Blog Hop: 7 Deadly Sins

In lieu of a real post right now (which would just be: I got launched unceremoniously off of my horse on Saturday and I am mad that I fell off and mad at him and mad at my reaction to falling off and mad at the fact that I'm mad at him and mad at the world so RAWR), here's a fun little blog hop for now until I stop calling my horse "Fucker" at every passing turn.

Pride

Seven great things/strengths in your riding life

1. My awesome experiences in many different disciplines, giving me the tools to death with the goofball that is Simba.
2. Lovely, knowledgable, kind friends who aren't afraid to tell me when I'm being stupid.
3. A generous horsey family member who has given Simba a roof over his head.
4. Having a riding partner and sounding board in said horsey family member.
5. Absolutely kickass trails to run and play on right out the barn door.
6. My job -- I work for Dover Saddlery's corporate office. I've learned a TON in the past three years working here!
7. Passion for horses. If it weren't for this passion, I would have given up a long time ago.

Envy

Seven things you lack or covet for you or your horse

1. Regular training for us both.
2. A HEATED WASH STALL. AJKLSDFLKASD.
3. In/out situation where I wasn't worried about upsetting the balance with someone else's critters. I may or may not have considered cutting a hole into the back of D's barn but figured that would make her mad at me.
4. Monies. Lots of monies...
5. ...so I can also purchase a Peruvian mare. Because horses are like potato chips and you should have more than one!
6. Truck/trailer of my own. And, um, trailer driving lessons.
7. Indoor. Definitely an indoor. 

Wrath

Seven things that make you angry

1. Big lick Tennessee Walking Horses. 'Nuff said.
2. All talk, no action. I don't share out "poor pony" rescue posts on Facebook because unless I can donate or offer a home, I'm not doing much good. 
3. When I lose my patience with my horse. 
4. Slaughter debates of all kinds because dumb people make me angry.
5. People who feel they are God's gift to horses. 
6. People who misrepresent their horses to potential buyers.
7. When I understand a concept logically but can't put things together physically to get the response I want from my horse.

Sloth

Seven things you neglect to do or cut corners on

1. Organization. Period.
2. I don't stretch before or after riding. I really should with all my physical ouchies.
3. I don't know as much as I should about nutrition for horses.
4. I hate picking feet. I've been better about it with Simba because he's had some thrush issues.
5. I sometimes forget to be patient. Working on that!
6. Not compare myself or my horse to other people/horses. That gets us nowhere.
7. My own fitness.

Greed

Seven most expensive things you own for your horse/riding

1. My new saddle -- in the grand scheme of saddles, it was on the cheaper end...but outside of the horse, it's the biggest purchase I've ever made!
2. My new strap tack -- love, love, LOVE the new bridle, breastcollar and reins I got from Taylored Tack!
3. Simba, himself, was also not expensive when you look at what most people spend on horses, but he's the first horse I've purchased.
4. Custom quarter sheet from Blue Ribbon...or was it Franconia...? 
5. Tredstep half chaps and paddock boots (loveloveloveloveLOVE these, by the way!)
6. All of the Kerrits riding clothing I own...it's a problem. Not the most expensive out there, but I buy a matching shirt/breech set every year when the spring colors come out.
7. My Myler bits.

Gluttony

Seven guilty pleasures or favorite items

1. Owning a horse. Period.
2. Collecting bits. I'm obsessed. Shinnnyyyyyy.
3. My "in" with certain vendors/manufacturers in the horse world.
4. The amount of mane and tail products I have. I want to try ALL the mane and tail products!
5. Hugging my horse even though he haaaaaaates it. 
6. Bright annoying colored tack.
7. Headstalls. I collect those, too...

Lust

Seven things you love about horses and riding

1. The challenge.
2. The passion.
3. The relationships, both with horses and with horse people.
4. The lifestyle.
5. Soft pony noses that need kissing.
6. Fuzzy pony ears that need rubbing.
7. The feeling of fulfillment when you look at your horse and go "yeah, he's my buddy."