Pet-Sitting Lull

I've been pretty non-stop over the last few months... Even this month I was supposed to get a break but I can't say no and when the brakes went out my Jeep I realized... I really need to work a little harder.

Jersey Fresh was amazing **thank you for all the comments** and it was sad to come home and go back to work at the hospital. Things are spiraling a little downhill for me there and I felt like at least I still had both hands holding on but Monday brought on a foot coming down on one of them.

Still, I'll hold on best I can because it pays the bills and I love the work.

Jasper, my new charge for the next few weeks,

At least I have ponies to look forward to every day. Above is Jasper. His mommy is away in Montana at the Cowboy Mardi Gras. Yes, that's a thing. And yes, I want to go. I received a text from her last night that she ran into a few North Dakota boys and waiting on names and phone numbers. Psh, you let me ride your horse and you want to find me a man-friend? I'm okay with that.

Plus her horse is pretty awesome. She's doing walk trot right now so I was gifted the job of working on his canter which is pretty rushy and atrocious but we'll prevail. He was an auction horse up from Mexico and let me tell you, he's gorgeous and takes awfully great care of his owner. Me on the other hand, he knows he can push my buttons. He's one of the horses that you try to work on the lunge line and all he wants to do is bronc. You're better off just making sure the saddle is on good and throwing a leg over to be honest. Helps my confidence a lot.

No bridle? No problem.

Brantley and I finally got some ride time. No, not bridle-less, halter and a lead rope yes. It's the first way I ever started riding him. I realized how much of my seat and balance I had lost when I saw pictures of me balancing on his face (yay for media). Bad Maddy! So I took my reins away. If he'd let me take his halter off and I had two extra legs on the ground I probably would've just said f*@$ it and gone without. We had a great ride yesterday with N and Commander. Worked on rubbing his butt, scratching, patting. Pulling on his mane. Simple changes. And even went over some ground poles. Not sure if he misses jumping or not.

Commander and Bam Bam

I really missed being at Tavern. It's that barn in my life that reminds me why we do this.

And in celebration of May 17th - LB's Birthday...

I GIVE YOU TRANSFORMATION SUNDAY!

I know that's not a real thing and I post this picture all the time...

My ugly duckling <3