Changing goals and speed

[CntryBoy777]

Ya could've at least put it in a cloths basket or tote for easier transport for the young lad....
That is one good thing about having an array of youngsters, there is always helping hands whether willing or not....and before too long he'll be doing the cutting-up for ya too...

 

[AClark]

I finally rode Belle for the first time. She's been a little wary of me, like she doesn't know who to trust, so I've taken my sweet time backing her for the first time and worked more on building some trust between us.
I've gotten to an age where I don't bounce as good as I used to, so getting on and playing bronc rider isn't exactly something I look at as fun anymore and now prefer to go the slow and easy route. I did know when I bought her that she was broken to ride, but buying a horse from a horse trader that says a horse is broken is like saying the check is in the mail, the dog doesn't bite, and I'm from the government and I'm here to help you.

That being said, she is a beautiful ride! Doesn't move when you mount, which is good because she is tall and I"m not so I struggle a bit to get my foot up in the stirrup, neck reins, stops on a dime, just an all around good horse. She isn't something I'd put DH or the kids on because she's too much horse for a beginner, but she's a good one for me. The worst she did was about 2 good leaps and threw her head down, but we stopped that nonsense with a quickness - I didn't even lose my balance and I certainly didn't know it was coming. I did learn that my reins are too short for a horse with a long neck (7 ft reins) so I'll be buying new ones today - what a great excuse to get pretty new reins.

Considering I picked her up at a slaughter feed lot, I just can't imagine why she ended up there. She's not dangerous to ride at all, the worst thing about her is she is a bit hard to catch in the field. She would have made any reasonably experienced rider a great horse, so I'm a bit lost on how a well broken and young horse ended up thrown away.

DH had a car accident on Friday, someone in a utility truck backed into him in a parking lot. He was driving by and the guy backed up without looking, hit the front tire, destroyed the drivers door and mirror and the running board, and cut a 2 ft long hole out of the rocker panel - so we're off to get a rental car for him and to send his truck off to the shop today. Probably a good thing it was a big utility truck for a company, I'm guessing I won't have to fight much with fleet insurance to get it fixed.

 

[CntryBoy777]

So glad it turned out really good for ya on Belle, she is a Beautiful horse. Sorry about DH's incident, but good they have insurance and hope it gets fixed without a bunch of hassel.

 

[AClark]

He's happy, the rental place gave him a brand new Dodge 2500 diesel pickup for his rental. It's a pretty nice ride.
I called their insurance company and they sent me to voicemail, so I'm having my insurance tow it down and do all the stuff and I'll let them harass and chase down this fleet insurance company to recoup the money. I understand because we can't get a police report for 7-10 days that they weren't going to do anything with it until they had it, so nope, wasn't DH's fault whatsoever, we'll let the insurance companies duke it out.

 

[Baymule]

The best part about that is that your husband wasn't hurt. Trucks can be repaired. Belle is super nice, glad that she is working out so well for you. Thanks to you now I look at that kill pen site, and I see some darn fine horses on it. Way too nice horses to be sent to slaughter.

 

[AClark]

Right? That page has lots of excellent horses on it, though I have the suspicion a lot of their handling is rough on site. A lot of the horses after folks get them home are spooky or really head shy. Belle is no exception to that, though the kids horse is ok with it, but you wouldn't ever have to rough handle her as she's super easy going.

It kind of irks me though, did you see the horse Pixie on there? Well, she was put down after people donated the funds to get her "safe" because she was too crippled to lead a comfortable life. I could have told you that from the video of her walking. These "rescues" need to look at the bigger picture, if it's old and lame, let it go, save the ones that have a chance at having a home and won't be taking up deperately needed rescue space. For every ancient crippled horse they take, a young sound one goes without a home.

The shop called about the truck, the adjuster is getting to it today, but they had to get me to authorize them taking it apart. We get to keep the sweet rental until it's all finished, and man that truck is way nice. Nice enough I told DH if we wanted one, we could trade his truck in and get one. It doesn't have any running boards, so I have to use the steering wheel to get in, it sits a couple inches higher than my 1 ton does, but I have running boards (and so does our Dodge) so we don't have to struggle to get in.

Here's some pics of the truck - driver front tire got it too and has a gouge out of the sidewall, those tires are not only expensive, but we just put them on in December. Rear driver door got some scuffs, but the major damage is all to the driver door and rocker panel.

 

[Baymule]

Yeah, I wondered why they were trying to "save" that club footed horse too. And then she was put down? Gheesh.

Don't get too attached to that rental truck.....your truck will get fixed and get it's feelings hurt if it no longer is wanted.....

 

[AClark]

Yeah the rental is new and shiny and smells good still, DH let one of his soldiers smoke in his and it stinks now. There's no getting that smell out, I've tried. Not that I mind smokers, but I don't want to smell it in my house or truck. The previous owner to my F350 smoked and short of ripping the carpet out of it, I'm not sure how to get the smell out. Febreze just doesn't cut it, it covers it, lol.

I don't like the color on the rental, it's silver. My truck is silver too, and my 84 is silver and blue. I have a thing for silver I guess, I don't care for it, but every vehicle except one that I've owned has been silver. I had a silver Explorer, a silver mustang, and now the silver F350, plus the silver and blue Dodge. My GMC was maroon and I hated the color of it. Silver is ok, but I like black or dark blue for vehicles. Can't be too choosy on color when you buy used vehicles though.

 

[CntryBoy777]

Yeh, and those silver ones don't draw the heat like the darker ones do either....and seeing as how ya like those Warm climates, silver is probably better for ya....

 

[Bruce]

Oddly enough, silver doesn't show dirt like a lot of colors.

That gash in the RP is something else!

We were rear ended while at a stop sign Sunday before last. I'm getting really F'ing tired of being rear ended. No people damage, car is supposed to get fixed starting Monday. Girl had a Junior Operator's license which means she is under 18. I bet their insurance (USAA) is going sky high. This one is relatively minor. Last time I was rear ended (2012) it was on the interstate on ramp and they totaled the car. Came down to "worth doing IF we can find used parts". Can anyone say "Bet she was texting"???