tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post6575176048533625567..comments2024-03-28T03:28:50.712-04:00Comments on Starlight Lane Farm: Fluid PlanningLiz Stouthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18267806576736655184noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post-18024026149287138552017-07-21T11:43:23.283-04:002017-07-21T11:43:23.283-04:00Agreed. My problem is also that the more I say no,...Agreed. My problem is also that the more I say no, the more I can't pay my bills. Yay self employment!Domhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00139769676714813261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post-27182349442955596292017-07-20T21:28:01.864-04:002017-07-20T21:28:01.864-04:00Youvamaze me with how much you fit in each year!Youvamaze me with how much you fit in each year!Liz Stouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18267806576736655184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post-78630260353068185412017-07-20T20:38:14.062-04:002017-07-20T20:38:14.062-04:00I'm sorry you're not going to the show. I ...I'm sorry you're not going to the show. I also try to do endurance and eventing and this year endurance is definitely losing. But I am still hoping to get at least one ride in this year.Olivia @ DIY Horse Ownershiphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16138490796669110523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post-14770731421903909022017-07-20T18:16:57.905-04:002017-07-20T18:16:57.905-04:00My Facebook "On this Day" app likes to r...My Facebook "On this Day" app likes to remind me just how much riding I was doing back in High School. And I think, "I wish I could leave the office right now..." and then I remember back in High School I didn't have a vehicle or a license and most of my statuses were me bitching about how I couldn't go ride, lol!<br /> Cathrynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15652933884652697666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post-24696500948071177852017-07-20T14:48:20.351-04:002017-07-20T14:48:20.351-04:00I LOVE endurance but it can be so time consuming! ...I LOVE endurance but it can be so time consuming! When Q is legged up and in shape, I don't have a problem maintaining her, but the legging up is so, so much work. It's so wonderful to have versatile horses that can jump between disciplines so that we're able to morph our equestrian goals to better fit our non-equestrian lifestyles.Liz Stouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18267806576736655184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post-30708873393845347192017-07-20T14:44:59.103-04:002017-07-20T14:44:59.103-04:00Thank you! West Virginia is Almost Heaven <3 We...Thank you! West Virginia is Almost Heaven <3 We're lucky up here.Liz Stouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18267806576736655184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post-31034530624593442012017-07-20T13:13:58.480-04:002017-07-20T13:13:58.480-04:00"The good thing about taking time off from an..."The good thing about taking time off from any hobby or discipline is that it's still gonna be around later; if we're truly called to it and miss it we can go back." <- Yes! Very much yes! <3Nicole Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09817619834026667737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post-86731184996406853752017-07-20T12:41:38.888-04:002017-07-20T12:41:38.888-04:00Balancing is so hard. Stepping away from endurance...Balancing is so hard. Stepping away from endurance and moving toward arena based disciplines was one massive art of compromise for me. I couldn't make endurance fit into my family time and Wyatt time never gets put on the back burner for my hobbies. It was either change disciplines or stop riding.<br /><br />I'm sorry you had to cancel the first show, but I know you will still enjoy RBTR with Stan and hit the next one running. <br /><br /> Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03346020257901575574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post-29798441985414077652017-07-20T12:37:33.630-04:002017-07-20T12:37:33.630-04:00Dang. I hate when real life gets in the way of hor...Dang. I hate when real life gets in the way of horse life, but unfortunately it is unavoidable sometimes. Your place is INCREDIBLY beautiful btw, I am jealous! -Kelly @ Hunky HanoverianKelly the HnkyHanoverianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18336047158009394408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post-36385449802029400982017-07-20T12:04:30.432-04:002017-07-20T12:04:30.432-04:00#adulting is the worst. I look at preteens who don...