If you can't see are eyes really windows to the soul?

I have, of course, been thinking about the situation with Naners a lot as of late. Things just weren't adding up for me. Why was a mare that can jump, even if she hates it, refusing to go over ground poles? Then I started putting things together and called my vet. Could it be possible that Naners has a vision problem? The answer: yeah. And it would make a lot of sense actually. When talking with the trainer she's with about it she said that she had also been wondering at that possibility. Alas, horses can't read an eye chart, so unless there's something physically wrong with the eye, or there's an obvious problem, they're pretty difficult to determine. But, it would explain so many things with her, so as far as I'm concerned she has a vision issue. Fortunately, it shouldn't be a problem with our dressage plans, but it means that I really am never going to jump her.

Ollie in his turnout

It really blows my mind that I pounded the posts in two weeks ago and now we're covered in snow again.

Decision

I have come to a decision to my dilemma with Banana.

Grad school, a property, 4 dogs, 4 cats and 1.5 horses sucks up funds. Even if I had an awesome jumper right now I really don't have the money to event. If I did have one and couldn't because I couldn't afford it I would be extremely frustrated. So, getting another horse so I can jump makes little sense right now. However, if one falls in my lap I won't turn it down.

So, until I'm done with Grad School (about a year and a half) I'm sticking with Naners and we'll explore this dressage thing. I'm going to take all the jumping pressure off us. Will I continue to explore it as a possibility? Yes, but very, very slowly with no expectations. I'm aiming us for the regional dressage rally at the end of April to see if we can qualify for PC Champs, though I have no plans to actually go (unless funding miraculously appears.) We'll also do the local dressage shows and a recognized one in the fall.

I'm... happy isn't quite the right word, let's go with "at peace" with this plan. It just makes sense.

*sigh* the dilemma is back

Long time readers will remember my regular doubt regarding whether Naners was the right horse for me or not. I like her, I like her a lot. It might even be love, but it's not love like I had with Fudge and Penny. However, in the over two years I've had her, I've always had this nagging doubt over her appropriateness, especially with the jumping issues. Every trainer I've talked to about it has always been, "oh! but she's such a nice jumper!" And I couldn't make them understand that yes, she might have nice form but I really didn't believe she liked to do it. I've had to kick her over 1' logs.

The trainer she's with right now, who I really respect, told me that she thinks if I want to jump I need a different horse. First person in two years that actually voiced what I suspected it. She then told me a story about how she refused ground poles the other day. Seriously, all these trainers... the horse refuses x-rails, how can you just tell me she's a good jumper and not really think down to the problem?

So, here we are with the dilemma again: do I keep her and just do straight dressage? Or sell her so I can jump? I'm not entirely unsure that I would be sad just doing dressage. It was fun being at a show and not wanting to puke. I'm an eventer at heart, but I also am not necessarily against leading a less risky life and not jumping for awhile.

Naners is off at Horsie School.
 

 

The adorable white pony she's pictured with is not Ollie. When she first saw him she neighed and was all excited, then realized he wasn't Ollie and pulled up, confused. Poor Naners.

She's very content at Horsie School. There's five of them total, and there's a lot of stuff to watch from the property. When I left after visiting the other day she was just watching life go by in the valley. She hasn't fence walked once, there's enough going on to keep her occupied. 

I really like the trainer she's with: it's who we've been lessoning with as of late. She was surprised to find that Naners has some really good training somewhere in her past. Heck, it surprises me whenever she reminds me she has it and I've owned the mare for two years now. She thinks that Naners' general issue is extreme insecurity when things get more mentally difficult, but she really does like to work. Not sure I necessarily agree with the latter, as I'm not sure she'd run away from me in the pasture if she really wanted to work :D

Naners is going to be over there for a month getting a refresher course. Ollie is here by himself and was quite sad the first night, but now he seems to be fine. And, he'll be even happier in a few days when I finish his new turnout.

Whooo hoo! Got my Tail Light

Everyone needs some Ollie

The snowy one is from the beginning of January, when we actually had snow. The last couple of days its been the opposite and I'm pounding t-posts into the ground.


Only 8 more posts to go.

Responsible schmonsible

And it took me just over 24 hours to fall back into being an irresponsible adult.

When one is low on funds you start weighing the worth of things. For example, I desperately want to go to my high school reunion in May. I went to a girls' boarding school, so reunion is all about spending a weekend with your dear friends when they're all in the same place every five years. I'm currently looking at a $600 plane flight for that. Adding in hotel, etc, it'll be close to a $1000 weekend.

At the same time, the north fence line still needs to be redone, we need to put loads and loads of gravel on our 1/2 mile long driveway, the barn aisle needs help, and I've been planning a smaller turnout off the corrals for years. I've decided it would be a better use of funds to further one of these things, leading to ease of daily life, than to blow it all on one fun weekend.

The horrors of being an adult.

Due to having been gifted with 20 used t-post covers, the turnout is the first on the list. Today I finally ordered the electric tape (horseguard bi-polar) and they had a charger on closeout, so I saved a big bunch of cash there.

Fence instead of a trip. I am officially a rancher adult.

Poor Naners

On Saturday we trailered into town for our lesson, despite the chilliness. The snow melting off the fairgrounds arena roof looked like rain. I went to unload Naners and for the first time in over a year she flew out backwards and she hit her head. Hard. I checked for booboos, no blood, but she certainly didn't want me messing with her head. We decided to give our lesson a go, since we were there. She was fine for a bit, but then started pinning her left ear and carrying her head with a slight tilt. I got off, the mare was not right. Fortunately our favorite vet just happened to be at the fairgrounds and gave her a check. Naners was sorta funny. She'd make to rub on you, like she wanted affection, but then backed off if you went to scratch her head. It was almost like she was asking for help cause her head hurt. And, the area around her left ear? Very owwie.

I was prepared for loading shenanigans to come home: she walked on just fine. I was prepared for unloading shenanigans: she walked off quietly like she does these days. I have no idea what set her off at the fairgrounds. And it honestly could have been anything. I don't think I'm going to put her head bumper back on.

She got a gram of bute when we returned and then took off at an extended trot, head tilted, ear pinned, across the pasture. When she came in for dinner the head and ear were back to normal. She's getting time off of course. Which is a shame, as the road is dry so we could be getting exercise. But, as she galloped out to the pasture this morning I remembered she doesn't need much exercise :D