A Spoiled Canter Queen....

I told The Diary of a Mad Horsewoman that I had changed her blog name to show HOTANDSPICIE because friends always ask how she is doing in her new home. Waps In Yo Wallet's mom was a very talented mare. I happened upon her from an Uncle Henrys add that only stated, "Blue Roan Mare, 10yrs old. $1500. Oxford." NOW WHY OH WHY would I have gone? Because my mom said to go check it out. I had just sold my red roan standardbred mare SASSY to a forever home and was looking for my next jumper. Tessie was getting on in years, and I wanted something that I could enjoy. When we got there ... she shared a meek barn with low roof, and pallets for stall doors with two other horses. One her son, cob cross and a standardbred. Come to find out the guy found her registration papers... she was a ApHA! No Way!

Within a week of having Spicie home I went to a Terry Mclare clinic in NH. Great idea... NOT! ... If you knew Spice, you would have advised against that! She made sure to embarrass me before the days end by bucking me off after she accidently stepped on a moving tarp. AHHG! Sprained my thumb... but moreso... bruised my ego. I dont fall off EVER... very few horses can say they have unloaded my ars. A pony when I was 14, a friends newly purchased american warmblood that I just had to ride... and Spicie.

I wish I would have heeded the vets persistant advise to "breed that fine mare" but only after 7 years of enjoying everything from team penning to cross country jumping. I gave lessons on her, as well as, did 50 mile overnight trail rides in groups. She was up for anything and that is what I liked about her!

She finally blessed me in April of 05 with a baby girl - my first born - and only child. I had 2 people check on her every day and she made sure to squeeze that filly out in a two hour period of time. I arrived home after work... early that day ... I found a WAP still wet behind the ears.... I cried.

I tried to A.I. Spicie back for another Wap.... but she expressed in the most expensive way she could that she liked to see her men in the flesh. So instead I purchase babys cousin - a healthy 9 month old colt instead. Waps Chocolate Moose. His mother being 17h TB mare - Brenda's Dancer.... Ya! It was a sign! You can watch both of their vids in my video bar.

blah blah blah .... long story short... Spicie now has her own website..... http://spoiledcanterqueen.blogspot.com/

Of course she would.... she has much to say about her goings on at Hope Brook Farm.

A new beginning for them. A lesson program and kids summer camp...

alot to do and enjoy there!

So please take the time and visit her and tell her you miss her and wish her well!

How Amazingly Perfect...

Sunday... a day for rest & HORSESCAPES

... by taking pictures of course. Being a photographer... I love to take pictures of all my kids...

I have been googling all day... I guess you could say I am "googling off"... stayed in my jammies only to pull on the insulated carharts, muckboots hat and mittens to put them out, lunch them up then at 4 to clean them out and put them in. Then it was back to the computer to see what we can see.

I have been desperately trying to find clinics for dressage, jumping and or english seat ... just to get us out there... to no avail. What is UP NORTHEAST????? Frozen up are ya? C'mon... spring is coming soon! I know it doesnt feel like it but really NEWSFLASH! ... ITS FEB and then March and April showers bring May flowers right!

AYYYHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHYA YA

I feel like I am behind the eight ball already! I need to ride ride ride! I wish I would have attempted my driveway today... but I already had to pull my husband out twice! Last night plowing down the drive he got pulled in and I had to yank him hard 6 times before the Chev got hold... as she has bald tires in the rear. This a.m. husband was bringing a utility trailer with snowblower up over the hill with the jeep and NOPE... had to get out the Chev again and pull it up over.

SO NO ON THE HORSE trailer frieghted with my most prize posessions ok!

It was jammie time... with Chloe at my feet pecking away at the puter... and its now 9:50 and I am still pecking away at the puter? GOSH ... I have got to hit the sack!

BUT hold on Charlie Horse! Forgot my news ... researching tixx to ROLEX for April 22 - 26!

I know I KNOW! Exciting since... HELLOOOOOOOOOOO ... the US Olympic team will be riding there in 2010!!!!!!!!

Anyway... I have a goal and that is... to just get there & to relish in my existence to someday event there... for at least a few days and dream the big dream .... visualizing it into reality!

All the while keeping my eyes on the prize!

( & what darling eyes he has!)

The Po' Po' Chev....

