Perhaps we need an ark?!?! Flooding 2016...

This spring we saw not one but two major floods. 

"In mid-April 2016, an upper-level low in the United States stalled and produced a major snowstorm in the Rocky Mountains, and record-breaking rain in and around Houston, Texas, resulting in severe flooding. It is described as the wettest April in the city on record. As the most widespread flood event there since Tropical Storm Allison in 2001, it caused a state of emergency to be declared in nine counties.^{" - Wikipedia}

 

Our First Lesson - #001

Sky and I had our first riding lesson back in February. I wish I had written about it then while everything was fresh but being the serial procrastinator that I am I did not. There are videos of my ride on moms phone  and i'll be sure to post them when I find them.  This was not only my first lesson with Sky but also my first lesson with a horse of my own. I've ridden countless lesson horses who were all stunning in their own ways.

But there's something different about riding a horse of your own.

New Halter...

Mister Luke Skywalker got a new halter today! It's our first halter that isn't nylon and i'm completely in LOVE with it. We got the Smartpak Soft Padded Leather Halter in black with purple underlay and it's just enough color to be classy and snazzy all at once. Although he could care less either way I think he looks very handsome in it (although I think he looks handsome all the time!).

       

Cinderella's Slipper...

One of the first things I realized when I got Sky was that saddle fitting would be incredibly important. It's important for any horse, of course, but Sky had a unique shape and already showed signs of being uncomfortable, including a large raised area of scar tissue along his withers most likely caused by an ill fitting saddle. He's croup high (one of these days I'll get him on level ground and measure at his withers and at his butt to see the difference) and the definition from the scar tissue at his withers gives him a sharp curve making him look positively sway backed at times. Saddle fit is also something I feel I'm more consciousness and worried about as a larger rider. I know I'm not as balanced as some (working on it!) so I want to make sure I have the best fit possible to keep a horse working comfortably. 

Luke Skywalker...

I found Sky on August 25th 2015 after getting back from celebrating my twenty fifth birthday in Seattle.  That Monday morning I got into to work, settled at my desk, fixed my coffee, and browsed Facebook until time to clock in. While scrolling through the posts I saw a sale ad featuring an Appaloosa. All the ad said was "16.2, nine year old, Percheron/Appaloosa gelding". The video showed he was forward and more horse than I had ridden in the past. But there was something about him. 

I had to find out more. So I shared the ad, tagged my mother on the post, and messaged the seller. While thinking he was most likely out of my price range or already sold.