R-U-N-N-O-F-T

I love the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou?, what can I say? But I didn't runnoft. I've just been to busy for words. Literally?

Lex is doing okay. She had a bucking fit in the round pen one day and now I'm terrified that she's reinjured herself. The vet came to see her and suggested I start her on Reserpine to help get us through the next couple months. After a lot of hemming and hawing, I decided to go with oral rather than injectable Reserpine, because I am a huge wuss and it isn't the world's safest thing. That said, I'm not sure it's working. Instead of turnout in the round pen, I'm supposed to hand walk her for ten minutes a day, and the Reserpine is supposed to make that manageable. The thing is, it isn't really. She's still a six year old OTTB who wants to runrunrun, and she has more energy than she knows what to do with. Unfortunately, my vet went to Ireland for ten days so I'm just here by myself trying to figure all this out. I'm not going to pretend like I'm not a little discouraged. I just want my sweet, happy, healthy, calm horse back.

Zephyr is being good on the whole. I've jumped him twice - well, "jumped." The horse actually steps over things like they're cavaletti until they're over 2' tall. So far, it's just one jump at a time, down the long side, with trot poles spaced five feet apart for his colossal step. We're working on forward and straight, and that's all, big fella. Eyes on the prize. Forward is interesting on him, because his stride is so big that he feels like we're going somewhere when we're not. I think he's going to be really cool when he grows up. That huge stride will help get us out of some sticky spots, I'm sure! BUT, R and I spent three hours trying to get the silly horse on a trailer the other day. I don't know what got stuck in his craw, but we missed a dressage lesson with my favorite dressage instructor and I was incredibly disappointed and frustrated. Anyone got good trailer loading tips? I've never not gotten a horse on a trailer, and I tried everything I could think of short of drugs.

Veronica, sadly, is not sound, so we're not sure she can stay. I gave her a week off (for reasons that will become clear) and then got back on her yesterday, and she was super forward and amazing but seemed a little off still. I dunno. I love her, I think she's sweet and really fun to ride, but if she's not sound, we can't keep her as a lesson horse. Fingers crossed, please!

I've also been riding a cool horse named Calvin, an eight year old unraced TB who is being leased by one of the girls at the barn where Lex lives. Trainer C has come to give me a couple jumping lessons on him, and it is great fun. He loves Calvin, as do I. He's a good jumper with some gaps in his education that we're trying to fill without ruining the things he's good at. It's very generous of my friend M to share him with me!

But why did I give Veronica the week off? Because I was on foal watch for six nights in a row waiting for the world's CUTEST baby. He's a tiny little thing. He's the offspring of a mare boarded at the lesson farm. She's not the sharpest tool in the shed, but she took to being a mother instantly. I got to help with the delivery (she wasn't smart enough to lie down) and watch as he stood up for the first time. I'm in love. He doesn't have a name yet, so I call him Peanut because he's itty bitty.

And speaking of babies! Rocket is four months old already! Bananas! And she is huge beyond all reason. Mom put the stick to her and saw 13.3 but she's going to have the vet measure height and weight tomorrow.

My mom is about 5'6", just for reference.

Does that look like four months to you?
I'd never believe it if I didn't know for sure.

Her face is so refined considering her size!

That shoulder angle makes me squee.

She looks so... sane.

Well, maybe not.

Rocket and her BFF, Gulliver.

I'll try to get some pictures of the other kids soon. Send your soundness vibes this way, please!