WARNING: Rant ahead... Probably just don't read

I am absolutely appalled by another blogger's comments on someone's blog that got posted today.  Absolutely appalled.  She doesn't read my blog, and thus I'm sure won't be reading this.  But, I'm disgusted.  I'm not going to comment on her comment, because it would be rude to the blog owner to start a fight.  But I have to say that it shocks me that a horse owner could be so callous to the sanctity of animal life. 

When you end an animal's life for an inconvenience, you may have ended your inconenience for the day, but you have ended that animal's life FOREVER.  Forever might be a hard concept for some people, but you have taken away the biggest blessing any living creature has been given - LIFE.  I would expect a rational person to understand that there are alternatives to killing something when you don't like it's behavior. 

I grew up in a community that thought nothing of killing animals (cats, small dogs, etc.) simply for trespassing.  Yeh, like an animal can comprehend property lines.  It drives me nuts, and so this comment really hit a sensitive spot on me.  I'm an animal lover, and I believe that life is precious (my life and others).  If anyone (human or animal) is going to die - it better be for a damn good reason, and not for a little indiscretion.

Rant over.

Buy My Stuff!

Okay - I have a few things to sell.  If anyone wants them just let me know!  I assume most of it will take ~$5-8 to ship.  I have a paypal account, and can issue invoices etc if you're interested.  Just email me at erika.dehmel(at)gmail.com with any questions.

First up - an unused quarter sheet.  Someone gave it to me, and I've never used it, but it's been sitting in my tack trunk, so it doesn't look brand new.  Someone hand wrote 78-80 on it, so I'm assuming that's the size you can expect.  It's polartec fleece, and is a pretty purple.  :)  $15

 Next in line is this wonderful, pre-loved grooming tote.  :-D  Just what it sounds like, it has two straps to make it easily portable, and has what appears to be a water-proof bottom.  Used thoroughly by moi, so ya know, it looks a little beat up.  Selling for $5.

Rope halter with attached lead rope - in fancy purple, pink, and white ;)  Bought last summer, and used for a few months until I went back to ole faithful (Gavin's leather halter).  $10.

Stubben web reins with leather stoppers.  Used by me, and currently in use by my friend.  Great reins - just don't use them anymore!  $30.

Romfh  grey vest - small - never worn.  Always wanted a vest, and then never wore it.  It's been hanging out with my other horsey clothes, so I wouldn't call it pristine, but it's seriously never been used.  $15

And finally, black, full synthetic seat breeches by ovation.  30 regular, but they run small! No zipper, just pull on.  Ankles are also elastic.  I will admit that I don't find these breeches to be comfortable, but to each their own - which is why I'm selling them.  You want them, you got 'em -$15.

Picture for Cara:

EquestrIan Journey Hop: What won't you do?

On this horseless night, I decided to join in on this interesting blog hop from Equestrian Journey:

horse porn - velvety soft muzzle ;)

        "We all like to share on our blogs what we do with our horses and what we would like to do, but I want to know what you will NOT do.  For example I will not carry a bag of feed into the middle of a herd of horses, especially if I don't know some of them.  I will not teach my horse to rear on purpose.  I will not ride my horse into a field full of loose horses that could kick me in the leg and break it.  Things like that.  I look forward to hearing what you have to share!"

Often times I don't even think about what I WON'T do.  I'm so focused on what I will do, and what I want to do in the future.  So this is an interesting thought.  What won't I do?

Well, until last night I would NOT wash Gavin's disgusting, greasy sheath (yeh, thats right - my horse has hygiene issues… ick!!).  I still haven't done it, but I need to and I'm committed to it because it's gross, he's obviously uncomfortable, and I can't afford to pay the vet to come out for a special trip.  So check that off the list ;)

This greasy guy here has issues down south… grrrrroooossssss!

So - on with the list of things I won't do.

1.  This wasn't always true, but I won't work with a trainer who is unfriendly and who acts like they're doing me a favor by even looking in my direction.  I recently wrote to a trainer to see if I could come watch her give lessons, with the hope that our styles would sync up and she could give me some lessons.  Her response was so unfriendly, so "I'm sooo busy, and soooo important, but I guess if you're a serious rider I can help you" that I never responded.  And I won't.  I ride for pleasure, not to be treated like crap.

2.  I will not own a horse that scares me, and I won't put myself in a position with my horse that scares me.  It isn't worth it to me.  If I'm scared, it means I'm not ready. <-- because I'm scaredy-cat this means I wind up not doing a lot of things, including: trail ride alone, jump alone… you get it!  I like the buddy system!

3.  This is a strange one - but I WON'T allow my dog off-leash around my horse.  Since I've changed barns it isn't even an option as my poor puppy isn't allowed out.  But regardless it's a safety thing for all of us.  I don't want my dog doing something doggish, freaking my horse out, who accidentally hurts me, himself, or my dog.  None of those options would be cool at all with me.  I realize some dogs are my horse-savvy.  This only relates to my dog.

Save me from myself!!!!

4.  I will not stand for abuse.  In the past I've witnessed people doing things to horses that should not be done (tacks on the outside of cavalettis or jumps, jumping off a horse after a little spook to beat the shit out of them, hitting a horse in the face with your lead rope for no obvious offense).  I stood by, and said nothing.  Not anymore.  If I feel that someone has crossed the line, I'll say something.

And that's it!  Those are honestly the only things I can think of that I WON'T do.  :)  I like the list, actually!