Ready or Not
A Gift Horse
by admin
3y ago
“My” giant grey donkey left for our first away show today (opps, this was supposed to be posted last week – so enjoy the quick recap coming soon). I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a teensy bit nervous…but it’s not at all about the showing or whatever comes out of the actual trips around the ring. I’m nervous that I’ll get there without my saddle or something vital. Because that’s how I roll. View this post on Instagram Nerd Alert: I am pumped up about Okie’s new halter from @tackshackocala! I’ve never gotten to buy him anything customized and I love the way it looks and feels! Oh and it got ..read more
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How to Eat an Elephant
A Gift Horse
by admin
3y ago
We’ve had our heads down this summer. Working hard. Obviously there’s been a couple of shenanigans like bird herding and bareback hacks…but for the most part I feel like we’ve had our game faces on. And while I feel like we have so many good moments in our rides, there is always the question in the back of your mind of “is this doing what I need it to?” Luckily we had a in-barn horse show this weekend and it really gave me a moment to recognize a few things. Reunited <3 First: We are THIS close to having our acts fully together. The jumps were just 2’6″ and are the least of my worries, and ..read more
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Faith in Ability
A Gift Horse
by admin
4y ago
It was really hot yesterday. There was very little air movement, and my lesson was the last of the day. So naturally as I was tacking up the grey hippo he was mostly asleep, and completely uninterested in going for our ride. Fair, Okie, fair, but also he literally did nothing that day besides eat, poop, and sleep off to work we went. https://www.instagram.com/p/CCXB3RNJeL1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link And while Okie is one that requires a lot of leg. , I flat out couldn’t make him go. It was full on tortured dinosaur stuck in tar pit action (Thank you Emma & Charlie for the description). H ..read more
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Lessons are Good for the Heart
A Gift Horse
by admin
4y ago
This past week has been rough on my heart. I know many of you feel the same way. In so many ways we are lucky to have horses in our lives and a place to go to just soak in peace.  I don’t believe that garbage about horses being therapists, only because I’m pretty sure being a horse person is the reason I need a therapist in the first person.  But I do believe that having a sanctuary is very important, and the barn has always been that for me.  Lucky for me, I’ve been able to sneak in a few lessons this past two weeks, and there is nothing better than a lesson to soothe the heart ..read more
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My Goals Need Action
A Gift Horse
by admin
4y ago
I mentioned in a recent post that I am a “to-do list” person, I love to plan and organize.  I want to write down my goal, brainstorm and write down the perfect steps to get there, and then get to it. View this post on Instagram There is something about riding outside in the sun, on a happy (and handsome) horse that makes everything feel like it’s going to be okay! . . . Very grateful to be getting back in a bit of a groove with riding in the new way of things. I miss hugs, shopping and the ease of things before COVID but at least I feel more like myself with horses consistently in my li ..read more
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Temporary Show-lutions to a Pandemic Situation
A Gift Horse
by admin
4y ago
Way back in March, when Italy closing it’s borders seemed like a massive overflex, I took a day off.  A Friday where my day care was unavailable and I felt like a 4 day weekend would only benefit the whole family anyway.  I was looking forward to a day with my kiddos and ignoring my email.  That Friday has since turned into 78 days home, as the quarantine lockdown began that next Monday before I returned to work for the week. View this post on Instagram Just really owning that “crazy horse lady” title recently. Okie joined the Marketing call last week for a quick update. #craz ..read more
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Equestrian Decor: Where to Start?
A Gift Horse
by admin
4y ago
We are celebrating 1 year in our home this month!  It has been a wild 12 months, cumulating in the fact that we’ve basically been home bound 24 hours a day for the past 3 months. As a family we bought along as little as we possibly could when we moved in.  Most of our furniture from the old place had already been thru 1.5 babies, us moving multiple times, and basic destruction from being hand-me-downs. After all, we had moved into that home right before we were married and it was a cozy clash of yours+mine+your parents+my parents+whatever the roommate left. Anyway, we opted to donate ..read more
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Spring Things I’m Loving
A Gift Horse
by admin
4y ago
Since the Midwest has finally decided to stop the torrential rain and cool weather at long last, I feel like we are finally getting a chance to change things up a little.  I thought it would be fun to go through some new things I’m really enjoying, and also check in my old favorites. Starting from my toes and working my way up? Yea?  Okay. Here we go. I broke out the more “all weather” footwear (as opposed to having 100 layers on at all times) and am still loving these boot socks from C4 Equestrian.  They have a wonderful feel, but have protected my ankles from any rubs in my ne ..read more
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The Work Phase
A Gift Horse
by admin
4y ago
I have developed a really bad habit since this past winter, and I’m finally really diving into it.  Or rather, realizing how badly it is hindering my ability to work through some current struggles. I find myself saying “I want to do _____” or “I want ____” in regards to a whole number of riding issues.  Example: I want to keep my horse straight. I want to give my horse a good, correct ride. I want to be able to hack my horse and get the same responses I get during lessons. I want, I want, I want.  You can see the common issue here. My trainer called me out about it this winte ..read more
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Status: OEV Okie
A Gift Horse
by admin
4y ago
Okie is one of the loudest horses I’ve ever been around.  Not loud as in noise factor, in fact I’ve never heard him whinny or anything in the year I’ve been leasing him; I mean loud as in a huge, larger than life persona.  He is completely sure of himself.  He does everything 200% (from passionate grazing habits to trailer loading).  He is bold.  Let’s not even get into his sense of humor. View this post on Instagram OEV Captives and Coke (Okie) is being extra helpful while we clean his stall. • • • #saturdaysarefortheboys #oevhorses #oevokie #captivesandcoke #horses ..read more
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