On Saturday Bobby and I loaded up ‘da boys and headed to meet our trainer a couple hours away for an XC school.

With all the rain we’ve gotten lately we haven’t been able to ride much at home aside from road hacks, so I thought Henry might be a nut. Plus a cold front had just blown in. Plus we were supposed to school a lot of Training fences. I thought I might die. Or pee my pants a few times at the very least, because for some reason I think the Training ramp at this place looks freaking ginormous. I’m in this really weird stage where Novice looks tiny but some of Training still looks a little bit Kill-You-Dead.

Henry warmed up a little bit “full-on retard” but once we started jumping he was game on. I’m struggling with trusting him to the bigger fences and always want to override it the first time, which of course just messes up the distance. That was kind of the theme of the day… mess it up the first time, get it right the second time. We desperately need to school (or uh… just be able to ride, thankyouverymuch El Nino) more often. He’s super game, I just need to let him do his job. When I manage that, it all works out fine.

The offset Training feeders were hard, because the footing was still deep and a little slick over there and the approach makes it hard to line them up. I always feel like Henry is going to fall on his head. Graceful and coordinated, he is not. After a couple of stupid rides on my part, we finally made it work. Mostly because he is Good Pony. The good news is, those feeders looked so big a few months ago, but not anymore.

Then we went to jump the same stupid ditch he’s jumped a thousand times and his brain fell apart until Halo finally led him over, so Henry sat out the next couple fences while the hamsters repaired his brain cells. Once he was re-brained we jumped the Training/Prelim tiki hut (which also used to look big to me and now looks just fine) to another weird massive ditchy thing that of course he didn’t even blink at, because why would he ever be logical? Those both rode great, as did the Training water.

Then we hopped up and down a bank, then down the double banks, then did a little Prelim skinny, all of which Henry was great about.

What I really took away from the day is that this horse is a lot more capable than I give him credit for. For some reason it’s in my head that he can’t make it over the bigger fences if I biff the distance, so then I inevitably override it and – of course – end up biffing the distance. But every time that happened, he had no problem making it over, so really, I learned that I can just stop worrying about it. Pony has enough hops for this, he just needs for me to stop riding him like a monkey. I like it when the mistakes end up being the most educational part… and I didn’t even pee my pants once.

 

It’s looking like I’ll be back at AETA again at the end of the month! I had tons of fun last year, fondling all the pretty things I can’t afford.

For those who don’t know, basically AETA’s trade show is where tons of vendors bring in their merchandise for retailers to come look at and order for their stores. Last year was pretty fun because I got to see a lot of the Spring and Fall collections well before they came out, not to mention being able to feel and touch (and sometimes try on, seriously I’m pretty sure I tried on everything Asmar makes) all the different products. It’s a dangerous place for a tack ho, but it’s also pretty heavenly.

Here’s the exhibitor list… if there’s anything in particular you want me to look at or look for, let me know and I’ll do my best to squeeze it in with my actual duties.

And Philly people, if you have any interest in a quick meet-up (maybe dinner or something?) let me know!

Unrelated side note: Hamer and Clay is now on Instagram! Go give her a follow.

 

That’s right, not even one week into the new year and I can already check off a goal – a truck has been purchased.

I really didn’t plan on buying one for another month or two, but on New Years Eve my Pontiac (the relic that she is) started making quite a magnificent sound. Imagine if a family of gnomes were trying desperately to claw their way out from under the hood… that’s the noise. The issue is basically catastrophic so the Pontiac has been sitting in my work parking lot ever since, and I went into emergency truck buying mode.

After a whirlwind of pre-approvals, internet scouring, approximately 5 bajillion phone calls, and running through Plans A, B, and C… here we are. Luckily I found a 2011 Titan in my price range with only 48k miles a mere 3 hours away in Houston. She is super super basic – her most noteworthy features are cupholders and a radio that works – but she’s in good shape, can get me around, and can very very easily pull my trailer.

First purchase for the truck? A new USEA magnet that isn’t all janky looking like my current one. It was $1.50 shipped and should be here in a few days. Big spender. Then she got some Husky all weather floor mats (because my life is muddy). Tomorrow she’s getting a new, beefier hitch installed. It’s not as exciting buying car stuff as it is buying horse stuff.

