Thoughts and dilemas

Wow, what a week. lol The interview went well for the most part. I did say something to make both ladies look at each other, raise their eyebrows and nod in agreement, so that was good. But then they asked what my ex-boss would say if they were to call him. That was a sticky one. I just kind of chuckled and said I had no idea because he was always full of surprises. They laughed and moved right on, so that must have been ok, but who knows really what he will say if they call. My sister did tell me something else that is quite clever to say if I get asked that question again, and if he says something to make me look bad, he will look like the jerk. They told me they would be calling people back for second interviews with the attorneys this week, so we'll see. I also got a letter from a place I sent a resume to (a really really good paying county job) and it stated they were beginning the interview process. So I guess that's good, it wasn't an outright NO. lol

Last Wednesday I had my lesson. It didn't start out so well. Trainer had lessons with the two little girls first, so she told me come a little later so that she could unwind after them and I wouldn't have to deal with them. They are kind of annoying and rude. I got there, gave my girl a great grooming and when the little girls were done riding and taking saddles off to do showmanship, she told me come out when I was ready. So I went out and the one little girl has the gelding who's attached to Sassie, so he started whinnying and rearing up. Bad omen #1. That got my girl worked up too. I had also forgotten to cinch up the girth tighter, so I did that before I got on. Bad thing #2. I didn't jog her around like I ALWAYS do since we flipped over last year. Bad thing #3. After I tightened it, I went to get on, by the step stool (which she hates), by cones (which she hates) and at a place in the arena that I usually don't get on at. Bad things #4 and 5. She needs to get over that stuff anyhow, but maybe not all at once. lol I was setting myself up for sure. After I get on, she started jumping up a little and hopping around. I figured it was because that gelding was still acting up and figured if we just sat for a minute while the trainer got him calmed down, SHE would calm down. Bad thing #6. She didn't. I tried to urge her into a walk and right away she reared up and leaped to the the left, I went off to the right and landed on the hardest packed part of the arena. Owwwww. I landed on the lower left part of my back and on my left wrist and had my right arm up in case she would come back toward me. She didn't thankfully and just stopped. Oh my gosh, I was soooo sore until about yesterday. I think being 30 and all, I'm not as bendy or heal as quickly as I used to. lol So I got myself up and loosened the girth a notch, jogged her around and got back on. Needless to say, we didn't lope to the left Wednesday. I didn't think I could handle her jumping into the left lead lope. We did lope to the right though and we had a good lesson. I learned my lesson and will heed my mare's warnings from now on.

Well, it is official. I believe we will be changing barns. My mare kicked out two boards in her stall, and to show us how much the barn owner hates our horse, he just left the boards out of there for her to get her head caught or legs hurt. I went early Friday morning to clean stalls quick, I was too sore to ride, and I discovered that there were two boards missing. One from the sliding door and one between her and our other mare. (because of barn owners great idea of putting them next to each other because they get along juuuuuust fine and don't kick. uh huh) Well, we went out Sunday, the boards still hadn't been fixed and the barn owner came out just as we were cleaning stalls. He made sure to come over and call my horse an f-ing b!xxx because she broke those boards and he had to go buy more. Um, he's got FOUR empty stalls he could have borrowed boards from. But he didn't. Totally ridiculous. That was Thursday the boards were broken, possibly Wednesday night. Here is was Monday and he still hadn't fixed them. When anyone else's horse breaks something, he makes sure it is fixed immediately. But I think he wanted her to get hurt to show us how stupid my horse is. Well he got his wish. I had my dad go out with me yesterday to ride and to help fix them since the owner had no plans to and hadn't yet. Now my horse has three cuts on her back left leg. Two are new ones and one is from one of her old scars breaking open. whatever. We'll take our $500 elsewhere and let him cater to the boarders he has left. I called the new barn and we are going out to see it today. The trainer said this barn is much better (she really doesn't have a vested interest, just has a couple lessons there) and we will be much happier. She said they have drama there too, but it's all family drama and as long as we make sure to stay out of it and not take sides, we will be fine.

I don't want to leave on bad terms. There is no contract. So technically we don't have to give any notice. And it's not like he has a waiting list. There are 9 empty stalls at that barn. I know why. If we like the new barn tonight, I want to tell him immediately we are leaving at the end of the month. My husband says he doesn't want to because we know my horse is going to get treated like crap. The barn owner already treats her that way, that's why she's reared up on him in the past and swings her butt to him when he goes into her stall. I've been there when he's hit her in the face to get her to back up. I was too shocked to say anything when he did it and that was my mistake. I should have whacked him in the face with my lead rope and asked how he liked it since he's an ass too. We know how he treats other horses that don't act perfectly for him. Any advice as what to say? I'm thinking somewhere along the lines of mentioning we are very uncomfortable being out there when certain other boarders are there, which is the truth. My husband refuses to go out if he thinks they are there so that he can avoid conflicts and comments made. He's even drove the whole 1/2 hour out there only to turn around and go right home once he sees their cars. Why have horses if you are too uncomfortable to go out and ride and enjoy them? He wants to get rid of them because of that. So we need to move. I want to comment too that since the barn owner thinks mares in general are such a hassle (or p-i-t-a), he won't have to deal with them anymore, but that gives way for him to argue that they aren't really a problem (even thought they clearly are to him) and that it's just my mare causing the problems. So, I guess when it comes down to it, we will figure out what to say and it will have to do.

It's supposed to be absolutely gorgeous the next few days. Even up to 83 on Thursday. Me thinks the girls will be getting their long overdue first bath of the season :))