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rolling |
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rolling |
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she free jumped herself |
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um hello shiny |
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there are a lot of buckles in there |
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everyone say hi to this adorable muppet |
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also who thinks i need new stirrups |
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rolling |
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rolling |
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she free jumped herself |
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um hello shiny |
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there are a lot of buckles in there |
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everyone say hi to this adorable muppet |
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also who thinks i need new stirrups |
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hi |
Plus y’know—most high end western stuff is designed to last like 700 years so it’s stiff and ugly colored until you put a couple years on it out in the sun and dust and rain.
So yeah I went full commit on the western schtick. Roxie’s mom told me what saddle to get, I found a 6” bit on eBay, grabbed a pair of reins from the feed store, and that was that. Well then I added the largest breast collar from the feed store too and the quality isn’t great because I bought the largest soft pre-oiled option that feels nice to start with and gets worse from there. But it looks fine for now.
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winter scruff |
I love to scroll horse stuff on the socials and I’d cut a bitch for a nice French bridle but even I can’t justify $700 for a non-custom bridle.
But you know what is way cheaper
And SPARKLES?
Yeah random western stuff.
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they see her rollin |
I obviously spent way too much time trying to run down what was trendy for what discipline and how much it cost and you can FOR SURE spend all the dineros you would like when it comes to that. But like. For me.
I’m not showing. I don’t have a discipline. The world is my oyster.
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shout out past me for buying sunflower slobber straps |
And while I visually LOVE straps, they’re goddamn annoying to put on.
Plus you know how it is in the winter—you aren’t riding a ton, you’re shopping for presents, the algorithm is feeding you shit, your impulse control is at an all time low, etc.
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she's so damn cute |
anyways that’s the story of how i decided i couldn’t live without this super minimalist headstall that i then immediately decided i needed to buy a noseband for because it was too minimal which then transitioned into switching over to a mecate set up but i obviously bought this STUNNING custom size sparkle piece and anyways hook a sister up if you see a deal on high end reins.
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this headstall is what dreams are made of |
Cough.
Some things never change.
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google decided you needed this photo and who am i to argue with our AI overlords? |
I’m still here.
I mean, not really, inasmuch as I’ve mostly adapted to short form social media and instead of chronicling the very-personal-to-me horse things, I do some content creation for other outlets and let my relationship with my horse be mine to own.
I’m forever awed by the friendships I made through blogging and the people I still trek across the country to see. There is so much value I think in taking the time to reflect and write and grow as a person and a trainer and let that growth inform our steps.
The TL; DR of life since I was here last is I did a career pivot so I could be home more and moved ZB to a barn that’s further from my house but closer to my goals. It’s a really calm, quiet little place with excellent care and trail access right off the property. I’ve accepted that I have zero drive to compete in any event and I’m realizing just how much I enjoy connecting with my horse and learning together.
Also—after spending 6 years with ZB at the same barn, I opted to move her to the new place literally the day before a pretty epic winter storm and we’re in the midst of the wettest spring in over 120 years here, which means instead of worrying about training, I’m just taking things a day at a time.
The queen herself is (gasp) 11 this year, which is fucking insane. She’s had a couple “wild” moments as we’re learning the new place and olden days OTTB-riding me would have been shocked to learn what that looks like these days. There was some jigging. Also a spook at a spooky object. She still plays with legos (aka the mounting block) and anything else you leave around her, she’s still the smartest, kindest, most honest creature I’ve ever had the privilege to be around.
One thing I learned rather quickly was that there is a learning curve to riding your horse away from the barn when their friends might be running the fence line and screaming like complete idiots. Also if your horse isn’t spooked by traffic but you are, you’re going to start doing desensitization but to yourself. Fun fact: it would be easier if it was the horse. I’m fucking terrified of traffic.
I’m the problem it’s me.
I thought my tack ho days might be behind us, but rest assured—I still can’t resist a pretty leather strap and I would cut a bitch to know where to find a nice 6” bit.
All that to say—hello.
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i really love this picture sure could use teal boots |
They did not. Which is fine. But since I was already so far off the beaten path, it made sense to go just a little farther to see if the next tack store had said dream boots.
And.
They did not.
But what they did have was the purple version of my beloved teal reins.
Now I know buying purple reins is the opposite of solving the teal boots problem but here's the thing: when has a little detail like that even slowed me down when I decide to go full tack ho?
Fact: it has not.
So then I had purple reins and I was headed back in a more usual direction when I drove past A THIRD TACK STORE that does like fancy custom cowboy shit and that I have never been to because A) it's far away from me and B) while I love playing cowboys, I'm not going to drop $$$$ on a legit set up to toodle around in.
But on a day like that, why wouldn't I stop?
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she's in as long as there's snacks |
Even with the purple reins, I was trying to stay on message. I got a little bogged down debating what local friends I might be able to talk into producing a couple babies so I could justify the ADORABLE child's western saddle I found but even with that, TEAL BOOTS GODAMMIT. Teal. I already have the fancy matching pad. Let's go.
Do you know what I saw on the shelf at store #3?
o hi |
Funny story.
Purple boots.
And hey! Guess who just happened to have two thumbs and matching reins?
I did browse the whole display but there was simply no teal to be found. None at all.
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i mean everything is her color but HELLO |
I mean. |
I don't have a lot of cool things to say right now. Some parts of life are very good and some parts are very stressful. The ZB parts are very good. My little lady is probably mumbleover16handsmumble, is like sitting on my favorite couch, and is constantly getting compliments from other boarders for her gung-ho attitude and general perfection.
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when you hit the sunset light just right |
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a nicely cherry picked moment |
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where does the time go? |
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I actually don't think she cares at all. |
LOOK HOW CUTE |
we actually have these really nice balanced moments in a slow jog on a loose rein they aren't long, but they're so good |
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ever unconventional |
When new people at the barn meet Zoebird, they tend to ask the same question:
What does she do?
Really not sure why "wear cute outfits and have lots of fun" isn't considered a polite answer.
We have this stupidly cute pink outfit for dressage that we put together. LACE ACCENTS. Yes. I need a shirt to match I think.
it's ok i'd be jealous of me too |
I KNOW SHE NEEDS BOOTS |
can you even with her cute level? you cannot. |
today we're jumpers because it's a figure 8! |
today we're dressage because sparkle browband! |
now ruggedly western ranch horse maybe even wearing a saddle! |
dramatic sunset pictures are always in style |
wow let's take another moment with this great outfit |
yup loving this color on her |
is my horse |