The past month has been riddled with anxiety from many different sources. Work has been ridiculously stressful, my horse has been lame (more about that in a couple days), I haven’t ridden in weeks, and I’ve been settling into a new life routine at the barn. I am not the most social person to start with, but when the pressure starts building I tend to withdraw even more into my shell, which… I can admit isn’t always the healthiest coping mechanism.

I haven’t had a horsey play day in months, but this past weekend our group was planning a Sunday Funday at Pine Hill. Henry obviously couldn’t go but I had the idea to take Presto just to give him some travel miles, although was pretty on the fence about it until Hillary gave me that last little push and convinced me. Turns out she was right, I needed a horsey day and some time talking to horsey friends, plus Presto really delivered on the entertainment factor.

Hillary swooped by and picked us up in the morning, and I loaded Presto onto her trailer with her 3yo mare Luna. And then immediately realized that the combined age of the horses in the trailer was FIVE, and therefore me and Hillary are clearly gluttons for punishment. But the kiddos were fast friends and the trip to Pine Hill was uneventful.

Of course riding in the trailer for an hour and half meant that Luna was now THE BEST FRIEND HE’S EVER HAD, so there was initially a lot of screaming. I did some lunging sporadically, since moving the feet always helps the brain, and while he stayed Very Excited To Be Here throughout the day, he did settle in. I led him around the facility with the group, letting Presto hang out and watch the other horses jump.

When we made our way through the woods and back around to the water, I walked him up to the edge and let him get a look. He immediately took a long drink and then – very abruptly and catching me totally off guard – he zipped into the water, dragging me with him, and plopped down to roll. This little shit. I was halfway in the water jump, boots now soaked, trying to get him up. Everyone found that to be quite hilarious.

I managed to pull him out, then led him around the other side to attempt a more polite and proper walk through the edge of the water. YEAH NO. THAT’S NOT WHAT HAPPENED. But at least this time someone was ready to video…

Oh my god, y’all. I’ve never been deep sea fishing but I can imagine that’s what it’s like having a shark on the line. He tried his damndest to drag me in and roll again, but I managed to win that battle. I mean, I’m glad he’s not worried about water, but lord. I am 100% going to end up taking a bath in a water jump one day. It’s like you get him anywhere near it and he’s gotta stop drop and roll as if he’s on fire.

After the group wound down, I found a group of little baby Starter fences that I could lunge him over. Last time he was here he jumped a log and a coop, so this time I wanted to find some different jumps to see what he thought. After his little display at the water I thought he might be a amped and enthusiastic, but yeah… no.

Since I haven’t lunged him over a jump in ages, first we went for a little teeny tiny baby box. Which he… trotted over. That clearly wasn’t exciting in the least. So I thought I’d be really clever and take him over to the Beginner Novice faux ditch, which has caused many a green horse a lot of issues in it’s day. He did actually take a canter step over that one, but that’s literally all it was, a canter step. Didn’t even have the decency to look down at it and act like he gave a shit about the horse-eating mulch.

Ok fine, lets go over to the ramp, never seen one of those before! Same reaction. Complete and utter boredom. Hmmph. Ok, so maybe the brush jump will be enough to elicit at least an EFFORT from him then? Definitely never jumped brush, and it had more height and dimension to it.

Nope. Again, just loped right over then stopped and looked at me like I was literally the biggest walking waste of time he’d ever met.

Good news – the horse is not at all worried or unsure about any of this. Bad news – he is boring AF. I mean really, he couldn’t even sorta overjump one of them and give me a good screenshot? No, no he could not. He wants to wallow in the water like a hippo and really doesn’t care about much else.

Hopefully by the next time we head to Pine Hill he’ll be rideable and I can hack him around instead of leading him. I just… dunno how I’m gonna stop him from swimming…

Remember a couple years ago when I went to visit Willow Tree Warmbloods for the weekend and came home with a surprise kitten? Yeah well… oh how the tables have turned.

