Freedom

First, a brief update on the bridle situation.  After writing my last post, I spent the next 2-5 hours looking at other options, including some on the PS of Sweden website.  During this process, I noticed something that I apparently was too dense to notice before - that many of the photos sent in by users have the rolled leather pieces that arch to hold the nose plate in position and form the 'flash' pushed into pretty extreme angles.  I had my bridle with me - cleaning it, getting ready to take pictures to post online for sale - and started messing with it.  Turns out, when you push those arches into steeper 'u' shapes, the flash strap magically becomes longer.

Before.............................................................After
This new configuration is basically a miracle.  Not only is it no longer awkwardly tight under his chin, but it hugs the anatomy of his face much better, which is kind of the whole point of the bridle in the first place.  So, in essence, the main issue with the bridle was me, being an idiot.  BUT AT LEAST I CAN KEEP IT NOW!!! ;) And it does, maybe, seem to make a difference in sensitivity now.

Our flat bridle is also pretty cute.
The big news in the world of Leo is this: he is, starting tomorrow, a free pony.  Although I dearly love having him in a stall (he's on nighttime turnout), it's extremely expensive, and I have been hoping to snag a pasture board spot pretty much since I first brought him home.  It's going to suck to not get to hang out in his stall with him whenever I want, but fiscally it's going to be a huge sigh of relief for my wallet - especially if I put him back in training.  

he doesn't know any of this yet.
So, tomorrow, Leo starts his trial as a pasture pony.  I am really, really hoping that the 24/7 outdoor lifestyle suits him.  And if not, well, at least I finally got the chance to try!  (Trainer K has assured me that should he hate being on full turnout, there will be a stall for him to come back to).  What sort of stall/turnout combo do you prefer?

Comments

  1. TrainwreckInTealNovember 16, 2016 at 6:03 PM

    I love 24 hour turnout when possible but we spend most of our year stalling 1/3 to half of the day. With two geriatric geldings, stalling makes feeding everyone their individual rations much easier. And Ruby is at a barn that does day turnout/night stalled during the fall and winter. It's nice to have her easy to access in the evenings when I want to ride! Hopefully Leo will like being a wild pony 😉

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. kaityNovember 16, 2016 at 7:25 PM

      I have a secret hope that it will help his brain. We feed all of the pastured ones with feedbags, makes it pretty easy at mealtimes!

      Delete
  2. EventingSaddlebredStyleNovember 16, 2016 at 6:19 PM

    I would love to get Stinker as a pasture pony. I think it would agree with him more, but I don't know if it will ever happen or not. Hopefully Leo makes the transition well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. kaityNovember 16, 2016 at 7:26 PM

      I feel like turnout can only help with the saddlebred brain issues, but we'll see!

      Delete
  3. KateRoseNovember 16, 2016 at 7:15 PM

    Yay about the bridles! All of my horses are on 24/7 turn out. I think Henry would probably like to be a stall pony but his human cannot afford it. Apollo was briefly on stall board when that was the only spot available at a new facility I desperately wanted to move to... he refused to eat and was very cranky (wtf horse).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. kaityNovember 16, 2016 at 7:28 PM

      Haha aww, poor pampered Apollo! :P I don't think Leo particularly cares, he never eats all of his hay and he stands right at the front of the stall watching everything all day, so I feel like being in the pasture all day will be a little more stimulating for him.

      Delete
  4. AnonymousNovember 16, 2016 at 10:03 PM

    I wish I could keep all of mine on pasture. It's very rare around here. We actually had to send one of ours 2 hours away to get pasture for the winter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. kaityNovember 16, 2016 at 10:08 PM

      Oh man, that sucks. Are you on one of the coasts? One perk of the midwest is definitely all the space.

      Delete
  5. LoveLaughRideNovember 17, 2016 at 6:22 AM

    All of mine are pastured 24/7. I really hate putting them in stalls and aside from stall rest I've been able to successfully keep everyone outside.

    ReplyDelete

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