My Current Obsession: Finn

Oh Happy Day... Glorious Day, rejoice with me as I drive this horse and compare it to several things that are not horses. 

I know... another story about a horse. I'm losing readers because of it I think. Well, this is what I'm doing now, so sit there, shut up and listen to my stupid story.

Ah.... Finn... what a dream boat. I think of him and I get goose bumps. He isn't much to look at it, but those are the types I fall for. No offence hubster...

Anyway, I was in a terrible rotten mood last night. I knew I wouldn't have the patience to work with Raven. The boys had worn me thin, both crying most of the day over really dumb things like, vacuum hoses coming unhitched, or falling off a step and hitting a head, or getting smacked in the face by the others foot or fist... it just went on and on. The minute I turned away there was some sort of endless screaming. I had enough, and was desperately counting down the seconds to leave the house to get to the barn.

The hubster called to say he was going to be ten minutes late. Ten minutes felt like ten hours... I just wanted to GO!!
I had dinner waiting patiently. Kids fed, house cleaned, I did my house wife job. I feel like  a domestic slave with an apron on most of the day, cooking, cleaning, ironing, laundering, changing diapers, chasing chickens, pushing cats off dining room tables. I signed up for it, and thought that this would be  living the dream... till I got a bit greedy.

Greed. Is a good word for it. I got a tiny sample of this horse and I just want more.

I jumped on his back last night, in a quiet irritated mood. My three lady friends were already trotting around, I was late....and rushing.  "Uh oh, Liz has her serious face on" yells out Tina, as she trots past.

Indeed I do. I have been thinking about this moment all day. I even tried to read my Anne Kursinsky riding clinic book to get some exercise ideas... but the brats wouldn't let me.

I set up two jumps, and a pole in the middle of the ground. I was going to get Finn to canter around in a figure eight without stopping. He would have to canter over the center pole and change his lead. When horses canter they lead with one leg. It is supposed to be the inside leg of the circle you are riding. If you change the direction of that circle they should swap legs by throwing out the new inside leg. Its sounds complicated, and it is. You have to be very well balanced, have a good seat, strong legs, and hands to hold and support the horses head. The horse needs to be athletic, trained, balanced and collected.

Cantering along... my heart starts to thump... here we go.. we are going to do it... over the pole, look left, sit still, and up, and slide my right leg back, pick up my outside hand a little... and boom it feels like I'm in a jeep going over some large boulders... it feels bumpy, but alas WE DID IT!  Around we go again... and the same thing.

I have never ridden a horse that was so athletic. He has spring to his step, he pushes from the back like a BMW M3, and yet with just a little tuck and push there, he turns into All Wheel Drive and becomes a fun little Subaru WRX. I ask him to go into a sitting trot, and his bounce quiets into a collected trot, framed beautifully, perfectly on the bit, waiting anxiously for the slightest movement from me. I am now driving a Bentley.

Subaru WRX (AWD)

BMW M3 (Rear wheel Drive)

Bentley, (Pure Luxury)

He pulls up to jumps like a Range Rover (only he doesn't break down). He hauls his ass over it with tucked legs and a good extra foot of clearance. He jumps 4' with ease, chomping at the bit to go higher. I can almost hear him giggling at the pure thought of a real jumpers course. Actually that might be me.

Range Rover ( Really Expensive Machine that breaks down a lot)

He may look like a Gremlin or an Aztec, but my god... this horse is well rounded, Athletic, Graceful, Attentive, and Responsive. Everything you could possibly want in a ride.

Aztec (Voted most ugly cars ever)

Gremlin (Voted most ugly car)

How much longer can this boy go before a bumper falls off or a hubcap goes flying off... I will never know. I don't know what his past was... was he grand prix dressage? Was he an Eventer? Someone loved this horse, and trained him well. How did he end up at a Rescue? How did he end up with little kids on his back trotting him around not knowing his true knowledge?.

I have never met a horse like him. He has no personality... there is nothing going on behind his eyes... I could see how someone would pass him by. He has heart though, and so do I for him. I wonder how far we could go together? Could I get him to Piaffe?( Standing canter with lead changes)? Could I get him to do a canter half pass? I have never done it before. Could I take him to a cross country course and jump him over parked tractors? Gallop him through water and up embankments? Who knows. Finn will let me know. Sky is the limit now.

