For Sale

I have a few things for sale, if you have any questions, please email me at:  jumpingpercheron@hotmail.com.  That is also my PayPal address, so if you see something you do want, just PayPal me and I will ship it the next day and provide you with a tracking number.

5 Point Breastcollar, Oversize.  I can't remember the brand, and it's not stamped.  I did get it from England.  Black fleece is hard to find, and I always have got a lot of compliments on it at shows.  Klein is 17hh, for size reference.

 $85 shipped to anywhere in the U.S.

 Horze Prague Shiny Dressage Bridle, cob.  This is a really sharp looking bridle that is basically brand new.  Mochs wore it once.  She is just a hard fit.  Pony is too small, and cob fits, in certain brands, I guess Horze is not one of them.  $80 shipped to anywhere in the U.S.  Reins come with it as well.

Pee Wee Bit, Large.  New without tags, $35 shipped to anywhere in the U.S.

PayPal only please.  No trades, thanks!

One of My Greatest Teachers

Moch has been making some serious progress lately.  I decided to keep her on the flat for the last month to reinforce some of the basics.  It was a good move.  Moch is giving me some amazing (aka proper) trot work lately, both sitting and rising.

Last week we had a ride where I felt her start to really come through, carry herself, and swing through her back.  Yessss!!!  The fact that we finally had that moment really got me excited.

Mochs is starting to get the hang of this balance thing.  She has also taught me I need to really support her more on the outside rein.  I have a habit of having a little bit too much conversation on the outside rein when I should just keep quiet.  Moch has reminded me of that in our recent rides.  She'll get a bit fidgety if I'm not quiet enough on the outside rein, but as soon as I quiet down and just have that constant supporting contact she falls right in line.  That has been a great reminder for when I ride Klein too.

 I keep calling Mochs one of my greatest teachers, because she really has taught me a lot since we started regular work together at the end of February this year.  She has taught me to pay attention to the small print of riding.  Pay attention and control every muscle, every breath.  She is making me a better rider.

We ride with our dressage instructor tomorrow morning.  I'm pretty excited to start working on our canter for real now.

More Pony Adventures and Gator Chasing

Mochs and I have been having all kinds of adventures together out on the trails lately.  I have been putting some conditioning work on her lately.  She LOVES to be out and about.  It's great for her, and I think it helps improve our bond.

There's a ton of deer in this area.  We see deer every time we are on that property.  Luckily, Mochs doesn't really take much notice of them.  One morning we were in the middle of a mile long gallop at 450 mpm down one of the trails and a deer popped up right beside us and took off.  Moch looked over at it, but her speed never changed.  About 15 minutes later one popped out of nowhere and ran across the trail in front of us.  Moch didn't care, she probably wonders what their problem is.  The other day we came across some wild turkeys and I sent Moch after them. 

Speaking of chasing things...There Klein and I were, enjoying a Friday night hack...

We started an easy canter along the lake...

And a big gator was hanging out on the banks.  We scared the hell out of it and it got into the water as fast as it could.  It swam out pretty far, so I couldn't get a good picture of it.  You can't tell how big it is from this pic, but you can see him keeping a distant eye on us.

So Klein officially add Gator Chaser to her resume, in addition to coyote chaser, wild turkey chaser, cow chaser, dog chaser, people chaser, and heavy equipment chaser.  I'm sure I forgot a couple.

Yeah, some evenings I feed the princess in my lap...

Straight Shot Metal

Beka at The Owls Approve opened a really cool Etsy Shop a little while ago called Straight Shot Metal.  I meant to order sooner but I started slacking.  One night I actually had an order in the shopping cart on the site but...I had one too many adult beverages and couldn't figure out how to complete the order.  Yeah, I know.

I finally made my first order last week.  I only ordered a bridle charm and bracelet, because I am an indecisive mofo.  I can't figure out what to put on Mochi's bridle charm...as soon as I do, I will order her one too.  And I will probably order some things for friends.

