Today's ride did not go according to plan. In fact, thanks to this new and unwelcome hoof chip, it didn't go at all.
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What makes this extra frustrating is that Rev was scheduled to see the farrier yesterday. For whatever reason, that didn't happen, and this is the unpleasant result. Rev's owner is doing her best to get him some farrier care today, so I'm optimistic that this won't turn into a major issue. Still, it's left me feeling a bit unsettled and out of sorts.
Like today's ride, today's post is not going according to plan. I'd intended to write an ambitious piece about performance judging, but the words just aren't there. Rather than force it, I've decided to take advantage of the all the contest comments by asking for reader suggestions. What kind of topics do you most like to see on this blog?
Do you like studio posts best?
What about live show reports?
Any ideas for Tack Tips? I'm open to reasonable suggestions, but please do not ask for a complete English saddle making tutorial. That's not going to happen here. Sorry!
I'm pretty sure everyone likes the performance class information...
but are you just as interested in stories of my past...
I'll be honest, regardless of feedback, blog content is likely to stay more or less the same. Still, I'm definitely open to suggestions (and questions!). Let me know what you'd like to see, and together, we'll start working toward the next million page views!
Posts
For my taste you are doing a great mixture of themes in your blog! Like to see almost everything you just asked. As a tack tip, how about a how to do knee rolls or panels?
ReplyDeleteI love all of the different things that you post. I enjoy reading all of them. Tack tips are especially helpful. Congrats on almost a million. Oh yeah- and a simple halter tutorial would be cool.
ReplyDeleteI love everything about your blog, don't think you should change a thing :) But if you're curious, I especially like the live show reports, studio goings-on and tack pictures, and stories about all of your pets/family. You really have a great mix of stories, info and opinion, with dashes of silliness thrown in ;-)
ReplyDeleteI subscribe to hundreds of blogs and this is one of my favorites, so keep on doing what you're doing!
I love all your posts, but my favorites are definately the live show reports and the stories about your past.
ReplyDeleteLM
I love the way you do it just as it is. For a tack tip, I'd love to see how you make the padded noseband/browbands.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog the way it is :) but I do love looking at all of your tack and tell Rev to get well soon for me.I understand what it's like having a hurt horse my little girl was goofing off and cut her leg ( on what I don't know there was nothing sharp or anything sticking out on the fence),I checked that paddock from one end to the other and nothing.It happend late at night so I had to wait to call the vet( i didn't sleep well that night)but we got it all straiten out :)
ReplyDeleteI love it how you post different things all the time. Keeps it interesting!
ReplyDeleteI especially love the live show reports, though.
I wouldn't change a thing about your blog. You have a wonderful mix of show info, tack info, performance info and personal info that makes us feel like you like us and want us a part of your life. One of the highlights of my day is finding you have posted someting.
ReplyDeleteI love everything you post, but i defenitly enjoy the live show reports. They give me more tipe for my live showing.
ReplyDeleteI love them all!
ReplyDeleteHopefully my little baby is not to hurt and the farrier can fix it. I like when you write about rev of course. But I like all the mix you have going. You have a great blog going.
ReplyDeleteOh, and poor Rev! I hope something gets done for him fast. I know how annoying hoof problems are. My first mare kept getting cracks in her hooves. Nothing we did worked. She spent all her life shod.
ReplyDeleteMostly, I love the blog the way it is.
ReplyDeleteThere is a great variety from the early years with the early Breyer models or some with my fondly remembered books thrown in, that I can certainly relate to, however; I really, REALLY enjoy the Model Show posts. I’ve never been to a Model Horse show (yet) and don’t know when I’ll be able to attend one, so to see all the models, classes, results and various levels of competition is fantastic!
Actually, your entire blog with all the different themes, subjects and posts, coupled with ALL the great photos allows me to observe a great many activities, ideas and events in greater depth than I would ever get to experience otherwise. I get to see things I wouldn’t normally get to see and I get to go places I wouldn’t ordinarily get to go. Your blog allows me to (as I’ve mentioned before) live vicariously through your posts. : )
I think the secret to your success as a blogger is twofold: 1) you write almost daily, and 2) the content is a nice variety of real life, horse life, and model life.
ReplyDeleteI say keep on keepin' on!
