A NonTruby Adventure

One of my favorite Tucson people is a multi-talented artist. Last year I participated in a jewelry photoshoot that combined two of her loves, photography and making jewelry. Definitely not a "me" activity, but it was a ton of fun and we all had a great time.

Fun fact: it took about 3 days to fully remove all the eye makeup 

So a few weeks ago, when she asked if I could help out at another photoshoot, I of course agreed immediately! This time I just had to help hold a horse and get stuff. Much easier than putting on fake eyelashes and looking haughty.

Meet Daphne!

Daphne is kept at a super fancy ranch that's just a couple of miles from my apartment. I drive past it all the time, so a chance to wander around and look at all the gorgeous horses was a treat. And I was not disappointed! 

 Hello, I would like ten, please.

Oh, and 5 or 6 of these, too.

These beauties were in the jumper barn.

My job was easy. Hold the horse while her owner was doing solo shots. Daphne has great manners, so it was just a matter of walking when she was bored, trying to keep her from eating random stuff, and oogling my surroundings. 

There was 5? 24 stall barns, each stall had an attached outdoor stall.

Currently housing jumper, dressage, and western training and showing horses

Plus an onsite breeding barn with AI collection and veterinary services.

Trying, and failing, to get uppy ears

 This was fun. Bentley was holding a mirror, and Pamela was 

shooting into the mirror to get T and Daphne in the reflection

One of the outfits being recycled into a very posh duck blind

The hardest part of my day was trying to convince Daphne to get in juuuuuust the right position. After a few minutes of that, mostly I just got to hang out. Kinda like helping out at a horse show. Lots of walking, lots of looking at fanciness, and if you're lucky, not much else!

Getting her in place was sooo hard. 

Daphne refused to give me uppy ears :(

 This guy was SO FUNNY. He actually warmed himself up before galloping around and playing.

He walked  a loop, then jogged, then a loop at a slow canter.

Then he let loose, running and playing.

After seeing all those stunning show horses, it was nice to go see my fuzzy, scruffy Truby. 

We might not be fancy, but it works for us. 

Sassy Pants

The beautiful sunset from last post led to a fun little storm system that brought us a good day of rain, and even snow in the tippy tops of the mountains! But before the rains came, it was incredibly dry, and every time I touched or tried to brush Truby, her coat crackled with static electricity. I sprayed her quite generously with some Vetrolin Shine Spray just so I could pet her without shocking her.

So of course, a few days later I decided to hop on bareback for a little ride. She was still very, very slick from the spray....she's been very good recently...mostly...so I figured it would be okay. The second I got on, she spun around and dove her face into a few scraps of alfalfa hay that was left over from someone's turnout time snack. I let her eat for a second while I settled myself, made sure I had some sort of grip, and then hauled her head up and sent her to work.

 Can I spook at this?

She pranced off and started trying to get back to the hay, or "run" off, or twist around, and all of that involved a very high head and very prancey feet and an overly light feel to her front end. I very much dislike the feel of a high strung horse being way above the bit and extra light on their feet. I hate that feeling of being completely unable to control or influence the horse, and the feeling that anything will cause them to leap, twirl, or run off. 

Luckily Truby is pretty unathletic, and I remembered how to actually ride. So while I had to be quite a bit braver than I prefer to be, I sat squarely on her back, my legs firm on her sides. Never pinching or clinging. I forced my body to belie my nervousness, and rode. Even just at a walk, I used my leg to push her into my rein. I used my core and seat to hold her into a nice pace. I kept my voice relaxed and low, and my buttcheeks unclenched. 

It took a good 15 minutes, but I got her mostly focused on me. She moved forward in a solid, starting-to-swing walk, no jig, no giraffing. She did occasionally think that spooking at something would be fun, but never followed through. There was a moment when we were going past the far end near the neighbors chickens, and a couple of them started to squabble. Truby only took a large step away, but I was much more startled and found myself clenching with my thighs, leaning quite forward, and grabbing at my reins to shorten them. I had to give myself a good lecture about that, because that's an excellent way to teach a horse that they really should be afraid of something! 

But in general, everything went really well, and I was proud of myself. Proud of myself for being brave, for riding through it, and doing those things well. Proud of Truby, too. She's allowed to be sassy sometimes, but she worked through it as well, and was a happy pony by the end. 

I finished our ride just a few minutes later. It had started to drizzle heavily, and while it was exciting (it's a desert thing), Truby hates getting rain in her ears, and I thought she deserved to stop on a good note. 

She was still pretty up and sassy, so I turned her losoe and let her run a bit. She enjoyed getting to be a little wild, tossing in a few bucks and some playful striking with her front legs. I even got a little bit of video!