My poor 97 1/2 ton Chev with 260K on her... I tell you.... she really gives me 200%. I dont look forward to the day I have to let her rest, because you know they just dont make them like that anymore. She was loaded to the gills today. 5 passengers, and 3 horses with all our gear. Leaving is not a problem as its all downhill ... but its YIKES on the way up the 800' drive as 4 wheel drive may not make it up snowy road loaded... but honestly and who wants to jack knife back 1/2 way up? NOT ME! So thank you MISS BLUE and MY OL' CHEV another day & we made it.

ANYWAY A PRODUCTIVE day it was. Charlie Baby and Misty all ridden and ridden by a couple different people. Misty got her cantering in by both her riders which is a huge plus. Charlie got his side passing in and release worked on. Even some cantering! YAY! I am so proud of him as he will be 3... March 27th. Baby will be 4 April 27th.... exactly a month apart? Wow I didnt realize that.... guess I wont forget it now! Baby worked on her head set in rythm and cadence. Hard for her with her naturally extended gait in the forehand, its almost like her ass cant keep up.... hey babe... mamma knows what you mean :)

Even Taylor worked on the "feel" through the reins with me double up behind her on Baby. Then trotted a little on her Misty girl. Well enjoy the video.... just showing you what we all worked on today.... hoping to hit the beach on Thursday and maybe next weekend.... weather permitting.

Any day that we ride is never a day wasted :)

Its time to look in the mirror....

First OFF ... thank you mom for freezing your bubushka off waiting for me to "get it"

Well I was quite tickled at what I accomplished today.... admittedly not so much at first.

I will admit right here and now that it is tougher than I expected, training 3 horses, with all the time I NOW have, but still it doesnt seem to amount to much when you figure it around weather or daily events. I want to ride more, but the fact is, I AM putting forth the effort & it doesnt seem to be getting better than this unless I board ONE of my horses at an indoor.

On a seperate note, spending what I do on gas and arena times for 3 horses, I dont have the funds for lessons. We all need them, really we do. The knowledgeable eyes to tell you what to do & when is great but at $40-$50 hour, I just cant right now. I'm saving for"clinics" or "jumping events" for this spring and summer.

With that said, I can now move on to ....

THANK YOU VI!

Inside rein, inside leg and his head dropped nicely with the correct leg and hand position. Once he got his grove on ... it was like I was riding a trained horse! It was only for a few moments that we were in unison and it felt great... my job will be maintaining that feel throughout our sessions over time. I cant believe it was my postioning that was holding back our progress! Amazing!

Although it seems like I was not absorbing at the time with my fussing screaming stead, I was subconciously and can honestly say it was the most productive time I have spent with Angel since I have had him! Someone to give me their 2 cents on what they think is going on with me and him and why we arent jiving at times is priceless! I cannot wait to work on that with him again. Hopefully it will take half the time to get to where we were at the end of our freezing cold session.

You think you know what you need to do to get the job done, but then someone comes in and shows you a more efficient way to communicate with your horse ...WAM! It hits you, you knew that... why werent you doing it? What is the excuse for poor posture and hands anyway? You have mirrors in the indoor and you havent utilized them? LOOK AT YOU... FIX IT!

Well, I feel like the clouds have lifted and blue skies are coming through! The sun should be shining in a few more sessions and we will be making great progress!

WE thank you... again and again. Hopefully when you come next time... it will be warmer (for MOM!) and we can move on to greener pastures!

JANUARY.... I cannd feeeel m' finnahs!

