Feels like I'm in horseback exile...

Week 2 of no riding.

Going a bit nuts.  And watching the time trickle through my fingers, knowing I'm fixing to ask a LOT of my horse in 5 weekends.  And knowing he's just sitting there NOT getting out and working concerns me a bit. 

One, we're going to try out a different saddle.  I need to pick an evening this week, and dash out to the barn and give it a trial run.  Heather's loaning me a Bob Marshall saddle and some pads. 

I was going through some Facebook page, and saw someone else was having some issues with their Abetta pinching the withers as the pommel bites down once they're in the saddle.  Once Heather pointed that out to me at the ride at Granger, I realized, this might be some of Strider's issue.  And I did use Heather's small-for-me Bob for about an hour, and he seemed different.  I will say, it is INCREDIBLy odd to actually FEEL your horse move beneath you.  VERY odd.  Not bad, just different. 

So, if it turns out we've got wither pinching issues, I'll have to puzzle it out.  Some kind of shimmed pad to get it off his withers, or an entirely new saddle all together.  Which, I really DON'T want to do.  I actually like this saddle overall, though it's a cheap Abetta.  It's synthetic, so I can abuse the hell out of it, no big deal. 

Anyway, I told Joe that since the time change is coming up, I might start going to the barn 1 or 2 nights a week and riding.  I mentioned my conditioning plan is getting shot all to hell, and that's not right.  And, while he's doing baseball on weekends, I just need to shift how I'm doing things. 

The reality is right now Strider's churning out 15 miles without an issue.  HR is good.  He's sweaty, but he's always sweaty.  I'm gonna clip his neck for Racing Stripes (anything I can do to help him out).  And, even if we only churn out the 50, that's fine with me.

Looking at the calendar, and his trim cycle, he's on track to be trimmed 2 weeks prior to Last Hoorah! in Cleburn.  I'm a little intimidated to take him somewhere that he may or may not be able to do with just front boots.  And it's why I badly want to get him rear Renegades.  I just need to look at the measurements, find a used pair and get them.  And then look for a Renegade dealer/fitter near me.

Red Draggin' came home yesterday thanks to Heather and Nate.  New floor in the horse compartment.  Serious wiring harness.  I'm excited to take it out soon and go camping in my new and improved ride. 

Otherwise, life is just chugging along.  Saturday saw Austin driving to San Antonio.  He's officially signed the paperwork to begin his enlistment with the United States Coast Guard.  Just has to get his medical records submitted, then wait for his call to go do his MEPS.  Graduate high school, then head off for boot camp.  He's thinking in July, which is fine with me. 

Sunday was spent doing 2 play dates for Kaylee.  9am we were at a small, but cute, playscape about 20 minutes from the house where we met 3 other of the August babies.  Kaylee had so much fun running around and playing.  We left a little after 11, so she was worn out.  When we got home, she crashed out until about 2:30, when we got up, she ate, and Heather brought the trailer and her little girl.  We put her daughter in the wagon, Kaylee on her trike, and went to the local park near our neighborhood and let the girls play for about an hour or so.

Suffice to say, babygirl was EXHAUSTED this morning.