Lynn
POST ALL OF THE THINGS!!!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! Everything about it... I have learned a lot over the past year I have been reading it! It's on my daily stalk list (haha) I especially like the live show reports though, since there are no live shows in my area and it is very interesting to me. Congratulations on almost reaching 1 MILLION page veiws!!!
ReplyDeleteI love the variety of all those things! Don't change a thing :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with what everyone has mentioned thus far, but especially so, the tales and photos of your son's rats modeling new saddles.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I still have yet to see the photo of a pack rat promised at 500,000 views! *Wink*
It's hard to pick a favorite kind of post. I love live show reports, family posts and posts about your past because it's fun to learn more about you. I read tack tips but don't make tack so just think they are cool. Your blog for me is a must read no matter what you write about :)
ReplyDeleteI hope Rev will be OK.
I would love to see using aluminum tape to make parade saddles. Anything with a parade saddle is cool! Like what breeds wear them and so on
ReplyDeleteWow! I am so flattered. I've always kind of thought that every time I post *another* dog picture, most of my readers roll their eyes and think, "enough already." Glad to know that's NOT the case.
ReplyDeleteAnd Terri--I COMPLETELY FORGOT ABOUT THE PACK RATS!!!! I can't believe that slipped my mind for so long! I promise that I will make an effort to recruit some rat wranglers for a photo shoot in the very near future!
Rev has a farrier appointment tomorrow at 5:30. Cross your fingers that this incident will have a quick and painless resolution!
Personally, I enjoy the mix of ALL of the suggested topics! That's what makes it fun, just like chatting with a friend...whatever comes up is just the right topic for the day! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhatever you write, I shall read :D
ReplyDeleteI love everything about your blog! I frequently check the tack tips for things I'm also working on. I also like to look at all the performance pictures for inspiration for my own set ups. I like to add pet stuff to my blog as well, how could I not? The rat pics always make me laugh and make me think the cat could make a nice saddle cat.....off to test the theory...ahah
ReplyDeleteI love all of your posts, regardless of content!
ReplyDelete-Margaret B.
mfb912@yahoo.com
I love them all! I do really enjoy show reports, though.
ReplyDeleteMy favorites are the performance entries with all your lovely pictures, but I read all your posts no matter what they're about.
ReplyDeleteI find the tack information intriguing, but have never tried to make my own, mostly because the shape of the saddle baffles me. I would love to see a tutorial on how to make the trees.
Looking forward to the pack rat photos!
I love the variety of topics. It's all good. As someone who wants to try showing I love the show posts. Love the tack making tips. Would love to see how knee rolls are done.
ReplyDeleteWindwalker175
I like everything you post about! But my favorite's are probably performance showing reports, and real horse things!
ReplyDeleteThe tack tips and performance information posts are my favorites, but really, your blog posts are always a pleasure to read. <3
ReplyDeleteLOVE tack tips and customizing tips! Studio posts are also awesome.Pictures of your custom/painted resin collection?
ReplyDeleteOf course I love everything you post, but my favorites are definitely performance highlights, tack tips, and studio updates. It's always fun to see past photos too :)
ReplyDeleteThe only tack tip that I've been hankering for is to do with silver on bridles, breastplates and other harder-to-get-to places. I've used Rio Riondo's silver before, but was wondering if there was a way to make your own. And I'm sure you'd be just the person to ask, considering you're a mostly English tack maker. ;)
But really, it's all good. Especially the rats. And best of luck with that nasty hoof!
-Grace
I love everything you post specially the tack tips I would love to see more of them also I love the show pictures because there is no shows around here in the San Diego area and I would like to see some close by, but traveling with you throu your post and pictures is great, keep up the good work
ReplyDeleteAll of the above. Every day that there is a post on your blog comes as a very enjoyable surprise :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree that you do a great mix of things. I particularly like learning about performance and your tack tips.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see performance topics; specifically what is involved with individual performance classes. What to look for, what's wrong, what's right. Something to help the novice, experienced and judges of performance classes.
ReplyDeleteLive show reports!! In the studio posts are also one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with all of the above.
ReplyDeleteAnd appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge, and tips on tack and showing.Performance ideas are great too.
And the fun you have with your family.
My day's not complete, until I've checked out your blog!
I apparently vote for anything with Appies. ;) Seriously though, I've yet to find anything you post that I dislike. I really like live shows and real horse events, since I don't get to go to those!
ReplyDeleteI like Tack tips!