The SO was not particularly pleased with me when I showed up that day with Grem. At the time we had 3 dogs already, and he had never been much of a fan of cats. Grem was awfully damn cute though, and he quickly warmed up to her. In fact, I came home a couple days later to find him walking around the house with the kitten on his shoulder like a parrot. And now, despite the fact that I literally saved her from likely ending up eaten by a coyote or something, that damn cat likes him more than she likes me. Ingrate. Grem has also managed to single pawedly turn the SO into a complete, total, definitely nutso cat person. Like… he called himself a “Cat Dad” once. I’m still not over it.

He’s been talking about wanting to get another cat for a while. I wasn’t against it, but with everything else going on with the farm and the horses and the tiny house, I didn’t think now was the best time. Mostly because I know that introducing a new cat can be a little tricky sometimes, and I’m not even living at home with them right now.

But I guess last Wednesday when he went into Petco to get food for Grem, the ASPCA was there with adoptable cats and kittens. And there was an all black one, pingponging like an absolute lunatic around his enclosure. The SO had really wanted an all black one, and clearly he’s attracted to crazy since he’s been dating a horse chick for 6 years. This kitten was too much for him to resist. While most people were doing Black Friday shopping, the SO was Black Kitten shopping.

I get a text that night that says “You know how you like cats?” to which I immediately responded with “You got a kitten didn’t you?”. And then I just immediately started getting a flood of pictures of videos of a black kitten bounding around our bedroom like the Tasmanian devil.

I went and met him on Thursday and he is definitely really cute. Really really active, has a lot to say (lord he’s a screamer), and seems to only have two modes: psycho or sleeping.

As of yet the black kitten remains unnamed. We can’t really come to an agreement on that. I think a crazy black cat should have a cool name like HADES GOD OF THE UNDERWORLD or Dementor or Banshee. The SO is over there throwing out names like an 8 year old kid trying to name a black pony… Inky, Blackie, Herman. Blech. It’s bad. I think he looks identical to Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon, but SO wasn’t gonna go for that either.

Grem seemed to feel a little betrayed at first by the new addition, but she’s slowly warming up to her new brother. They’re sharing her cat tower (he took over the penthouse suite, much to her chagrin) and they’ve chased each other around a little bit. I think she’ll actually love him once they settle in. She always wants to play and neither of our elderly dogs want anything to do with that. Or her in general.

Yesterday I got a video of the kitten climbing all over SO’s head, with him giggling like a little kid. I think he’s too far gone, y’all. The cat addiction has taken root.

Welcome to the family, crazy little yet-to-be-named-black-kitten!

IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN Y’ALL!

Some of these sales are already active, others won’t be live until tomorrow or Friday. I’ve included date info where I can, but if you’re not seeing the sale yet, try their page again later. I’m tracking many more that haven’t announced specific info yet, so I’ll keep adding to this list as more details are announced. Keep checking back here! New ones will be posted AT THE BOTTOM BY DATE ADDED so they don’t get lost in the mix!

---

Riding Warehouse – Save 20% from 11/27 through 12/2. Discount will show up automatically in cart. There are a few manufacturer exclusions.

Luxe EQ – starting 11/27 at midnight get 30% off certain collections and 20% off sitewide (some exclusions) including an extra 20% off sale items

Spot On Braiding Wax – 15% off with code TURKEY15

Higher Standards Leather Care – 15% off from Black Friday through cyber Monday with the code 15OFF2019.

The Herbal Horse – 30% off starting 8pm CST 11/28 with code BFCM

Horse and Rider Books –  from 9:00 pm 11/28 though 12/2 get 20% off and free shipping within the USA.

Teddy’s Tack Trunk – 10% off orders over $50 with code TEN, 15% off orders over $100 with code FIFTEEN through 12/2

The Printable Pony – 20% off store wide with code cyber19, plus free domestic US shipping.

Bel Joeor Metier – 20% off handy bags plus free shipping storewide.

Rowen Ahearn Photography – central Texas folks! Rowen is offering holiday-themed black background mini-sessions (20 minutes of shooting, 6 digital images) for $70 if booked by December 1st.

