Same post, different blog, same situation

This time of year is always tough. I am still working 7 days a week, I am tired, the days are getting shorter and I don't get to see my horses. Just when I really need a horse hug, I don't have time to visit them.

This is what I get to see. So much for the glamour of the wine industry, eh? Mind you, there is a pretty good view just out past these tanks -

But that isn't really much compensation. Sigh...

So there's this other horse...

This is Max. My "other horse".
He is one of the reasons that Possum's blog has been so neglected apart from her being off with her girls. And my job is complete madness at the moment.

He is a project horse, a green youngster that came off a farm and I hope he will be my next all-rounder. It is incredibly hard to juggle two horses when you are also working full time, trying to do some volunteer stuff, be a good daughter/sister/auntie etc and fit in the obligatory housework. And the costs seem to treble, not just double. Especially if you get an unbalanced goober like Max, who has needed several expensive vet visits. He has his own blog at www.theotherhorse.blogspot.com if anyone is interested.

Possum is doing well apparently, getting fluffy for winter and is going to be at the Pony Club gymkhana in a couple of weeks. I will see if I can get an update on how she goes.

Show hunter

Just going through some old photos, and found this one of possibly our first ever show hunter round.

Pukahu Show 2007.

(By the look on my face, I was seriously freaking out, but Miss P is cool with it!)

Hiatus

Just in case anyone was wondering where I have gone, I am still here but will put this on hold for a while. I am finding it hard to write anything with work being crazy, and also with P being with her new girls. 


I still have stories to tell, and photos to put up. But the young horse is my main focus at the moment, and work is only going to get more busy until we finish harvesting in April.

Visiting the old girl

I found some time yesterday to type up all of Penny's massage and stretching exercises for the girls. Its only been a month since she's gone to them, so that's not too bad for me. Things take a while for us to do in this family - we call it "getting a round tuit" as that's what Dad would always say.

So I dropped in to see her at her new place. The weather has been very untypical for Hawkes Bay - usually we have long, hot, dry summers and it has been wet and humid. Perfect for growing mushrooms or powdery mildew on your grapes. Not so conducive to horse-things though. Between showers I got myself organised and drove across to P's new place.

The girls were home and so I gave them the exercises and they took me to the paddock. And there she was, all bundled up warm and dry in her light-weight rug, grazing contentedly. She looked up when I called. She sorted of squinted at me, trying to figure out who was disturbing her quiet afternoon. I walked over to her, remembering on the way that I hadn't brought her any carrots, and although I had an apple, she doesn't really go for those. I rubbed her face, surprised by the increased number of grey hairs.

She looked at me a bit sideways, and then CHOMP! She aimed a bite at me! It was nowhere near making contact, but it was as if she wanted to express her displeasure or annoyance at me. I don't know if she's just pissed off at me for changing her environment, or I was interrupting her quiet afternoon, or she wanted me to go away from her nice new life? It would be great if they could talk to you.

I left feeling a bit sad. I really hope that I have done the right thing by her. She has always struck me as a horse that felt best with a job to do, with a purpose and not just standing around all day. I know our competitive days are over and I'd hate to make her miserable trying to force her to do what I want. As soon as she started refusing jumps, I knew something was wrong as she'd always loved jumping even if I completely stuffed things up for her. Honesty was her way, I've often been told she's very catty and clever and she always got me out of trouble despite my hopeless equitation.

How do you know if you've done the best for your horse?

PS Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts after Dad died. I appreciated the virtual hugs from my interweb buddies.

Black

Sorry to have been so remiss in posting, but my Dad died the other day and it's proving hard to get everything done.
Plus Possum is off with her new girls. I miss her dreadfully, especially now as I could do with a horse-hug. I do have some photos of her with her champion and reserve champ ribbons from a visit at New Years. I will try to get these up once I have delivered this eulogy.

eh, tha's champion, lass

Our last show, the riding club ribbon day. More about this later. Maybe.

It is Christmas here in NZ. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.

We are having a quiet day with only half the family at my parents' place on (the other coast from where I live). Lots of food, wine and laughter. Cheers!