Goals...

I did not meet my goal of opening up Bubba by the end of June. The weather has not cooperated. However, I did something I never thought I would be ready for. I rode him bareback this evening and watched the sun go down. He is such a sweetheart. He was clearly confused but played along well. This is only the second time we've gone bareback. I miss those frequent bareback rides on Miss Priss. I miss Priss. Hah! He's a long way from filling her shoes but with time it will happen!

My life is blessed.

Good Times

I rode Diesel late this evening. It is still hot, hot, hot. He was a bit lazy but not as bad as normal after so much time off. And he was cranky on his left lead. Lots of head tossing and stiff movement. OK to the right. We laid off of it and had a very slow, easy ride. He's an amazing beast. My life is blessed.

Frustration

Tonight Becca did not come up for dinner. No biggie, not unusual. She gets almost no cardboard-tasting-diet pony food and there is lots of grass out there. But, she acted interested. Uh oh. Now I see the characteristic hop of lameness.

I fear tendon involvement. It is on her right foreleg near the pastern. I have her hydro-ed and wrapped. She is now in the stall. You know she is hurt when she relaxes in isolation. I am praying for lots of dry weather. This mud is deadly.

I really wish I had more facilities. I really need to get a horse barn built...and paddocks.

Worn out

I'm recovering from absolute exhaustion. It started with emotional exhaustion, then physical, back to emotional. I finally have permanent fences up. After the construction, Hurricane Alex drowned us. There was no violent weather, just 11 inches of rain. The rain gave me time to rest which is a blessing. However, I need to move electric fences and begin planning for the last stage of fencework. All that remains is a straight stretch along the road. I will have to pay for the entire project this time. My family cannot handle the strain. This last project has left me wiped out. I have not ridden Diesel in months. My goals are shot. I have been spending lots of time with Priss. She is my lifesaver.