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 »
ground-work
A Week Off
It hasn’t been the greatest stretch as far as me getting to the barn goes. Last Wednesday Jesse and I went out again, but it was pouring down rain, Steen was really wet and really muddy, and the (new and scary) sound of the downpour on the aluminum roof of the indoor arena had him… Read more »
Time Off
I was out of town for a few days, so after a brief bareback ride on muddy, wet Thursday during which Steen was so relaxed it was almost comical, he got a number of days off. Tuesday found me back at the barn with my visiting brother in tow. We went down to the pasture… Read more »
Railing
Monday I went to the barn for a morning ride. As usual, I had the place to myself. Steen and I worked outdoors, since he’s been relaxed again lately and I want to ride outside all I can while the weather holds. It was a good ride, though I am starting to demand a little… 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 »
Catch-Up
Last week was a sparse one as far as horse-time goes, but my mom did get to come out to meet and ride Steen, so that was excellent. They seemed to get along well. After my week of traveling, visitors, extra-long hours at the gallery and some impromptu night-time socializing, I threw a sleepless night… Read more »
More Bareback
Since the ground was still rather damp today, I went bareback and indoors again. This time I was not alone in the arena, but shared it with another horse and rider. It is always nice when this happens because it is good practice for Steen in the art of paying attention to me when there… Read more »
Tag Team
Two Sundays in a row now, Brian has gone out to the barn with me. Last Sunday on the way out we stopped at a tack shop to pick up a new headstall to go with Steen’s new bit – a Myler loose-ring snaffle with nice big rings and bent mouth-pieces. It is a lot… Read more »
Rotten
Moisture, I’ve concluded, is a mixed bag. Sure, water brings life – but is it always desirable life? In Arizona, our horses can’t get all their food from grass grown in their very own pastures, but they also aren’t constantly battling parasites. Here in the midwest, everything is wet and rich and the environment is… Read more »
A Manure Barrel!
While Robin is in sunny, hot, and dry Arizona for the week, I told her that I would check up on Steen. I had a wonderful 4th of July weekend that involved multiple BBQs and nice bike rides, so on Sunday I was more than happy to take an easy ride out to see Steen… Read more »