What I really want, eventually, is an air mattress and truck tent for the bed, so I can camp at shows instead of paying for hotel. As long as it’s not 40 degrees or 100 degrees, I’d be 100% down for that. Then I could park and sleep wherever I wanted!

The only thing I can’t settle on is a name, I’m still mulling that over. First I thought Freedom – because that’s exactly what she represents for me, but it’s a little cheesy. Then I thought Guinevere (which means “the white enchantress”) because that’s one of the first songs that came on the radio when I was driving her home. But then again, maybe I should stick with the Black Betty/Betty White theme and call her Bea. Or so I thought, until Google told me that Bea Arthur didn’t actually like Betty White and now I’m feeling all superstitious about it. So uh… maybe Rue?

Tough decisions, y’all… tough decisions. But I’m SO EXCITED to FINALLY have a truck!

This past Sunday Bobby and I hauled over to our dressage trainer’s place to ride in his nice arena with mirrors. Henry was a little high and tense, and after trying with varied success to work through it for most of the ride, I convinced Bobby to get on for a few minutes.

Henry has only had a few other people on him since I’ve owned him – a couple friends hacked him for me once when I first got him, and then my dressage trainer rode him once last spring. I have to admit that when I handed him to Dressage Trainer that time, half of me was hoping he’d get on and Henry would just magically be this lovely dressage horse. The other half was hoping that he’d get on and have the exact same struggles that I do. Of course, he had the same struggles, he was just better at getting through them.

While I don’t think that Henry is hard to ride necessarily, he’s certainly not simple. Well… jumping him is pretty simple. The flatwork, not so much. He’s not bad or naughty, just super sensitive and naturally anxious. Every tiny little move you make gets a reaction, and a lot of contact and leg sends him through the roof. Less is more. Lots less. Very little, really.

Even now, two years later, the fact that his brain was fried before I got him is still easily evident. There is no doubt that he’s come a long way even from just a year ago, but it’s very slow going. He’s also not a horse that you can drill or try to force into anything – he’s too sensitive and gets nervous too easily. I’ve come to terms with the fact that we will never be fantastic in dressage and I will always have to be very careful with how I ride him, and I’m mostly ok with that. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t get frustrated sometimes. Anyone who has ever owned a horse like this will understand what I mean when I say they have the most spectacular ability to make you feel completely incompetent on a regular basis.

So when Bobby got on I thought it could be really interesting. Bobby is one of the best dressage riders I know. He has those long skinny legs that hang perfectly, a really lovely position, a great seat, and great feel. Would Henry go better for him?

Answer: No. He had the same struggles I do. In fact, I think Bobby was pretty happy to get off and hand the reins back to me, and I think he has revoked his claim to Henry in the event of my death. He just said wow a lot for the first few minutes, and gradually started to figure out how to ride Henry. Or really, how to not ride him, because Henry is the king of “oh my god don’t touch me leave me alone AHHHHH YOUR LEG MOVED A LITTLE”. Sensitivity, we gots it.

So… sorry Bobby for torturing you (not really) but thanks for making me feel better about myself. It’s not just me. Poor Henny, he’s a delicate flower.

As most of you know, I have a regular barnsitting gig that is a great little occasional moneymaker for me. Last year, for example, it funded the majority of my horse showing. But besides being a nice extra income generator, I also really do genuinely enjoy it. Having been a working student for years, then a barn manager, I have never really minded stepping in as long as it’s worth my while financially. Plus the place I barnsit for is, in my opinion, a shining example of the perfect gig. Since I always see people looking for barnsitters, or conversely people looking to barnsit, I thought I’d weigh in with my opinion on a) what makes a good barnsitting gig, and b) how to be a good barnsitter.

What makes a good barnsitting gig

Make it as easy as possible

This seems obvious, but you’d be surprised. It’s as simple as making sure that there’s enough hay, shavings, feed, meds, supplements, etc to last through the entire time you’re gone. If it’s blanketing season, make sure the blankets are located in an obvious place for each horse. Make sure water troughs and buckets are clean and filled before you go. Make sure the trash has been taken out recently, etc. It’s a lot easier for someone to walk into an operation that is “up to date” than one that starts out with a lot of extra tasks that need to be done. It’s also really really nice to have a fully stocked fridge so that the barnsitter doesn’t have to think about where they’re going to get food/drinks while they’re there. The less there is to worry about, the more focused they can be on doing a good job.

