Big Update.

[Annie&Dixie]

Oh wow...lots of updates for you guys.

Okay, I'll start it off with my moving of barns. The date is set for the 30th of April. I just sent my e-mail to my current BO about my leaving and some clues as to why. My main sentence was, "Due to recent happenings, current boarders, and the practices lately." I am moving with 3 other people with a total of 5 horses including my Dixie. 3 of us are full board while the other 2 are outdoor.

I am so excited about this new barn. For only $25 more than what I'm paying now plus the price of grain, I will have a stall (my current barn's stall board is $160 more than what I'm paying now) and access to all of the land and facilities. This place is an older, but still functional, former Standardbred breeding farm. Very nicely built barns and stalls, and a lot of them! I think there are something like 8-10 barns. In their hay day, they had a couple of million dollar stallions and a breeding operation with breeding at least 200 mares a year. Lots of acreage!! Unfortunately they went down in November of last year and had to sell everything.

Right now, they are in the process of building the indoor arena, it's shaped differently than the one I'm used to but the riding area should be about the same and the new BO said that most of the boarders don't like to ride in the winter so there shouldn't be much traffic. They just got done installing the lights (big bright ones too!) and are ready to start the footing. The outdoor riding area is huge, there could easily be 11 horses without getting in each other's way. The outdoor is outlined in a half mile track that we could warm up or cool down on, very convenient! We are also probably going to get access to the 200 acres behind the actual farm which will be wonderful for riding. Ok, that's all for right now but feel free to ask me any questions about it, I want to tell you all about it!!!

Dixie has been doing much better since her recent mishaps. Her wounds are almost fully healed and she's been moving well for the past month or so. However, I have not cantered or put too much stress on her legs/hip...I'm staying cautious until we have the Chiro out, he's coming out on Thursday. We are also going to ask him if her injuries could have been caused by a gelding mounting her and then I will ask my current BO if she would be willing to take the gelding out until we move...who knows but it's worth asking. I just really don't want the same thing to happen all over again.

:rant: That is how I've been feeling for the past two months, life has been hectic!!!

I did get that job at Pet Palace, a dog boarding resort, and I love it. Lots of dogs, very fast paced job, lots of dirty work, but it's all worth it when you get tails wagging and kisses all over. This was just what I needed, I had been feeling so down about not getting a better job.

Oh and I got into ATI!!! My horsey college! I was so excited :happydance::happydance:

Okay and because I have been reading but have not responded to anybody's postings, or barely any. I'll try to same a quick something to the ones I remember....not that you're unimportant if I don't remember you...I just already have a big head and I really don't need it to be any bigger ;) That's another thing, I ordered a medium size helmet thinking it would fit and it was still too small, I ended up returning it and getting the same one but in the western style in a large. Yeah 110 lbs and large head...:rolleyes:

FSA, I am so sorry about what you're going through with your horse problems. I am sure you will find the horse of your dreams...just think, now you will appreciate him/her so much more!! I'll try to look for ya when I have some spare time :)

Lizzy, I really hope everything with school is going well and you got some great advice for improving Beauty's canter...it just takes time. Dixie used to just run, she still does to an extent but she has learned to relax. Lots of circles and downward transitions. :D Oh and I loved the video.

Vicklynn, Tex has gotten so big, I can't believe it, he is sooooo cute!

Jessica (eleven), Congrats on the new job!! I bet that's a relief!! And I love the new barn, looks so nice and clean :D Except for all of those hair balls though ;)

[WP~Paint]

Wow! I'm glad to hear about your new barn. It sounds great! Sounds like life is going pretty good for you girl!

[jeezitsjacki]

sounds like things are really going well for you, thats great. Have fun at your new barn. im sure the chiro will help. I had one out for ben a month ago and she is sooo much better. Keep us updated!

[Equine_Woman]

It sounds fantastic!! I want to board there!!! I can't wait for pics of your move and the new barn!!!

[elevenelevenxo]

Oooooh, I know where you're boarding. :) I looked into it myself, but the BO would randomly stop e-mailing, so I gave up and looked elsewhere. Sounds like a cool place though!

And thanks! Yeah! The new job is a relief....but omg, I had such a long, hard day. :( The new barn is fantastic. When Melissa gets around to coming out to meet Rebel (HINT HINT MISS MELISSA....) you'll have to come with her. :)

[FatSpottedAppy]

Man Annie.. you have had a lot going on lately. You really need to get your butt back on the forum to post more often-- I miss seeing pictures of Dixie. I hope you two settle in well at the new boarding place, that will definitely be photo worthy.

Thanks for the offer to help me on my horsey search.. I really hope I can find the one. :(

[Piper522]

Oooooh, I know where you're boarding. :) I looked into it myself, but the BO would randomly stop e-mailing, so I gave up and looked elsewhere. Sounds like a cool place though!

And thanks! Yeah! The new job is a relief....but omg, I had such a long, hard day. :( The new barn is fantastic. When Melissa gets around to coming out to meet Rebel (HINT HINT MISS MELISSA....) you'll have to come with her. :)

HINT HINT - Melissa...yeah I heard that smarty pants! :) I will come see Rebel soon...I am off on Thursdays and Sundays...lets pick a day.