Anyway, I got my order, and they turned out GREAT!!  AND!  Beka through in a free bracelet that says "Wes, Klein, Mochi"!!!  HOW COOL IS THAT?!  AND!  She made a tag that says "Jumping Percheron."  That's pretty awesome.

 The bottom bracelet says "Ride to Live."

The sad part...I tried the bridle charm on both buckles and the clasp is too small.  It won't close all the way around the buckle.  Another down side to having a huge horse, she has huge tack...

Expecting the Unexpected

After this latest truck drama, I enrolled with US Rider today.  I am not sure why I didn't already have a membership with them.  I guess it's because I have never, thankfully, had any issues while hauling.  The transfer case issue is the first issue I have ever had with my truck.  I have never had a problem with my trailer either (I love Sundowner) aside from a blow out, which is something that is not a matter of if, but when it will happen.  If you haul a trailer, you're going to get a flat at some point.  But I am overly prepared in that aspect as well.  Another contributing factor is our location.  We are close to Ocala.  We are in the heart of horse country here so there is basically a never ending supply of horse related services that are never far from home.  When I haul, I only haul further into the heart of horse country.

Funny, the day the new transfer case showed up on our porch is the day the Other Half got a promotional offer from US Rider in the mail.  We have never received mail from them until that day.  I also have no clue why it showed up with the Other Half's name on it.  He doesn't drive my truck, or haul my trailer.  I'm always the driver.  I started reading through the information and thought it was probably something that I needed to get in on.

You don't expect the unexpected.  I dropped my truck off for a noisy u-joint in the drive line, the truck wasn't driving any different.  Lucky for me we have a great, honest shop that the Beast goes to, and because they were making sure nothing else was going on in the drive line they found that the transfer case had a hole in it.  I never expected a noisy u-joint to turn into a $1,400 repair, but I'm glad it did since the alternative could have been me stranded with my trailer and a horse(s) in it somewhere on the highway in the middle of the summer.  I would have been fine but what about the ponies?  It is THEM that I would worry about in that situation.  And what if that would have happened?  I wouldn't have had US Rider to come to my rescue, but I do now!

US Rider provides towing for your truck AND trailer, repairs, battery assistance, flat tire assistance, lock out services, fuel, oil, and water delivery, emergency trip interruption vet services, emergency lodging/stabling arrangements, vet and farrier referral services.  Also, even if you are not hauling a trailer you're still covered, AND even if you are a passenger in another vehicle, you're covered.  Price?  $140 per year.  I do have full coverage insurance on my truck and trailer that includes roadside assistance and towing on my truck but my insurance company (as with most) doesn't provide anything in the way of roadside assistance for my trailer, or anything to help with the horses in the trailer in case of an emergency.  This is one of those things that you would rather have and not need it than need it and not have it.

Conditioning Heaven

 

Galloping Mochi along the lake on a beautiful, breezy Monday evening.

 

The Other Half got us access to Conditioning Heaven the other day.  We had limited access to this area but not we have full access any time we want.  This area is directly across the street from the barn and also borders the barn.  It is over 1,000 acres of property.  There is 20+ miles of trails.  It is a private property and the Other Half spoke with the owner directly, a very nice man, and now and we are free to go as we please.

Crossing the dam.

 It is so quiet and beautiful.

 Klein baby enjoying the view.

 

 Gator!

 We saw deer and wild turkeys around this area.

 This property is beyond beautiful.  I can't thank the owner enough for allowing us to have full access to it.  There is a VERY limited number of people allowed on it.  It's extremely quiet.

 

 More lake galloping.

 So in love with this place.

 

 Family walk.

 Right before deer ran across in front of us.  We see deer every day in this area.

 Not much beats this.  We win at life.

Two Weeks?

I didn't realize it has been almost two weeks since I've posted.  I have been super busy finishing up one class and starting a new one the day after.  This past week I have been sick, and that was no fun.  I ended up being out of work for two days and having to go to the clinic.  I had a sinus infection so bad my teeth even hurt from all of the pressure.