ReplyDeleteYour blog has a good balance of everything, and I love it all! But if I had to pick my favourites, they'd be studio posts, performance class info, family/pet posts and tack tips(especially tack tips, they're very helpful!). I'd really love to see how you go about making a tree/the basis for a Portuguese saddle and also for a sidesaddle. :)
ReplyDeleteAnother thought, I also really enjoy the model customizing posts (Thinking back to Roundapony!).
Keep up the good work and I hope my suggestions helped!
Corrie
Please don't change a thing with your blog! I enjoy ALL of the various topics. . This is the only Blog that I check on a daily basis - If I must narrow it down to a favorite subject, it would be the performance information...
ReplyDeleteI like the variety of topics so all is good. My favorites are the performance showing bits because I want to eventually try showing. Love the tack tips too. I'd love to see one on how to do knee rolls. And how can you forget the tack rats to make us smile?
ReplyDeleteI love everything! My favorite would have to be live show reports and tack tips. I also love the posts about your family and animals.
ReplyDeleteI like them all! That's one of the many reasons I check this page each day - you never know what you're going to get. Keep it up :)
ReplyDeleteKim
This blog is one of my favorite and I check it almost daily. A little less tack making, more dog, rat and family posts would be great. Oh could you show everyone how to make saddle ornaments and suggest they mail them to me your nontack making friend who wants one for my tree and keychain?
ReplyDeleteProud of you and the great blog!
I love the variety and regular posts.
ReplyDeleteI have your blog linked to my Outlook and whenever I see the "Jennifer Buxton" folder text appear in bold I know I'm in for a treat.
Heh, an English saddle-making tutorial is actually _exactly_ what I was thinking of asking about. I'm dying to learn to make them, but I'm yet to find a tutorial that doesn't end in a saddle that looks like it was made out of shoes sometime in the 1970's. I do have Susan Bensema Young's tackmaking guide, which has a nicer saddle in it. However, the end product that pattern produces and the vision I have of what I want to create are a bit different. I just don't know how to "make up" that difference. Articles that might help are "tack tips"-type articles on things like how a saddle should fit (How often do you see an English saddle on a model that is much too big or small?) and where it should sit on the horse. Construction-specific tips might also help, like how to do knee-rolls. I do love your tack tips in general. Experienced tackmakers sharing even little things that they've learned saves other tackmakers from having to reinvent the wheel quite as much.
ReplyDelete~damaia
I love the show reports; especially pictures of horses from your region that I wouldn't normally get to see. Truly tho I enjoy all the posts; its like you are sharing your family and life with all of us! So thanks muchly for that. :)
ReplyDeleteBeth P
Echoing everyone else, I really like the mix of posts that you do, it makes it feel like a community and we're just continuing a long conversation. My favorite posts though are probably live show reports, performance class info and tack tips!
ReplyDeleteHope Rev's feet are in better shape soon!
Hope Rev's feet get better soon!
ReplyDeleteI like all of the above and wouldn't want you to change any of it. I like that there's a mixture of model horses/real horses/real life and it makes your blog all the more interesting. Hopefully Rev's owner can get his foot taken care of and quickly. That's crazy how big a chip there is from missing one farrier appointment.
ReplyDeleteI adore the variety of topics on your Blog and would not like to see it change. Your Blog is the first thing I check every day. I'm always looking forward to what's new with Rev, your dogs, the kids, your trips and show reports. Thank you for sharing so many tack and performance tips which I've incorporated into my own tack and setupss. Congratulations on almost reaching a million!
ReplyDeleteI think that you have a really nice mix of blog posts and I enjoy them all. :) Tami
ReplyDeleteI love everything about your blog - there is such a wide variety of interesting things to read about! I have learnt so much from all the blogs, and I have you to thank for my first ever 1st place at a show! If I had to choose though, I would love to hear more about what is going on in your studio. I spend hours gazing at the pictures of the tiny saddles and bridles!
ReplyDeleteAbby
I love it all, Jen, so please continue with the great variety of topics, from personal to model-related. Oh, and don't forget the ratties! Those posts really warm my heart.
ReplyDeleteThe tremendous variety is one of your strengths. That's the way life is! Hopefully you won't get burned out on any one subject... If I had to pick a fav, I remember the parade reports, because they make me feel like I'm right there.
ReplyDeleteIf the impossible should happen and I win some tack, just recall you had a bridle I loved...