#adulting is the worst. I look at preteens who don't even work yet and still get to enjoy their summer break however they please for the most part and think, "You don't even know how good you have it." but then I remember the cliques and the hormones and I question how good they have it lolololLiz Stouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18267806576736655184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post-23692372645527851892017-07-20T12:03:07.145-04:002017-07-20T12:03:07.145-04:00Boo hiss indeed!! Makes me think of the Jim Carrey...Boo hiss indeed!! Makes me think of the Jim Carrey "Yes Man" film. Being open to so many things and saying "yes" is fun....until it really, really isn't. Need some "No Man" in your life, too, to you know, survive?! lolLiz Stouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18267806576736655184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post-48031986915415982922017-07-20T11:57:57.373-04:002017-07-20T11:57:57.373-04:00Yup, I hear you about the whole #adulting thing. I...Yup, I hear you about the whole #adulting thing. It can be hard to try and get everything done - it always seems like one thing or another gets left behind or dropped. I think it helps to be more fluid in your methods - being able to change plans and accept those changes really helps.Cathrynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15652933884652697666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post-63940040931199974732017-07-20T11:21:05.471-04:002017-07-20T11:21:05.471-04:00I'm looking at my upcoming schedule (now to Oc...I'm looking at my upcoming schedule (now to October) and thinking that I really need to do some cancelling of my own. Unfortunately, other people are relying on me for almost every single plan I have on the calendar. Boo-hiss!Domhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00139769676714813261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post-83741144668756501052017-07-20T11:03:04.162-04:002017-07-20T11:03:04.162-04:00I can tell just how much fun you're having wit...I can tell just how much fun you're having with your new endeavors, too! Your enjoyment is contagious and I find myself being better about scheduling workouts after seeing your IG posts. I think the parallels between your endurance prep/training and your personal fitness goals this year are super cool, too. <br /><br />The good thing about taking time off from any hobby or discipline is that it's still gonna be around later; if we're truly called to it and miss it we can go back. For awhile my brain wouldn't connect that for some of my hobbies. It's been a nice realization to come to though and funnily enough, with that realization I've had an easier time flowing between so many things without feeling the stress of them. Liz Stouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18267806576736655184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post-70064347228397574722017-07-20T10:56:34.704-04:002017-07-20T10:56:34.704-04:00It used to make my head spin, too! And I used to b...It used to make my head spin, too! And I used to be really militant about all of my things. I'm learning to flow better and be less hard on myself as time goes on though. It's still a balance and a dance at times, but I'm learning and getting better. Learning to relax is SO important; I don't know why it can be so hard to do at times!Liz Stouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18267806576736655184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post-18885090571956460302017-07-20T10:55:17.925-04:002017-07-20T10:55:17.925-04:00I bet Mort loves having time off during the dog da...I bet Mort loves having time off during the dog days of summer! I have found that when I give myself time away from the horses to balance other parts of life they always seem to come back to work just as renewed as I do. I think we forget how much vacations/downtime can benefit our horses. I'm trying to add time off for my guys more consciously now because I've seen how much they benefit from it.Liz Stouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18267806576736655184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post-24107952773626362172017-07-20T10:48:38.046-04:002017-07-20T10:48:38.046-04:00Hard decisions are SO taxing. I've found that ...Hard decisions are SO taxing. I've found that scheduling down time really helps me. I've had a lot of weekends this year that I make a point of NOT committing to something so that I can relax if I want to. I often end up doing things locally anyway, but not feeling any obligation to be anywhere is sometimes just the break I need. I know you'll be traveling to visit soon, but hopefully once you're here you can find some relaxation and recharge. Cold mountain rivers may help revive you some, too. ;-)Liz Stouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18267806576736655184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post-85632865809930691332017-07-20T10:45:00.095-04:002017-07-20T10:45:00.095-04:00I take the same approach putting down all possible...I take the same approach putting down all possible events. It helps with planning to know what my options are even though I know damn well I won't make it to many of them. It's a delicate balance sometimes for sure.Liz Stouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18267806576736655184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post-17979210629479710612017-07-20T10:43:47.037-04:002017-07-20T10:43:47.037-04:00Feeling balanced physically and emotionally is so ...Feeling balanced physically and emotionally is so important to finding success with horses, I find. If I'm stressed to the nines, I rarely have a good ride. I can't expect my horses to give me their all if I can't check-in fully during our sessions. Tricky little dance, but worth it to keep relationships thriving and learn new things.