One Horse Threads – 50% off all clothing 11/27-12/1. Excludes special holiday release shirts. Discount automatic at checkout.

Dark Jewel Designs – 20% off 11/29-12/2, no code needed.

Majyk Equipe – November 25th to December 10th get a FREE Backpack/bootbag with every full set of boots purchased, 15% off ANY girth or pad (discount taken at check out), and FREE shipping on any order over $100 shipped within the contiguous US.

Equestriess Atelier – On 11/29 buy one get one 25% off with code ponygiving, on 12/2 buy 2 get 1 free with code thankfulpony.

Levade Kentucky – 15% off plus free shipping

Do or Do Knot – 11/29 through 12/2 get 30% off your entire order with code SNAP30OFF. From 12/3 through 12/24 get 15% off with code KNOTTYORNICE15

Hufglocken – 20% off with code SANTAHUF

Equizone Online – Up to 75% off end of season stock, and 30% off storewide (some exclusions) with the code EZOBlackFriday19 from 11/29-12/2.

Rebel Equestrian – 20% off from 11/29-12/2 with code BFCM20.

Henry James Saddlery – various discounts

Hay Where’s That – 20% off with code HWT20

Hylofit – various discounts and markdowns

Retired Racehorse Project – November 29 through December 2, free shipping on all orders and free 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover lanyard with all orders over $50 while supplies last. RRP members receive 20% discounts on all orders.

Gray & Co Designs – save 25% off with code BF2019

Foxy Equestrian – 10% off on 11/29 with code BFF10

Ride Heels Down – sale starts 11/30

Pixio – $60 off any purchase with code CHRISTMAS before 11/30, or $117 off package of pixio/tripod/case, no code needed.

Equisense – 46% off from 11/27-12/2

Swanky Saddle – 25% off with code TGIBF

State Line Tack – up to 70% off select items

Horseloverz – various deals throughout the weekend

An Capall Equestrian – starting 11/28 get up to 25% off and free shipping

Horze – 20% off sitewide and 70% off clearance

Triple Crown Custom – 30% off and free shipping

Buckwild Breeches – all breeches $99, and spend $200 get a $25 gift card

The Tack Hack – 11/29 30% off sitewide, 12/2 30% off saddle pads, outerwear, martingales, and hunt coats.

Hunt Club – Daily deals, check their facebook page each day for discount codes, and get 25% off with code BF2019

Knixwear – 20-50% off sitewide

Point Two – ProFlex 50% off, canisters buy one get one 50% off, 25% off ProAir

Asmar Equestrian –  up to 75% off various items through 12/2

Cambox – up to 50% off

DecoPony – 15% off with code HAPPYDANCE

Spur of the Moment – 25% off

Big Dee’s – BOGO specials and various discounts

Grey Horse Candle Co – From 11/29-12/2 get 20% off with code FALALA

Ice Equestrian – up to 70% bridles, browbands, and accessories

It’s a Haggerty’s – starting 11/29 save up to 50% on ready to ship, plus various specials including BOGO deals

Cavaliere Couture – get 25% off with code GIVETHANKS25

Chick’s Saddlery – various sales and specials including blankets and outerwear

Voltaire Design – November 27th through December 2nd all accessories are 25% off through your local rep or the online store.

Total Saddle Fit – 20% off storewide Nov 29th with promo code BLACK

Centerline Style – 25% off with code GOBBLE

Purvida Healthy Horse – 50% off ANY order over $50 through 12/2 (discount will automatically apply when cart reaches $50)

Equifit – 15% off sitewide

JODS online – various sales and specials plus free shipping and free hat or credit card holder

Frankie Cameron – 20% off with code THANKFUL

Equestroom – 30% off all saddle pads and 70% off all breeches

Celeris Boots UK – 11/29 special checkout will open at 8pm GMT, get 20% off tall custom boots. Limited offer. Pay the deposit to secure the discount and then have one month to finalize custom options. UK, USA, and Canada residents or existing clients only.

