Sorry, old sports! It's really not my fault that it's been so long since my last update! Spode's last few weeks of school were very hectic, and life has not slowed down for her one bit since being back for good. The job applications have been plentiful, the results not so much, but it's early days yet. In the meantime, I see her every day except for my weekly day off. Spode is clinging to routine with me I think because there's very little routine in the rest of her life while in between the end of school and jobs. Part time work is not really cutting it, apparently. I'll be glad when she does find work, to be honest, because I'm starting to feel quite tired! So much focus on me is a bit exhausting!
Do you know how much the weather has changed in the past few weeks as well? We've gone from this...
To this!
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| Yum, I love the summer. And it's in my colour, too! |
As a result, Spode has been doing some spring cleaning.
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| Spode really, really likes her men clean-shaven... |
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| So fresh! |
Spode has definitely got her spring brain on, as she has been hyper focused on getting me fit. I'm back to my dressage saddle! The fit still isn't perfect, but it's better for my shoulders now that I've lost a bit of weight. I've gone up two whole girth holes!
I'm back to wearing my XXXL bell boots since I still have my winter hoof curtains/floofers. Yes, Spode calls them my floofers. Not a very good name for a sophisticated gentleman like me. She is so silly. And at the same time, she expects me to act like a grown up dressage horse. She can't have it both ways! I'm either a goof or an elegant, obedient grown up. I'm going to say that if one of those has to win, it's going to be a goof every time.
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| The key to getting treats is to get her to laugh, every time. |
Spode has showing on the mind though, even though she has no money for such things. You gotta keep dreaming though! We've been practicing our canter a lot and I'm learning how to do a circle. I still have a tendency to motorcycle around, but the right lead is starting to get a bit easier for me. Picking up that inside leg is not easy, old sports! Not easy at all! Spode is happy with the tiniest bit of effort though and is in no rush. Still, if we do get the chance to show, we'll be doing training level for sure. Even if we only get 4s on our motorcycle canters. It'll come! My trot is getting much more consistent, according to Spode, though I'm still not putting enough weight into the outside rein (sheesh, so picky). Spode is going to get her mum to come out and take some videos soon so we can continue to improve while we're short on lesson funds.
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| Thankfully there's no need to be stingy on treats since Spode still has 3 bags from Christmas! Phew! |
I'm also almost due for my spring shots and another check up on my eyes. My left eye is really not very good at all, but the right eye is still okay and we're working though it. We did have one incident that almost led to me galloping through the fence because of a big spook, but I decided to slam on the brakes just in time. I'm not up to my usual levels of bravery yet!
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| Don't let the prettiness fool you! |
Spode did take me out for the first solo hack of the spring though, and aside from some scary garbage near and signs near the road, I did well. Spode is still such a weenie near the road that I get a bit cautious as well trying to figure out what's got Spode on edge. So we're both working on bravery there. Yesterday she worked up the courage to ride me next to the road (blind side to the fence, of course) so that felt like a big accomplishment. Seriously, that girl should not watch
The Horse Whisperer. Bad idea for a kid with an overactive imagination and a general fear of riding on the road already! We make quite the team, old sports.
That's about it, really. Although it's been busy, we haven't done too many adventurous things lately. Just been focused on getting us both back into shape. And getting me cleaned up of course. Much to Spode's disappointment, I am not shedding out much yet. I've always been a late shedder, and this year is no different. She'll just have to be patient. My floofers are staying for now, at least until I've got a bit more of a spring coat.
And that's all for now, old sports! I'll try to update more regularly, but it all depends on Spode since she's the one with the tech!
Until later, old sports.
Jay.
