Lots of things left undone this fall that needed to be finished around the barn - but R. has worked many 60 hour weeks and we have been short of cash with my continued unemployment (lay off) - so I have "officially" stopped worrying about it - and have been practicing that.....lol....
We are having electrical problems at the barn - with several electricians out to shake their heads - which has not been helpful at all. With the arrival of cold weather - dragged out the tank heaters and plugged them into 3 different water tanks. Two of the tanks have repeatedly been shocking the horses as they drink - as you can imagine the problem with that... At first I was told - the "heater" is bad.....ok - I can buy into that - so off to TSC and bought all new heaters.... NOPE not the problem - still getting what is being called "stray voltage" into the water. Replaced outlets twice - even ran extension cords to the one and only outlet that is NOT doing this - NOTHING has worked........ Frustration levels are high... currently the heaters are not plugged in - and I'm praying for continued decent weather until this is resolved.... One thing I'm sure of - is that I'm feeling damn sorry for the combined total of 14 horses that this is happening to.
We put on a "barn fun day" this past Saturday - boarders and friends were invited over to play egg & spoon, musical stalls, simon says and egg stomp. We had a good time and the weather was decent. I'm hoping to have more of theses over the next several months - so any ideas of fun "horse games" - greatly appreciated!
I did purchase a new horse last week. He is a 2007 registered AQHA sorrel gelding - name is Doctor Sizzle. Kids have named him Alexander - but Randy has been calling him "Doc"....so not sure what name he's going to end up with. He's very friendly and quite big already. I'm very excited to have him for this coming year. I plan on starting him under saddle this February and maybe doing some bigger shows by the end of summer.
Charisma is under "vets" orders to be ridden all winter. Actually - ride the snot out of her is what I was told to do. So I normally don't ride much until mid-February or so - but this year will be keeping in shape along with her.... so if anyone wants to come ride with me in January.......lol.....
Gus is officially on vacation for the winter. I spent about 4 weeks this late fall riding him pretty heavy - and we progressed to doing a fairly correct - if a little slow on spinning. His roll back got pretty snappy. Gus got introduced to the cows and we actually cut a few. We also made alot of progress in learning how to do lead changes....now if I can get rid of the "buck" that seems to accompany them... ha ha.... I'm sure in time that will come. Dennie intends on borrowing Gus to use for a riding clinic in December for the ranch trail classes.... I might have to go watch my horse!!! I intend on taking Gus to a few of the American Ranch Horse shows next year... should be fun doing something a little different.
Kid news:
Kara is doing extremely well in school - I'm SO HAPPY!!!
Bo is doing only what he needs to to get by - I give UP!!! Bo's father has strongly stressed that he feels Bo is doing fine in school and that I should not curtail any extra-curricular activities etc etc..... never mind the kid has only TWO classes and is barely squeaking in a C-.....sigh.... However - to elaborate further is to also say that Bo's DAD is NOT willing to share in the duties of carting Bo back and forth to these extra deals..... I'm the continual "BAD GUY" in this scenario - and I get the "you don't like" teenage crap......sigh....... and yes - your right in saying that BO STILL DOES NOT HAVE HIS DRIVERS LICENSE!!!!!
Ok - enough rambling for tonight....
I promise to post more often..... seriously.......
