jorvikcowboy

[jorvikcowboy]

The next step for Dove was to desensitize her to the cows! Fortunately, we have a lot of those. We made sure to start from the other side of the wall and the next day, we made our way into the pasture, keeping our distance. Dove is naturally still skittish, but we'll take it slow. For now, just looking at the cows from afar was enough. We won't rush this.

[jorvikcowboy]

Running errands with a horse. It works. Fortunately, the people in Firgrove are very accommodating, so I just put Woody in a little pen while I took care of some business for Carl. He now officially got the mustangs registered, so I might have to take one or more under my wing soon. Woody is pretty much done here, so if anyone's interested in the sweet guy, I'd be open for any messages!

[jorvikcowboy]

First trail ride for this beautiful girl! We took it easy, halfway up the red string trail and back. We made sure to rest before going well, and she did really well. I'm proud of her, and can't wait to get her used to longer distances so we can start exploring the mountains a bit more.

[jorvikcowboy]

Someone got a vet check today! Everything was fine, so from now on her quarantine is officially over! So now, the first step is to introduce her to other horses and move her to her permanent box in the stable. We'll see how that goes. Carl already assured me I could use one of the empty paddocks next to the mares for now, so she can get used to the other ladies. That'll be the next few weeks, and then we can officially start working.

[jorvikcowboy]

hey pal, take it easy! you're scrolling with way too much intensity. look at this horse

[jorvikcowboy]

Nash Haberman on DD Red Hot Chili Pepper competing in the Paddock Island Showjumping Event by @/cedargrove.equ

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For the first real show together with Cajun, I was really curious to see how well we'd work together in a professional setting! We made sure to arrive early so he and myself would have time to get acclimatised. I knew how well he took jumps, so I hoped that'd translate to a show as well.

Turns out, I didn't have to wonder because he did amazing. I was a bit worried about the noise level, but he took everything like a champ! He'd be a nice companion for someone down the road. Fortunately, the weather was already heading towards autumn, so it wasn't too hot and we were able to cool off afterwards pretty quickly. I made sure to praise Cajun well afterwards.

[jorvikcowboy]

Someone's settling in quite nicely. I've been to visit her in the evening after clocking out to see how she's doing, and so far she's very calm and easygoing. Her quarantine is for another 13 days and only then I'll move her to a permanent stall, but I really can't wait to start getting to know her better, even if I didn't know how to find enough time yet for everything.

Remember the mustangs we'd had to keep? Yeah. Their quarantine just ended, so I'll have my hands full. However, just after one last show, Woody will be leaving us! I'll make an official sales post and if that doesn't work I'll try contacting a sales barn. I'll be sad to see him go, but he needs someone who can devote more of their time to him. I've got my plate full right now with around seven or eight project horses and Cleo. But I'm determined to make it work, even if it means sacrificing a few hours more of sleep.

[jorvikcowboy]

Welcome home Marzipan <3 couldn't resist to buy one today. I adore that breed, so i might get more in the future.

[jorvikcowboy]

Some polebending with our girl Dove! She's proved to have a knack for it and seems to like the weaving in between poles. Originally I'd planned to broaden her skill set a little more on a basic level, so whoever would d purchase her had options on how to continue with her training, but after talking with Carl about her seemingly passionate love for pole bending, we decided to settle on poles and barrels and see how she'd do. Until now I've only ridden her with a bosal, so I'll have to try a bridle with a bit soon because if anyone was teaching her how to respond to a bit properly, I'd prefer it if it wasn't someone who didn't know what they were doing with a bit in a horses mouth.

[jorvikcowboy]

Nash Haberman on "Meet me in the Woods" competing in the Non Editor Class in the Mounted Games event hosted by @/silverglademanor_showing

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Woody was my most reliable horse, so it was a no-brainer to take him to the first Mounted Games Show I've ever competed in as an adult. As I led him into the rink, I really felt my age amongst the mostly younger people around me. I took a deep breath and looked forward, waiting for our signal, before Woody shot off like a rocket. The event was right up my alley so I could pick up the little cones from several barrels or poles easily, even if my heart beat high in my throat from the nerves. I spurred Woody on, trying to shave off a few milliseconds before we crossed the mental finish line and I slowed him down and then loosened the reins. "Whoooaa. Good boy. You did great buddy." I pet his neck, murmuring more quiet praise to him. He really was an amazing pony. Too bad I had to let him go soon, as his training would soon be finished.

[jorvikcowboy]

Cajun is making great progress! Here's a picture from a relaxing ride on the beach a few days ago. On that day I learned that this sweet boy really likes splashing around in the water, and by the time we got back, both of us were pretty soaked. Fortunately, at the time it was still warm enough to enjoy a bath without freezing!

[jorvikcowboy]

Today I picked up Cleo from @/hooves_for_hope (instagram)! And surprise, this time she isn't a project horse, but my own. I saved up enough to be able to actively look for a horse of my own and she's the perfect match! I can't wait to get started to work with her and see how we fit together.

[jorvikcowboy]

Certainly one of the chunkiest horses I've ever ridden. We've started on getting Athena safe for trailriding with students, and so far she's been doing great. She's perfectly calm in every situation she's been in so far, and soon I'll start taking her out into the woods to see how she'll behave.

[jorvikcowboy]

Maintenance day for myself and the stable! I've been feeling a bit under the weather, so I asked for a day's break in the job and decided to sort out some old equipment, spend some one on one time with the horses and clear out the shelves.

[jorvikcowboy]

Very frustrating day with Spartan. We went out into the woods for some crosscountry training, but even though jumps in the arena seemed fine, the heavy wooden jumps were not to his liking. After almost sending me flying more times than I want to admit, in several different situations, I decided to call it a day. He seemed to enjoy my frustration. And even though I was pretty mad at myself for probably pushing Spartan too hard, I tried hard to not make him feel that. He certainly seemed to have fun at my expenses at some point.

[jorvikcowboy]

This seems to be an uncommon opinion but thank god SSO is making (what appears to be) serious headway into the story.

For years it felt like it had stalled out. It was valid wanting main characters and villains to be visually updated before continuing, but it slowed things down.

I'm glad they aren't going "we need to update Mr. Sands, Darko is a pretty old model compared to the Dark Riders, Avalon really needs an update, so does Pi, etc"

Because yes it absolutely would look better if everyone had the same number of polygons. And yes it WOULD be great if SSO picked up those threads mentioned throughout the main story. But if they did that and got all those map areas that had been brought up in the story quests then it'd be another 10 years of filler in the main story until they can 'wrap up'

And honestly I'm tired of waiting. This isn't even an impatience thing, this is a "I've played this game for 10+ years and at this point I don't care how it's wrapped up, as long as it IS wrapped up."

Probably helps that I don't expected a 'satisfying' ending from SSO, I just want AN ending to the main story. I expect Garnok to be 'defeated' and for the Soul Riders to be victorious, probably through the power of friendship. That's all I'm expecting.

[jorvikcowboy]

Man it would be awesome if horses had different play styles. Like it would be awesome if they played different and felt different to play. Like they don't have to reflect real life but come on. Missed potential. Ardenns could be slower but carry more for the quests or open more inventory/backpack slots. Chincoteague ponies don't have the "swimming" bar and can carry you across rivers. Do you see the vision