Bear has always been an extremely dependable horse. I can count on him to more or less go where I want him to and in the gait I want him to. He rarely spooks or gets frazzled, and he is always friendly. What I do struggle with is getting him to move out with more… Read more »
backing
Signs of Spring?
We knew it was going to be a rainy weekend, but were determined not to let this phase us. Today we got up and went right out to the barn. We found everyone super, super wet. We took Steen and Laredo inside and got them cleaned up, but we didn’t allow them their usual pre-ride… Read more »
What Didn’t Happen
Brian and I seem to have developed a not particularly wonderful habit of having riding accidents in the fall. It started the year we got Bear – 2010. I had a horrible crash on Halloween. Then Brian came off hard our very next ride. I suffered a concussion and Brian’s shoulder bothered him for months.… Read more »
Love at First Ride
My new saddle arrived late on Wednesday. We unpacked it and I have to say it looks even better in person than it did in the photos. Today I headed out to the barn alone to meet the farrier. Brian had to work but planned to come out and meet me later. I took my… Read more »
Catch-up: Laredo
One of the downsides of the whole Steen saga is my little sprint to and from the pasture appears to have gotten my old foot injury reaggravated, so I’ve been a bit laid up just like my horse has. Yesterday Brian very kindly went out in the rain to catch Laredo for me, to save me… Read more »
Loping Circles on Laredo
Between Laredo’s fatigue and Bear’s tight back (and Steen’s ripped up leg), we thought it would be best to give everyone a couple days off. Monday I went out on my own to clean Steen’s leg. All three of our horses came to me as soon as they saw me at the gate, leaving the… Read more »
The last ride of July
We rode in the morning again today. The horses were all out on the hilltop in the pasture when we arrived, and everyone was a bit revved because two horses were moved from the stall herd to the pasture herd. Bear led a charge down the hill to see us, and it was neat to… Read more »
Returning to the Hackamore
This was one of the earliest mornings we were able to get to the barn. Unfortunately it was also one of the hottest days of the year in what has been a very hot year. Still, we had a good ride. Recently Robin and I had watched Martin Black’s video, The Hackamore. Martin is one… Read more »
Good Obstacles
Today we rode in the tree lot again for the shade. This was my first time on Laredo out there, and things went very well. Laredo seems to be finally accepting the bit. His rooting habit is almost gone, and he’s moving off pressure instead of leaning into it. He’s also walking out with a… Read more »
Focus on the Positive
It was my turn to ride Laredo again today, and I was determined to have a better time on him. I had a few things working in my favor. For one, I got new boots! I have strange feet. They are strange for a variety of reasons, from genetics to injuries to general conformation. The… Read more »