Hold on, Partner, I'm Overstimulated

 

This shirt (a late Christmas gift from my husband) about sums up the week I've had. There were several medical appointments, checking in with my primary care provider (PCP) on my brain and such for the first time since the holidays, as well as the first of my vestibular therapy sessions. While my PCP is in agreement that the vestibular therapy is EXACTLY what I need, it is extremely draining. Nothing like spending an hour or two doing exercises specifically to tick off my brain, waiting for symptoms to subside... then doing it all over again. If you're curious what vestibular therapy includes, here are some of my home exercises:

Yes, I already have a coffee stain on my papers.

That last one in particular leaves me reeling. 

On top of the added demands on my brain, we have gotten some serious winter weather for our area. 

Snow

Subzero windchills

Freezing fog

aka hoarfrost

and even more snow

I think all told we got 12-13 inches. The last time I recall this much accumulation of snow in this area was when I was a kid (1996). We've definitely gotten subzero weather for short stints in recent years, but this is the longest stretch of dealing with snow/ice/cold that we've experienced in a long time. It's not looking like it will let up anytime soon either. 

The weight of the snow collapsed the sawhorse I used under the shafts of my breaking cart.

I have never been more thankful that barnmate (and future barn owner) Jen lives next to the stable than during the first snow storm that dumped 10 inches on us. The county stopped plowing the highway I live on, and there was no way I would've made it safely to the stable. She trekked across the hay field to make sure the horses were warm, fed, and had clean stalls. 

She also learned how to use the snow blade with the tractor and is keeping the drive plowed! #likeaboss

Between the additional asks I've been making of my brain and the terrible weather, the horses have gotten zero work this week. I haven't even done in hand ground pole exercises. We have been *surviving*, lol. 

staying warm

a tragedy

Pyro: HI MOM!!

Missy: ...I miss you too

Got anymore of those apples?

While the horses were over the snow pretty quickly, they've been doing well. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to get a restraining order against Pyro though, he's so starved for my attention. Anytime I set foot in the pasture, he literally GALLOPS up to me. Surprisingly, Missy has cantered up with him on occasion. I'm happy to see that this cold hasn't been negatively affecting her joints too badly. She suffers the most when they have to be stalled 24 hours (or risk severely damaging our pasture), and she gets a bit stocked up and stiff. 

Ol' gal is looking good and keeping Pyro in line

We've been feeding hay to Missy and Pyro's herd in 4 small hay feeders made of water troughs with slow feed netting over the top. There are four of them for four horses (chestnut OTTB Magnum and grey arabian Ivan join the Pinto Party for turnout), and it has been an interesting opportunity to observe herd dynamics. Throw in the fact that Missy is acting hormonal ALREADY, and the stage is set for hours of musical hay feeders. I got to watch the herd for a while one morning and realized there is a cyclical arrangement of who can move whom. 

My top quality diagram of who moved whom from a morning of observation

Despite not getting to "work" the horses, this opportunity to observe and learn was fascinating to me and a good outlet for wanting "barn therapy" when I didn't feel my best. 

News flash: Missy is a hussy. 
She has been winking. IN JANUARY.

There are some days I feel like I'm going to puke while mucking stalls, or I have to take a nap in the stable office before feeding to let my brain recover after driving. BUT, I still get to go to the stable, strap my helmet on, and pet my horses, which is immensely beneficial to my mental health. I daydream about where Pyro and I were when we last rode together consistently,...

... playing with Missy in her retirement,...

... and working on my olympic lifting form,...

... but all of those daydreams keep me pushing my brain's boundaries, even when it means I turn into an overstimulated mess with soup for brains.