Finally after I started to be able to breathe and not feel so lethargic, Klein to the rescue.  We went for a nice hack, because what better medicine than a ride on your Heart Horse?

Klein turned 11 last Thursday.  It seems like yesterday I was picking up my coming three year old, barely halter broke, Klein filly at the quarantine station in Hawaii.  Below is a picture of her first day with me in Hawaii.  We had known each other for about three hours when this picture was taken.

 Baby Klein.  I don't know who I'd be or where I'd be without her.

 My worst day last week was on her birthday, so we celebrated yesterday with beer for everyone!  The ponies also had beer on Memorial Day.

They killed a six pack of Guinness on Memorial Day.

I introduced Mochs to a Chambon.  She is really comfortable in it, hopefully it helps her find her balance a little more while working on the lunge line.  I have to very careful with her on the lunge line because if I just let her go she will just flail about and not get anywhere close to using herself properly, because she is still learning exactly what that's all about.

 

 Moch trying to concentrate.  She's been seriously improving her trot pole game lately.

 

 Relaxing at the walk more.

Mochs got a Back on Track poll pad after Monica's rave reviews.  The jury is still out on it.  I just got it and only lunged her in it today, I'll ride her with it tomorrow.  She was great, but she usually is on the lunge line.  No issues there.

And giving me the eeeeeeeeeevil pony eye for taking too long to get her granola bar after a ride.

Oh speaking of eeeeeevil pony things.  Mochi went completely OG yesterday.  The geldings that share the fence line with our three were a little too close for Wes' liking yesterday.  He doesn't approve of them looking at his mares and he will walk the fence line and just kind of be on patrol when they are close.  Klein was getting her feet done so Moch and Wes were in the pasture.  Wes went to the gate where the other geldings had come up and they squealed at eachother, that's about all the ever happens.  Moch saw what was going on and came in for back up.  Out of NOWHERE she REARS UP and strikes one of the geldings IN THE FACE over the gate!!!!  I have NEVER seen her do something like that!!!  Thankfully no one was hurt.  She needs her own Thug Life video.  If you haven't watched any of the Animal Thug Life videos, go...now.

Klein watched the whole thing from a distance.  And speaking of pedicures, here's a Klein hoof.  In case any one wonders what a pretty much perfect barefoot horse's feet look like:

Never been shod a day in her life.

The Handsome is looking exceedingly handsome this summer with his super shine.

 

 Here he is yesterday.  We cuddled while he got his feet done.  

I had to give him some bute Friday evening and Saturday morning to get him more comfortable for his hind end.  He is stiff in his hind end.  I am about to try SmartFlex Senior for him.  MSM did nothing.  If SmartFlex Senior doesn't help, it might be time for hock injections.  I have talked with our vet and she suggested we try everything before injections.  The Other Half was there for his trim yesterday to help with his hind feet.  Our trimmer is super patient and understanding with Wes, aka priceless.  He just has trouble going back onto the stand, bringing his hind feet forward is no problem.  The bute in the p.m. and a.m. did the trick this time too.

 

 I clipped his feather again.  I like the clean legs look!

 

 For reference, I'm 5'7" and here is a pic I took at eye level standing next to Wes.

 The Beast is back in commission (and driving soooo smooth with that new transfer case)!!  Even two weeks without it sucks because you know you can't just hook up the trailer whenever you want and go wherever you want.  My horse freedom has been restored!

 And here is Izzy, and her BFF the Other Half.  She really is a great dog.  She needs a home too...she's up for adoption...  She makes us like dogs, and that's saying a lot.  She's only one year old too.  *Sigh*  She keeps growing on us...  She just LOVES the Other Half, not that I can blame her.  I totally get it.

Oh and horsey history was made yesterday.  The only way you wouldn't know that is if you live in a cave or an underground bomb shelter somewhere.  The Other Half and I watched the race, as much as I don't like the racing industry, it was very cool to see history made, live.  Unreal run!  Still doesn't make me want a TB though.