Summer Wrap Up

This summer has been a bit unbelievable with all the events going on. Right now I am sitting in my living room on the couch listening to Tropical Storm Lee (formerly known as Hurricane Lee), blowing outside my window. So far we've been fortunate- trees are still standing and our power is on (unlike the over 136,000 without power). September storms are not unusual but they have definitely ramped up in intensity. After everything else that has happened this summer it seems a bit like adding insult to injury. 

it's funny because it's true (lol*sob)

The horses are tucked in safely. Carmen has some opinions on the quality of room service and Quaid is feeling a bit stir-crazy but they are fine.  I think if I wasn't retired I'd be a lot more frustrated in trying to find good weather for riding. 

Friday was warm and calm and I took full advantage by riding Carmen, working Quaid and meeting a friend for an ice cream treat. 

S'more ice cream. Soooo good

Quaid is doing really well with our training. The flies are driving him bonkers so not all our sessions are as productive as I'd like. The gnats are really bad with all the wet. But when I do work him he soaks it up like a sponge. Our steering is coming along. His 'whoa' is very good but standing for a longer than five seconds is a struggle. I am no worried, it's coming. 

Me: can you stand awkwardly for a photo? 
Quaid: you betcha

Both horses have decided to mess with my morning routine. Normally I feed them and go get my coffee. I then turn them out and clean the stalls. Lately they've not wanted to leave but instead hang out in the stalls. It's a real PITA because they get in my way. I've started shooing them out and closing the door behind them. They are not impressed. 

Carmen: We are outraged at this treatment!

Quaid: yes, we are OUTSIDE! 

Carmen: no, it's outraged

Quaid: Oh right- we are raged outside! 

Carmen: *sigh* no no no: OUTRAGED

Quaid: ohhhh. Carmen, what does 'outraged' mean? 

Carmen: that we are really really angry

Quaid: well I'm a little sad but I can't say I'm angry

Carmen: you don't have to be angry, you just have to convince the servant you are outraged

Quaid: why? 

Carmen: so she'll change her behaviour. It's called 'horse training'

Quaid: I thought horse training was us learning things. 

Carmen: no skippy, it's the horse training the human to be a better a servant. Now get your outraged face on . 

Quaid: how does this look? 

Me: adorable. 

Carmen: I hate working with amateurs

Me: I think that when you start cleaning your own stalls you can stay in as long as you like

In really happy news Quaid is now back to being barefoot. The last time the farrier came out a couple weeks ago his hoof was totally normal so we decided we could pull his shoes. I watched him pretty carefully and he's still 100% sound. I am so grateful that the hoof puncture nightmare is all behind us. 

if this doesn't warm your heart it's dead

Fall is coming and, to be honest, I'd like a couple frosts to kill off the bugs. That way we can enjoy working the horses without being tortured.