locked up.

Happy Birthday to me! Last night I got home and was going to try on a bazillion blankets that I have in the barn to decide which ones stay, and which ones get posted online for sale. I mean as much as I’d love to keep a size 70 stable sheet, chances are pretty good I’ll never have a horse that small. I mean I’ve never had a horse that small! I would like to trade in a bunch of small blankets and get a Baker blanket. I won’t ever happen. But I girl can dream can’t she?
Well I didn’t get ANY blankets tried on. I had George’s halter out and he came up and dropped his nose into it, and then I fumbled with putting it on, because somehow the crown piece was smaller than normal. Weird. So as I was fumbling, he decided that the window of opportunity to put it on had closed, and he walked away. Then my heart sank as he walked away. He was dragging his toe, and then his leg would POP and then he would be fine for about 10 strides before it would happen again. CRAP! Really horse? REALLY?! You are not helping my case to keep having OTTB’s around, you old lemon! Actually I was more panicked at first. I was certain he had broken his leg, and it was going to be an expensive vet bill, and he would have to move into the house with us so I could care for him. But I watched him for a bit, he wasn’t in pain. He was being a crab ass. But that is normal for George. I’m beginning to wonder if everyone who knew George as a race horse and has told me “Oh George! He is quirky!” really means “Oh Geroge! He is an old crabby bastard!”  Because seriously he can be a pill when he feels like it! When riding he is a boat load of fun though! I wouldn’t trade him for anything. I say that like I’ve ridden him extensively. I haven’t. But the times I did ride him he was fun! He keeps me on my toes!

Anyways back to my old lemon horse. I looked it up the symptoms, watched YouTube videos and diagnosed him as having a locking stifle. So then I sent messages to all my blogger horsey friends, (which, by the way I am so thankful to have!) and they all gave me awesome advice. And FYI you will be seeing a few of us competing at Rolex in 2015. Mark that in your calendars!  A phone call to my vet who I personally think is one of the best in the country and am so lucky to have her so nearby, confirmed my suspicions that it was a locking stifle. She said that as long as he was able to get it unlocked on his own, I can get busy trying to strengthen his hind end. She laughed and said “lots of hill work”. Its funny because I live in North Dakota, there are no hills on the east part where I reside. I can maybe find some off ramps on the interstate… So while George’s locking stifles may not be in my favor to have another OTTB someday…It might be in favor of my hubby wanting to move out west to a place with more hills…hmmm.  Definitely something to consider. You need to pick your battles right?

So that is that. George is out of shape. I knew that. This is just now blaring in my face, that he needs to get back to work. I’m so glad it happened right before winter, when it’s cold. BUT I mean I’d rather ride when it’s cooler out than when it was 10,000 degrees with a million bugs! So as long as the snow doesn’t fly, I should be able to get back in the saddle.
Problem is when I ride I always feel so guilty because I know there is a million other things I NEED to be doing instead. But look what happens.  I don’t ride and then I get punished. I can’t win. I seriously can’t win. I need a clone. Actually I need a few clones. That would be amazing. I could send one to work, one could stay home and clean all day, one could ride horses all day, one could have a social life. It would be fantastic!
Another excuse I ALWAYS use for why I can’t ride. “It takes too long to get ready.” That is the biggest cop out ever. I’ve always used that one. Seriously, how long does it take to tack up? What 5 minutes? 3 minutes? It’s not like I have to drive to the barn that is 20 miles away. The horses are in my back yard. I can tack up and be riding in under 20 minutes. I think this excuse is directly tied to the guilt that I should be doing other things rather than doing something I enjoy.

In other news I turned 32 today. It is scary to think about it. I remember when I was 15 my best friend and I were freaking out that now that we were 15 we were halfway to 30 and that ment our lives were half over. I would smack those two girls if I saw them today...

 

But I took this selfie last night. I look like I've aged gracefully...

And then I took this picture this morning. I don't feel real different on my birthday... but some how I feel a bit different....