Monday, August 20, 2007

Why I love my school...

So today at the barn, after the rousing round of ground cleanup, we had some time left in the class, so the instructors and some of the students hung out in the barn itself, bsing for a while.

One of the second year Horse Training students was talking with the head honcho about a colt that had come back for the second year. Seems that the kid had had the horse for green breaking, and wanted to take him on through cutting.

"Can I, JJ? I really liked that little colt."

"Is it the same colt? I don't think it's the same colt."

"No, it is, I seen him when they brought him in!"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes! I'm sure! Can I have him again?"

"Well I still don't think it's the same colt. I think he's here for green breaking. Why don't you grab a halter and go down there and throw a leg over him bareback, you could do that with that other colt last year."

And off they went in the little golf cart... A little while later, the kid comes back, walking like something might be a bit sore.

"Yeah, it's the same colt. I don't think he's been ridden all summer though, he gave me a little trouble."

At this point the instructor that went with the kid started choking and snorting in a manner that made me wonder if there wasn't a bit more than "a little trouble" down there at the pens, especially with the kid walking funny.

Alas, our instructors are honest-to-goodness gentlemen, and won't share the good jokes with us girl types, so I can't confirm it, but I think the kid racked himself on the horse's spine.

But, my point is, where else could you be in a "structured learning environment" and have one of your teachers tell you to "run on down there and throw a leg over him"?

I love my school!

Freakin A its hot...

I'm taking a little bit of time to cool down after working out at the barn. We're trying, this week, to get everything done that must be done before the horses get here.

Considering that includes cleaning up all the construction debris, digging a couple of trenches to put in water lines, setting up stalls, pens, and building fence, I don't know if it's all gonna get done.

But, the instructors do have a whole herd of strong backs to do it all, so it may get done after all.

Just a note to the guys: When you're in a group with a whole passel of female types, and they're all working manure forks picking up wood and straw and such, and you're standing against the building in the shade... ya look bad. Sorry, ya do.

Apparently they're having some problems finding enough horses for the EBM students that didn't bring their own, so I volunteered my little sorrel, if he's needed. The surprise on JJ's (JJ is one of my instructors) face when I said I had another one to bring was well worth the price of admission, let me tell you.

"JJ, if you need another one, I can bring another little gelding up. He's not real well behaved and he looks like a freaking pony but he's got four legs and a back."

"But... you're bringing your own, aren't you?"

"Yeah, but I can bring another one, if you need it. Just let me know before Sunday, thats when mine's coming up."

"Yeah! That's great! I'll let you know by the end of the week!"

Always good to have the head honcho of your program grateful to you.