Pay fairly

As with any job, if you want to get and keep good people, you have to pay them what they’re worth. Besides the actual barn work, which can vary a lot depending on how many horses there are, don’t forget that this person will probably be driving a lot more, have to give up whatever else they do in their free time, and possibly even tailor their work schedule to take care of your place. Not to mention you have to take into consideration how much you’d be spending if you had to take all those horses/dogs/cats/etc elsewhere and board them while you were gone. If you want to get and keep a good barnsitter, pay them well. I have re-arranged horse show plans in the past to make myself available for barnsitting at my current gig, because making them a priority has always been worth my while.

Be organized

Label things. Put things in obvious places. Make some blanketing charts and feed charts. If you have lots of different pastures, draw a little map so that there’s no guess work involved. Make sure there are vet and farrier numbers on hand. It’s better for things to be ridiculously obvious than require someone to guess or try to work from memory.

Don’t be afraid to get specific

I will not be offended if you leave me several pages of notes and instructions. Telling me things like “X horse lays down for long periods during the day. This is normal, don’t be concerned.” is fantastic. Want me to throw the hay in a certain part of the stall? No problem. Want me to put this particular horse’s hay in a net? Consider it done. Most people are more than happy to do things your way, and I personally am never offended to see a lot of notes. Leave an itinerary for your trip, how to reach you, and who else to call in case you can’t be reached. There’s no such thing as too much information.

What makes a good barnsitter

Be reliable

It’s as simple as showing up when you’re supposed to, where you’re supposed to, all the time. If you commit to the gig, you’re committed and that’s that. Unless you’ve got a major emergency or you’re dying, you have to show up. Ultimately what people are really paying you for is peace of mind, and the most important thing for them is to know that they can trust you and count on you. I think the worst thing you can do to a barn owner is to flake out on them and leave them floundering for good help at the last minute. Don’t be the guy that ruins someone’s vacation.

Do what you’re told…

You have to remember that at the end of the day, these aren’t your horses and it’s not your property. Take care of them the way you’re told to take care of them, not the way you want take care of them. If they say to dump the buckets daily, dump the buckets daily. If they say to blanket at a certain temp, blanket at a certain temp. If they say to give these meds, by god please give those meds. You’re there to make sure everyone is taken care of the way the owner wants them taken care of, so do what you’re told.

.. but still be a thinker

Besides just doing what you’re told, you also need to make sure you’re thinking about things and not just being an automaton. If you’re going to be gone all day and the forecast calls for heavy rain in the afternoon, leave the horses in. If there’s a hard freeze make sure that buckets and troughs aren’t frozen over and hoses/spigots are covered. If it’s buggy, make sure everyone is fly sprayed. If it’s muddy, make sure no one is missing shoes when they come in from turnout. If there are some kind of special circumstances (like New Years fireworks or a bad storm) make absolutely sure the horses are okay, even if it means being down in the barn at 1am. Give every horse a quick once-over when they come in from turnout to make sure they’re injury free. If the high temperature is just a hair over the upper limit requiring a blanket and you won’t be able to do a blanket change mid-day, put the horse in the blanket that is most appropriate for what the majority of the day will be like. Don’t turn the body clipped horse out naked on a 30 degree morning just because it’s supposed to reach 57 by 3pm. The barn owner won’t be very happy if her horse is shivering 6 hours a day and has regrown half it’s coat by the time they get back. These are all things that are just common sense if you take the time to think it through, but they’re the things that make the difference between a mediocre barnsitter and a good one.

Communicate

If something comes up or you have a question, don’t be afraid to ask. As a general rule I try not to interrupt anyone’s vacation unless I think there’s a valid reason, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Also, before you leave the property for the final time, check the owners’ flight to make sure they aren’t delayed, or if they’re driving send a quick text and make sure they’re still on schedule.

Don’t leave a huge mess

While it’s fairly impossible to clean up behind yourself 100%, at least don’t leave a trail of mud through the house or leave blankets tossed haphazardly all over the barn. Try to remember to take your trash out, strip the linens, etc, and put things back to where you found them as closely as you can. Make sure the stalls are clean, shavings bags thrown away, the hose coiled, etc. Just basic “good houseguest” behavior that makes it easier for the barn owner when they get back, and makes them appreciate you a bit more.

 

Of course, I think the real key to a good barnsitting/barnsitter relationship is that both parties are able to enjoy it. A pleasant experience all around makes for a win-win.