Dreamers & Schemers – buy 2 get 1 free specials

Schneiders – various sale items and deals from 11/26-11/30

myselleria – up to 50% off various sale items

Seaver – 40% off plus free 6 month video subscription from 11/27-12/2 with code BLACKFRIDAY

Equiport – seven days of deals, various items added each day

Horse Pilot – starting 11/29 discounts on various products up to 50% off

Solo Equine – bridle blowout 11/29

Just Riding – deals up to 70% off from 11/29-12/2

EnviroEquine and Pet – 11/29-12/2 buy one get one free with code THANKFUL19

VTO Saddlery – additional 50% off clearance items in the Bargain Basement through December 2 with code THANKS

Ellany Equestrian – on 11/29 get 30% off sitewide with code BFCM

Topline Leather – 30% off charms, unicorn bits, barn essentials, and jewelry through 11/30 with code BLACKFRIDAY30. Browbands and gift certificates are 15% off through email orders only.

Aztec Diamond Equestrian – various discounts up to 85% off sitewide starting the afternoon of 11/28

Kastel Denmark – 25% off sitewide starting 11/28 with code BKF25

Adam’s Horse Supplies – various specials and discounts

LeFash –up to 70% off with code BLACK, free shipping over $50.

C4 – 30% off sitewide

USEA – 15% off USEA apparel and free shipping over $50 with code BLACKFRI15

Manhattan Saddlery –20% off storewide, 30% off house label from 11/29-12/2 with code GIDDYUP

Kentucky Equine Research – 15% with code SAVE15

Haygain – 10% off all hay steamers and ComfortStall flooring plus free item of apparel with purchase.

Kathryn Lily – warehouse cleanout up to 50% off

Barnes Tack Room – 20% off with code HolidayTack

Alessandro Albanese – 20% off through 12/2

Millbrook Leathers – 30% off through 11/27 (then 25% off starting 11/28) with code turkeyday

Callidae – 11/29-12/2 get 15% off

Dover Saddlery – various sales and specials

Southern Equestrian – 15% off with code 15OFF plus various daily deals

Katharine Page – up to 60% off Nov 29-Dec 2

Animo – various items on sale

Equestrian Stockholm – sale starts 11/29

Smartpak – 20% off with code Holiday19

Fenwick Equestrian – different sale items each day from 15-25% off and free domestic shipping

Used Horse Stuff – get an extra 40% off sitewide with code ALLOFIT

Ride-away Equestrian – Get an extra 10% off all sale items when you enter code RASALE at the checkout through 11/28

FITS – 20% off with code bf20

Loriece – 11/29 through 12/1 get 15% off jewelry with code BFJ15 and 15% off ornaments with code BFCO15

Flex-On – 15% off from 11/27-11/30 with code 2911BF

Mare Modern Goods– 15% off sitewide with code BLACKMARE19 from11/27-12/4

Joshua Jones UK – 20% off all clothing 11/29-12/2

Blanket Safe – pre sales starting 11/27, with other items on sale starting 11/29

Equi-Prism – 40% sitewide from 11/29-12/2

Fur and Leaf – 25% off with code BLACKSTALLION25 through 12/3

Saddle Threads – up to 20% off your entire order with code HOLIDAY from 11/29-12/2

Sporthorselifestyle – 30% off with code Holiday

Kentaur Australia – 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAYEARLYACCE-TTRSK

Arista – various discounts through monday 12/2

The Posh Pony – get 30% off belts (use code INEEDBELTS) and 15% off everything else

Finish Line Horse Products – 10% off sitewide from 11/29-12/1.