Update: The owner of Finn (Ginger) wrote this about my blog. 

 I love your writing! And it's so spot on about Finn! Yes, he is plain looking (with big old mule ears). When I first met Finn he came to a big show barn in Mt. Laurel from A rescue in KY. He was shipped there to either be sold or leased at that stable. There were two horses on that trailer & the assistant trainer & I watched as it pulled up. There was a cute chestnut face with a big white blaze looking out the little window at us! We were both excited. Then the ramp came down & Finn walked out! Lol! Disappointment from the other trainer.

I liked him immediately! He only stayed there a week or two as they tried him out & decided he wouldn't work for them. I expressed my interest in the little guy and was told to come get him! The rest is history! He does have personality though, once you get to know him! He's excited about life! He loves to work & loves to play in the water (he's a swimmer!). Jumping is his thing & he'll go over anything! He's sweet, and takes care of the little kids!

It makes me happy that you see in Finn what I did when I first met him. He's something special, even though he doesn't look like a big deal on the outside.

Finn and Raven

I drew this today... while thinking of my two favorite horses. When I teach lessons sometimes I bring Raven into the ring so she can watch how a horse is supposed to behave with a rider on their back. She gets bored and spends most of her time looking for something to eat. 

Easter Weekend

Watts has discovered money and candy are hidden in these eggs. We had to do a practice run before he went to do the real Easter egg hunt. 

It was Easter weekend and we got a ton done! My mom is finally back from her vacation which allows the hubster and I to work together to get projects completed.

My dad came over to help again and brought with him a 17' bamboo pole that he chopped down on his way here. He pulled into the driveway with it sticking out of his sunroof. I can't believe he drove around like that, but if you have ever met my dad you will clearly see that he is aloof when it comes to wacky looking things.

The bamboo pole was the perfect addition to the chicken coop roof. The hubster erected two beams and then laid the bamboo pole across the top to act like a roof ridge line. We then pulled chicken wire over it, and secured the edges to the sides.

With three people working on it, we completely covered the top in chicken wire and it only took 5 hours. Not bad. I can now go and get more baby chicks and actually watch them grow into ladies!

I also planted my peas into the new garden beds. However, I forgot to harden them off first. (to put them outside for the day, and bring them in at night to acclimate them to the weather) They will most likely die. I can just plant some more.

We also made it to nanny and pop-pops house in Reading, Pa for an Easter Egg Hunt. The weather blew chunks, but Watts and James had a blast.

James turned 8 months old yesterday, and with that he decided to climb all the way up the stairs on his own, looking back at me, as if to say... "really your going to let me do this?!" Watts decided that James was getting too much attention from me, so he brought some toys up the stairs and they played on the stairs for a while.

I also managed to teach a jumping class on Friday. It was so much fun. I rode a horse named Finn who is super fancy. I can't get him out of my mind. I would like to own him... only he is 17, and that is a bit old. I also worked with pony Raven. I jumped on her back and got her to walk, trot and canter. I gave the ok for her to do lead line classes, which is a big deal because she can now earn her own keep and will no longer be a useless pony sitting around eating and farting her day away.

It was a good weekend to say the least!

James and Watts getting ready for the Easter weekend. Watts is feeding James  a banana. 

James is 8 months now and proved it by climbing the stairs. Watts played with him on the stairs to pass the time. 

Our new Alcatraz chicken coop. We shortened the one side away from the trees where the hawks like to sit and wait. 

The 17' bamboo pole that my dad brought works as a great ridge line for my chicken wire. 

Rogue and Fluffy- best buddies! And now safe and sound.

Our vegetable gardens waiting patiently for plants. Notice my pea's? 

Doh! I forgot to harden it off first. Hopefully it will still thrive. Hardening off means to bring it outside for the day and bring it back in for the night till it has become used to the outdoor climate. 

Regina, Becky, and Martha behind two layers of fence. Safe and Sound, and hating me for coming empty handed. 

Finn and I cantering up to the next jump. Isn't he a handsome boy?! We get on marvelously. He's my new bestie! 

Finn and I jumping for the first time together. He over jumped it by about a foot. I don't mind. The higher the better!  He agrees with me because we share a brain.