I’ve been lunging him mostly, as he gets used to everything, and I jumped on him for the first time at the new barn on Wednesday. I was trying not to push it because his feet were long, but he got them done on Thursday. Friday he did pretty well, and actually I lunged him after I was on him because I couldn’t find the lunge whip; so I walked and trotted him, he cantered a little… kind of, so I got off and cantered him in the round pen as a free lunge and he did OK. Today was an off day; he bucked everytime I asked him to move forward. When I got on him, he kicked out a little when I asked him to trot. So I walked and trotted until he was OK, then took the saddle and bridle off and walked and trotted him a few more times each way.

The round pen is next to his barn; a part of it is right near the opening where the food comes out at around 4:30 every day. So when he sees the hay cart he shuts off. Today, was just confusing. I went after he ate to work with him because of work, but about half way through he just kept stopping and turning towards the opening, looking for something. He was not responding to any of my commands as he did the day before, but I was just trying to remain consistent and not get mad at him. He was much better when I took the tack off, so I am wondering if the saddle in pinching him or if I just need his regular bit (he used a Dee, my trainer’s bridle I am using is a full-cheek snaffle)

Yesterday I worked a lot on our “walk” and “whoa” commands. He also started to understand my “trot” with a kiss command; I’m thinking I should’ve done more of that today, but he was just so distracted! He would stop at every noise, however, he was unfamiliar with the trailer that two girls went into, and the neighbor was running a truck engine or something. Plus the wind, which is uber scary obviously.

The farrier came Thursday at noon, or I was there at noon between classes, and squeezed in a trim. Because Florida is sandy and organic, I will be using Triodine on his hooves to prevent thrush during the dry season. I need to get a spray bottle, probably from Target, because I also need a new face powder. Top priority is getting my girth in the mail, finding a bridle and bit that work for him, and his feet. Working on building muscle, I wish we had hills, but no, Florida is flat. Saaad. Anyways, he had no bruises on his hooves and they looked good! I am getting Vitamin E to see if squirting that on his scar will help it a little bit.

I got his Roma Wither Relief pad yesterday and used it today… again, I think I need to check the saddle fit on him ): I don’t want him to be uncomfortable, but I think he’s just being silly/trying to annoy me. I am also hoping to catch K, the trainer, later this week for a lesson or something. Tomorrow I am going to try to walk and trot him in the big arena, which I did yesterday when he was more responsive to me, but didn’t today because he was a booger.

The HDR bridle I tried on him didn’t fit, so when I go to the saddlery tomorrow before the barn I’ll return that and see if there is anything else I can buy for cheaper, just to have a bridle right now, and search for a better one when I have more money and am more aware of what will work on him.

He’s so motivated by his stomach, it’s annoying. LOL, but he’s pretty so I guess nothing else matters, right?

So not much has been going on besides being extra tired lately. I’m working 20+ hours a week now since last week, plus my express class just started and now I’m up to 15 hours, which isn’t a lot, but it is. I work mornings Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday now; I have class M/W afternoon and T/TH all day/night. I was/am able to fit in a ride tomorrow with Lesley, and I am really excited because I haven’t ridden in two weeks now.

I am looking at horses and barns this weekend. Wish me luck (trying not to get my hopes up = fail).

In other news I’m on my tummy, typing, on the floor. This is my favorite position. I would lay out in my dorm room and study like this. I don’t have a lot of room around my bed here, so I just lay on my bed and do work this way. This is how I read at the beach and get burnt shoulders.

Last Thursday I got my hair cut! Not shorter, but the streamlined bob was chopped into layers and thinned again, which was very much needed. I love how it looks, but I wish I had more blonde. I haven’t been to the beach in about a week, maybe two now since it’s Friday officially. I work tomorrow morning but I may go if it’s nice in the PM. I have a double shift on Saturday, so yay for money. I’m going to ask if I can pick up another shift because I need it… I’m trying to go to Berry on the Halloween weekend to see everyone. But I also start my government class next Monday! I’m excited. I loved my government teacher in HS, she was so awesome! It was Spring 08, so election pre-season I suppose, and we watched stuff all the time and it was so fun! … I don’t think this class will be anything like that (dang, still need to order that book!!) but we’ll see.

Had my first college Chem test today. UGH. Maybe it’s because I’m used to 40 pointed or 50 pointed exams, but 25?! If I miss ONE problem, that’s a 95! I think my teacher is too lazy to grade otherwise, so I have a feeling they are 5 points each… I have a second math exam Thursday. Nothing for ethics yet, but I finished my assignment for this week! Another week to go!

Yesterday (Wednesday) morning I had a lesson! I rode Lady for the third time in a row and HOMG I freaking love this mare. I do not like mares. I just don’t, but I LOVE her. She’s brilliant and so much fun and has a lot of personality! I don’t remember what we did last week, but Sunday I flatted her by myself and really worked to get her to the rail and off my leg and into the corners with figures and serpintines at both the trot and a little at the canter. It worked! Normally the jumps are set across the center of the arena, because it’s not that big. But in preparation for the show this weekend they (four total) were set along the outside and then two were set on the diagonal. So, it was meant to be to the rail and into the corner in order to get the like, two strides, to the diagonal. She did so well! Our first round was like, perfect. OH.

So I got there at about 9:40 for a ten lesson and called trainer to ask who I was riding. She told me, well, I was late so she left and would be back in a few, ride Lady. I walked to the arena at 10 (checked my cell) and was on for about 20 minutes before she showed up. Then, about five minutes in as I was working on getting my lines, someone came to dispute this vet check on another horse that they gave back. Forever later she came back and that’s when I jumped some. I was on the horse until 11:15. LOL.

