Boggle- USA bound!

[View]

Defintiely happy to see you

Please send the rain a bit further north and east. Am fed up dealing with car drivers sledging into our buses!

 

[Michen]

So I’m 5000 miles away and obviously these temps are concerning. Yes it’s cold where Bog is but it would usually be 0- 10 Celsius during the day. Not -20 plus.

The horses are kept in the heated barn during these two days of very cold temps as it’s an unusual spike. But they aren’t just kept in, a message is sent out confirming the horses who will be hand walked (twice a day) and fed a “thirst quench” which is a soupy type feed to ensure drinking.

Boggles barn is worth every penny to know the level of care given, even when I’m across the ocean

I have about 5 different photos from different boarders of Boggle just showing he’s ok and happy.

The kinda barn that keeps horses in because of the weather, but makes sure 20 plus horses are hand walked per day regardless, well that’s awesome.

 

[Squeak]

What a massive relief when you find an amazing barn like that with not only amazing staff and YO but also other liveries too by the sound of it.

 

[BBP]

I’ve been watching the weather reports and was wondering about Bog. Good to hear the level of care. I can’t imagine how the homeless will fare across the country in those temperatures.

 

[Michen]

Yep apparently Denver has had the biggest temperature variation/drop on record yesterday. Crazy.

BBP the homeless situation there is horrific. There is a huge drugs problem. Apparently people purposely come to Denver because the healthcare is meant to be better but the flip side of that is of course the freezing winter temps

 

[elliejhb]

I've started to follow you on Instagram (northern.Lass_essex.girl).
Love seeing Bogs adventures ?

 

[SEL]

Just telling my OH how Boggle was being treated in the awful weather and he said you can always rely on Americans for good customer service when they're running a business.

He's got a point. Even when I've seen horses on full & v expensive livery in this country walking out twice a day would be a luxury

 

[Michen]

The tears have started already! Handing my dog over to my brother today. Argh. And I’m more conflicted than ever about bringing her over in March, seeing her bounding around in the English countryside and ruffling through hedges. It’s the same sort of guilt I have re Boggle no longer being in a grassy field for turnout.

So hard to know what the right thing to do is but after 9 days she finally feels like “my” dog again. Strangely I feel completely at peace with going back to Colorado, as much as I’ve loved seeing all my friends etc I am not doubting my decision to move whatsoever!

Meanwhile Bog is enjoying the winter sun! In his larger turnout

 

[AmyMay]

Is your brother in a position to keep her permanently?

 

[Michen]

Is your brother in a position to keep her permanently?

No he’s just having her whilst my friend whose looking after her long term is in America with me.

 

[Trouper]

I think dogs depend on us more for company than our horses do throughout the day so maybe this is why you are starting to feel conflicted about your dog in a way you are not about Boggle. Perhaps when your friend has had a first hand look at your situation and you get a chance to sit down and really discuss the problem the decision will become clearer.

My personal concern would be the amount of time I was going to be away for work which would mean a carer set up for the dog. Boggle does not need to have this as his routine is set whether you are away or not.
Just something to think about but not an easy decision at all.

 

[Caol Ila]

I think dogs depend on us more for company than our horses do throughout the day so maybe this is why you are starting to feel conflicted about your dog in a way you are not about Boggle. Perhaps when your friend has had a first hand look at your situation and you get a chance to sit down and really discuss the problem the decision will become clearer.

My personal concern would be the amount of time I was going to be away for work which would mean a carer set up for the dog. Boggle does not need to have this as his routine is set whether you are away or not.
Just something to think about but not an easy decision at all.

It's also the case that there are far more leash laws around the Colorado Front Range than there are in the UK. While there are some trails where Pepper could be off lead, there are many more where she wouldn't be allowed. It's not like the UK where dogs can be off lead wherever. I imagine Michen knows this, and it makes it a tough decision.

