We’ve been in a good riding pattern since we got back from South Dakota. It’s been fun getting to know K’s new horse a little, and the weather has been wonderful. We’ve changed our ride combos and gone back to riding Steen and Nevada together, then switching to Laredo and Piper. This is mostly because… Read more »
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All Three Gaits
It feels like we’re finally back in a good groove with the horses. Work is coming out of the first quarter crazies as well. That plus some nice weather have made it a lot easier to get out on horseback with more consistency. Last week we got out twice mid week and rode Piper and… Read more »
A Good Gallop
We spent the weekend out of town. We went with Brian’s fabulous parents to the Kentucky Derby. In spite of the rather mixed feelings I have about the horse racing industry, it was definitely a fun weekend. Today, I headed out to the barn alone in the afternoon. I found a very filthy Steen. His… Read more »
Getting to Know Aiden
Now that Brian and I have four horses again, we’re settling into a rhythm. We’ve divided our guys into ‘strings’ for the time being. I’m going to be working with Steen and Aiden for a chunk of time, while Brian is primarily in charge of Laredo and Oliver. I rode Aiden for the first time… Read more »
Sunny Days
Today we finally had some warm weather. Technically, we just barely made it into the 50s, but the sun was warm and the air was dry. It felt great. Aiden is getting some more time off to gain weight and heal his foot. Happily, he’s seeming really nicely settled into the herd now, and appears… Read more »
Being Firm to Be Soft
The last month or so, Brian has been using Steen as a lesson horse. This is a little odd for me, because mostly I have not been around during his lessons. There is something distinctly strange about staying home while Brian heads off to the barn to hang out with someone else while that someone… Read more »
A New Foundation
Today, for the first time in quite a while, I rode Zoey. Being around her is pretty different these days. I walked up to her in the pasture, and she dropped her head so I could slip the halter on. We went in and turned her and Bear out in the indoor. She’s starting to… Read more »
The One Where I Fall Without Falling
I’m by no means to the point that I’m anywhere near running out of new experiences to have with horses. Nevertheless, it’s not that often now that I encounter a scenario entirely beyond my experience. But today I had one, and I hope it’s the only one of its kind I’ll have for a good… Read more »
Thanksgiving Ride
For the first time ever, Brian and I stayed in Iowa City for Thanksgiving. The reasons we stayed home were numerous and not worth going into, but the upshot was we had nothing to do other than whatever we wanted. No family of the non-equine variety to hang out with, no obligatory traditions. So, of… Read more »
The Birthday Rides (2013 edition)
Somehow it never occurred to me until my birthday last year that I could give myself the day off to celebrate. In theory, a perk of running your own business is you can occasionally decide to do things like this for purely self-indulgent reasons. Of course, I almost never do. But today, I did. I… Read more »