The calm before the storm?

Since Hampton has been so quiet and easy going, I went ahead and put the surcingle on him today (remember, I've had him less than a week). He didn't care, so I buckled it. Still didn't care. I almost took him outside on a walk with it on, but decided I better not push it. So I gave him some hay and let him eat in his stall with the surcingle on. It was fastened snug, but not girth-tight or anything. I took the surcingle off and began some basic lunging in the round pen. He was of course confused, but picked it up easily and was never naughty - just wondering what the heck I wanted!

Tomorrow will be more of the same. Maybe a bath? Maybe intro to clippers?

Progress

The new horse (who I think I will name Hampton) ... is leading much better now (much less like a drunken sailor), he stands quietly while I toss ropes over his back, around his legs and around his head. He picks up all four feet (with the lead rope - I'm not brave enough to bend down there yet) ... and today accepted and wore a white saddle pad like he has been doing that since birth. Tomorrow we'll begin the basics of lunging (whoa and walk on) and by the end of the week the booger may have a surcingle on. I don't want to lunge him a ton (since he's still growing) but I figure once or twice a week won't hurt. Also, within the next week or two I may introduce a bath and also clippers.

The new horse

Here's a photo from today ... starting working more with the as yet un-named new horse. Worked on leading, and tossed a lead rope around on his back in the stall. He was fine with that. With more handling he'll be a good boy ... he does like to kick, tho, lol ... gotta be aware of those hind legs when he gets a little fiesty. Here he is (please excuse the ugly halter, his new one is on order)

Thankfully

I still have my job.
But, due to other layoffs my schedule will be changing and I'll need to make adjustments to life.
I'm sure it will all work out. It always does.

**

Annnnd ... the new horse arrived safe and sound. I promise photos soon. He is AMAZING.

More layoffs ...

Another letter from a Gannett big wig ... I've clipped out the bullshit and left in the meat.

To: U.S. Community Publishing Employees
From: Bob Dickey

I want to talk with you about our restructuring efforts, as we continue to battle these difficult economic conditions and the impact on our advertisers. With your help, our various cost savings initiatives are making a difference.

Each plan is different and designed to address the ongoing local needs. All of them, however, involved extremely difficult decisions. Approximately 1400 employees will be impacted by the job reductions across the division. Your publisher or general manager will communicate the local plans, and we expect the vast majority of the reductions will take place by July 9. In a select few cases, the implementation may take longer. There will not be any furloughs for the rest of the year.

Even so, we know the economy will improve. To be ready, we need to continue our transformation and maintain a strong financial position. We must publish our newspapers, produce our Web sites and pay down our debt. By taking all these steps today, we will be stronger tomorrow.

Measured against our peers in the media industry, we are healthy and capable of moving forward. We are in this position because we have proactively responded to the financial conditions with actions such as these.


... don't know how this will impact our individual paper. But ... guess we'll wait and see.

Wow. Glastonbury images

Some of the most moving festival photos I have ever seen. I can only hope to be half as good as this guy.

See the rest of them here.

More on the "maybe horse"

He is a blended mess of things ... his mom was a Jockey Club TB, and his dad is a mix between Hannovarian, Clydesdale and TB. This particular horse is just 2, about 16.1 ish hands (maybe bigger), and totally unbroke. I'm looking to buy him, and of course train him. Of course it would be close to a year before I got on his back. (But he's more than ready to begin groundwork)

I really like him and the price is right ...