OK...I know I've been among the missing lately. I know I'm supposed to be head-over-heels in love with my new mare, Ellie. I know I'm supposed to be loving every minute of every day. I know I'm supposed to be making the most out of what I have...blah, blah, blah.
First of all, we have been giving Ellie too much grain especially since she is living a life of leisure. So she became quite a basket case and I haven't even ridden her yet. Also she doesn't know any ground work (re: manners). So we hired a trainer after much stressing and fussing and lose of sleep on my part. He is wonderful but doesn't want me to film him. He has been out here twice and Ellie is beginning to respect our space, lunge properly, lead properly, set her hindquarters, and give to pressure. She is still not comfortable around his flag which consists of an old car antenna with a crinkly flag attached to one end. He hits the ground next to her with it and she is at the point where she just shivers but doesn't move her feet. He can then touch her all over with it pretty much...again sometimes she flinches but she can tolerate it. She now lowers her head to put her halter on. She stands quietly for him. She is easy to catch in the field. So we are making progress. He is almost at the point where he will have us work with her.
Brings me to the second point. I think I am still very reactive to losing my Dommie. Ellie isn't him. I haven't been riding because I don't think (and the trainer agrees) she is ready. Spring is flying by and I have been somewhat depressed by all these events happening in our lives. I'm supposed to roll with the punches but sometimes...everything just sucks.
Did I mention that she has gone into heat twice in three weeks? And Duke thinks he is a stud so we have to separate them?
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Stud Muffin
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| Ellie in her stall |
OK enough complaining...Noah is home from Australia and I love having my boys here. My sister Faith is coming Monday afternoon for a few days!!!! I really am happy about her visit. This is the sister who went across the country on a train with me! It is always so much fun to have her here. We can make triangle scarves, go to St. Lawrence U bookstore which has fabulous coffee as well as fun stuff to buy, walk downtown, cook amazing meals, stay up late talking and sharing a bottle of wine.
Had my 6-month checkup with my oncologist who said that if it were him he wouldn't have any more CT scans because I have already had way too much radiation. So that's that. And I can keep the port in for another couple of years.
Life Lesson: when stressed...take a nap.
xo