 

[Michen]

Yep this is what bothers me rather than the need for dog sitter. Though out hiking there does seem to be an unwritten agreement that well trained dogs are off lead when it’s early in the morning/not busy

It's also the case that there are far more leash laws around the Colorado Front Range than there are in the UK. While there are some trails where Pepper could be off lead, there are many more where she wouldn't be allowed. It's not like the UK where dogs can be off lead wherever. I imagine Michen knows this, and it makes it a tough decision.

 

[Michen]

I think dogs depend on us more for company than our horses do throughout the day so maybe this is why you are starting to feel conflicted about your dog in a way you are not about Boggle. Perhaps when your friend has had a first hand look at your situation and you get a chance to sit down and really discuss the problem the decision will become clearer.

My personal concern would be the amount of time I was going to be away for work which would mean a carer set up for the dog. Boggle does not need to have this as his routine is set whether you are away or not.
Just something to think about but not an easy decision at all.

Yup indeed. Though the right set up can be a huge positive, I’ve always felt bad that she’s an “only dog” and it would be cool to find a sitter with their own dog that she could socialise with.

She wouldn’t spend any more time alone than she does now as she’d either be with me or with a sitter. I don’t work in an office so when I’m home, I’m working from home all day. Which I’d say is 70% of the month maybe? Could be more some weeks could be less.

 

[Michen]

Argh I’m such a soggy mess i am thinking about just flying her over week after next once they open the hold to pets again. Jan or March my living and life situation will be the same situation maybe no point waiting.

 

[Dexter]

Argh I’m such a soggy mess i am thinking about just flying her over week after next once they open the hold to pets again. Jan or March my living and life situation will be the same situation maybe no point waiting.

Do it. It will either work or it wont, but worrying wont change the outcome. Dogs are remarkably adaptable. They cope with all sorts. She will be fine.

 

[Squeak]

Such a hard decision but there's no wrong decision. If you fly her to Colorado and it doesn't work out can you fly her back?

Eta. As you're home 70% of the time and she's what you're finding hardest about moving, I'd be inclined to take her with you.

 

[Michen]

14 inches of snow! We went for a hike which was amazing but such hard work as no one had been up parts of it yet, wading in the snow!

All very efficient, the country road to the barn was cleared by lunchtime so poor Boggle got dragged out ?

I have to have my doggy here, she will absolutely love bounding around in this.

 

[Michen]

 

[Bradsmum]

Apart from all that snow, those blue skies are amazing. Looks like a glorious day. What sort of temp is it?

 

[Michen]

Apart from all that snow, those blue skies are amazing. Looks like a glorious day. What sort of temp is it?

Just above freezing but felt warm in the sun!! Absolutely incredible. Everything was so beautiful.

 

[Bradsmum]

No doubt about it, you definitely look like you're home. Hope your friend enjoys her stay.

 

[Michen]

No doubt about it, you definitely look like you're home. Hope your friend enjoys her stay.

I am so happy to be back! Falling more in love with Colorado every day?

Thank you- skiing tomorrow!

 

[Michen]

Such a hard decision but there's no wrong decision. If you fly her to Colorado and it doesn't work out can you fly her back?

Eta. As you're home 70% of the time and she's what you're finding hardest about moving, I'd be inclined to take her with you.

I could definitely send her back! But I am sure it will work tbh, i just need to be clever about where and when I walk and find a great sitter.

 

[Keith_Beef]

14 inches of snow! We went for a hike which was amazing but such hard work as no one had been up parts of it yet, wading in the snow!

That looks wonderful! I love snow.

Get yourself a pair of snowshoes; walking on top of the snow is much less tiring.

You should be able to find a pair of lightweight, plastic "bear paw" shaped snowshoes quite cheaply.

 

[Michen]

Happy New Year HHOers! Hope you have all had a great start to 2023.

It's been a rocky start emotionally (though that's a whole other thread) because after an amazing few weeks with some of my best friends in Colorado it was incredibly hard to say goodbye. We all spent the final day in tears but equally laughing at how much we were crying, and the guy at the starbucks gave us free coffee at what a pathetic sight we were- haha! I am very, very lucky to have such true friendships that make saying good bye like that so hard. But, back on the up and with lots of plans.

