Because all the cool kids are doing it. Thanks LWilliams for the blog hop!

1. What is the first thing you do when you get to the barn?

Waiting for breakfast…

Feed the idiots breakfast. Technically my husband gives everyone a cookie and I all do is feed Subi breakfast while he feeds the rest, but that’s a technicality…

2. Is there a breed that you would never own?

Anything gaited?

3. Describe your last ride?

I blogged about it so go read that…

4. Have any irrational riding fears?

Getting run away with? I don’t like riding horses who have NO BRAKES. Especially horses with no brakes whose mouths you can’t touch (and who take off when you touch their mouths). Not my idea ride… I much prefer having to add leg…

5. Describe your favorite lesson horse?

Perfection. 

RANGER. No contest at all. Seriously. He is 100% the best. Even if I did buy Batt years ago, he’s no Ranger. Back in pony land, Willy was pretty awesome too, but Ranger is the most amazing lesson horse ever.

6. Would you ever lease out your horse?

Anyone want any of mine? Please?

7. Mares: Yay or neigh?

I’m not a mare person. Hayley doesn’t count because she was more of a gelding than Subi. But I am not a mare person. Granted, she loved my husband and tolerated me so…

8. How many time per week do you get to see your horse?

7 days a week, 2-3-4-5 times a day?

9. Favorite thing to do on an “easy day” with your pony?

Stuff them with treats?

Anyone want this thing?

10. Conformational flaw that bothers you the most?

Bad feed. Seriously. I hate bad feet.

11. Thing about your riding that you’re most self conscious about?

My build…

12. Will you be participating in no stirrup November?

Nope not my thing.

13. What is your grooming routine?

I’m terrible at the grooming routine. This is partially due to having horses that, until January, lived out 24/7. Once I have electric in the barn, I’ll try and get better with the grooming… Plus, 2 of my 3 hate it so… But, typically it’s a quick brush if they have dirt on them and fly spray now before fly sheets in the morning. Or, brush at night and the other stuff in the morning. Otherwise, just some brushing on the weekend while grazing on the good grass. I’m a terrible mom! Much more grooming happens during shedding season!

Batt and his new version space alien/superhero fly mask 

14. Describe a day in the life of your horse?

Breakfast is fed in stalls between 6:10-6:20 (weekends around 7-7:30).Turnout around 7:30 (weekends 7:30-8:30). Stalls cleaned after work (or whenever I get to it on weekends). They come in usually before dark between 8 and 8:30 and eat dinner (and stay in for the night).

15. Favorite season for riding?

I like spring ONLY because I have an unnatural hatred for fall. Everything is dying and getting dark. I HATE LOSING DAYLIGHT. I also really hate the angle of the sun in the fall…

16. If you could only have 1 ring: indoor or outdoor?

I prefer having an outdoor with really nice footing. However, at home, I’d love to have an arena. And, I’d actually love to have an indoor so I could use it for turnout too. So, indoor at home (yes, I’d need a different property for that).

17. What impresses you most about the opposite discipline (english vs. western)?

I love some of the ground manners of western horses.

18. You have unlimited funds to buy one entire tack set for your horse, what is he/she wearing?

I don’t need anything for my horses (except maybe a better bridle for Batt), but in general? Just a really nice well fitting set of tack for a unicorn horse would be nice…

19. How many blankets do you have? When do you blanket?

Let’s not discuss this… too many? Probably 25-30? Blanket when needed. It’s in the low 60s today and Subi is wearing a rain sheet because it’s pouring…

20. What is your horse’s favorite treat? Favorite place to be scratched?

Free horses, anyone want one? Or 2?

Subi: Peppermints or my homemade cookies. Plus carrots. Will not eat: apples or stud muffins or similar treats

Batt: Anything except for bananas or fig newtons. Favorites include stud muffins and apples and carrots

Jiminy: anything. Favorites include stud muffins and apples and peppermints

They also all like nicker makers.

Subi likes to rub his head against my back which he usually isn’t allowed to do. Jiminy likes head hugs.

21. Something about your barn that drives you crazy?

That I don’t have all weather footing and don’t have more land or a place to ride?

