14 days you say?

YIKES! Things have been a complete whirlwind, so much so that I've even halfway put off school this week. Is there any way to make time just stop so I can stop and take a breath????? Last Thursday I was sent a letter dated the 21st that stated I had to have my horses off of the premises within 14 days or they would be impounded, along with my tack and horse trailer. (To which I said, like hell! I have paid my board early every single month for the year and a half I have been there. I'm paid up until December. They'll take my f*ing horses over my dead, stiff body). The reason? Oh, because my mom used to moderate a Yahoo list, and a post they didn't like got through. She's not the moderator anymore, yet they still pin it on her. Grr... Luckily my mom got on the phone and made a fuss, and we now have a hearing. The horses can stay at least until then, though I'm still moving them the day after that hearing. Too bad they don't know about THAT yet. Like hell, I'll give notice.

Things are obviously not going well out at the ranch. Well, in all honesty, there are a million things wrong with it, but after almost two years without horses it was the perfect place to be able to relax and have fun and enjoy Captain, and without it I wouldn't have found Ace. But...

1. It's an hour away. Gas is killing me. I can't see my horses but two or three times a week, and for me, I feel like I am horribly neglecting my horses. I am the kind of person who used to check the weather hourly to see if the horses needed their blankies on or off. I am usually over an hour early for the vet or farrier, so I can get the horses groomed and loved on before they are subjected to such *GASP* horrible people. Now, I can't even be there for the vet or farrier, unless I can somehow get a ride up there. Instead I have to pass on messages to the barn manager, and they usually get lost in translation.

2. Speaking of vet care... I had to threaten that I wouldn't pay my bill to even get the office to pass a message along. They told me, and I quote "the ranch seems to have things under control." SURE, the ranch might, but I don't even know what going on with my horse! I keep getting mixed messages from the barn manager, especially regarding Ace's recovery. That's kind of scary, right? Plus the farriers do their own thing, without consulting my vet OR myself, and that pisses me off.

3. It's more political out there than the presidential election out there. We've apparently befriended the "wrong" people, and now life has become a living hell. I was yelled at for tying in the "wash racks" and told that my stuff was all over the barn. Well, no it's not, and there are about two dozen people who tie in the wash racks. Anyway, our halters were taken off of the tie spots where they were hanging, my grooming bag taken from the corner it was tucked away in, and Emma's shoes were taken from by the step where she sits and changes them, and thrown on the floor of the barn manager's office. Okay, that's disrespecting my crap, and I DON'T LIKE THAT.

There are a million more reasons, but I don't want to whine and complain for too long. I'm also really not happy with Ace's weight. He's a hard keeper, and they refuse to feed him more, even if I pay them extra. It's just ridiculous. I'm tired of it and I want out.

So, we're getting out, to the most awesome situation ever. It's literally 5 minutes from my house, and we will be doing all the feeding ourselves. I can see my horses twice a day!!! We found a paddock to rent with a huge wooden shelter at a barn that's totally non-drama--about five or so retired ladies have their equally retired horses out there (and who are more than happy to feed for us if we go on vacation). We'll have to ride through the neighbor's gate and use their indoor arena, but that's not a bad thing at all. There's a round pen on site, so I can still give lessons to kids without having to drag them or their parents anywhere. They can be on supplements, have blankets (which we weren't allowed to have at the ranch...), and get as much food as they need. I am SO excited that I basically can have my horses back. The ranch was fun while it lasted, but I want my horses near me. I want to call ALL the shots regarding their care and have actual contact with my vet and farrier. I want to be sure they're being taken good care of, since I'll be overseeing everything. They'll finally be home.

I'll be taking pictures of the place ASAP. It's sooo nice I just can't even get over it. At first I had a few misgivings, but as the move comes closer (November 16th!!) I get less anxious and worried and more excited. My two boys also get to be roomies, which they'll adore. They have some kind of SERIOUS bromance going on. The only thing I'm dreading is packing up all of my stuff...



P.S. Yesss I know I've been tagged for Ghost it Forward. I'll do it tomorrow, since it's actually Halloween and all. Also, if you've been reading, comment so I know who you are and I can tag you. I don't know many people on blogger!

little victories

Wow, long time no update. Things have been a whirlwind of accomplishments and progress lately, and I couldn't be happier with the way Ace is coming along. I'm getting my driver's license soon, so I can go up as many time as I want (or as much as I can afford, with the gas prices and everything) during the week just to visit, ride, and fool around with my horse.

One thing that we've done lately that I am SO proud of is conquering the trailer. I know he's traveled quite a bit, but the B.N. (barefoot nazi, his old owner) tried to shove him in the trailer and ever since he's been saying uh-uh. He said it took Ace six hours before he finally gave up and jumped in. So, needless to say, I was a little apprehensive when we pulled the trailer out, and so was he. We gave him a little tranq paste--just to help him calm down and make things a pleasant experience--and my mom stood in the trailer with lots of grain and cookies while I put his leg on the lip of the trailer and then rewarded him once he left it there. I did that with both front feet, and then hopped up and helped my mom coax him in. It took about a half hour total, which is quite a reduction from the battle of Ace vs. the B.N. He backed out really quick once he was in, but we put him in again and he stayed in for a bit longer. We'll be pulling the trailer out again possibly next weekend, and I'm excited to see how much better he does this time around.

We've also hit the trails again. I was way, way impressed with him when we went out for the first time in almost six months... birds were flying, people were zooming down the road, and he didn't look twice at anything. It's amazing how much this horse has come around to all of the TLC and attention my family and I have been smothering him with. I think he's really enjoying himself, and knows we may push him out of his comfort zone, but only with lots of encouragement (and cookies!). I never make our rides a taxing ordeal, even when he is uninjured, so I think he's actually starting to enjoy work. We do more muscle-building exercises than anything in the arena, and he's always willing to please. At the walk, he's now able to half-pass, shoulder-in, counter arc, two-track, etc. with his ears forward and his body loose and relaxed. I got him a new bit, a french link D-ring, and he's become really soft in it. He carries himself in a frame now, rather than sticking his nose up in the air and resembling a giraffe.

Trotting is a bit of a different ordeal, as he's at about a 2 on the lameness scale. He's sound in the straight aways, but falters a bit in circles and the corners. He seems to be a little bit better every time I ride, which is a huge relief. Ace is expected to make a full recovery, even with his old fractured sesamoid (x-ray at left). I'm just glad that he'll be perfectly sound as long as we don't do any speed events or jumping, which is okay. The jumping is kind of a bummer, but there are plenty of other things I can do.

Anyway, I think that's about it. I'm going to try and update more often, but you know, time constrictions and all that. I'll have to get up pics of my fab rainbow halter next time...