Okay, I think I have learned something new about the folks here in BYC, lots to love here!!
AND I have learned a new thing about WI and humidity, even though I have been here for 12 years, and spent time in FL in bootcamp in Sept....HYDRATE HYDRATE.. DRINK LOTS....
To make a long story vaguely interesting, Stan the equinely challenged (too much money, too much time, not enough horse sense) he decided to buy a pretty palomino gelding so that he could ride with his family, and so he would have another horse around so that they could all ride together....with me along on the little green broke youngster (4 yrs old).
This gave him 2 super well broke horses, 1 super well broke BUT not entirely beginner safe (the palomino) and the little greenie (a grey) that I have been riding...
Well we had about a week to get the new horse used to the farm, and the area we would ride. I have been over to his house every morning or evening to ride this horse to get him comfortable with the area since the day I brought him there last monday a week ago.
So I think it was Sunday or Monday night, I rode him with Stan on his trusty super well broke horse. He (the horse) got the day off on Tues because it was too hot,
Thursday roles around I told Stan we would need to start EARLY, do a safety lecture, helmet fittings, get the horses ready...
He calls Weds night 4th of July and says lets aim for 9 am...that is not what I meant by early.. I said an early morning ride like before breakfast....
OH.. and he said he would groom while I saddled... Thursday I get there at 8:30, get 2 horses, there is a note about just doing some basic stuff and photo ops for the family on the pretty horses... No Stan...
He wanders out as I am finishing up, or close to it with the pony and the palomino, and SHOCKER...he says its too hot to ride...
REALLY??!!!
So then he wants all riders to get a basic riding lesson and photo op, he then erases that information off the dry erase board so his family won't know.. you would think they would figure it out... its TOO HOT!!!
So with people who are asking where the brakes are and one in particular asks if the horn is a gear shifter... We do the safety lecture.. such as, "walk way around the horse's rear end, they can kick", "and this is how to STOP a horse".
It went well but even with 2 small bottles of water I was feeling nauseated after I got the horses untacked and out to roll, AND shocker! Stan actually took the saddle off one of his horses, first time I have seen that in the 2+ years I have worked for him.
AND the road crews were laying down new asphalt so I had to sit in the shade and wait a little while.
Fast forward to today, it was supposed to be a local high of 88 degrees, well they lied, high of 95 plus a LOT of humidity.
So Stan was supposed to help, and ALSO be there to ride the palomino, while I rode the young grey...
Yah... he suddenly had to go to the dump.. HAD TO??!! Geez.. and no help with saddling or grooming OR getting the horses from the pasture...
So I got them all ready and 4 relatives show up to ride... OK.. um.. yes there are 4 horses, but one is young and green(basics down pat, just needs alot more riding) and one has only had ME up on him.. and he is a little leery of some stuff around the hay field, neighbors house, the driveway, the fire pit and a compost heap...
AND they tell me all 4 want to ride AFTER I put my riding boots on...
Oh and one of the nieces wants to ride but she doesn't really steer the horse rather holds the reins and the saddle horn clutching it like a drowning person clings to a life preserver.
So I gotta work with what I have, I put the most experienced person on the young grey horse, he should be okay with the herd, (by experienced i mean she rode a couple of times 30+ years ago, and perhaps a time or three since then).
I grabbed a lead rope to be the safety net for the niece and we took the lead, We got fairly far, up to the neighbors driveway when the grey didn't like the sound of their dog barking, So I had the niece go behind the grey and I put the lead rope on him and off we went...
The ride ended well, everyone had fun despite the 9:15 or so start....
And I was about to leave around 10:30 or so, when (trumpets blare here) Stan arrived back home.
I was soaked with sweat, Joan my barn owner was so worried about me when i came to feed the horses she got me a very cold wash cloth and ice cold lemonade.. I am so grateful to her!!
Apparently I didn't look good
WOW
So the fun will be when Stan's wife realizes the "Lease" horse is staying!!! Either that OR he will sell the black super well broke horse (which would be stupid but hey... )
Yah so much fun...
bleh
OH and I am Irish/Swedish and Scots/Irish/English/Native American. My grandmother on my father's side was full blooded Swede, a late immigrant in the 1920's or later. And some what surprisingly I found out on my mother's side they were VERY southern, I had 1 male relative in the Union army.. but with aunts and my mother having names like Dixi, Linda Jo, Bette Jean... its not that surprising...
AND my one famous relative on that side of the family, Stephen Foster of "Camp Town Races" fame.
And I saw this and thought of Terri...
http://madison.craigslist.org/zip/3124615829.html
4x8 roof sections (Cottage Grove)
Date: 2012-07-07, 1:38PM CDT
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I have 4- 4x8 sections of shingled roof from a garden shed. they are heavy and I dont feel like disposing of them. thought someone might have a use for them.
I have a feeling it is my neighbors with the seven kids who have more than the 'required' number of dogs on their property..... war has just begun......
that is SO sh!tty! War for SURE! I'm so sorry. You want me to call and turn the neighbors in?