22. Roached manes, pulled manes, or long flowing manes?

I like pulled manes but I don’t pull mine as Subi hates it and he’s retired so I don’t make him. Batts is thin enough so I just trim as needed when I’m not lazy… Jiminy? Well… He has Tina Turner hair… Or Albert Einstein hair depending on the day…

23. Can you handle a buck or a rear better?

I. Don’t. Do. Rearing.

Marble hanging out with the new load of hay

24. I would never buy a horse who ___________________?

Rears.

25. Favorite facial marking?

I like stars.

Amanda asks 25 questions and since it appears I’m blogging this week, why not? I’m not sure I’ll actually answer all of them since I don’t actually have answers for everything, but other than that? Why not?

Why horses? Why not a sane sport, like soccer or softball or curling?

Mostly because I played soccer and softball and didn’t like playing them? I wasn’t good and in team sports that matters? Individual sports it doesn’t matter so much. And curling? Well, I DO want to try that one day… Lol. Plus, horses. Animals are so much better than people, just saying.

What was your riding “career” like as a kid?

My riding “career” started as a teenager as the deal for lessons was I could start lessons once I could find a barn and schedule lessons myself. I actually got into horses through horse racing and a phenomenal organization called Kids to the Cup founded by the late Trudy McCaffery who sought to bring young fans to the Breeders’ Cup and Triple Crown races. I won a trip to the 2001 Preakness Stakes through an essay contest and joined KTTC to the Breeders’ Cup and 2002 Triple Crown for my senior project… The organization introduced me to trainers, owners, jockeys, etc. and brought me to the backside.

Anyway, riding wise, my mom paid for weekly lessons until I graduated high school and then I was on my own. So I started working off my lessons for my instructor and went from riding 1x a week to 3x a week…

If you could go back to your past and buy ONE horse, which would it be?

Forsooth. He was probably always a better match for me than Subi. Just as athletic but always a little quieter?

But truly, Ranger is the real answer here.

What disciplines have you participated in?

Hunters, eq, and short lived IHSA stint in western stock seat

What disciplines do you want to participate in some day?

Perhaps eventing? I’ll steal Ranger and we can go event. Lol

Have you ever bought a horse at auction or from a rescue?

Nope

What was your FIRST favorite horse breed – the one you loved most as a kid?

Thoroughbred

If you could live and ride in any country in the world, where would it be?

Irish countryside or Icelandic horses!

Do you have any horse-related regrets?

That I couldn’t fix Hayley. Maybe if I figured out what was wrong with her earlier I could have fixed or saved her?

If you could ride with any trainer in the world, ASIDE from your current trainer, who would it be?

This I don’t know. Perhaps Louise Serio for hunters?

What is one item on your horse-related bucket list?

Riding in the Dixon Oval was a bucket list item that I’ve checked off…. Riding in Ireland?

If you were never able to ride again, would you still have horses?

YES! Considering I have a retired Subi horse and mini….

What is your “biggest fantasy” riding goal?

Large farm! I just want LAND and no mud. Fine, that’s a horse goal not a riding goal.   To be comfortable and confident almost always?

What horse do you feel like has taught you the most?

I think Ranger, being a packer, has taught me that I know more than I believe I do?  When you can just work on you, it’s SO NICE. Subi taught me to have a strong leg and quiet hands. Batty taught me to wait at fences (yay for stoppers…)

If you could change one thing about your current horse/riding situation, what would it be?

I’d have money and be able to ride multiple times per week? Maybe I’d have a riding horse that can actually do ring/fence work? I want a Ranger!

If you could compete at any horse show/venue in your home country, where would it be?

I don’t love showing/competing so no real needs here! Lol. Showing  at the Devon grounds was just an experience  because, tradition.

If you could attend any competition in the world as a spectator, what would be your top choice?

I’ll start with NotRolex and go from there

Have you ever thought about quitting horses?

All the time! More due to finances than reality. After Hayley, I was an awful person and ignored my boys for about 2 months…  So much guilt about that…

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing about the horse industry, what would it be?

How fragile horses are…

What’s the dumbest horse-related thing you’ve done that actually turned out pretty well?

So many dumb things…. Riding Batty around the neighborhood? Buying Batty?

Not a planned purchase…

As you get older, what are you becoming more and more afraid of?

Head injuries.

What horse-related book impacted you the most?

I’ll try and fill in later…

What personality trait do you value most in a horse and which do you dislike the most?

Willingness and loyal and kind.

What do you love most about your discipline?

Non scary jumps!

What are you focused on improving the most, at the moment?

Trusting my eye!