I'd love more tack tips. Since no one would ask you for all your secrets for an English saddle, how about one on making a tree, or how you go about translating pictures into tiny tack? Or dealing with problematic molds - can you compensate for mold flaws with well-designed tack?
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I love basically all of your posts, and think the balance is pretty good, although I'm more likely to come back and comb the archives for tack tips than stories of old horses. Seeing into your studio is always fun, too, because I like to think about how I'd organize my studio if I ever get to a place where I can set one up.
I love all of your posts, it's always great to come home to find a new blog entry! I especially like New performance ideas and model horse live show photos. It's interesting to see the standard of classes over in the US compared with the UK. Any tack tips have me jumping up and down in excitement!
ReplyDeleteLove it all, but especially the Ratty exploits! Always make me smile!
ReplyDeleteI would really like to know for a tack tip/basic how you know if a saddle is too big or too small. Also if boots are too tall would be nice.
ReplyDeleteParade sets w/ info on tape would be good too. I agree Shanti on the knee rolls because I'm having troulble w/ it. I ended up taking a knife and leaving a line to represnt a knee roll.
Anything you write I'll read it daily so anything is fine really, though tack tips are my favorites.
Poor Rev...Hopes he gets better.
Devon Comstock♥
xoxo Happy Valentines Day!
I would also really like to see a tack tip on knee rolls.
ReplyDeleteAll of the above please! :D
ReplyDeleteAn article of sorts on knee rolls would be fantastic though, that's the one thing I can never get right on my saddles!
i love the tack tips but what i would love to see most is an english saddle tutorial (keep reading!) with a mystery ending you could show your readers how to get started but then...
ReplyDeleteI love all the posts, but I really enjoy all of the live show reports, as well as you and your dog/horse/family life!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy all your posts and enjoy the mix of themes and topics. I do love the live show reports as it's so interesting to see beautiful models outside of my region. (We have some really nice stuff here, but we're all used to seeing it, you know?)
ReplyDeleteI love everything about your blog, as far as tack tip suggestions go, maybe knee rolls and panels like Shanti said.
ReplyDeleteSarah
CuttingHorse
I like the studio posts, live show reports and tack tips the best. The more pictures the better! On the personal stuff I fear I merely check the pictures.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see a tack tips tutorial on how to make those lovely two tone saddle seat bridle browbands you do.
ReplyDeleteHappy valentines day!
I really enjoy seeing your real horse documentation for performance showing.I especially like your articles on different trail obstacles. That really help me come up with new ideas.
ReplyDeleteLove everything!
ReplyDeleteI like the guest posts as it often leads me to link to someone else's blog (you can never have enough)! I still learn plenty from your tutorials although I was thinking you could also invite other tackmakers to contribute to see if they have alternative methods for some stuff. What suits one person may not suit another and that is always true for tack making. Let me know if you would ever want help with anything like that.
Nothing makes me happier than learning a new trick. If you'd ever like to write a tutorial for this blog, Lauren, PLEASE do so. Seriously, that would make me SO happy!
ReplyDeleteHow's Rev's foot doing by the way?
ReplyDeleteI love everything about your blog, but especially any tack tips or pictures of your tack (in regards to tack tips, panels and how to finish off the jockey flappy bits that go round near the back would be AMAZING! I always have trouble with those two things). I also really like the old photo's from your past, especially the modelly ones, I don't know why but I love the effect or something about the old photo's. And collection photos are always good :P
ReplyDeleteBut your blog is great the way it is, the right mixture of everything I think
Knee rolls and buckle rollers would be awesome thank you!!! Your bloge is really awesome.
ReplyDeleteI would like it if you could make a jump how to. Please!
ReplyDeleteI love everything about this blog; It just has a perfect mix of everything, so It's not overwhelming with just horse posts, or just family posts. It's a wonderful balance:)
ReplyDeleteOuch, Rev!
ReplyDeletePersonally, Jennifer, I enjoy all of your past content. The varied topics make for an interesting read. My favourites, though, are the tack tips, performance/real show reports and information, and stories from your past.
Keep it up!
I really enjoy the variety of inter-related topics you post on. The excursion shots are vicarious fun, and I'm consistently amazed and intrigued by the how-to and model-show posts. And adding Trillium and now Rev to the mix - so glad you get a real horse fix, to enjoy, too :)
ReplyDeleteHope the farrier has fixed Rev up!
you make amazing saddles, bridles, etc. keep up the great work!!:)
ReplyDelete