Boggle had his first spin in a western saddle last week. He wasn't too sure about the dangly bits so spent a fair bit of time doing some minor bunny hops hence moving a little cautious behind, but he got the hang of it. I want to make sure I find a comfy lightweight one for him. I've also penciled him in for a week at Kara Creek ranch! A place I was meant to go on holiday too in 2021 but couldn't because of covid, so strange that I was due to land in Denver and go up there. Little did I know how familiar I was to become with Denver airport. So that's super cool, he won't do all of the ranchy stuff but I'm going to take him to some lessons in the spring to get familiar with cattle. Hopefully my credit rating will appear soon and I can buy a truck. But... taking my own horse on a ranch holiday, it can't get much better than that.

He also had a jumping lesson, with the head trainer and assistant trainer riding. I was away but they said he was absolutely fabulous and the head trainer messaged me today saying how great he was and what fun. So I need to bite the bullet and get back into it myself. I've been putting it off as I'm slightly mourning the training loss of my fabulous friend and trainer Lizzie Murray from a flatwork perspective (though she gave me a good motivational boost over xmas!). She made such a huge difference to Bog and I, getting us to those sub 30's and making me enjoy the flatwork. That said every lesson was followed by a wine filled delicious dinner (lived next door), so maybe that had something to do with it I think it's those little "home" things that are easy to miss. And I lost my mojo with the idea of jumping a bit. But, there are great trainers here too, so I need to crack on and even if we don't event again there's plenty of dressage and sj fun to be had. Praying for the snow to clear off the road over the next few days so I can do some decent hacking!

He seems super happy in his new, bigger turnout (still not our english fields big, but bigger) and the little arab he seems to like and him have a good play together in the indoor whenever we can during the week, so they get some horsey contact for an hour or so. Which seems to be enough for Bog, tbh . It's not perfect and who knows where we will end up long term but my friend who was visiting (and loves him as much as I do) made the good point that he's unlikely to hold weight so well in a herd through winter, he's so dominant and obsessed with what everyone else is doing.

Work is about to ramp up, I am off to Arizona end of the month then Utah in feb where I'll try and add on a few extra days over a bank holiday to explore it some more. February also brings a trip to Texas to see one of my besties whose there for work. And then... I'm flying home to get my dog! I managed to resist booking her a flight straight after NY.

I'm making lots of new connections both horsey and skiing, after a week or two of road tripping around Colorado I am so excited to see even more of it. It quite literally at times bought us all to tears with the beauty. The photos don't do it justice, it's breathtaking. And the rocky mountain national park (1.5 hours away) was beyond anything we could have expected. We hiked in knee deep snow and danced across frozen lakes. Had a hilarious NYE in a country dive bar singing Zac brown band at the top of our lungs, and being asked by everyone how on earth 3 english girls ended up in said bar! Ate the most amazing food everywhere we went. We also went to a rodeo final at the national stock show in Denver- wow- I am still not quite sure how I feel about that but can't deny the immense skill from horses and riders I saw. It's been great to have close friends to go sight seeing with but it's meant I've also met people in various resorts which is cool from a skiing perspective.

So lots of highs, some crashing lows, but really looking forward to what the next few months brings

[video]

[\video]

https://youtube.com/shorts/oaZqlCryzfk?feature=share

 

[Michen]

 

[Midlifecrisis]

Breathtaking views….and lovely barn! It’s been a big upheaval so you re allowed some low times..I enjoy your updates even if I don’t always comment.

 

[Michen]

Breathtaking views….and lovely barn! It’s been a big upheaval so you re allowed some low times..I enjoy your updates even if I don’t always comment.

It is a bit! I will try and update in the next few months with some actual Bog horsey action Met a girl last night whose an eventer and she gave me a great insight into it all, it's certainly nothing like the bundles of UK events but there's fun to be had!

 

[Pinkvboots]

Great pictures it looks amazing? Bog looks very smart in his western saddle I used to ride in them alot when I was teenager and loved it not ridden in one for years.