Moar Saddles

But no pictures, because they're still on my camera and waiting to be edited.

I cleaned and oiled the two old saddles in preparation for selling them--I'm going to try Craigslist and the local paper for about a month, and if that doesn't work I have someone who will take them to a market-type thing for me. If I get a hundred bucks for both I'll be happy, though. The oldest one is in good shape but the leather is crackled from much use, and the newer one is for a narrow horse. Here's to success!

Riding has been strongly attempted over the past few days, but having no time in the mornings equals trying to fit it in at night, and it's dang HOT out there. I only rode for about half an hour yesterday and it was so breathless outside that I went home instead of trying to go around the lake (it's about 3 miles starting from my house, going around the lake, and coming back home with some great hills along the way). On the way home we grazed for a few minutes across the fence from a bull. It was pretty funny watching him and Colletta touch noses and go back to eating.

I'm still loving my saddle, but it still kills my left knee if I go for any longer than 30-45 minutes. I'm debating whether I should invest in some stirrup swivels or not...I've heard that they help with knee problems while riding. Or I could get a rhythm of 30 minutes riding, 10 minutes walking and see how that works...I dunno. At this point it's just aggravating. I'm going to ask the farrier when he comes to trim the horse this week.

Speaking of trimming, the horse hasn't had shoes in years. I'm alternately pleased (because she has the feet to go without shoes, and thus it's much less expensive) and concerned (because I don't know how well she would do barefoot on LONG rides). I suppose that's another thing to ask the farrier. 

And on a completely different note, both of my brothers are leaving (one for China to teach English for a year, one for college 5 hours away) within a month. I guess I'll find out what it's like to be a single child...or is that a single adult who just happens to live at home? I dunno. 

I leave you with this quote:

“Another belief of mine: that everyone else my age is an adult, whereas I am merely in disguise.”--Margaret Atwood