September

I'm finally back in the saddle. And I couldn't be happier. Though Z has picked up some of her old habits that we were just starting to get over, she's taking everything in stride. We both have to get back in shape and get motivated to get working. :) Attention is our main thing right now, so that's good. I mean, if my only steady complaint is that she doesn't pay attention as a four year old mustang mare, I'm quite alright with that.

That being said, worry-wart Nicole came out today because Z seems to have a hematoma right where the girth goes, centered on her belly right behind her front legs. Now, I know she kicks herself there when she kicks and stomps at flies, so I'm assuming that's what it's from. There's no puncture site and it doesn't seem to hurt her, because, believe me, she lets me know loud and clear when she's anything less that comfortable. It's also not warm. So we're going to keep an eye on it and if she starts to show discomfort, act then. If not, I know they tend to heal on their own, so here's hoping that's all it is. My tough cookie is gonna be completely fine. :)

So updates. Before I got back on, I decided to free jump Baby Z, just out of curiosity. I went into it saying, if we got to a height she refused or knocked hard, we'd just stop. No pressure, no expectations. Well, my little mustang jumped four foot. FOUR FOOT. My 16.3 TB couldn't do that, at least not more than once in a blue moon. Anyway, I think I have my first prelim horse, LOL. She's such a brave girl to even try that. I've attached a (very blurry) still from the video, which is, in it's entirety, in my Facebook.

Also, I'm going to be speaking, at some point in the near future, to a 4H club in Pennsylvania about y experience with Z, which I am super pumped about. Mainly because it'll be another excuse to wear my EMM shirt. Which I can't really ever wear because I ride English. :/ Regardless, super excited to spread the word about mustangs, MHF, and EMM to young people. Their club apparently already has a mustang, which is super rad. :)

I think that's all the September updates, we're still hoping to get out schooling and get to at least one little event or combined test before the end of the season, but I don't want to rush things. If we get a trailer and she feels ready, we'll do it, if not, there's always next year. :D

Also, found this gem of a picture of my spaz taking off during the auction. Good Lord, my body...