No wonder I'm exhausted! Cash and I have a snooze
Even though I’m currently coming to the end of my University holidays, it certainly hasn’t felt like one! Picking up extra shifts at work, horses ticking along nicely, the continuation of developing Equi-lates and a search for a second job has left me rather tired. But that’s life, and I’d rather be tired doing what I enjoy than lazing around the house like the average University student during these holiday breaks.
Without any competitions on hand until August, the boys have really been getting some TLC and higher working expectations. We’ve had the dentist out, we’ve had a sick 2yo (the guts ate too quickly and inhaled his food, leaving him with pneumonia), the farrier out, injections, vet out (again) to stomach drench everyone, saddle fitter out, same with the chiropractor, and last but not least organising a cross-country clinic with Will Enzinger and the information night for Equi-lates. All in all, it’s safe to say this break has been a busy and productive one.
Ace and the chiropractor
Wyuna First Sun, Jasper, is my very beautiful 2yo gelding! Just like any proud owner/mother/woman I’m probably biased when it comes to my horses, especially the babies, biased or not, this little fella was an absolute gem in a very big month! And seeing how he comes from our stallion out of a retired Grand Prix jumper, I have big hopes for this poppet.
First, he got pneumonia from eating too quickly (well done Jasper) so spent the first week of this month getting injections and pastes to quickly clear it. One would think any horse, let alone a younger one, would become somewhat resentful for you to catch them morning and night for the needles. Not this boy! Every morning, he nickered out to me and came wondering in as happy as Larry. It wasn’t until his very last injection when he took a big sigh and lowered his head that he showed signs of discomfort. On top of this, the following week he was stomach drenched for the first time, then the dentist came out to the entire gang, then the farrier. And no, he’s not resting away in a paddock as we give him some space, he’s now off the property to be broken in. Not the nicest introduction to life as a big horse for the little tacker, but his quiet nature and willingness throughout this saga has left me sure he is going to be a wonderful horse to work with over the years to come.
This ride out on Drum may be one of our last together
The past few weeks hasn’t been tough for just one member of this family, I’ve made the heartbreaking decision to lease out Touch of Honour (Drum). Having owned and ridden the horse since I was 12, taking me from grade 4 PC to 1*, it’s been a very long and significant partnership. But seeming though he is 15, and won’t go past this level, it’s time he now teaches another kid the ropes. Having said no to a LOT of people who have rung up about him, on Saturday a family, who go to my old school, are bringing their German exchange student to have a ride. If all goes well, then Drum and I will part for 6 months while she has some fun. How I’ll end up coping with it all? I don’t even know, but with Wyuna Clear Image (Ace) and I hitting new heights in our training every day, Wyuna Distant Music (Winston) being prepared for sale and then the two younger kids, I simply do not have the time to give each and every horse the commitment they need with University and work.
Ace gets his first double bridle
The next month is jam packed full of social outings, work, uni and horses. Attending the Courtney and Emma fundraiser night at Crown, my University Ball and Cavalia are just a few of the next month’s highlights! Oh and I almost forgot to mention that I have my first XC start in well over a year soon (about time)
Safe and happy riding,
Lil