Equiline – 20% off the black line

Mane Jane – 25% off this week on all spur straps and belts

Botori – get 20% off with code JOSLYN10

Bridles & Reins – 40% off with code BFCMSALE

Huntley Equestrian – 25% off with code TURKEY19

Free x Rein – 30% off sitewide with code FXRFRIDAY2019

Mary’s Tack – up to 50% off various items through 12/2

Foot Huggies – get 25% off with code blackfriday

Cheshire Horse – 15% off sitewide plus free shipping with code THANKS19

Al’s Equine Conditioner – 20% from 11/29 through 12/2

LA Saddlery – 11/27 take 30% off sitewide with code THANKFUL, plus 25% off Iago show clothes and free shipping through 12/1 with code iago

Equiderma – Save 30% sitewide with code SAVE30 through December 6th

Saratoga Horseworks – different sales each day from 11/29-12/8, check their Insta for the promo codes per day

Equus Couture – various sales and specials on their facebook page

Huff Equestrian – up to 40% off starting 11/27

Incrediwear – buy one get second item 70% off

KWPN Marketplace – take 20% off through 12/15 with code KWPN holiday

Hay Chix – sale starts 11/29

My Barn Child – Holiday Sale section and 25% off tees & hoodies with the code T25

11/27 MIDDAY UPDATE

Premier Equine – up to 50% off sitewide through 12/3

Harcour – sale starts 11/29

Parlanti Boots – various discounts plus free shipping

Horse Lovers Outlet – 11/27 and 11/28 get 20% off beta biotane tack with code BBTACK20. 11/29 take 15% off storewide with code FRIDAY15. 11/30 take 15% off storewide with code SMALL15. 12/2 take 20% off storewide with code CYBER20.

Jojo Sox – 40% off sitewide with code BLACK40 through 12/1

Rose & Lace Equestrian – 30% off with code BF30

Bogs – 25% off with code CYBER25 through 12/2

Rebecca Ray – 40% off with code RRSALE40

Horsemen’s Outlet – 11/29 get 25% off any one item (excludes Tailored Sportsman and Charles Owen) with code BKF25. Take 20% off gift cards with BKF2019. Select turnout sheets $25, select turnout blankets $30. Every purchase made Nov 29-Dec 2 will be entered to win $100 Horsemen’s Outlet Gift Card.

Horseplay Apparel – 11/29 through 12/2 get 25% off with code BLACKFRIDAY

Belle and Bow Equestrian – get 30% off with code BLACKFRIDAY

Thinline – 11/29 through 12/2 get 20% off with code CyberMonday19 plus free insoles. Orders over $250 get a free hat.

The Hay Pillow – on 11/29 get 10% off with code FRIDAYHP

Flexineb – 10% off with code SAVE10

Walsh – through 12/2 get 15% off sitewide plus free shipping with code WALSH15

Breeches.com – up to 80% off clearance with code CLEARANCE80, 30% off sitewide on 11/28 with code THANKFUL30

PS of Sweden – up to 50% off starting 11/28

 

11/28 MORNING UPDATE

Flexible Fit – 30% off sitewide with code BLACKFRIDAY30 through 12/2

FeedXL – new plans, upgrades, and renewals are 50% off with code BF2019

Jeffers – get 15% off with code TURKEY through 11/29 (some exclusions)

The Tried Equestrian – 11/29 through 12/2 get BOGO on select clearance items. On 11/30 spend $100 and get a $20 gift card, spend $250 and get a $50 gift card, or spend $500 and get a $100 gift card.

The Tack Room – 15% off sitewide

My Horse’s Closet – 15% off with code Blackfriday15 through 12/2

The Equestrian’s Concierge – on 12/2 use code CYBER20 for 20% off

View Halloo – get 20% off sitewide through 12/2

Equus Now – entire store up to 40% off starting 11/29

The Collected Pony – starting 11/29 get 20% off most items with code BLACKFRIDAY19

Sweet Stitch Embroidery – 10% off custom embroidery orders through 12/7

Fleeceworks – flash specials throughout the holidays, keep an eye on their instagram page for offers and coupon codes

Kerrits – additional 20% off on sale items

HorseScents – 20% off ScentStraps and Sacs with code HOLIDAY20

Red Gorilla USA – 25% off sitewide with code BFCM25

Black Horse Clothing – 20% off sitewide through 12/2 with code BLACK19

Nunn Finer – 20% off sitewide through 12/1 with code BLACKFRIDAY

Horse PreRace – 35% off sitewide 11/29-12/2

Her Riding Habit – through 12/2 get 10% off one shirt with BFCM10, or get 15% off two or more shirts with BFCM15.

