Not Ready

It's been another lazy week. Truby and I had a few nice trail rides, and a couple so-so arena rides. As I start expecting more work from Truby, I'm discovering she has Mare Opinions. Most of those opinions are about how she doesn't want to do things like work harder, and not jiggy trot near gates. 

I'm having a hard time explaining to her that it would be nicer if she did things like move straighter, yield away from pressure, and try to be supple. And that jiggy-giraffing near the arena gate has got to stop. 

Unplanned, bareback stroll down the backyard trail

So unplanned I forgot to put on her riding fly mask,

and had to grab her mask on the way to the mounting block

We're doing baby work. Little leg yields, little softenings. Trying to correct excessive crookedness (in both of us!) but not demanding perfection. Most of it is at the walk, and slowly adding in trot as she feels comfortable. Both of us are really increasing our fitness, and I'm remembering how to ride. I feel like I belong on a horse again. It's exciting!

She's thrilled

I've learned she likes little thumpthumps with my ankle, rather than a long press or even a thumpthump with my calf. She's learning to be chill as we walk up to a gate. I'm also learning to trust her to be enthusiastic approaching a gate and not assume she's going to get jiggy. Truby is learning she has to do a little more than plod along like a nose-to-tail trail horse.

We can still nose-to-tail plod on occasion

A few days ago we joined M and Cinco on the Loop. It was one of the first 90 degree days and we were all feeling a little blah. Cinco and Tru both delighted us with a lazy, head down, ears up, gentle stroll. They were happy, and happy to be totally chill. 

Leading on Lap 2

We ended up walking two laps. The last couple of times were went out, we walked an extra quarter around the Loop to drop L and Dixie off at their driveway, so Truby's learning that we don't always walk around once and then are done. She was a little confused that we were continuing around again, but was pretty game. Cinco stopped for some itchy time, and we got to venture by ourselves a bit. 

There was a ton of bunnies and quails and other flying birds, all out and about, but neither horses spooked at them, or even startled. So brave!

Truby was TIRED afterwards

This morning I hadn't expected to ride, but I beat the barn guy, so I hopped on Truby for some on the farm wandering. She strode out strongly, but not obnoxious. She didn't rush towards any of the gates like she had been, and we had a nice time going through the turnouts and down the backyard trail. There were lizards all over, and they would scatter from our path into the dried grass. Truby didn't even BLINK. Even when the chonky lizards went by. 

She's just so pretty

Of course, it's almost May in Tucson, which means it's basically summer. The flies are out. The sun is out. Humidity is gone. And it's getting hot. Last week was the first of the 90s, and while we barely avoided hitting 100, it should start happening later this week. 

I guess I might as well go back to work

if it's gonna be this hot

My plan this week is to get ready to return to work. I've been setting my alarm, getting up early and getting dressed and going out. Yeah, it's out to the barn, but I'm using it as practice. Still waiting for an official yay or nay on the end of the stay at home order. Definitely going to miss all my free time, and midday naps. And I'm also worried about Wave Two: The  Covid Returns. 

Truby and I are snacking on disinfecting wipes. 

At first it was to try to clean our insides, but they're kinda addictive

and we're snacky. 

Trail Riding

Over the last few weeks the flies have been coming out, and now they're regularly out and about. Not peak season yet, but plentiful and annoying. Both Truby and I have stronger reactions to fly bites out here. Nothing super bad for me, just itchy, but Truby will break out in hives, and is, actually, allergic to flies. Over the last few years, her fly protection has evolved from just a fly mask, to a fly sheet, to a sheet with a neck cover...and this year, fly boots! 

She seemed annoyed the first day I put the boots on, I could feel her rolling her eyes. A couple years ago I tried the fly boots with horizontal velcro straps and a cloth mesh. She stomped them much more than she was stomping flies, so I gave up. After finding out she's legit allergic to flies, I decided to give these mosquito mesh boots a try. They're super lightweight, and only have a single vertical strip of velcro. She might give me some side eye, but they don't bother her at all and have stayed in place. 

She wasn't amused by the increase in fly protection

This week we went on a couple trail rides, and Truby's been fantastic. She's got the Loop down, and feels safe and solid to ride there. And she loves it! 

One of M's friends recently moved her horse to a barn nearby, and it has a trail that leads to the Loop as well. She met us where the trails meet. When Truby saw there was a new horse, she got super prancy, head straight up, back hollow...ugh, I HATE that! M stopped to chat, and I didn't think Truby would be calm enough to stand, but she surprised me - after a few moments she relaxed. She lowered her head and raised her back back into her normal carriage. And while M and L caught up, Truby and I just hung out and felt very proud of ourselves. After a few more minutes, we headed along the Loop, and L went back to her barn. Truby stayed relaxed and we had a lovely ride. 

The cactus in front of M and Cinco is

my FAVORITE cactus

Just being the best Truby <3 

A couple of days later, we met up with L and Dixie again. This time they joined us on the Loop. When we reached them on the trail we kept walking and they merged in the group smoothly. No fuss, no drama. After a bit Truby and Dixie switched places (Cinco is afraid of Dixie, so we were buffer.) It was nice. A relaxing ride with friends!

New friends, L and Dixie

The next time we went out, I decided not to ride. I had picked a huge fight with my husband and was really upset. Plus the wind was brisk and on occasion, gusting. The combo seemed like a bad set up for a ride. So I went on foot with Truby. I don't regret it, there was some spooky moments, and I definitely was distracted. But you know, we still had fun, and it was good to stretch my legs and get some sun. 

