Hello to all my devoted fans! My sincerest apologies on not keeping my blog up to date this year. I hope to get back into writing more consistently for 2025.🤞🏻
People refer to challenging times as “seasons” – they do not stick around forever. They pass. Well, my “season” has lasted since 2023 when my mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. As I look back, I am truly amazed with myself for all that I was able to handle, especially when it came to my horses. Although there were many times where my body was both mentally and physically exhausted, I still managed to enjoy spending time with all of them.
As this year comes to an end, let me bring you all up to date with the happenings of the fabulous Bennett Boys.
Alfie. He’s doing incredible. He will be starting his 38th trip around the sun in 2025, and for such an older horse, his spirit is very much young. Aging has been challenging for him, he lost a tooth due to simple decay/age. That discovery led to cutting out horse cookies which are simply too hard for him to chew – he now gets to enjoy animal crackers – low in sugar and soft enough to chew. He’s had a few arthritis flare ups, and some minor hoof issues, but other than that, he’s doing great.
Copper. My pepperoni as I like to call him – I mean sometimes he can be a bit spicy 🤣🤣, he’s doing very well. He will be starting his 20th trip around the sun in 2025, and he is truly in the best shape of his life. He has grown in muscle mass so much that he went up 2 blanket sizes since I’ve had him. He also went up in girth size as well. Our lessons have been very fun. My trainer has taken a different approach with us, and my lessons are geared more like training rides. We focus on very specific areas, at a pace that I am comfortable with. There’s no race to the finish line when it comes to me and Copper. In the fall, we competed in a horse show where we participated in a canter class – for the very first time. So I was able to cross that off my bucket list lol. At this point in my life, adding extra stress to my riding is not something I want to do, and this more relaxed take on our rides has helped significantly with our partnership.❤️
Flame. My little cutlet. He will be starting his 12th trip around the sun in 2025. Lots of incredible progress has been happening for Flame. Firstly – let’s talk about blankets. The first year Flame encountered a blanket was in 2022. It took me about 45 min to finally get it on him, and that was after days of slowly introducing him to what a blanket actually was. 2023 saw an improvement of time – 25 min to dress the little guy. 2024… 5 minutes!!! It’s a total non issue now!!! The other incredible milestone – he is now comfortable with being turned out and turned in by Lindsay – one of the women who works on the weekends at the barn. Their relationship over the years has been like oil & water – they just didn’t mix well at all. But through a lot of time, patience and love, Flame finally came around. Remember, the timeline isn’t up to us, the horse sets the time. This huge milestone as well as no bolting and no issues bringing him in and out from the arena means…in the springtime we can work on going outside for turnout!!!!
Judy. What, did you think I wouldn’t give you an update on myself?? 😉 I will be starting my 50th journey around the sun in 2025. Granted, my birthday isn’t until November, but this is a HUGE milestone. On the personal front, I started a new position within my company in July, and it has been the best change for me. I also have been able to teach more riding lessons at the barn. I am known as “Aunt Judy” – a title the barn kids affectionately gave me, that I cherish so very much. “Aunt Judy” power-walks at horse shows to make them laugh, and I’m their biggest cheerleader.
As always, thank you all for the support you have shown me and the boys. If you are on TikTok, I go LIVE every Sunday, 10AM EST from the barn, so feel free to stop on by.
Wishing EVERYONE, a very HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEAR!! ❤️🐴❤️🐴❤️🐴
Confessions of an Equestrianoholic 