Today I went on a fun field trip with a friend. We went to look at used tack up near Coeur d' Alene. That woman has my dream job! Rooms full of glorious used (and new) tack! I was like a kid in a candy store. Even so, this is all I walked out with:
I passed on a padded britchen and now that I'm home and looked up what they cost new I'm kicking myself. I might call her and ask her to hold it. Or just wait to find one another day. It's one of those things I want someday, but I don't need it now.

I can't wait to see what Tonka thinks of that bit. Hopefully I'll find time to try it out tomorrow. I might even just slip it into his mouth tonight. I'm a little worried it might not be big enough. It's a 5 inch and I've been riding him in a 6". (Update - I tried it on and it fits just fine!)

I didn't have any time for Anchor today, but I did hear from his owners. They didn't offer to let us keep him. :( It bummed me out a lot more than I thought it would. I don't know yet when he'll be going home. I'm hoping I'll get his feet fully trimmed by then, but we'll just have to see how it goes.

Yesterday was a good horse day. I let Anchor have the day off and I hauled Tonka over to my sister's. It was cold and windy so we never did end up riding, although I did ride for a few minutes when I got home. But I did work with him in the round pen a bit. He had more energy than I've seen in him for a long time. Probably mostly the cold and wind getting to him, but I haven't ridden him in a month or so either. He was offering to lope! He hates to lope. So I took him up on his offer and he threw in a rude buck or two but he did lope nicely around quite a bit. Perhaps we'll be able to get to work on that under saddle soon.

On another excellent note, I got to watch someone else toil away trimming his hooves. It was wonderful! His sole gets so hard and it's a job I really wish I didn't have to do. Now I may not have to, because I think I may have finally found someone who does a good job. I'm excited. A friend of Amy's is working toward certification as a Natural Balance trimmer. She's new enough to it that she still cares about doing a good job, and her trim looks great. I love it. I have a few reservations about Natural Balance, mainly how they do their rocker and dress the hoof wall, but I'm willing to give it a try.

So I think I'm a saddle junkie. My sister bought a Wintec western saddle, and aside from the fact that I'd be embarassed to be seen riding in a synthetic saddle, I really like it! It's way more comfortable than my heavy, expensive, custom saddle. Tonka seemed to like it too. And she's wanting to possibly get rid of it. But three saddles for one horse - ridiculous! Ooh, but hey, Scout will need a saddle next year... I wonder if it would fit him. And then I'd have to get a job to feed my saddle habit.

Oh, and Tonka kicked my puppy yesterday! The dumb puppy insisted on playing behind him, and I was distracted by my sister, so I didn't catch it in time, and next thing I know - yipe yipe yipe yipe yipe! He was fine, although my sister said he did get launched a little ways. Hopefully he learned a lesson. I got after Tonka too, but I'm not sure he really got it.

12 degrees when I got up this morning. Frozen pipes. Dang it, I forgot to close the pumphouse door. Luckily the pipes don't burst when they freeze. We've got a heater on out there now.