Plus, I got to see this guy! He was huge. 

Horney tailed lizards are also a symbol of good luck.

Just being the best Truby Trail Horse

She's so proud of herself. 

We're both loving our trail rides

So all in all, it's been a good week. Husband and I resolved our fight. M and I did something SUPER FUN that I'll share soon. Adding a new friend to our trail ride went easier than I could have ever imagined. Truby's really turning into a nice little riding horse! I'm so proud of her.

Happy 20th Birthday, Truby! (a day late)

Okay, first off, let's pretend it's yesterday. Okay? Okay!

Hey guys! Welcome to April 11, 2020! It's also Truby's TWENTIETH birthday! For Truby's special day, it was cool and breezy, and we even had some rain showers in the late afternoon. Although we couldn't have a party this year, Truby still had a pretty special day, with lots of treats for her and her friends, a long grooming session with extra currying, and lots of snuggles. 

Happy birthday to my absolute prefect, prettiest princess! Every year she only gets more amazing. She's a friend and teacher to all that meet her, and I can barely believe I'm lucky enough to have her in my life<3 

wee 5 day old baby Truby

5 months old and still a wee baby

Making friends with the DONKS
DONKS DONKS DONKS!

Just being a pretty princess

"C" is for omgCOOOOKIESSS!!!!

Blizzard fun with her friends in PA

 Our first ride at Saguaro Park East

 Is that a cookie for ME????

Pfffft :P 

Better with every year <3 

It's Been A Week. I Think.

“Look, I’m a stupid hooman, derp der der, 

STAY SIX FEET AWAY FROM ME STUPID HOOMANS WITH JERMS!!!!

To be honest. I'm not actually sure what day it is, as time has lost all meaning. I remember what I think was last week. I went to work on Friday (which is my "Monday"). I did what I do, including making reminder calls for the next day. There was joking "as far as we know, Fluffykins has an appointment tomorrow at 11am, hope to see you then!!!". Friday evening I was scrolling through facebook and saw that the mayor of Tucson had closed all non essential businesses. Whhhaaat??? 

These two will NOT social distance >.< 

A quick text to my boss and some searching later, I found out that Tucson and a couple other cities had done a 6pm Friday announcement to try and get around our governer, who thinks everything is fine. 

This is my FAVORITE quote:

"I think we are shut down," the Republican governor said during a KTAR radio interview Friday afternoon. "I think people are indoors... there's very little traffic on the I-10," he said, describing the view out his office window from atop the Arizona Capitol complex."

I was really hoping we weren't going to try and ride the gray area of "essential" as per the definition of the governor (whose definition was already criticized for being overbroad) but fortunately the right decision was made, and just like that I wasn't going to work the next day. Or for quite awhile. 

So I did what I do, and spent a lovely weekend with Truby. We went for a nice ride in the turnout pasture, which is almost like going on a trail ride. The weather is perfect - sunny and warm - perfect for doing horse stuff. 

On Monday, the gov caved to pressure and announced a statewide 'stay at home' order. I took Truby for a walk down the wash, and hit the grocery store one last time. I also checked in with the barn owner and asked how she felt about me still coming to the barn. She sounded surprised, but pleased, to have been asked, and assured me we could continue to come and go as usual. I'm SUPER lucky to have Truby at a private barn, where it's just me, another boarder, and the owner. 

Visiting the wash

So that's been my week. Going to the barn, hanging out with Truby. Watching british tv shows. Gave Auri a bath and Husband a haircut. He's never wanted me to cut his hair, ever. Which is fine, I don't really want to do people. But he asked me to do it this week. First time in 16 or so years. 

I've taken it easy the past week, trying to adjust to the new normal. Since I'm not working, I want to take the time to restart my sad attempts to learn Spanish (I am so bad at trying to learn languages), maybe take some stuff offered through the Khan Academy. Maybe some of the free courses being released. Definitely increasing the cardio and yoga! And increasing the usage of KT tape. 

This sycamore at the wash is HUGE and so green!

Like most of the world, I'm trying to figure out how to live life in a different way. I'm lucky, in that I'm healthy. (SO FAR) Husband has been able to work from home, and our second bedroom has already been set up as his room, so he has his own home office. I'm not working, and had to apply for unemployment, which was a huge blow to my pride, but hopefully I'll be able to get it and with the COVID19 additional benefit, we'll be fine. Obviously being able to still leave the house AND VISIT TRUBY is a luxury that I'm not taking for granted. I know so many people can't leave the house, and definitely can't go visit their horses. You guys, I think of you every time I'm with Tru. I don't even know who you are, but I think of friends that I know are having to go horseless, and the people I don't know that are forced to be horseless, and I give Truby a hug and breathe in the horse smell just for you. 

Very happy I was able to buy carrots again!

So, even though I'm not inclined to pay much attention to our governor, I'm taking his advice. "Ducey said his order is more "holistic" than some issued in other states, and referred to the declaration as a "Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected" order."

Staying at home for the most part. Going to the barn and being cautious and safe with my horse activities. This week I hope to do some school learnin' and feed my brain. Do some daily meditation. Try cooking some new recipes. Continue to avoid being in contact with people. Lots of hugging Truby.