Bit by Bit Apparel – 20% off orders over $50

Masterson Method – discounts on book and dvd combo packages

Equestrianista – 25% off sitewide and up to 70% off select items all weekend with code BlackFriday

Herd of Zebras – 25% off through 12/2 with code SantaSPARKY

Paper Pony Co – 20% off sitewide with code HOLIDAZE

EQU Lifestyle Boutique – 20% off sitewide

Country and Stable – up to 50% off

 

11/28 AFTERNOON UPDATE

Dubarry – select items on clearance

Equestrian Collections – select deals up to 90% off

Shop Halter Ego – save up to 30% off store-wide plus $150 off custom boots and 20% off custom bridles

Happy Hoof Pads – get 20% off pads and kits with code TG2019FB

DressageTraining.tv – various discounts on course downloads

Redpost Equestrian – various discounts

Old Mill Saddlery – various discounts up to 40% off

Cavalliera International – up to 50% off select items

Myst Equine Products – 25% off through 12/2

E-glove – select items up to 50% off

Royal Equine LLC – 11/29 through 12/1 get 15% off with code smallbiz15

Eqco designer horse wear – 20% off base prices for all Doesitall Lite products (in grey, burgundy, purple, royal blue, teal, and midnight), waterproof hi-viz and non hi-viz quarter sheets.

Celtic Rose Candle Company – get 25% off with code BLACKFRIDAY

Ippico – on 11/29 all items in stock will be under $99

Divoza – 25% off on one item of choice with code d19black, plus select items up to 50% off

Vision Saddlery – from 11/29-12/1 get 25% off all orders

Circuit Style – 25% off storewide through 12/2

 

11/29 MORNING UPDATE

The Tack Truck – 20% off sitewide

Mane Stream Equine – 10% off with code Turkey10

Sporthorse Essentials – use code BLACKFRIDAY25 for 25% off entire purchase through 12/2

Snaks 5th Avenchew – Up to 25% off all Snaks and accessories (some exclusions) with code BLACK25 on 11/29

Ronnar Design – up to 30% off

Black Knight Accessories – through 12/2 get a free nameplate on all RW’s, 20% off storewide, free gift on orders over $150 CDN, and free shipping on all orders over $200 CDN

Black Heart Equestrian – use code BLACKOUT for 20% off

Leveza – use code Fall10 for 10% off

Equestrian Fashion Outfitters – up to 50% off sitewide through Dec 2 (some exclusions)

Equestrian Coach – get 30% off all subscriptions, gift memberships, and pay per view videos with code BF30 through 12/3

CC Signature – 20% off sitewide with code CCHoliday20

County Equestrian Jewelers – 10% off all silver orders with code BLACKFRIDAY19

Ideana – up to 30% off with code BLACK30

Hansen Equestrian – 40% off all remaining prints

Devon-Aire – 25% off or more in their Amazon store through 12/2

Eponia USA – various discounts and deals

Espana Silk – 20% off all orders through 12/2, or $10 off Gift packs plus free ground shipping on orders over $99.

Ikonic Saddlery – 50% off wool rugs with code BLFR2019

Dalia Lehmann – up to 50% off through 11/30

Ecogold – 15% off anything black with code blackfriday

Ruespari– 15% off entire purchase with code HOLIDAYGIFT15 through 12/2

Heated Horse – various discounts sitewide

Wallace Eventing – 15% off everything with code FRIDAY15

Dressage Performance – 15% off sitewide with other various brands up to 30% off

Pup & Pony Co – 20% off with code BLACK

Alberto Fasciani – get 10% off sitewide with code BLACK10 through 12/1

Reverdy – 20-30% off select items

World Wide Tack – 25% off sitewide with code SHOPPINGSPREE through 12/2

USEF – select items up to 50% off, 20% off orders under $100, 25% off orders over $100, 30% off orders over $200, and 35% off orders over $300.