But she did ask me to ride both Aly and Lady on Sunday! I’m really excited! I want my mom to take photos, but her camera didn’t work to well last time (the Canon) I think because it was overcast and I was in a covered arena. We’ll see (:

Also, I’ve been working out, doing Pilate off of YouTube. IDK if it’s working. I also haven’t been eating many calories. About 800 per day. IDk, I don’t have a scale..

Uh, work tomorrow morning. Gotta jet!

Rode this morning on a mare named Lady, who I rode once before. She is about 17 years old, I think is what I was told, butboy does she go. If you want to see a horse who loves what she does, this is the one. I pull her back from the jumps, she’s so bold and scopy over fences. It’s thrilling to ride her. I do miss dressage though, and I never thought I would say that, but I also love to jump so jumping every lesson is perfectly fine with me as well. I’ve definitely improved since my first lesson earlier in the month. In all, I’m really enjoying being back in the hunt seat style. If I could choose, I would probably now end up with a quarter horse or a throughbred, or a nice, sturdy pony who I can take to hack out in a hunter class, but also head off and school cross country. I would want my cake, and ice cream, and eat them both. Or, I would do a dressage background with a hunter focus or something. Heh.

Also: I did move back home. I will be here for the next year working at a vet clinic and taking classes to get my AA degree, then my goal is to get into the University of Florida in order to maintain my animal science degree, continue pre-vet and apply for vet school. Bascially, my whole in-state for Georgia got taken when I tried to transfer. Since Berry was private, it didn’t matter, but when I tried to transfer to the big Uni, I lost my HOPE and my in-state status since updating my FAFSA and taxes… which is fine, because I like being close to home. I have less meals to pay for and things.

My goal: to save up money so that I can have a good savings going whenever I move to Gainesville, or wherever the road may lead me. If I am able to get into UF, I would either buy and house or a condo or townhome, own it, yeah, and my sister if she chooses to go to UF would be able to move-in as well. Ultimately, I would be there for six years, so I think purchasing a home would be a good idea, especially since the market is for buyers right now. I would love something in a quiet, older neighborhood. Then I could get a dog. Or four.

But, I’m also a realist. So my short term goal is to just get my grade as close to a 4.0 as possible in the next year. I have a midterm for speech tomorrow. Open book, so yay. Owwwie, I can feel the heat.

So I am also watching Trading Spouses on CMT right now and I feel so bad for this dad! He’s the quinessential nerd and his wife basically ignores him. He doesn’t even talk very much! And when asked why she loves him, neither could answer the reason. Wow. I just feel so bad for him, but I’m hoping that this new mom has made some sort of change in his life. I mean, I’m sure he likes playing these video games and reading math text books, literally, but I think he feels left out. Apparently it was just his birthday on the show, and he ordered HIMSELF a book. No other presents. At all. ):

What else? I love my job. I keep having hiccups in the day it seems, because I’m getting more responsibilities and it’s like, OMG. Buuut I love it. I’m torn between just becoming a tech, certified or continuing to vet school. But, I love what I’m doing so much now, I’m sure when it’s with HORSES I will die every single day. From happiness. I can barely imagine it now. Heh.

Still no friends here that I know. I DO however have a friend from school coming in July, so that’s awesome! But, I think I’m going to have to wait on visiting my other friend, because I don’t want to ask off two Saturdays in a row… then again, I’ll just ask at work tomorrow and see how it is.

Ugh, have to finish these scholarships. Thanks for reading about my Boring Life.

1) moved back home and getting my AA degree
2) have a job as a vet assistant
3) started riding hunter/jumper again
4) working on the website

Thanks, bye!

Granted, it isn’t all bad. There are a number of clinic all around my house that I can and will apply to. I will soon hopefully be a kennel cleaner and that’s fine with me. I’d like to take up a job at a stables or contact the local equine vet and see if I could shadow him/her for a few days. Also, not sure if I will take classes. I kind of need too, but I also need to work. If I can, I will be getting two jobs this summer.

Honestly, I’d like to ride again. If I can’t get into Georgia I will be heading out to Ocala to go to school and work some more. My plan then would be to transfer to UF to finish my vet school requirements and then off to vet school.

I have a feeling it’s going to be a wacky three years.

There are more on facebook, especially of the bigger boys, who are the three-six year olds who are in training/for sale. The bay who I’m with in half of the photos is Wyatt, who I adore. I want him.

Did I mention I almost adopted a dog a few weeks ago? Don’t remember. Good news, however, is that she was adopted later that week, so she wasn’t put down. Despite the number of dogs I’m around all the time here, she has been the only one I’ve yearned for. I was seriously considering disobeying my parents and getting her, lodging her at a friends farm until I got the apartment, then moving her with me to Athens.

Still waiting on the news as to A) whether I got in to school and B) whether I can get it paid for. In the next month, May, it will be hell aside from going home and doing nothing. I will finish school, take finals, receive notification from these colleges, and see whether I can get HOPE or not for next year. Then, if all goes well, I move to Athens on the 29th. (:

In other news, there is a girl in the dorms who got engaged recently to her boyfriend, and is getting married this summer. Her roommates (a quad, so four total) threw her a lingerie party and I went out with Jo to help get her something. We were going to spend fifteen minutes, in and out, but it ended up being an hour of course, because we kept being goofs and pulling the most rediculous pieces out. Ended up getting her massage oil and some bath bubble from VS, which apparently were big hits and no one else thought of the idea (underwear was the favorite, of course). It was cute, and I’m leaving all thoughts of a nineteen year old getting married to a one-minus year relationship out. Heh.