<br /><br />Tentative plan is Aug. 30 Twilight, Sept. and Nov. trials. I'll be banding raptors for the Oct. one!Liz Stouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18267806576736655184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post-56213826344099932432017-07-20T10:40:40.225-04:002017-07-20T10:40:40.225-04:00She and Grif were in a temp pen and were really it...She and Grif were in a temp pen and were really itchy with their halters on. I converted their throat latches (halter-bridles) that have my phone number on them into neck collars so that they could be less itchy and still have my information attached to them in case something happened and they got out. I typically don't like to leave anything on my horses in turnout, but as they weren't in their home environment and the temp fence is easily torn down in a panic, it was the best bet. They're very accustomed to a lot of things being attached to them over the years so I knew these wouldn't bother them at all. <br /><br />Another aside: endurance riders in ridecamp will somes put neck collars on horses that are attached to hi-tie systems. I've also know some pack horses to wear them on trail and even more horses to use them in camp when on a hi-line. If you've got a mellow critter that responds well to pressure/release, they'll probably work for you/the horse. Doesn't beat a halter, but works for some situations.Liz Stouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18267806576736655184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post-20735424159625804352017-07-20T10:37:23.297-04:002017-07-20T10:37:23.297-04:00Life balance is hard. The horses had to give this ...Life balance is hard. The horses had to give this year, given the level of commitment my new competition goals require. I was still debating doing the Fort Valley LD in October...but I've really enjoyed taking this year off from endurance. I hadn't realized how much it stressed me out until I stopped doing it. I might return to it, or I might not. I'm having too much fun with this right now, and it's been a gateway to exploring so many other aspects of fitness I wanted to dabble in: running, HIIT, lifting heavy, working with a trainer, focusing on eating for MY performance. I'm happy I've been able to balance it out with my other relationships and setting time aside for strict downtime to just enjoy life. Nicole Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09817619834026667737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post-35109277397722639612017-07-20T10:36:14.013-04:002017-07-20T10:36:14.013-04:00So many more! And yeah, I have definitely noticed ...So many more! And yeah, I have definitely noticed how busy you've been this year! It's really hard to balance everything. I dunno about you, but I always seem to think it will "slow down" or "get better" and inevitably I fill my time with other things regardless lol. C'est la vie. I'd rather have a full life than an empty one. Scheduling downtime DOES help though.Liz Stouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18267806576736655184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post-59087631996466633842017-07-20T09:54:42.886-04:002017-07-20T09:54:42.886-04:00I used to be some militant about DO THIS THEN DO T...I used to be some militant about DO THIS THEN DO THIS THEN DO THIS and never take a break. The last couple years have been educational in terms of finding a work/life balance and learning how to actually relax. Frankly, I have no idea how you handle multiple horses/disciplines. The very idea makes my brain spin.SprinklerBandithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02948487857418394022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post-19779017269911169842017-07-20T09:50:05.985-04:002017-07-20T09:50:05.985-04:00I honestly am not sure how you manage to have thre...I honestly am not sure how you manage to have three horses and so many hobbies. I have one horse and like one other 'full-time' hobby of running and I feel busy. Summer always seems to involve more compromise for me too. The husband and I enjoy camping and fishing a lot so Mort gets several weekends off throughout the summer while we run away from reality. In the long run training in the dead heat of summer is gross anyway so Mort certainly isn't any worse off. It's all about balance and keeping ourselves healthy and happy!Burn the Mortgagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15914753764844797433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3543945977774319437.post-80306953314155480902017-07-20T09:35:25.493-04:002017-07-20T09:35:25.493-04:00Ugh. Life balance is the thing I struggle with mos...Ugh. Life balance is the thing I struggle with most as well. This whole year has felt like making one hard decision after another, and it's really starting to get to me. I think any decision that makes you happy and leaves you with more energy is a good one. I'm always here for you! <3Austenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13004088333430762406noreply@blogger.com