 

11/29 EVENING UPDATE

The Dressage Store – storewide sale up to 30% off with code BLACKFRIDAY

Struck Apparel  – 20% off regular priced items through 12/2

The Equine Edge – 10% off plus free shipping through 12/2

Equi In Style – get 20% off through 12/2 with code BLACKFRIDAY

Two Bits Equestrian – 40% off sitewide through 12/2

Annies USA – 10% off with code gratitude

Essex Classics – 25% off and free shipping with code FRIDAY2019

Redmond Equine – special bundles and deals

Zandona – 40% off sitewide with code BLACK40

Redingote Equestrian – 10% plus free shipping with code FRIDAY10

CWD – $150 off bridles and $85 off reins

Oaklyn Equestrian – on 11/30 get 15% off

 

11/30 EVENING UPDATE

AtelierCG  – 30% off with code blackfriday

Buck Off Cancer – 10% off any web order of $25 or more through 12/3

ReRide Consignment – up to 30% off

Barrington Saddlery – 25% off online with code preblack25

Pony Suds – 20% off with code GIFT

Handy Hunter Boutique – 50% off

Makebe – 30% off with code BLACKFRIDAY

Corro – 20% off sitewide plus free shipping

Amare Equipment – 45% off everything on 11/30 and 50% off everything on 12/1

 

 

If you’ve followed this blog for more than approximately 2 seconds, you know that Henry is a total weirdo. You also probably have heard me say that he’s not particularly “normal” when it comes to horsey societal behavior. He’s one of those horses that tends to prefer to have friends from afar – ie he wants to see the other horses but he doesn’t particularly want to interact with them. He’s got that crochety old man “get off my lawn” personality.

So imagine my surprise to see that he appears to have struck up some kind of kinship with the yearling, JB. I’ve caught them playing over the fence too many times to count by now.

I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen Henry play with other horses. Scream at them, yes, bite them, yes, chase them, yes, but play with them? And seem to genuinely enjoy it? And LEAVE HIS PILE OF HAY to do it? You could knock me over with a feather. I never would believe it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.

I guess maybe he and JB have a particular connection. They’re both weird. Super duper mega freaking weird. Like I don’t think I can stress enough how weird they both are. None of the other horses really seem to like JB that much (Presto loves to play with him, but I’m not convinced that he particularly enjoys his company otherwise), and in fact most of them seem to find him quite annoying. He’s like the mega-strange little brother that you tolerate because you have to but you also kind of want to strangle. Henry is the most easily- annoyed horse I know, yet for some reason… he’s ok with JB’s particular brand of annoying?

Now I catch them playing almost every day. Granted, they don’t live in the same pasture, so I’m not sure that Henry’s apparent affection for the weird kid would carry over if they spent more time in each other’s direct company. Still though, it seems to have had the effect of softening Henry’s rough edges a bit when it comes to his social interaction in general. He and the older mare are stalled next to each other and I catch them contentedly hanging out, faces mere inches from each other, quite a bit. I’ve even caught Henry playing with Presto over the fence too.

Yeah I dunno I can’t explain that. I have no idea what was even going on there. Presto seemed content to have Henry hold his chin with his teeth?

I even ended up having to move Henry to a different pasture, otherwise he would just stand at the fenceline of the other one (which was of course the only muddy spot on the property) and look forlorn all day. The pasture he’s in now runs lengthwise to theirs as opposed to just sharing an end, so he can stay near them no matter where they wander. He seems happier now having more and closer access to them. It almost makes me want to try turning him out with their group to see if his friendly behavior would carry over and he could be normal for once in his life. I don’t even know what horse this is. Making friends? Enjoying the company of other horses? What??? Tis a Christmas miracle.

