, but for stadium he really goes best in a hack. Yanks NEEDS the contact for stadium, but in a bit he tosses his head too much. Hackamore has really been wonderful for him.

Yankee in his hack

Helmets or no helmets?

This is a personal choice and I CANNOT STAND people who get preachy about it. That being said I do believe children should always wear one, as they have no free choice and I personally will not ride without one every again. I know too many people who have suffered extreme injury while riding. SPeaking of, I just bought a new helmet today!

Favorite horse color?

I adore greys. In every shade. I think dappled greys are stunning but their color fades to white as they age which isn’t as pretty. Therefore, my favorite shade of grey would be fleabitten. Spirit had millions of fleabites and was unique in that way. I might be little biased since he was the greatest pony to ever live, but his spots never faded and he always was dapper AF. I am weak for a flaxen mane and tail though (see; Bacardi, see; Dolly, see; Dutchess, see; Zephyr). You would think with as many chesnuts I've owned (SEVEN total), chesnut woudl be my fav, but it isnt. 

Least favorite horse color?

Sorry to those who own them, but roans. They always look dirty to me. And horses with blue eyes freak me out.

Dressage or Jumping?

As an eventer you would think my automatic answer would be jumping. However, jumping  is hard. Jumping is scary, sometimes. Dressage is neither of those things. But I’m also not the biggest fan of dressage because we suck at it currently. I am growing to like the successes in dressage and having all the little things click, but I could not imagine being a lifer DQ. Can I pick galloping?

How many years have you been riding?

18 solid

Spurs/whip or no?

I have literally never ridden B with either & don’t think he could handle it if I tried. He is hyper aware of lunge whips and I barely need to even touch one before he freaks out about it. Yankee requires a whip in all phases, just in case and occasionally I will wear spurs to remind him to pay attention.

Your first fall?

I don’t remember my actual first fall, but I do recall falling off Dolly almost daily. The two most memorable were when she bucked so hard I went flying, did a flip in the air without meaning to,a nd landed square on my feet. The other with her had to be when I fell off being a complete idiot (galloping with no tack at all) and shattered my elbow. Hello current shoulder issues. One time with Spirit AND Dolly, one separate occasions, they fell and I went with them, and got trapped under their bodies. Terrifying. With Yankee, the first and only time I fell off him was at a show on XC. Embarrassing. I have yet to part ways with Bacardi which is utterly remarkable.

When was the last time you rode?

Sadly, two weeks ago, completely bareback and in a sling. Dumb dumb dumb. But I lived, save for sore ladybits. First time ever riding the B bareback too. Smart.

Most expensive piece of tack you own?

If someone has a bridle more expensive than a saddle I wouldn’t believe them. Saddles generally are the most pricey. That being said, mine would be my County Dressage saddle. At  $600 that tells you how much I don’t spend on tack. My second most expensive minus my other saddlse (Berney Bros and Crosby) would be my dressage bridle and I don’t even know what brand it is. It was my Sweet 16 gift from my mother and its imported from GER. I wanna guess it was around $300. If you do the math, that means its 9 years old.

How old when you started riding?

I was 7

Circa 2000, on Dolly, the Arabian chesnut mare.
Not my first time riding, but my first time on my very own horse

Leather or Nylon?

I am a leather whore. Nylon is so icky and I find anything but regular leather really tacky. That being said, and rather hypocritically, I have Dover nylon web/leather halter mixes in dark Navy. They look OK and have lasted for years as my “around the barn/turnout” halters. I think I got them as gifts. For shows I have all leather.

Leather or synthetic?

Leatherleatherleather. I had a Wintec jump and Wintec Isabella and they just looked so…tacky. I much prefer the feel, look and fit of leather in general., for myself. No judgement on others.

English or Western?

I’ve done it all. Literally. I have even barrel raced Yankee, which was super fun. As a child I actually started as a hunter and went all the way to B level shows and even showed a yearling in a Congress halter class. Looking back I have NO CLUE what the appeal held for me except ribbons. We won often and I like ribbons. As a satin whore, eventing disappoints.

I heart ribbons. Especially big ones. & when they come with saddle pads.

How many horses do you currently own/lease?

Two currently, but I only ride the Red One

Do you board your horse?  Self-care? Full board? Half board?  Home board?

I currently board Bacardi and Yankee is boarded in KS. I recently made that change (for the newer readers) and used to have them on my own property. Before that, while I was in college, I did self care. It’s a toss up on which I prefer. While I love overseeing the complete care of my animals, it’s a PITA to find hay, bedding and get grain on a regular basis. Finding hay was the bane of my existence. I’m so glad I don’t have to worry about it anymore. Even while self care, I loved the facilities but driving to and from the barn twice a day was almost as expensive as full care. And chores, while relaxing, took up so much of my day! I am really enjoying sitting back and getting all the legwork done for me.

Mmm YAS boarding

Have you ever put down horse you loved?

Thankfully no. Spirit died 4 years ago (wow) from complications from colic, but I no longer owned him. Still heartbreaking. Dolly is still alive and kicking at 35 years old too, crazy!

Looking every bit her age though, and this was a few years ago!

How many saddle pads do you have?

23. I counted. I have a problem.

Slant-load trailer or straight-load?

Honestly, straight load. I’ve never been a fan of slant. Maybe because I get horribly car sick and I feel like the ponies might too, I don’t know. I just don’t like them. I hear straight is better on their joints and respiratory systems anyways. But I adore my trailer.

Why do you ride?

This is a loaded question and has changed several times over my life. Right now, because I can. And its part of me. Riding is life.