Anxiety at A Blog Hop: 15 More Random Questions

Fun blog hop from Anna at Anxiety at A

1. If you could create your dream horse, what would it look like?

My dream horse would be a blood bay TB gelding with Ben's movement and Goggle's brain 

2. Least favorite equestrian brand? 

Hrmmm I don't know that any one brand has been super offensive to me. There are certainly some that I have found better substitutions for (ie Equiderma for MTG, hoof mud from Pure Sole Hoof Products for Thrush Buster), but they haven't really topped a list in my head.  

3. Favorite horse show memory?

I have two... one is the last show Zing and I ever did together, just a POP schooling show at the horse park where he COMPLETELY and JOYOUSLY ran off with me on XC, partially because I forgot my gloves and partly because he was so overjoyed to be galloping XC. We won our small division that day. The other would be my first training level with Ben last December. XC felt AMAZING and like we had the same goal in mind and were so in sync out there. 

4. One thing you learned in your youth (or early in your horse experience) that has stayed true in your horse training today?

Always look at yourself first when the horse misbehaves. My instructor from 8-18 was huge on being fair to the horse and always encouraged self examination, especially in a repeated misbehavior. 

5. How many horses do you think you’ve ridden in your entire horse career?

Rough count... 20-25 when I was aged 8-18 in a lesson program and doing things like pony club camp and C camp. Since then... Probably only 4-5 different horses during undergrad, 10-12 during vet school... 10-12 post vet school. Soo 54 high estimate, 44 low estimate? 

6. Favorite “Celebrity” horse?

Teddy O'Connor might always hold the top spot. He inspired my still unrealized dream of having an event pony. 

7. Embarrassing moment in your horse experience?

I took my appaloosa, Blue, to pony club camp as a teenager. I was mediocre at polocrosse at best, while some kids were really, really good. But Blue LOVED it. He loved mounted games, he loved polocrosse, he loved things he saw the point in (aka not jumping - you could just go around - and dressage - wtf circles endlessly). I volunteered him to be the ref/coaches mount since he was so game and engaged. However, once the coach was on him, Blue pulled his patented appy move and REFUSED to move from the sideline. He did this occasionally, mostly with adult ammys when he was used in lessons with my instructor. I did not expect him to pull it with polocrosse. I stood there mortified while the coach tried everything short of beating him with the racquet to get him off the sidelines. Lesson learned, the appy will always make a fool of you! 

8. Favorite stallion in your discipline (or generally favorite stallion if you have one)?

This isn't a question I've thought about a lot prior to this... but both of my guys have Giant's Causeway, so that might be it for TB sporthorses. 

9. How’s your sitting trot?

This question actually prompted me to do a bit on Ben the other day. I would call it fairly mediocre these days, it isn't something I do much of. Like, it wasn't atrocious, but could I influence his back and shape as well as when I post? No. 

In high school it was something I worked really hard on, I had an appaloosa with a terrible, sharp trot that was hard to sit. And you had to sit for first level those days, so I suffered. Once I got Zing who had a lovely, but large, trot, it did improve a lot. 

10. What are your favorite colors on your horse (s)?

GREEN! Ben's dark bay looks great in green! Goggles is probably just gonna go with the same even though he's a bit lighter bay. 

Never miss an opportunity for reindeer Ben! Green bonnet and green smart pak sunshirt. I wish the shirt were a bit darker, but hey, it is the closest I've found so far! 

11. What social media do you spend the most time on?

Instagram, better for scrolling through neat videos without a lot of filler stuff (thanks facebook ads). 

12. Any horsey books you’ve read recently?

I just finished Horse Brain, Human Brain: The Neuroscience of Horsemanship by Janet Jones at the recommendation of The Green Horseman. It was EXCELLENT. I got a library copy and had to rush through the last little bit, so I am looking forward to checking it out again soon. 

13. What is your favorite online store to buy horse products from?

SmartPak, Riding Warehouse, Dover more often now than ever before, they carry a few bits and spurs I haven't been able to find elsewhere. 

14. Is there a supplement you give your horse that you don’t think you could go without?

Hopefully Ben's Relyne GI will be the ticket to keeping him ulcer free. 

15. What is your favorite part about blogging

I love tracking our journey. I love being able to look back on the show recaps, lessons, gear, and my own fitness tracking and remember highlights and changes. I have also really enjoyed connecting with other bloggers and commiserating about horse hoof ailments or learning what techniques have been working for them.