The Repurposed Horse

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. ...

As a horse-warming present, my parents purchased me a PS of Sweden High Jump Revolution bridle.  This came after many, many hours of careful research as I tried to find 'the best' bridle for my fussy, sensitive new horse.  It took some time to get here - the first bridle that I was sent had some scuffs in the leather, and had to be exchanged, which took a while.  And it hasn't been ridden in very much - Leo had just started training when the new model arrived.  I think that at this point we have maybe, maybe put in 12 rides with it - quite possibly fewer, as I refuse to keep it at the barn and tend to forget to bring it with me. I absolutely adore this bridle.  I love how it looks.  I love the padding, and the softness of the leather.  I love how well it cleans up after my horse slobbers all over the 'flash' strap during each and every ride in it.  I love that it is unique. Unfortunately, I'm starting to feel like Leo does not parti...

favorite photo of all time happier times. pre-lesson poses

Leo does not do well when it comes to taking photoshoots seriously. So attractive. He also does really poorly at standing still if treats are involved. ridiculous. But Barn BFF S and I were able to get a few decent end-of-October progress pictures! (I'm starting with the least impressive and moving to the most). dat ass.  Left: October; Right: June Obviously the lighting in the original photo makes it hard to get a good look, and his stance is different, but you can still see the differences in muscling between the two.  Also his tail is beginning to look fuller (FINALLY!). Left: October; Right: August When I bought him, one of my biggest despairs was his lack of any chest definition.  These days, not so much.  He has definition! There are lines! And I finally got a good angle for a pectoral shot! ;P Okay. Are you ready??? Top: October; bottom: June Um.  You guys. Who stole my scrawny-ass saddlebred and replaced him with a rea...

I recently wrote  a post  about that one time last week where I accidentally pulled Leo's mane shorter than intended, leaving him in an awkward and uneven hair-length phase. choppiness level: high Because I have never razored a horse's mane before in my life, I was mildly terrified by the prospect of fixing it myself, so I decided to hire a professional.  AKA, I added Leo to the mane pull list of horses showing this weekend and paid Trainer K ten bucks to fix it for me. Why do you want a picture of my NAKED NECK, Ma? My face is way cuter. It's...quite short.  Hunter length.  Because the goal was to make it all one length, and he's been rocking the ridiculous mohawk look basically since I brought him home.  All one length, finally.  It's a little short for my taste, but at the same time way more aesthetically pleasing.  And it's just hair.  And at least now, as it grows back, it will all grow back one length, which has ...

As I may have mentioned last week, Leo's first official outing since coming to the barn in June took place last Sunday.  The barn hosting was new to me, but they hold their Haunted Hunter Pace (HHP, from now on) around Halloween every year.  I was actually meant to take Sherlock to last year's, but had to be out of town due to a family emergency.  The barn has an absurd amount of trails, all wonderfully spooky for Halloween, and none of which I got pictures of.   Leah  totally did though - and we were finally, finally able to meet up!  And I got to meet Ruby!  And she lent me a bonnet because I didn't have one! Prettiest bonnet. Thanks again, Leah! DIY Mockingjay saddlepad. Teal pony in the background. As my posts may have hinted at, my team went with a Hunger Games theme.  Originally it was just me and Barn BFF S, with our two fancy chestnuts, and the plan was to be Tributes from District 12.  At the last minute, Barn BFF eB decide...

I typed this up about a week ago and then it got lost in draft form. I know it's November now, but oh well. 10 October questions, 2 days late. Thanks,  L. Williams ! What do you consider "jumping high" for yourself? The highest that I have ever jumped is 3'.  I've done it twice, and would absolutely love to do it again.  I would love to jump higher.  However, I am limited by a lot of things.  Current barn does not allow jumping outside of lessons.  Current horse is baby baby baby and while I actually think that he would probably jump anything I pointed him at regardless of height, there is no way in hell that I'm going to test that theory out and potentially eff up all the hard work and baby steps that we've been taking.  And we currently don't have a setup that allows for free jumping, so there's no real way to test this theory without me being in the saddle.  I show 2'6, but I think the jumps are pretty small. What are your short-term g...