10 For May

Thank you all so much for your kind words on my last post.  We're still trucking along, getting used to our new normal.

The Horse is Not Black has a fun blog hop going on - here are ten questions for May

1 - What are your summer goals?

Leo's lameness has caused my goals to change dramatically, unfortunately.  Before, it was all about training, gearing up for taking him to a cross country schooling or two, and hoping to compete in a Mini Event in August, all while saving up for a trailer.  Now, the future involves massive vet bills and a lot of unanswered questions.  Shows and schoolings will likely be impossible.  I'm still taking lessons on other horses, so I am able to keep riding, but I honestly don't have any goals set at the moment.  Everything is too up in the air.  Even moving Leo to a new place / purchasing a second horse is questionable at this point; if he needs surgery/stall rest/specialized care, he may have to stay at CEC for longer than originally planned.  

I do have some plans for groundwork / desensitization training with Leo as he is currently still able to walk around and do things.  We played with a tarp/poles/a ball yesterday, which was pretty fun - once he got over himself he was a champ.  

2 - Do you have any tips or tricks for fly control?

Liz posted this fly spray recipe that I am dying to try out!  CEC has an automatic fly spray system, so flies in the barn are pretty well controlled.  I did invest in an Equivisor Fly Mask because it's the only mask that Leo seems to be unable to remove.  

Reluctant model

3 - How often do you bathe your horse?

In the summer - after pretty much every ride he gets hosed down.  Full baths pretty much only happen when shows do, unless skin funk that requires medicated shampoo is present.

4 - Do you have any upcoming travel plans? Equine related or otherwise?

I'm leaving for a week-long backcountry camping trip in Canada tomorrow; it's a super fun trip that my dad and I have been taking every other year since I was a little kid.  In July, I'm hopefully going to be able to arrange my schedule and head to Colorado for a few days with B and his family.  

5 - What is your favorite way to beat the heat?

Escaping to Canada is a pretty solid method, although it hasn't actually been all that hot here yet. Also, I love swimming. 

6 - Do you do anything to prevent your horse from sunbleaching?

Nope.  Sunburn protection for Leo's little nose is important, though - hence the fly mask with a nose flap, and if that doesn't do enough we'll incorporate sunscreen. 

7 - How hot is too hot for you to ride?

Trainer K very, very rarely will cancel lessons due to heat; shows/events around here don't usually get cancelled because of heat, so she believes that we need to learn to ride in all weather conditions.  However, the amount of work done on extremely hot days tends to be less.  Also, most lessons take place in the evenings, so it usually has cooled off some.

8 - How important is sun protection for you riding or just in general?

Very.  I'm a ginger.  I burn.  I think I've been tan like three times in my entire life.  I invest in a LOT of sunscreen during the summers, and I want to pick up a few sun shirts.

9 - Have you ever gone swimming with your horse?

I have not, but would like to.

And because shopping is always on my mind, what’s on your summer wish list?

Sun shirts!  Barn supplies for the new barn!  New gloves!  Reins!  A new helmet!