Drumroll Please.....

Today marks the last day of my contest so I rounded up all the entries, assigned each one a number, and had my sister pick a number from 1-15 (very scientific, I know).

And the winner is......

Lauren from She Moved to Texas!!!

Congrats Lauren and thank you to everyone who entered.  I definitely think TRM's first contest was a success, and I look forward to having more :)  And keep your eyes peeled for photos of the Mini-Simon I'm sure I'll be making in the very near future!

Just envision a little bay instead :)

Self-Destruction

Let us start this lovely, uplifting post with yesterday.  Because yesterday wasn't so bad.  I got to the barn and was informed there was an avalanche lot of snow coming off the roof of the indoor.  No one else was riding (because it was that bad) but luckily Molls has nerves of steel and I don't mind.  Tacked her up, got in the ring, and sure enough it was terrifying.  Now we've been dealing with snow coming off the roof for some time now.  It's a minimal deal.  But it was so warm yesterday (41*!!!) that the layer of ice that had formed on the roof was melting.  I could literally hear it breaking off (lots of cracking) and then rolling off the roof (crashing right above our heads and taking the whole roof down with it).  Then, since the indoor has super awesome windows all along the long sides we got to watch it come crashing to the ground.  Have I mentioned my horse is a saint? She seriously only spooked one time and while it wasn't our best ride (she was definitely tense) she got tons and tons of pats and cookies for not killing me.

I even got video!! It's not the greatest but it's some baby half pass to the left and then right and then a square halt.  I was even impressed watching it.  It could have been a little prompter and I would have loved for her not to walk off like a straight up llama but oh well.  Square halts.

Then there was today.  Got to the barn and it was SUPER warm (49 degrees people. Forty.  Nine.  Degrees).  This brings us some great news.  Mollie is shedding.

Hairy shoulder

Evidence the days MUST be getting longer.

 
I decided to put Mollie back in the double because she's been getting heavy and rush-y lately and I'm sick of it.  Put the ghetto-double back together but something was definitely off... I want to say the curb was too low in her mouth but wasn't entirely sure.  Either way she was being super fussy and pissy, so I took the curb off and figured I'd just deal with her in the snaffle.

I probably should have just gotten off then.

I got back on her and practically cried.  She was SO.  HEAVY.  It was like riding a lead block around the ring.  You know how your horses have bad habits that sometimes you just let go, because in the grand scheme of things they're not that bad?  Well today I decided I was going to fix ALL of Mollie's problems.  I was just so fed up with her being heavy, not truly accepting contact, rushing off, etc., etc.  The problem is when I decided to "fix" these things I typically go about it in the worst way possible.  I was so frustrated because for the life of me I just could not get her to go around nicely.

I tried going faster.  Fail.
I went slower.  Fail.
I put no pressure on the reins.  Fail.
I put pressure on the reins.  Fail.
I went left.  Fail.
I went right.  Fail.

Sensing a pattern?

I finally found a halfway decent spot to stop and just got off, frustrated in myself mostly.  Most of the time I think we get on without a trainer or program just fine but days like today I really hate not having a trainer.  I've been feeling rather incompetent riding wise lately and today definitely didn't help.  I just know that I can and have ridden better and am annoyed that I can't seem to get back to that place.

I did feel badly for taking my frustrations out on my horse though so she got an awesome curry afterwards and I sore-no-more-ed her whole body.  On the way home I went over the multiple reasons why our riding could be suck-ish lately and this is what I came up with:

1. We haven't had a lesson in over a month, and the one before that was in November.
2. I haven't ridden consistently up until this week since I'm off from work.
3. Molls is coming up on her 17th birthday... she's always been a healthy (knock on wood), sound horse but when the vet was out for fall shots she did a lameness work up, which she does once a year.  She mentioned that Mollie's hocks were not in great shape yet considering she's almost 17 and has had arthritis for several years they're not awful.  She did mention the 'I' word however and I've been dwelling on it ever since.

I really don't want to inject her but when I look at rides like today I wonder if there's a physical reason she isn't as easy under saddle as she used to be.  Not that I ever would describe her as easy but something has definitely changed.  My current plan is to finally purchase some Back on Track hock boots, start using those, and see where we are when the vet comes out next month for Spring shots.