We all can agree that winter riding in New England is a challenge to say the least.
Its more than that to me ... its exhausting! No really. By the time you shovel your trailer out, hook it up, load it up with everything (still knowing in the back of your mind ... I am forgetting something), then fetching the horses, loading them up, driving 15 minutes to the indoor, unloading your gear and horses, tacking up, warming up - you then realize either you (A) Have to pee or (B) cant feel your fingers or toes.
The horses dont like the cold either. You can tell by how choppy their strides are or by how long it takes you to actually get a correct head set or rythm. It seems like it takes the whole time your there or limbs start freezing (which ever comes first) to feel like you are in unison with your horse. Some days are worse than others. Like for example when the snow is coming off the metal roofing while your riding... that would be considered = "shit hitting the fan"
I have told myself to just realize that I am not going to get as much done as I had hoped due to the fact that this year I have 3 horses I am training and with weather and the cold I am alternating who goes to the indoor for riding - so they all get riden equally. I am constantly feeling guilty for one or two.
Angel needs to be worked the most as he is the furthest behind in language. Baby is an old standby at only 3 (yes three folks) Charlie will be 3 this Spring - as long as I just stay consistant with him and work him he is good - but really should be worked more. Its like trying to roll three barrels at the same time across the arena - one is going to lag in momentum. Almost getting to your destination and you just say screw it and roll one at a time the remainder of the way. We will see what Spring brings.
A compilation of last winter and this winters indoor activity is good to watch to see what we were working on last year at this time.
Angels jumping progress will be available to see this week in another post.
We are hoping that next weekend will bring temps back up to 30 so we can ride indoors more comfortably.

GOALS This Week.

Left fri & drove 3 hrs to visit my dad this weekend. Didnt get back until Sat nite. Sun it snowed so couldnt go to the indoor. Its still spitting today. Fingers crossed TUES with Angel in Lyman. Wed ride Baby on trails. Thurs take Charlie to Indoor with Misty in Buxton. This weekend would like to trail at beach with 3 horses, but first hit indoor to make sure all the buttons are working :)

Until then.... its curry at 5pm and after brings Hot Bran Mash & Oats on this evening menu specials.

NOT spoiled would you say?

At Last.....

Me & Angel Darling....
working on our goals & having fun.

A good start to a new year of opportunities!

Cant wait to have them come to fruition this year!

FINALLY...back in the saddle

AFTER HOW LONG?!!!!!
Well I just dont want to admit it so I am not going to even say.
BUT - Charlie went to the indoor on Sunday with Misty and they got worked. Charlie did great... better than expected after what 2 months. Wow nice WAP extension there Charles!



Baby went trail riding on Monday afternoon and didnt toss me off, but tried a couple of times. She thought it would be easy since she was only tacked in a bareback pad and I was bundled in insulated Carharts. What could I say? She needs to unleash burst of energy and I must hold on or walk home. The latter just "aint happenin' ".... & dont even give me that "who me?" look!
Then it was me and Angel today at the indoor. It had been since Dec 2nd I believe and I was wondering what he had in store for me this fine cold day. He needed to get warmed up before he was cooperative with headset and extension but given his time off, I had to cut him some slack. He was his typical charmer self. Wishing I could ride him every day. I took some video of us jumping I will post tomorrow but for now its picture time, because I have to post something for all to see its been awhile!

The jumping pics are clips pulled from video I took. Not super clear but it does show me way too far forward and its nice to see what I will be working on next time.

He has decent form & Im sure it will get better once I get my ars correct and balanced !

SICK .... SICK... SICK

...ya thats me! I am Sick! Sick and tired of being sick. I got the Christmas gift that keeps on giving. I thought maybe a dry throat from the woodstove cranking. Not so lucky... lost my voice and that has turned into the achy, stuffy head, sinus clogged, headachy, body hurts all over, cant get out of my own way.... sickness. UGH... I barely have the energy to get out of bed and make it to the couch without getting disoriented and dizzy. I have been drinking a ton and had to invest in the puffs tissues as my nose is now raw. Cant blow anything but hey if I move it takes off running like the Kentucky Derby and I better have a tissue in reach!

Husband has had to do a.m. horse feeding and Bless Mindy as she is coming to take care of evening clean out and feed. Thank you LORD JESUS.

If I could just find some poor soul to give this shit to ....the demon would leave me!

KIDDING! ~ I am not that mean.... yet :)

So a day of 50 friggin degrees and melting and I am stuck on the couch! Enjoy that you snotpickers out there to pasture... because a new year is upon us and I am sure that my resolutions will have something to do with all of you!
Whatever ....Enjoy the down time!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

You look Sorry Charlie...

your lighted dingle berries are hanging low today!Ready for your smackarooo Missy Boo!

Pucker up Baby Cakes !!!!!!
You too Angel.... mmmmmmmmmmmua!
AWWWWWWWWWWWW.... thats not very nice!

Look at these poor poor pitiful pups! I am sure they are not spoiled at all hugh?

ALL WISHING YOU & YOUR FAMILY A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!