Shopping and a Giveaway, or Two

The other day I went out shopping. I love to shop. Mr. Cowboy will second that thought. I have been dying to get a new saddle pad. I have been using two pads for the longest time. Well, one pad and one blanket. I was using a Navajo blanket under an Equine Classic Contour Pedic pad. I have been using those two pads since my freshman year in college. That was 7 years ago, so it was time for an upgrade. I had been looking at the Professional Choice SMx Heavy Duty Air Ride pads. They are really nice. I was going to order a pad out of a catalogue, but I have the need to hold the pad, to feel it, to ask 101 questions about how hot my horse will get in it. So, I ended up getting a Twenty X SMx Heavy Duty Air Ride pad. I found it on sale for $100. Every where else they were listed for $140-180. I was so proud of my shopping. Mr. Cowboy thinks I am ridiculous. So, here is Ozzie modeling his new pad. The one thing I do not like about new saddle pads are how stiff they are. See how the pad is so stiff on the top of his back. This pad surprised me and conformed nicely to my horse's back. It was not stiff at all. He loved it. Well, as much as a horse loves to be saddled and worked. I just wanted to make a quick before and after note. The above photo was taken two days ago. Look at the muscle on Ozzie's rump. I have had him home for about 6 weeks now. I have been working him for about 4 weeks. Now, look at the before picture below, this is Ozzie at 6 weeks at the "dorky Trainer". Now, he doesn't look too bad, but he is definitely thinner, and lacks a lot of butt muscle. I know he is half Thoroughbred, but he doesn't have to have such a pointy butt. Now that I have said this, I will stop talking about my loser "trainer" and I will move on.

"Yeah, will ya stop talking about my rump and that horrible man you sent me to?" Fine, I will stop. Before I jumped on Ozzie, I wanted to make sure he liked his new pad, so I lunged him for a minute. This is a wonderful example of how not to hold your rope while lunging. Oh dear. Little Cowpoke was sitting on top of the round pen panels taking pictures. He is so great to take pictures of me working Ozzie. He is also only three. He actually isn't half bad. Here I am, randomly standing in the middle of a pasture. Well, I am holding a rope, if you can see that?Look and here I am riding. This is after Little Cowpoke went streaking across the yard and declaring he just went poo poo in the bushes. He was so thoughtful to take one last snap shot of my ride. I think I need one of those "shoulder back" contraptions. My posture is horrible. Again, if you can see from that far away. I zoomed in, and I don't recommend zooming in. But what I do recommend is that you try to win one of my fabulous giveaways!!

Here is the first prize that is up for grabs. Am I aloud to show the prize before the contest? Or should I make everyone wait and wonder what the prize shall be? Oh, well, I will just show you.This is a 4x6 faux leather photo frame. I think it's too cute. In order to win this beauty, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post. So easy right!! I know, I know. Now for the second prize that is up for grabs. This wonderful bag of sweet goodness is Burt's Bees Hand Repair Kit. It's for all those hard working woman out there, who are not afraid to use their hands and get dirty. This little bag has everything you will need to have softer, younger looking hands. Hmm....younger looking hands. But anyway, to win this prize all you have to do is leave a comment in this post and give this horse a name. She is 14 years old and is going to be registered with the Pinto Horse Association. She will need to have a registered name. We call her Blaze. But I wanted something more, a fun registered name. She is a solid paint. We don't know her pedigree. My husband bought her as a yearling and the old man got Alzheimer's and forgot who her parents were. But we do know she was supposed to be registered with APHA. Anyway, she needs a fun registered name. She has a flaxen mane and tail, and is 14.2 hands tall. She also is the smoothest ride you will ever ride.

This is a horrible picture of her, but sadly it's one of the only pictures I have of her. But anyway, I can't wait to see some of your suggestions. That baby in the picture is hers and it's name is Ima Sonny Miss. She is by a Sonny Dee Bar Stallion. Anyway, the Contest will go on until Monday October 13, 2008 at midnight Pacific time.