I filmed this in Slo Mo on my phone, but can't upload that version. Which is a shame, because it's so much better! After a few minutes of sassing around, Truby walked over to me and nuzzled against my arm. Having gotten the crazies out, she was relaxed and happy again. She got some cookies, wrapped in her rain sheet for the chill rain that would come overnight, and tucked into bed with lots of hay. 

Desert Sunset

On my way to see Truby,

a tiny rainbow shimmers mid-sky

Swirly clouds looking north

sunset starts with gentle pastels 

 Truby and the sky increase in dramatics

She took great offense at people riding on the Loop Trail

(it runs behind the arena)

 She had a tantrum, and is huffing and puffing 

From the safety of the far end of the arena!

DRAMA 

Still offended other horses exist

The sky reflects her outrage

Sunset surrounds us

The sun smolders as it slips below the horizon

The desert is amazing

Some Peaceful, Easy Feelings

Ponies in the morning sun

I'm loving the last week or so of barn time. Every day is warm, sunny, quiet. The ponies are soft, everyone is relaxed, and peace fills everything in between. I've been able to ride quite a few times, continuing a gentle conditioning for both Truby and I. 20 minutes of (bareback) walk work, with some attempts at lateral work and a little bit of trot for fun. 

Plus a few minutes of just looking and enjoying life.

Sunday I thought I might ride, but it was just so relaxing to sit in the sun and watch Truby amble around, looking for snacks, that I decided not to. Not a huge decision, but something just seemed to say 'just be'. I soaked up some vitamin D (without bursting into flames!), listened to the birds, and loved on Truby whenever she came over. 

                 

Cinco's owner dragged the arena, and it's much nicer for riding in, but a bit rocky. For weeks I've been saying I need to start picking up rocks. Tuesday morning I finally started! Truby had a routine vet appointment, so I picked up rocks while I waited. Thankfully they were running pretty much on time, so I only had time to collect a bucketful.

One section down, most of the ring to go

Truby got a good report from the doctor, who said that she looked in perfect health! Truby had fun mugging treats and getting lots of attention, and I was proud of her for being reasonably well behaved. Even when begging for cookies she didn't move her feet, just nuzzled people. Cute, and minimally pesky. 

A little later I'm going to meet a friend from the old barn. We're going to drink Mount Lemonades (a play on Mount Lemon in the Catalina Mountains) which is a delicious fizzy lemonade with prickly pear flavoring, yum! We're going to chat and gossip and catch up on drama (barn drama is the BEST, at least, when it doesn't affect you personally). We're going to pet ponies and give them cookies and maybe even ride Truby a bit. 

Early fall in Tucson. It really can't be beat! (With my apologies to everyone getting hit with snowstorms right now. Just remember, you had your beautiful summer...now it's my chance to be outside! Make a snowman for me?)

Just A Nice Couple of Days

I love this view

The insanity of Thanksgiving is over for me. Since we don't have any family out here, there's no potentially stressful family gathering. Or having to prepare a big meal. Husband and I might share Thanksgiving dinner with our "Tucson Family", the folks that adopted us a bit, but we might not. Husband just started a new semester, and I'm maybe getting sick again. You know, just for fun. 

Of course, WORK and holiday insanity is a whole 'nother story. Folks. People get their pets groomed before holidays. Like, ALL OF THEM. You're not the only one that thinks, 'hey, maybe I don't want my dog to stink like a dead fish and look like an old macrame hanging when all my friends and family come over'. PLEASE PLAN AHEAD. The sheer volume of last minutes calls and overwhelming frustration and rudeness of those calling is really really hard to deal with all day, every day for weeks. The fact that it happens every year just gets really old. I've been doing this for 15 years, and believe me, I no longer care that you didn't realize Christmas is next week and your mother is in town and your dog is really gross and can't I just squeeze him in because for the tenth year in a row, you haven't figured this out yet. Sorry, all my fucks are GONE. 

Needless to say, the last week or two has been increasingly stressful as I try to do my job, do my job a little extra, and deal with the endless phone calls as cheerfully as I can. Each day last week I headed right to the barn after work for some much needed Truby Time. 

Therapy with a $400/month copay ;) 

But once I get to the barn, all that stress just melts away. Afternoons have been comfortably warm and sunny. Horses have been sleepy and happy. Truby has enjoyed lots of hugs and forehead scratches. 

A couple of days I hopped on bareback and we enjoyed a nice little ride together. Truby's been walking out with a nice forward stride. Ears up, a little sway in her step. I remembered that if I sit up and use my side abs to stabilize my back and tuck my pelvis, Truby will improve her gait, stepping more under, bringing her back up, and generally just moving nicer. 

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT???????

We even did a few nice little leg yields. Which also improved her gait. What is this madness? Does anyone else know how this works?

Um...duh

Rare photographic evidence of me riding Truby!

