u/Dia_8811

So my roommate (soon to be ex-roommate!) has lived in our current unit for 3yrs and is a religious pothead. I’m talking multiple times a week for i assume the last 3 years. Never bothered the previous roommates, I think they did it too. I moved in halfway through the lease (transfer from another unit) and she had put “non smoker” on her application so i assumed she did not smoke. A bit naive I know, but oh well. Anyways I asked her if she could smoke on our porch as our rooms are next door to each other and I despise the smell. She agreed for a while and then went back to smoking indoors. I just moved out and ALL of my belongings smell of weed, and so does our unit. This is obviously against our lease and I want to ensure I get my security deposit back as I have caused almost no damage to the unit. Is it worth reporting this to my leasing office? I did not report it originally because she had threatened our other roommate about reporting it and I did not want to risk it. However now that I have moved out and will not have to deal with the fall out, I am considering it.

We have a horse who was recently rehabbed from a bad leg injury that required 6mo stall rest, which she did not handle well. She has been cleared and is perfectly sound but has been acting up under saddle. She’s always been a quirky horse and was pretty bad when we first got her, but never unsafe. Last year before her injury we never had any issues with her and she was a fantastic horse I enjoyed riding and rode often. This year she has gotten to the point where no one (including myself) wants to ride her due to bucking, bolting and other unsafe behaviors, primarily because she is unpredictable. You can ride her one day and she is fine, the next she is not. There is no way to know if/when she will do it. For example I rode her just fine in an event, and then three weeks later she took off during canter work in the arena and broke my knee! Prior to that she had bucked someone off during an event but was fine when ridden/worked afterwards. We do not think it is a pain issue, and I personally suspect it is a mental one and due to inconsistent work. Every time she acts up, she goes weeks without being ridden as we cannot get anyone on her and I cannot risk it with my leg.

We are giving her the summer off and are hoping it can serve as a mental reset for her. I am planning to do ponying and groundwork with her as much as possible in an effort to get her riding safe again come August as she is a wonderful horse and obviously she can’t continue on the way she is. I don’t think she is in dangerous territory yet, but i don’t want to see her degress any further.

What suggestions do you all have for good groundwork exercises that can help? Obviously basic lunge lining, backing, and i am going to incorporate an exercise that mimics one rein stopping (and teach her that it means stop) and if possible try to teach her to stop when weight falls off her back to add extra safety measures. Any additional exercises, techniques or advice specifically for bolters would be greatly appreciated! Unfortunately hiring a professional trainer is not feasible at the moment, as i know that would be the ideal solution.