OH...and back to Annie...I am happy for you. I know how hard it is to leave a place that you are so comfortable with but in the end you will be happy that you have a sense of relief. I can't wait to see the new place as well...Dixie is a good horse and she can adapt to anything...as long as she has your love, she will be just fine. The land and trails and just space to ride around in sound incredible.

You will have to call me when your current BO reads her email....!

[zoel_222]

Awesome!! I can't wait for pictures of the new place. It's sounds very grand. Congrats on the job! Working with dogs must be fun. :) I've heard about ATI, it sounds really neat. That's way awesome that you got in! I'm so happy for you. Congrats on everything!!! :D

[Annie&Dixie]

Well I got an e-mail back from my BO, talk about a guilt trip to He!!. These are going to be the longest 30 days of my life...:(

WP - Thank you!!! It's finally starting to look up again.

jeezits - Thank you very much, I'm hoping it will help as well. I miss my spunky do anything girl. :)

EW - OMG, I know! I really can't wait to get there, it sounds so nice.

Jessica - That's weird, he was really fast with us. Oh well, sounds like you've got a great place now. I would definitely love to come when I get some time :)

FSA - Don't I know it. I ended up working over 30 hours each week for two weeks and that doesn't even include my internship, school, or playing with the horsey. I can't believe I did it. But that pay check was nice! Don't fret too much about finding the horse, it will happen. Who knows, maybe you might find a nice little roan horse ;) :D

Melissa - Thank you very much. I really hope it's an easy move. Carol and I have been saying that our girls will be fine once they see the grass. It'll go something like this, "OMG Dixie, it's so new and scary" - "Oh I know, I don't want to be here!!!" - (Together) "Look food....yum, this is good. I really like this place." :D :D I'll give you a call sometime soon here...I would post the e-mail here but I feel really weird doing that. It's a really awful e-mail.

Zoe - Aw, thank you! I think you got about everything congrats in there...I really appreciate all of the happy comments :D I really do love working with the dogs, it can be hectic though. We can hold just over 400 dogs and it's about half full right now, we each take care of our own section (feeding, cleaning, walking, etc.) which can hold 20-30 dogs. One of the really good things though is I can bring my almost 15yo doggie to work with me which is good considering he has gotten needier since he's gotten older. I am so excited about ATI, I've been checking it out for a few years and I really think it has a great horsey program. And best yet, it's affordable!! You should so come to Ohio for college ;)

[Piper522]

I am sorry for the guilt trip...I know what a sweet kind hearted GOOD person you are who does the right thing and I am sure it made you feel bad. I wish that when I left I would have told her my main reasons instead of not wanting to "burn any bridges", etc. Maybe things could have changed...who knows. I just feel sorry for all the horses that are left behind there.....all i know is that when it comes down to the "horse auction" I know some good people who will go and get one of the babies!

Hang in there...call me anytime to vent...tell Carol the same! You are doing the right thing!

[Annie&Dixie]

Well....BO kicked Carol out. I'm going with.

This is ridiculous.

[elevenelevenxo]

Geez. So do you guys still have 30 days?

[zoel_222]

Zoe - Aw, thank you! I think you got about everything congrats in there...I really appreciate all of the happy comments :D I really do love working with the dogs, it can be hectic though. We can hold just over 400 dogs and it's about half full right now, we each take care of our own section (feeding, cleaning, walking, etc.) which can hold 20-30 dogs. One of the really good things though is I can bring my almost 15yo doggie to work with me which is good considering he has gotten needier since he's gotten older. I am so excited about ATI, I've been checking it out for a few years and I really think it has a great horsey program. And best yet, it's affordable!! You should so come to Ohio for college ;)

Wow, 400 dogs!! That sounds like a lot of poop to clean up. :D

That college does sound pretty cool..... I don't want to go all the way to Ohio, though. I wish that school were in Oregon. :( What are you planning on majoring in? If I go to college (still not 100% on the idea yet) I want to major in something like equine health. Not necessarily a vet, but an equine nutritionist or something like that would be really fun. If nothing else I'll end up being a vet tech. I was just hoping to not be making minimum wage for the rest of my life :D

[Annie&Dixie]

Geez. So do you guys still have 30 days?

Nope. Our earliest convenience...for now. We're looking at trailering them out on Thursday. We're just waiting to hear back from our new BO. Good thing I didn't hand in the check yet :)

It's just so ridiculous. My BO sent me an e-mail, the subject line was "trialed, convicted, and hung" - basically a pity party for herself. I am still in shock right and cannot believe what has happened.

Wow, 400 dogs!! That sounds like a lot of poop to clean up.