One of those sunny afternoons, after our ride, Truby and I joined Cinco and his owner for a little handwalk over to the Loop Trail. It was lovely. Just one of those perfect afternoons, taking a walk with friends. Both horses really benefit from just getting off property and having a good experience (who doesn't?) Never hurts to have a short, sweet, and positive experience. Ponies even found some grasses to eat. 

 noms!

After that much needed barn time, I feel relaxed again. Recharged, and like I can do it all again tomorrow. I should get a bit of a break the next week or two before Christmas Madness starts. Luckily, Truby and friends will be there. When things are stressful. When things are calm. When I really need a friend, and also when things are going well. I wish everyone had this type of accessible stress relief! I am very lucky indeed. 

...this face, lol

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have so much to be thankful for, 

and I hope you all do too <3 

Aw, Snap!

Hello! I got a baff!

It's cold! Like, real cold, not fake Tucson cold. We've had a couple chilly nights, down into the 30s, and only into the 50s during the day. Plus wind. Near constant, howling wind. It reminds me of the bitter winter wind you get when there's at least a few inches of snow on the ground, and the wind howls, blowing the snow around and maybe a bit of icy sleet.

I woke up super early this morning, and was warm and toasty, snuggled under the blankets, and listened to the wind howl outside in the dark, and pretended there was snow and ice.

With the cold snap, Truby has gotten her legs wrapped for the first time this season. I don't know if the ceramic of the Back on Track wraps do anything magical, or just keeping her legs warm and supportive is enough, but when it dips into the 30s, wrapping keeps her from getting stiff and arthritic ouchies. I love the BoT Quik Wraps because they're EASY. They go on in seconds and stay in place. Plus I can trust just about anyone to put them on, if necessary.

She's adorable

The other day she was feeling silly, and kept moving around when I went to wrap her. Finally, when I went to put on the last wrap, she power-walked out to the outside part of her stall. Obviously I'd never be able to catch her again! Ahahaha, you clever mare! Whatever shall I do?

Freeeeeedom!

Last week she got a bath, and it was nice to get her squeaky clean. She had been out playing in the mucky part of her stall and was filthy! So she got a double shampoo all over, plus a nice long deep condition for her tail. 

So pretty! So clean!

15 minutes later...(sob)

Of course, that lasted all of 20 minutes or so. As soon as I let her loose, she rolled long and luxuriously in the dust, making sure to get both sides. Sigh. At least she's happy? She's also gotten a new load of sand in her outside stall, which is great, but doesn't help her stay any cleaner. She's pretty cute though, so I suppose it's worth it. The trials of owning a grey horse!

Home(sick)!

I'm back from Mexico! I had a wonderful week and enjoyed almost every minute of it. The weather was perfect, the water (the Gulf and pools) were perfect, the resort was amazing, and the people were wonderful. 10/10 will go again!

I got home late last Tuesday night, and headed to the barn Wednesday morning to see Truby. And she was mad.

Harumphhh

I heard that Truby missed me. Whenever Cinco's mom went to give her special attention, she would come up, all excited, but then realize that it wasn't me, and then sigh and wander away. Husband went out a few times to visit, and everyone at the barn gave her extra love, but apparently it didn't take the place of me.

Which kinda makes me feel good. I'm special! My horse likes me best! Yay! But...she wasn't thrilled when I showed up after a week away. She sulked. She put her ears back. She was Moody Mare. 

I'm mad at you, so I'm gonna play with your pitchfork!

I will punish you by being adorable!

 Looking majestic 

Wednesday was Farrier Day. One of the other horses had foundered just before I left, so our farrier called in another farrier to consult. She was super friendly, knowledgeable, and fascinating to listen to. Apparently she does quite a bit of teaching as well as trimming. It was a beautiful sunny day, and all of us were there, so it was just a lovely day at the barn. Learning about feet, talking to friends, petting our ponies. What else is better?

Truby says; Yeah, this is great.

Consulting farrier teaching us to draw on hooves

Truby was so relaxed she fell asleep

Once they had finished with Primo, we of course had to have the consulting farrier look at Cowgirl and Truby, just for lolz. Truby's feet are actually pretty good (especially for being Halter bred) but she has a funky hoof from an injury to her cornary band as a weanling. I always like to hear what people have to say about it. 

At one point, the consult was trying to explain something to our regular farrier, and she sighed and said "It's hard to explain when the horse's feet aren't messed up!" A weird compliment, but hey, Truby has good feet! Who doesn't love to hear that? 

It was a fun morning at the barn, although I was pretty tired and feeling kinda sick from our travel home the day before. I continued to be sick all week, and finally gave in and saw my doctor today. She agreed that I definitely was ill, but thinks it's just some random virus I picked up while travelling. I'm bummed. If I've been sick for a whole week, I want to HAVE something. C'mon, let me have Zika or Dengue fever or something. Ah, well. Maybe next time!

Auri was happy I came home