Would it be rude...

....to kind of take the blog in another direction now that Tia is on the mend??

I originally set up this blog for Tia and to document her rehab, but now I am thinking of incorporating a little more then just Tia into the blog. Here, I will give you a little taste as to what I want to do and you guys can tell me what you think!

Tia: IS AMAZING! Bottom line. Amazing! I love this mare. I had a lady come out and look at her this past Sunday. For Tia's third time being ridden since coming home she was ridden outside of the round pen in the big huge scary riding ring by a complete stranger on an extremely windy day. And what did she do?? Absolutely nothing. She was good as gold. She threw her normal temper tantrum at the beginning of the lunge session and then got her wits about her for the rest of the day.

When Tia came home, I am guessing her weight was about 600 lbs give or take a few. We weight taped her on Sunday. 821 lbs. I would like to get some more muscle weight on her, but all in all, she looks like a fat little porker! I love it! We also took a moment to see just how tall she is. In the stall, on sawdust, the tape said 14.2. I will re tape her this Saturday on pavement to get a better number.

Saturday morning, before the lady came to look at Tia, I spent a lot of time in tears. I spent a lot of time hugging her and telling her how much I loved her and appreciated everything she has done for me. She stood there and let me love on her, let me hug on her and even gave me a hug back. Horsey hugs really are the best...aside for Chi hugs! (fill you in on that in a minute) When I got home that night, I told my husband about how it went with Tia and how it made me feel to possibly lose her. It was then decided that Tia didn't need to go anywhere. She would stay with me until I wanted or needed to find her a new home. THIS MADE ME HAPPY! Now I don't have to worry about how anyone else will treat her. How anyone else will train her. How anyone else could possibly put her in the position she was in before. I know she is safe and will have the best care and training I can give her. That being said, I WILL RIDE THIS MARE.

I am going to lose this weight the hard way. No surgery for me. I will go to the gym every day if I have to. I will change the way I eat. I will change the way I see food. I will change me for Tia. I am going to the gym for the first time in my life tonight. A good friend of mine has invited me to the gym for "Movie Night" I think is what it is called. Basically, you workout on a treadmill, elliptical, or stationary bike while watching a movie...the whole movie. I'm pretty sure I am going to die, but its OK.

This past weekend, after my appointment for Tia, Becca and Nikki went out to ride. I got my cool new camera for Christmas, so I decided to take some shots and see how I do with it. Here are a few of the shots I got.

I just couldn't help but love this shot. Very simple. 

My little Chi (Gwen/My daughter) and her horsey Mia

I never ever thought I would trust this mare as much as I do. 

One of our two Goaties

I took this from the driveway. They were on the other side of the field. 

Becca was just relaxing on her way to get Chi for her turn to ride. 

I love the dimension of this photo. Nothing fancy. 

Becca and Mia

She CAN bend!

Forced Kisses!

Forced Hugs!

This mare loves to jump. I got a few other jump photos, but none were as good as this one. 

It was such a nice day. 

So, I decided after taking 300 photos that day and only catching 2 or 3 jump shots, I would go home and play with the ISO/Shutter Speed and Aperture on the camera and see if that helps. There is just to much of a lag time with the shutter speed to catch the shots I needed to get. That being said...I think we are going to try again this weekend to get some nice jump shots....so I can get a better handle on it before photographing Nikki's lesson at the end of January (which I am totally stoked about!)

This weekend is looking like its gonna be a busy one....as usual. William, my hubby, has agreed to build us our own cubbies and cabinets in the tack room!!! He will be going to the barn with me to feed Saturday morning to take measurements so we can figure out the best way to build what we want. I need to find a tack swap here soon...I need to sell some things and get a few things as well! After feeding Saturday morning, Will, Chi and I are going to have lunch together and then hit the mall before heading home so Will can watch .... dun dun dun .... football! I will be heading back to the barn! Then on Sunday its a normal feeding day with a little Arundle Mills Mall mixed in with the family.

I am looking forward to 2013. I have made my resolution. Its technically not to lose weight, or eat better, or be a better person, or be happy with myself. My resolution is to be able to ride my mare. MY mare. And I will accomplish that goal come hell or high water.

I hope everyone had a safe and Happy New Year.