We got to the barn early again today, and although it didn’t cool off much in the night and it was pretty humid, there was a nice breeze that kept things from feeling too bad. I did some groundwork with Steen before mounting. I’ve been starting to teach him to side-pass from the ground, and… Read more »
ground-work
Steen vs. The Floaty Thingies
It was pretty hot by the time we managed to get to the barn today, so we decided to tack up indoors to stay in the shade for a while. We also decided to park the boys right next to our tack locker because the barn was quiet and there is a spot to tie… Read more »
Good Sweat
Although groundwork used to be a regular part of what I did with Steen, in the last six months or so as he has mellowed significantly and his ground manners have become excellent, I have been pretty much skipping groundwork so I can ride more. I’ve also gotten pretty lazy with suppling exercises while mounted… Read more »
Slick Grass
I had a bit of trouble motivating to go to the barn this afternoon, but Brian wanted to go with or without me, and when it came down to it I couldn’t resist heading out with him. I was glad I went. The weather was perfect and Steen was happy to see me. He almost… Read more »
Steen the Irritating
On Monday we rode again on the strip. I went bareback and Steen started out being very good, but over the course of the ride his behavior sort of devolved. The main thing he was doing was wanting to jog. Constantly. Any time I tried to put him down into a walk he’d just keep… Read more »
Two Indoor Rides
Friday we had family in town, so didn’t make it out to the barn. On Saturday we went out in the morning and rode for about an hour in the indoor arena. I went in the dressage saddle, and again Steen started out a tad nervous. There were a couple spots where he would always… Read more »
Back on Steen
Wednesday we went out to the barn early in the afternoon in hopes of a repeat of last Friday’s great ride. Bear was sluggish in the beginning, and even not all that excited to leave the bale and follow me. But once we started groundwork he came around. He continues to get better at responding… Read more »
No Pics This Time
But the guys look the same. And I’m pretty sure I was wearing the same outfit I’ve been wearing to the barn for a month (it has been washed in that time). On a relatively mild Sunday afternoon we were thrilled to have the barn to ourselves. We brought both Steen and Bear inside. Robin… Read more »
Winter Continues
After a brief respite during which Steen got to go for a few days without his blanket and it almost felt like spring, the weather has turned unpleasant again. Last Sunday was wet and chilly and we headed to the barn for Duke Day. Bear and Steen were both soaking and filthy and when we… Read more »
A Warm Winter Day at the Barn
I am finally well again and had some time this morning, so I headed out to see how our guys were doing. Temps were in the high twenties and it felt good to be outside and doing something after so many days cooped up being ill. Steen came right up to the gate when he… Read more »