Week-end derailed

I had truly hoped to be able to post about my adventures this week-end visiting different riding stables. Unfortunately, too many things came up and I could not visit one. Nothing bad, just regular "oh my gosh, I forgot this needs to be done" stuff.

There are two huge concerns for me regarding getting another horse. The time (will I be able to spend enough time with the horse) and evacuation plans. While I do not consider myself traumatized by Katrina, big decisions are always taken into consideration with our personal evacuation plans. Katrina was the one time on my son's life that we were literally homeless (before I married hubby). While for us the "homelessness" lasted about 4 weeks (I was able to secure a place for us), I have sworn that my son and my pets would never be put in that position again.

The decision regarding the horses is to focus on stables on the North Shore. Most of them can shelter in place so moving a horse during an evacuation would not be necessary. Plus, I really do not like city riding so it seems like a good plan.

Should I find a riding stable that I am comfortable with and am able to spend enough time at, we would then consider a lease. If am able to keep up and that and the stable is working out, then we will consider getting horse. I see this as a minimum 2 year process but I am comfortable with it and if any part does not work out right now, we can revisit it later.

When I was tween, I had a wonderful Quarter Horse gelding and we did barrels, pole bending and trail riding in the mountains (I grew up in Colorado). The barrel racing was kid fun (not like Brown Eyed Cowgirl talent!) and I got a few blue ribbons on him. When I was a teen on a Anglo Arab mare, I started jumping, did some cross country and really enjoyed dressage. I never did show but loved the cross country training and riding in the mountains. I think my goal now will be to do a little dressage and english trail riding. I would like a horse that is over the showing (hopefully dressage) and will enjoy exercise dressage and trail riding; I have no desire to show. Like I said, a process but I am always in my comfort zone when I have my procedure together.

Have a great day (and I am hugging my imaginary horse now)!

Alpha v2.0 (and other quandaries)

I was playing with the idea calling him Go Live (just could not bring myself to call a beta, well you know, Beta) so I have decided on Apha 2, nickname A2. When spoken, it sounds like "et tu" (and you in French) so it stayed. I am pleased to say A2 has been eating healthily and is very active so I think he will stick around.

Endy. Major commotion with him. He is becoming more unpredictable and last week attacked a dog. It was not that he was gunning for the dog, he was actually being very nice and then snapped. Of course he had snuck out of the front door and luckily I got to him before he caused injuries. The other dog's owner was furious, and I don't blame her. 

After the last set of evaluations with the vet, we discussed at what point we would put him down. I made the appointment last week to have him put down and started to prepare my son. Well, I can't do it just yet. I know we drew a line in the sand so we would have guidance for the time; we are at that line but my gut says no. Am I being irresponsible? 

He had another couple of seizures last night and most of the time he is his wonderful self. It is the unpredictability that is the problem. It was my fault he got out but he has been snapping at the cats and got fur from Murphy. So we are going to do more evaluations this week-end. The decision to put Nyla down, while not easy, was clear. She was having more bad days than good. Endy has mostly good days but unpredictability. I wish I had a clear sign. 

Here is my son and his dog. What would you do? (That is Ashley, the queen all there is, on the sofa thinking Endy is crazy!)

His name was Alpha...

And Alpha bit the dust! My poor little beta, he apparently was scared to death of the camera because shortly after I posted, Alpha started doing tricks for me. I knew he wasn't here long.

It will be a little while before I replace him, we have major animal drama going on right now. I can't bring myself to discuss it yet but soon...

Ooops, I did it again!

Ooops, I did it again! I have mentioned before that I work in a very solitary environment. One of my scientists decided to get a beta to keep him company so of course I had to follow suit. Here is the newest member of our clan. He does not have a name yet but I wanted to remember when we got him.

And here is where he lives in between the Buffalo (6 TB, thank you very much) and the Easter picture of my son.

Hmmm, what should his name be?

TWO followers and a lurker

Oh no, the stress, I now feel like I need to post more! I promise I will do so (after I finish work, cleaning house, taking care of pets, kids and hubby, and so on and so on...)