That college does sound pretty cool..... I don't want to go all the way to Ohio, though. I wish that school were in Oregon. What are you planning on majoring in? If I go to college (still not 100% on the idea yet) I want to major in something like equine health. Not necessarily a vet, but an equine nutritionist or something like that would be really fun. If nothing else I'll end up being a vet tech. I was just hoping to not be making minimum wage for the rest of my life

Oh my god, yes, lots and lots of poop. :)

I'm planning on majoring in Horse Science, there is also a Horse Production and Management major but it doesn't offer a transfer to OSU main campus after your two years and that's a big thing for me because I want to major is something different from horses. I don't want to do something horsey for my career funny enough. An equine nutritionist would be very cool, especially helpful if you want to run your own boarding stables...is that something you would want to do? A vet tech would also be a really good job. :D

[carla]

Wow, Annie! Sounds like a lot going on, but at least going your way it looks like. Sorry you had to get caught up in barn drama.. yuck. :(

Tell Miss Dixie that Jack sends kisses.. and be sure to come back more often now! :D

[elevenelevenxo]

What in the world happened!? I mean I know you said you'd rather not say and I definitely respect that. But goodness, sounds like a crazy situation.

[zoel_222]

I'm planning on majoring in Horse Science, there is also a Horse Production and Management major but it doesn't offer a transfer to OSU main campus after your two years and that's a big thing for me because I want to major is something different from horses. I don't want to do something horsey for my career funny enough. An equine nutritionist would be very cool, especially helpful if you want to run your own boarding stables...is that something you would want to do? A vet tech would also be a really good job. :D

Ah sounds fun. :) I really want to own a boarding stable one day, but know that will be very little profit so I need something to fall back on. I definitely want to work with horses, though. That's for sure. The people I work with and around tell me I'm very "businessy" meaning I have a good business sense and they think I'd run a great facility of my own someday. That makes me happy :)

[Annie&Dixie]

Carla - Thank you, I will be sure to let Dixie know :)

Jessica - I would love to tell you everything now but there is just soooo much to tell. Melissa has been updated on it pretty frequently...I'm getting a bit sick of saying it over and over.

Ah sounds fun. I really want to own a boarding stable one day, but know that will be very little profit so I need something to fall back on. I definitely want to work with horses, though. That's for sure. The people I work with and around tell me I'm very "businessy" meaning I have a good business sense and they think I'd run a great facility of my own someday. That makes me happy

That sounds like a nice plan...I really hope you get your boarding stable and the financials to support it. That's great about having a good business sense, I get a bit too emotional :) I'm sure you would be great and from what you've said about where you work, it sounds like they love you and really appreciate what you do. That's wonderful right there.

ETA - I just got another e-mail back, it's about 3 pages long and all about how horrible Carol is. I can't believe this crap.

[zoel_222]

ETA - I just got another e-mail back, it's about 3 pages long and all about how horrible Carol is. I can't believe this crap.


Jeez that is NUTS! Thanks god you're getting out of there.

[Annie&Dixie]

Yeah, me too. It just can't come fast enough. Poor Carol is going out tomorrow to do her stalls, she's going to be the better person. I'm having her call me when she gets up so I can go out with her.

I'm sorry but I'm at the stage where I'm not going to sugar coat everything. I have been so nice and she just throws it back in my face. I never thought or wanted it to come to this...I thought we could handle things respectfully. Apparently an 18yo can handle things better than a 60+yo, in this case.

[elevenelevenxo]

Man, that's rough Annie. Sounds like the sooner you can leave the better.

[Annie&Dixie]

Ok, more e-mails were sent. We're trying to find a temp. boarding stables. Jessica, we might be going to your old barn for about a week. I am so tired of this, I said my last words and I'm just done.

[JackieB]

Hi Annie! Nice to hear from you. Sorry about the stress at your barn. It will all be behind you soon. We're looking forward to hearing all of the great new stories coming up.

I'm self-employed in the same industry that I've worked in for over 20 years (college publishing). However, if this doesn't work out for some reason and I need to seek a job with an employer again, I'm going to work with the dogs just like you. :) I've already decided.

Congrats on getting into ATI.

[elevenelevenxo]

Why can't you move to the new barn just yet?

I'll try to think of some places that are closer to you. Rebel's staying over near Marysville, which I think is probably too far, right?

Have you contacted Kohler's or Squire Glen? I know Dave Kohler is a really nice guy and he'd probably work with you guys and the owner of Squire Glen seemed really nice too....both are very near Walker.

[Annie&Dixie]

Okay, we are moving to the new barn. He is away this weekend but set up everything today. Our trailer is coming tomorrow at 5pm. I'm so relieved. This new barn is just amazing, we've gone from no communication whatsoever to having a boarders meeting our first month :D

Thanks for the suggestions, Jessica, they were considered earlier...kinda a last resort option. :)

[elevenelevenxo]

That's great! Glad you were able to make it work. :) I heard my old barn fell through. No surprises there, honestly... :rolleyes:

I'll be good.....lol :innocent:

[zoel_222]

Glad you're able to move her soon. I don't know what exactly was going on at your current place but it sounds like a big headache.

[Piper522]

Annie i am so glad you guys got it all worked out. I am sorry that my barn where I board couldn't have helped you out but it does appear that this will work out best for you so you won't have to make a double move.

I wish you and Carol and "THe girls - Dixie, Tommy, Lady" nothing but the best with lots of good hay and grass and sheds that don't flip over! :)

I wanna come see you soon....I will call you!