Finally, for anyone who made it to the end, this is a reminder to enter my contest!! I'll be choosing a winner tomorrow :)

More Winter

I rode yesterday (Monday) and can't think of a single thing to say about it.  I'm sure we were super productive.

So last night when I went to bed the news was all "It's going to snow tomorrow but not till noon and only 3 inches."  So I was all yeah, ok.  And I went to bed.  Then I woke up at 9 (hell yes school vacation) and it was snowing.  A lot.  Seriously, do I need to bring back the winter memes?  So I was all sad and laid around in bed depressed-like and then said screw snow.  I mean, I bought a car with all wheel drive this year, I may as well use it.  So I got my act together, got dressed, and drove to the barn.  It may or may not have taken 20 minutes longer than usual, and there's a chance I slid right past the entrance.... but I made it.

At least the barn entrance is all winter-y and cute.  When I'm not sliding by it.

So after skiing down the driveway and parking I went to get Molls, contemplated putting a saddle on, and figured why bother.  I mean I rode with a saddle yesterday AND Saturday so we were due for a bareback ride anyways.  Molls was good, despite winning ALL THE RACES.

Note: there weren't actually any races going on.

All in all she was a good girl though and didn't even flick an ear at the snow falling off the roof.  Then again it's now such a common occurrence I think they're all immune to said noise.  She was strong and I really need to put her back in the double (I've been slacking) but oh well.  We can deal with that tomorrow.  One good thing is that I really think I ride better bareback when I do with a saddle... mostly because I'm forced to actually ride and not just sit there and wait for a miracle to put my horse together.

After the ride Molls was obviously really exhausted.

Then she realized I brought her jelly munchkins.  Molls loves jelly munchkins.

Don't forget to enter my contest!! Thanks to all who have entered already, I'm so excited to find out who wins :) Also if you have mentioned the contest on your blog don't forget to add a link so I can count you for an extra entry.

Rockstar

Disclaimer: This post should probably be rated PG-13.  Maybe even R.  For expletive language of course.

That said, I fricken rocked at riding today.  Don't get me wrong, I am not the best rider in the world.  Not even close.  All it takes is reading a few of my other blog posts to realize I have my fair share of shortcomings.  But today?  Today I was a freaking rockstar.  I seriously don't know where it came from but I just really, really, had my shit together today and it was awesome.  Molls didn't even know what to do with herself.

I got on and granted, I have not ridden my horse with a saddle on for like.... two weeks.  Obviously, she was pissed.  Whatever.  We walked for a while and when I asked her to trot the conversation went a little like this:

Molls: I'm gonna stick my nose out.
Me: Well here's my leg.
Molls: Ok I'll pull hunter pony BS and tuck my head between my knees.  Oh, and my shoulders will now drop a full 6 inches.
Me: Oh helllllllll no.

Molls was promptly halted on her ass.

The ride went on, and on, and on, and Molls seriously had her resisting-pants on.  Too bad, so sad sassy pants.  No matter what she did, what gait we were going, or what direction we were traveling in I refused to touch her face.  Some days I'm ok at this, other days I like to pull even though I know it's the worst idea in the whole entire world.  But today? My arms were like buttah.  The rest of the rides conversation sounded like this:

Me: Please lift your shoulders.
Molls: Pull on my face.  Go ahead, I dare ya.
Me: Nah I'm good, move your shoulders over.
Molls: PLEAAAAASE! Pull on it, just a little tug.
Me: Nah, here are my hands, see, all yours.
Molls: OMG PUH-LEASE PULL ON MY FACE RIGHT NAO!!
Me: Not gonna happen, lets half pass instead.

This continued for some time and wouldn't you know as soon as my horse stopped begging me to pull on her she got SO freaking soft!! She was so bouncy in her front end it made the nonsense worth it.  Our canters kinda sucked and I'm in serious need of some video to see what's happening when I turn her down the centerline to half pass (I'm losing something, just not sure what) but all in all I was really happy with the ride.

Usually I'd be all excited to ride tomorrow because I have no lessons but the sky is doing this again:

From my ride home from the barn.

Snow out the window.  yes I was too lazy to get off the couch and take a better one.

I don't even hate winter, I just don't like when it interferes with riding.  Luckily I'm on February vacation (hallelujah!!) so I should be able to ride all week.  

