Rider Vs Non-rider?

I've been thinking about this a LOT. What if something happens and I have to sell Loki (which I would NEVER do willingly anymore. He's a dream come true!)? Will he be able to be easily rehomed not being broke very well due to his halter career? I've tried endlessly to put some kind of foundation training under saddle on him and it just doesn't work. He isn't made or bred for riding. He has incredible movement for western pleasure but he just doesn't want to be a rider. Which I am perfectly fine with, but I also have to think about how I'm affecting his future. He is an incredible halter horse that has more "pretty" than most and can win anything at a local level and out of a huge barn full of horses at State, only one was better. Is that always going to be enough? His stable buddy, Boston, shows promise to go as far as I want to take him under saddle and the personality to do it.

Hmm. Very interesting to think about.

Rest In Peace, Seeker

Boston lost another sister over the holidays. Seeker was a gorgeous palomino filly with a bright future. Her life was cut short when she colicked badly, never fully recovered, and colicked again on Christmas Eve. Her owners are amazing people and I am so sorry for their loss. If I can get a picture of her, I will post it here.

Don't Cry For The Horses

By: Susan Humphrey

They were ours as a gift,

but never to keep,

As they close their eyes forever to sleep.

Their spirits unbound,

On silver wings they fly.

A million white horses,

Against the blue sky.

Look up into heaven,

You'll see them above.

The horses we lost,

The horses we loved.

Manes and tails flowing,

As they gallop through time,

They were never yours

they were never mine.

Don't cry for the horses,

They'll be back some day.

When our time is gone,

They will show us the way

Do you hear that soft nicker?

Close to your ear?

Don't cry for the horses,

Love the ones that are here.

Show clothes for next year

I was very proud of myself in getting together next year's show clothes for halter and showmanship. I think it will go with my Sorrel boys nicely :) Today is going to be busy. I'd like to switch Loki's stalls to keep him in a dry one considering he is disgusting to clean up after. The much cleaner (and I do appreciate that, Boston) one will just have his stall completely stripped and new sawdust put down. A process I'd otherwise enjoy...but in 30 degree weather, I just want it all to be over!

So, to entertain myself until I get the motivation to actually change out of the pjs and go do something, let's do a bit of "Horse's I love but can't afford."

http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=1473380

^ So what if I don't do dressage...or have 30,000....I want it!

http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=1385179

^ How cool is that? Halter in the morning and ride in the afternoon. Not many horses can do that and look that good.

http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=1470117

^ I love this horse but I look at him and think of all little Boston is going to be :) It must be the blaze.

I hate the cold!

Loki and Boston are going crazy with minimal turnout. I have been trying to get them each out to run every other day but it is so hard. And in so much mud, it just isn't safe. I miss when I could put them out for a few days in the warmth and not worry about them. I really miss showing but I guess it is good for them to have a break from the constant stress of training and keeping unrealistically clean. Loki's neck seems to be getting longer or my wishful thinking is starting to pay off. Either way, I miss summer and showing and staying up late to band manes and having panic attacks when Loki got dirt on his freshly painted socks.

I miss showing...

I am having showing withdrawls. I can't stand not loading up every weekend to go show. There is so much I want to do and so much I have planned. Boston has the yearling classes to himself for a month next year because he is a May baby and our first shows are in April. Yeah, I'm cheating. Loki will be graduating to aged classes as he will be a 4 year old. Am I nervous? You bet! Terrified. He held his own in Open last year but we are going to have a lot of nice babies moving up into Aged with us. Definitely some challenges. There are a few places I can't wait to go back to show. You see $500 horses next to $20,000 horses and its just awesome. The little kids show lead line in the morning and you see pro reiners out and about in the afternoon. Super cool!

And in other news, Boston's sister won at North American this year. She won yearlings and took 2nd in Open. I'm kicking myself for not taking Loki as I've been told numerous times that he would have been a serious contender. I'm very sad about that. So because I cannot take show pictures until our shows start back up in April, here is one from state...look at that pretty face! I love his blaze.

Guess why I'm home?

At noon! Loki threw a major fit yesterday, one thing led to another, and I'm picking myself up off the ground.

I saw this horse and my jaw dropped. She is amazing. Good price for quality like that. Bred. Man is she bred! If I had 5,000, I'd be on my way over to IL. It actually hurts not to have the money to go get her!

http://www.equine.com/horses-for-sale/horse-ad-944533.html?sr=1&breed_ids=5&ltid=0

Good weather!

Loki (left) and Boston (right) both got out today so I chased them around with a camera.