Speaking of Christmas, I have a photographer coming out on Friday to do holiday-themed pics of the boys. I’ve never had pro pictures done of them outside of shows, but there was a great deal on holiday mini-sessions that I couldn’t refuse. It’s also possible that I bought antlers for Presto.

I think Presto will just wear his green Kincade halter for his pics (he also has navy leather and black leather?), since it’s festive, but I think I want to put Henry in a bridle. I just have to decide which bridle, since he has, uh… five. Hackamore bridle, side pull bridle, dressage bridle, figure eight bridle, flat hunt bridle.

The hackamore and the sidepull are out for aesthetic reasons, and I think the figure eight might be too busy. That leaves me with the black dressage bridle with black rhinestone browband (like this one, except his is not patent and doesn’t have the flash):

Or his brown flat hunt bridle, like this one:

Thoughts? They will be black background style shots, if that matters. Never done this whole photo shoot thing before!

Yesterday I did a ground driving session with Presto for the first time in a few months. All in all I’ve ground driven him less than 10 times ever, and only maybe 4-5 times with a bit… I’m not trying to do anything too specific, I mostly just want to give him some idea of how to understand and be comfortable with the bit well before I swing a leg over and actually try to ride.

I really haven’t done much of anything with him, aside from grooming, for almost a month. We’re at that point where honestly he’s quite ready to throw a leg over and start riding, but also he’s not three yet. If I can get a ground person to come help me, I do want to do a few very quick and basic “rides” on him this winter, but otherwise he’s just kind of chilling, and I’m in waiting mode. Every once in a while I get him out for a short lunge or ground driving session mostly just to check in and make sure he remembers everything. He always does.

I took him away from all the other horses, groomed him, tacked him up, led him out to the arena, and he still looked bored with it all. The blown-over dressage letters that Henry spooks at every time are mere curiosities to Presto. He wants to go put his nose on them, but he’s never once even looked at them in a semi-anxious way, not even when footing gets kicked onto them and they make a scary (according to Henry anyway) noise. At the beginning of every session I always lunge Presto for a couple minutes first, going over his voice commands. He knows whoa, walk, and trot 100% now. They’re good enough to where you can even transition between gaits pretty rapidly. The word canter is only about 50/50, mostly because I rarely canter him on the lunge line. He’s a big rangy horse with a big step, I don’t think his balance or his body is really ready for cantering on a 20m circle yet.

Once I’d practiced his voice commands both ways, I hooked up the long lines. One little squeeze on the left rein to move his nose left, one little squeeze on the right rein to move his nose right, and I was satisfied that he remembered what the bit means, so off we went around the arena. We turned, we went straight, we circled, and we made a somewhat drunken attempt at a serpentine. It’s a little hard to ground drive him because he’s almost TOO sensitive and turns a little TOO well. It would be a lot easier from the saddle where I could use my leg and body. But, he definitely remembered it all, and he did everything I asked, as if he does this every day. I halted him and took the long lines off then led him over to the stepstool, jumping up and down and leaning my body over the saddle from both sides. Again, never moved a muscle. At this point we were all of 15 minutes in and I had accomplished everything I had set out to do. I slid down and declared him to be the most boring baby ever.

And when I say boring, I mean that in the best possible way. He’s smart, he retains things easily, he’s confident, he’s obedient, and he’s not emotional. He can go for a long time between training sessions and pick it right back up as if it’s a daily occurrence. He’s very calm about “working”, and is far more of a thinker than a reactor. There is no “well let’s see what kind of mood he’s in today”… so far he’s always the same.

Don’t get me wrong, he can definitely be a goofy baby in his free time. He loves to run and buck and snort and turn into an arabian anytime the neighbor cows make an appearance. But so far, when it comes to his job (if you can even call it that yet), he’s very steady, predictable, and easy.

Things might change when I swing a leg over and actually start doing things… we’ll see. I’ve had some that were exactly the same for groundwork as they were under saddle, and others that were totally different. He IS only 2 years, 8 months, and 9 days old, after all (but who’s counting?).

ME. IT’S ME. I’M COUNTING.