Don't forget to enter my contest!! Thanks for everyone who has and has blogged about it :)

TRM's First Contest Spectacular

I felt that the title of this post was necessary for several two reasons:

1. I am about to kick off my 9 day vacation (school vacations are SO much better as a teacher)

2. The is my first contest, of course it is spectacular

I am hosting my first (hopefully of many!) contests on The Redheaded Mare!!  A little while ago I blogged about the crocheted ponies that I make and shared a few pictures:

Well with a whole week of vacation in front of me and few actual orders on my plate I thought I may as well hold a contest, with the prize being a mini pony of your very own :)

To Enter:

Leave a comment on this blog post with your favorite thing so far on this blog.  Whether it's a particular post, picture, or feature that I've had so far just let me know what you've liked the best.

That's it!! To earn an extra entry you can share a link to this post on your blog (and include a link in your comment so I know where to find it!)  A winner will be randomly selected and I will contact you to discuss details.

The contest will end a week from today (February 21st) which should give you plenty of time to enter and share.  Hopefully the first contest is a success!!

Horse? What horse?

So since Rhode Island just wants to keep snowing I haven't gotten out to the barn since the weekend.  Today I have another snow day (yay for no work!) but it means we're pretty much stuck in the house because nothing around here has been plowed.  So instead of posting about anything remotely horsey, I'll post winter funnies.

But actually... this is true.

How I feel every morning as I'm late for work.

Approaching this stage.

Earlier today my mother told my siblings and I to get outside and shovel the driveway.  So we made this snowman instead.  He's about 6'5 and his name is Bauer.

Stay warm friends!

Favorites

Well I did the bloggy challenge for a day... time for a break!! I feel like people have been posting lots of reviews lately so I figured I'd do a round up of all my Mollie's favorite things.  I'll probably break this up into a few different posts, and today will focus on winter riding apparel since everyone seems to be in the throes of the Polar Vortex of 2014.

Breeches

 I have several different pairs of breeches and they're almost all different brands/styles.  The one pair that I recently bought a "second" of however are the Kerrits Crossover Full Seats.  I've mentioned them in another post and these are seriously my favorite breeches EVER.  They're so comfy, I love the material, and I think they look pretty classy too (I have them in gray in black).  People ask me alllllll the time if they're FITS but my first year teacher salary doesn't quite cover those ;)

Price: $109 from Dover.  Can probably find them cheaper/on sale elsewhere however.

Biggest Pro: I think they look like higher quality breeches than what people usually expect from Kerrits.

Biggest Con: Instead of coming in regular waist sizes they come in S, M, L.  Not so much a problem for me, but possibly a problem for someone in between sizes.

Outerwear

This vest isn't necessarily "equestrian related" but it is my favorite thing to wear to the barn in the winter.  I'm all about layers and this is the warmest vest ever.  It's kind puffy but isn't bulky or inhibiting to movement at all.  Also I'm not sure what fabric it's made out of (probably magic) but it NEVER SMELLS LIKE A BARN.  Whoever invented it is a genius because it is the one article of clothing that I can wear to the barn that doesn't ooze winter horse smell from every fiber.

Price: Usually $49, currently on sale for $19.99.  Fricken SCORE.

Biggest Pro: Doesn't smell like a barn and dirt/hair brushes off SO easily.

Biggest Con: I know some people prefer barn outerwear to be a little longer to cover more of their butt, and this vest definitely won't do that for most people.  However if you're child sized like me that won't be a concern ;)

Accessory

I'm not the kind of girl to accessorize with much of anything at the barn.  I wear a plain brown belt that I got from Old Navy, my socks are hardly ever riding socks, etc.  The one thing I do insist upon is gloves however.  And not just regular riding gloves, I mean New England winter riding gloves.  When your fingers literally hurt just from walking outside it's essential to do everything to keep them warm and I feel that once my fingers are cold, it's all over.  I absolutely love these gloves for keeping my hands warm, yet not being too bulky (read: I can still hold the reins).

Price: $9.99 (can I get a "BARGAIN!"?)

Biggest Pro: These are the only winter gloves that I've owned where I can actually buckle bridles/hold reins/not feel like I'm wearing oversized mittens.

Biggest Con: They're not waterproof.

Well there you have all my favorite winter riding things!! Next up will be horsey products, I'll be asking Mollie for all of her recommendations of course.