Challenges III: Facility

Back on #7 for second day last eve.  Presumably will be trotting in a week.  #148 a bit more problematic though the big moment should happen tonight.  Looking forward to riding #148.  Should be a fun horse.

Riding along and ooops, what's missing with this stirrup leather cutting into my leg?  Leggins.  Had thrown the old worn out away.  Saddle for $500, reins, jockey helmet, still to come. Never ending need for cash.

Plans would be to use November to break and train to saddle--trotting, commence gallop. Begin Preston Burch training in December.

Facilities has become a major challenge.  The farm is 16+ miles from my office.  Must drive twice a day to feed.  The driving part of this is expensive, and an energy and time waster.  And, the farmer has closed his hayfield leaving the horses on a smaller plot unsuitable for open galloping.  For $75/mo. per horse, what can one expect?

The basic problem with the new arrangement--we're without any place to drive the horses riderless.  Very difficult to get the necessary speed.  Facing two choices--
1. Bribe the farmer into reopening the hayfield, or
2. Plan to be at a race track in December.

The latter would involve major expense, near retirement from my office, and a whirlwind of immediate preparation.  Bribing the farmer is much easier and cheaper than being at a training center 6-800 miles away, although thought of going south for the winter in Opelousas, LA, a jewel of a city--part I saw-- is extremely appealing.

Decision time straight ahead.

Training:
10/21 Mon.  Off.
10/22 Tues.:  Bellied #148, #7 rider on, motionless at mounting stand.  #148 was lunged and is starting to figure it out.  He started a full speed burst, blew the turn and I released lunge line so he could complete it.  #7--lost a front shoe.  Off.  Expected to lose shoes with #148 in the pond mud.  His have stayed on fairly amazingly.