In Which We Meet Nice Men With Chainsaws
Yesterday Dino and I went on a leisurely walk down the road. It was 70 degrees, gloriously sunny, a light breeze was blowing, and we were definitely overdue for an out of the ring adventure. I rode in a short sleeved shirt! It was wondrous. Hello, spring!
On our way out to the big fields, we seemed to meet just about everyone in the neighborhood. An old man with a tractor moving rocks around his yard, people out gardening, and the absolute best - 3 guys with chainsaws doing some tree work.
Dino was, naturally, not at all perturbed by the noise of the saws, but the tree guys were SO considerate and turned them off as we passed by. I stopped to say hi and thank them, and then they asked if they could pet my pony! It was so amusing to see three grown men get so excited over seeing a horse up close, and I absolutely love when Dino and I can be equine ambassadors to non-horse people. The guys really enjoyed meeting Dino, and it was really fun to chat with them.
My pony was not super motivated about doing any actual work, and grudgingly trotted up a little hill a few times before we continued our stroll. On the way home, we met a lovely old gentleman out walking his Dalmatian, and chatted with him, too. It was a wonderful day for walking and socializing!
In other news, I've been trying to wear my new tall boots to continue the breaking-in process, and they are killing me. My left foot fell asleep yesterday during my ride. How long is this supposed to take?! I've ridden in them probably.. I don't know, 7 times or so now? Should they be broken in by now? Am I being a weenie? WHY ARE THEY SO TIGHT?! They (thankfully) aren't giving me blisters but they seem to be taking their sweet time with the break-in process. Does anyone have any tips on breaking in boots faster? I am leery of dunking my boots in a bathtub, they cost too much money to replace if that process goes awry!
I'm going to be following this closely because I'm breaking in tall boots as well and all I can say is ouch! I have been wearing them at home, sitting on the couch watching movies and things but I've ridden in them twice now and my feet still fall asleep so unfortunately I am no help at all lol
ReplyDeleteI love rides like that. Yay Dino!
ReplyDeleteIf they're still super tight, you can try rubbing alcohol or Der Dau stretching spray.
ReplyDeleteI had to wear my show tall boots every ride for two straight week to get them to the point where they were tolerable, and they still pinched my feet a little at shows. I like the super tight feeling they had though, because it made me feel really secure. Then I left my schooling boots at my boyfriend's house for a month and had to wear my show boots again -- now they are REALLY broken in and completely comfortable. So I'm guessing it will probably take at least another week, depending on the brand (I have two pairs of Ariats and the show boots were fitted TIGHT -- I still can't have them zipped up all the way when I'm just walking around because they hit the back of my knee).
ReplyDeleteIf you want to speed things along, water really isn't that bad for leather, especially not if you condition them afterwards, so you can always give them a hose down or dunk your feet before you ride.
what a good boy Dino! and yea i have a pair of schooling boots that just don't want to break in either... they're fine once they're ON, but getting the zipper up is another story. ughhhhhh.
ReplyDeleteI like using those heel lifts when I'm first breaking in boots... but really it's just about sucking it up. I hate it!
ReplyDeleteBoot-breaking-in might be my least favorite thing :P Sounds like a really fun little jaunt though!
ReplyDeleteI put an insert in the footbed of my boots to take up all the extra room and keep my foot from sliding around at all. Then, I just wear the boots forever. I think mine took a month to finally get comfortable in the calf, but over a year to break in right in the ankle (my fault, I didn't put the inserts in right away, and they broke in the wrong spot).
ReplyDeleteExcellent suggestions everyone, thank you! I have heel lifts and insoles in them now, and I've been wearing them around the house while I work during the day. Hopefully they'll break in soon!!
ReplyDeleteI, too, was leery of all-out soaking them in the bathtub, but I took a wet washcloth and rubbed down the insides until they were wet (but I could control where and how wet) and then zipped 'em up and wore them around all day. Didn't break them in 100%, but a definite improvement!
ReplyDeleteDawh how cute! Everyone loves Dino
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