December 2, 2013

Five Day Challenge - Day Two

6. Favorite equestrian book and movie
It's not my all-time favorite, but I recently read The Dressage Chronicles, and I really recommend it - I even had my non-horsey book club read it the last time I hosted, and had my tack laying around for them to touch and ask questions about.  It was really well-received - the book is accurately technical (written by a USDF L judge), but the main character asks questions so often that the non-horsey girls weren't totally lost.

Haven't seen many horsey movies...I guess War Horse has to do.

7. Most common riding misconception
I guess I'll pick the one that bothers me most: "Why are you still taking lessons, don't you already know how to ride?"  I don't think I have to explain that one to you guys.

8. 2 riding strengths and 1 riding weakness
Strength #1: I'm very aware of my body - how much weight is where, how far back that leg really is, what happens to the left leg when the right leg gets put on, etc.  I haven't always been aware of that stuff.

Strength #2: I'm physically strong.   If I'm going to make Connor carry me properly and develop the muscles necessary for that, I'm going to do my part and be strong enough to make that easier for him - for example, by strengthening the muscles of my hunchy upper back so that he is encouraged to carry himself.  It's also nice to know that I'm working toward being a better rider even when I'm not at the barn and not riding.

At CrossFit, my other love!

Weakness: I'm not a good ride planner.  It got us into trouble a year ago when Connor got fried in the sandbox, and it's why the wheels come off if I miss a couple of lessons in a row.  I need guidance and am terrible at setting goals for individual rides.

9. Least favorite thing about horses/riding
I think we can all say finances.  It's hard to accept the fact that owning Connor is adding years to Nick's student loan payoff time.  That's even hard to type.  But I make it work by doing stalls on Sundays and other odd days throughout the month.

10. What do you feed your horse?
Interesting question, because for two years up until last week AM/PM he was getting
- 3/4 lb of Tribute's Kalm Ultra
- 1/2lb of Essential K ration balancer
- 1/4 cup of ground flax (all of the horses at the barn get flax, it's barn provided)
- 2 flakes hay

but they've phased out the Kalm Ultra barn-wide.  So he's now getting
- 1lb of Kalm Performer
- 1/2lb of Essential K
- 1/4 cup ground flax
- 2 flakes hay

I freakin' love Tribute's low-starch/high-fat glucosamine-added, fixed-formula feeds.  Love, love, love, love, love.  If my barn has to exclusively feed something/be sponsored by a feed company, I'm happy it's such a good feed company.


  1. My grandma asked me about taking lessons one time. Then she said, "well, I guess Tiger Woods still takes golf lessons".


  2. Oh good one for the "why are you taking lessons?' thing. I should check out that book!

  3. I can totally relate to the lesson comment. That is so annoying!!!

    1. My grandfather used to be the worst for that, but he's starting to realize what goes into it. That's saying something since he raised my mom while she was taking lessons too! Takes a while!

  4. It's tough to balance horsey finances with other things in life... there's no doubt it affects those around us! But then again, you only get one life to live and you can't take the money with you when you go.

    1. Absolutely, I totally agree with you. This is the only life I'd want to live.