The weather has turned beautiful. Brian and I headed out today with the plan to warm up in the indoor arena and then transition to the outdoor. Except when we arrived there was a lesson going on in the indoor so we decided to just start outdoors after all. We groomed the boys outside and… Read more »
Horse Thoughts
A Spring in Our Step
Today was one of those very rare April days. It was sunny, in the low 70s, and the wind was just leisurely blowing out of the south. It was perfect for our first ride in the outdoor arena. Bear and I have ridden outside quite a bit, but we’ve never been in the outdoor arena. … Read more »
Spring at Last!
Sunday was in the 80’s! We were expecting major storms, but they never came. We headed out to the barn for Duke Day. The horses got their toes tidied and their semi-annual dose of bot-killer. They were both great for the farrier. While we were waiting for our turn, we availed ourselves of the new… Read more »
Trotting in Traffic
Robin and I woke up really early this Saturday. We had plenty of time to enjoy our coffee, read (or write, for Robin), have a nice breakfast and still make it to the barn early. We were rewarded by having the place to ourselves. For about five minutes. Other boarders must have had the same… Read more »
Busy Barn Saturday
Brian and I headed to the barn early today, hoping to avoid any Saturday traffic. The place was empty when we arrived but that changed before we even got our horses inside. Another boarder arrived to ride her horse Daisy, the only other Paint in the pasture. We had some rain the last couple of… Read more »
Best Lesson Yet
After Robin’s very encouraging rides this week, I went back to riding Bear. It felt great to be on my own horse again. It even felt good to pick his feet. I’m still a new enough horse person that I do not expect such drastic differences between them. But they are everywhere, even in their… Read more »
Reunited (and it Feels So Good)
Friday is lesson day. As we headed for the barn Brian and I decided it was time to put him back on Bear. I was pretty confident things would go well. With my new understanding of Bear’s antics I felt I could coach Brian through any minor resistance Bear might put up. Still, if there… Read more »
Good Boys
Today I rode both our horses, one after the other. I rode Bear first. After our few days of slowly coming to understand each other, I wanted to try him in the saddle again. And I have to say he was completely awesome from the start. He felt relaxed and his mobility was definitely no… Read more »
Trotting the Bear
I intended to go to the barn alone earlier this week, but things have actually been busier than ever for me and my business and I’ve been working exceptionally long days. But this afternoon I reached a point where I simply had to take a break. Which meant Brian and I headed for the barn… Read more »
Still on Steen
Finally we’re having some great weather this spring. We had temps in the 60s, a light north wind, and some nice, fluffy, white clouds. But we rode inside anyways. Since we didn’t ride a ton this winter I don’t feel like I’m in a super hurry to get outside. Feeling comfy in the saddle with… Read more »