It is supposed to get over a hundred again today, so I am really happy we got out to the barn early. Earlier than we’ve ever gone, actually. And it felt really nice. It was getting sticky-hot when we left, but during the ride it was cool and breezy. I rode Bear out on the… Read more »
Horse Thoughts
Mood Swings
Today Brian and headed out first thing. We took our coffee with us. We were at the barn by 7:00. I think I must be getting old or something. I used to wake up, roll out of bed, and hit the trails without food or drink or anything. Getting out there early felt a bit hard… Read more »
Tweaking the Trail Ride
On Sunday we got out on the trails as a foursome again. We only had one of the Icelandics with us, and Gay and Doc came along instead. We’ve ridden with them numerous times and it is always fun. On Sunday we were also blessed with wonderful weather. It started off cool and breezy and… Read more »
The Third Ride
Brian has spend several more hours in the saddle than me this year, and he’s on better track for our riding goal too, so I need to catch up a little. Plus, I rode Steen on Saturday and Sunday, and I wanted to ride him again today. It seems to me working a horse three days… Read more »
Sunday on the Trails
We met Kat at the barn today again, and also invited our friend Gay. Megan couldn’t make it, so we were four when we hit the trails again. The day was actually coolish, and it felt glorious heading out. We started with a modification of our previous route in mind, but we’d never done the exact circuit we had… Read more »
No Hands
I have been focusing for months on trying to use my hands less and my legs more. However when I try to steer just with my legs, we pretty much instantly run into problems. It is so strange to me that Steen can walk a perfect figure-eight with almost no input from the reins, but if… Read more »
Backsliding
It is inevitable. We’ve had some great weeks with Laredo. He’s trying harder, he’s less bothered by us touching his head and ears, and he has a new energy about him when we’re working. But today we had none of that. He was distracted from the get go, and about 10 minutes into the ride… Read more »
Changing Things Up
I shifted my work hours so we could get out to the barn today for an early morning ride. It was still hot, and quite humid, but it sure beat the 100+ degree temps that came later in the day. The horses were grazing in the low section of the big pasture. When we approached… Read more »
Early Morning Heat
The heat has been so oppressive, we decided the only way we were going to get a ride in was to adjust. So on Wednesday, we moved our schedules around to free up time in the morning, and out we went. We found Laredo has a fairly large chip in one of his front feet.… Read more »
Best Trail Ride Yet
This morning we met a fellow boarder and her friend to go out on a trail ride. She has two, cute Icelandic Horses that live in the same pasture as our guys. So we would have almost half the herd on the trail ride. Since we’re still adjusting to things with the hackamore, I decided… Read more »