Yesterday Brian and I headed to the barn in the morning for Brian’s first ride at the new place. Steen has gotten so mellow about being handled and tied. He was practically nodding off while Brian groomed him. I think the new environment and all the changes combined with consistent handling in spite of the… Read more »
Brian
On A Roll
On Sunday I went to the barn, saddled Steen and then made him stand quietly and wait for around 20 minutes while 10 other people also saddled up their horses. Then we all hit the trail. We had kids and newbies present, so it was a walking ride. Steen and I ended up third in… Read more »
Picking Up
Well, I’m back in Iowa and ready to settle back into my routine. I arrived home on Wednesday, late, worked Thursday and Friday and so didn’t have a chance to go see Steen until Saturday. However, Saturday after a late morning, Brian and I headed out. I didn’t think to take my camera, so can’t… Read more »
Date Night
On Wednesdays Robin and I always have some sort of date night. Sometimes we stay in and eat cheap Chinese food or just have leftovers and watch silly movies or TV shows. Other times we go out. Last week was a particularly enjoyable date at Giavanni’s with great food and a super tasty bottle of… Read more »
The Mud of Spring
On Wednesday I went to the barn to find the mud lot truly living up to its name. I could not be more grateful that Steen comes to the gate to meet me now, because even walking into that soup of muck that covers the ground from fence to fence would be difficult. On Wednesday… Read more »
Progress
In the past eight days I have gone out to the stable to ride on 5 of them. That is a personal record for me. In those five rides I struggled in the outdoor arena through my first lope, had my first solo loping session on Tuesday, refined my lope a little more with the… Read more »
Solo Lope
A few weeks ago Robin gave me Steenblog rights because I was starting to get out to the stables on Tuesdays for “guys night” (which mostly includes Steen and I). The first outing was not so great as it was the day after Steen got his teeth floated. The second outing was a little bit… Read more »
Backwards and Forwards
Although Steen has certainly had his teeth floated before, it seems the experience this time left him slightly traumatized. I didn’t really anticipate this, which was perhaps silly of me, but I guess I was so charmed by his perfect behavior for Dutch and Cathy, it didn’t even occur to me that the day after… Read more »
Fall Rides
I’ve gotten in a few good rides this last week or so. Last Friday, Brian and I went to the barn in the evening. Brian is becoming more and more confident around the horses, and I think will soon start going out to ride on his own on Tuesdays and other days I don’t have… Read more »
Friday Evening at the Barn
After we both spent the day at work, Brian and I decided to head out the barn for a little evening ride. Due to Steen’s continued shoulder infection, I have been out to treat it every day this week, and since I’ve been out there every day anyway, why not ride, right? The result of… Read more »