Sunday, May 23, 2010

Busy, Busy, Busy

I haven't dropped out of the blogosphere.

I've just been too busy to blog because this is what my job has been like lately:




It's that work-life-horse balance dilemma again. Work has been consuming my life. Something has to give, so I've kept the computer off at home while I squeeze in some horse time before collapsing at the end of the day. But there are a few accomplishments and fun things to report:
  • I attended a parade and helped on the ground crew. I love a small town parade.
  • Marley and I had a nice driving lesson where I received some good instruction and practice using a driving whip and keeping communication with the lines while driving him through big puddles (remember...Marley doesn't like water).
  • I attended an interesting rein board training class designed to help driving students learn to hold the lines and use a driving whip, while keeping proper contact...without actually driving a real, live horse. Driving lines attached to weighted ropes and pulleys simulate the feel of a horse at the end of the lines. Here is an example. In our class, we didn't have an actual board that the pulleys were attached to. We tied pulleys onto a hitching rail. It's a good way to practice (without annoying and confusing your poor horse) and see the affect you have when you lengthen and shorten your lines. Then try to use a driving whip and watch what happens to the weights as you "drive".
  • Marley and I attended a 2 day trail riding clinic. It was a lot of fun and we played with many interesting obstacles. Marley is great walking over a teeter-totter bridge and passing through swim noodles suspended from a frame. And he absolutely loved pushing around the giant soccer ball as I rode him toward it. First he nudged it gently with his nose; the ball rolled forward slightly, then back into his face. How rude of it! So he gave it an aggressive nudge the next time and sent it rolling forward. We followed after the ball and Marley kept pushing it forward like he wasn't gonna let some giant 6 foot tall beach ball get the better of him.
  • I took a riding lesson on Misty with a new instructor last week and she pointed out many things I need to improve upon. My biggest challenge is to ride with loose reins and get off of Misty's mouth before she gets irritated and starts developing behavior problems.
I hope to be posting and reading more often, as I get a better grip on the stress I'm under at work. I've missed reading your blogs and hope everyone is enjoying their best horse buddies.

12 comments:

  1. I hear you - it's been nuts at work here too. But actual horse time is much better than horse blog time!!

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  2. Kudos to you - those are major accomplishments for someone who works - and it sounds like you had a good time too!

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  3. Glad you had fun learning at the clinics & lessons - they sound awesome! Never hear of a rein board, good way to practice.

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  4. I hear ya too. It is hard to balance everything, and blog takes time doesn't? Sounds like you are having a lot of fun with your horses though!

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  5. I hope things smooth out for you soon. I'm glad you're getting to enjoy the ponies!

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  6. I think this is the time of the year that we're all a lot busier than we were in the winter. Too many things to do and not enough time. Hang in there. Glad you got to work with your horses though.

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  7. I wish I had accomplished half as much horsey stuff as you! My work has been consuming way too much time and thought lately as well.

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  8. Wow, so much great progress! I totally understand the time dilemma though, summer is hot and heavy field season here, so I have to get hardcore about prioritizing my horse time!

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  9. I have been thinking of you and Misty and Marley. I am glad to hear of your recent accomplishments. All sounds positive - wishing you happy days with less work and more M&M time!

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  10. Thanks Everyone. I am trying to get the horses ready for some camping & trail riding this summer and doing what I can, but still lacking consistency. I wish we could all have less job time and more horse time. I saw a segment on the news about workers still employed following layoffs and how those workers are getting burned out because they had to pick up the work load of those who lost their jobs. That is exactly what is happening to me. They suggested having a non-tech day..a whole day without using a computer or cell phone; To get up and take a short walk mid day. And I can't remember what else...cuz I'm too tired. I'm going to try a short walk mid-day...if I can get away from my desk.

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  11. Sounds like a fun trail clinic and that you learned a lot.

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