This week was warm, dry, and sunny, and I got out to the barn everyday except Thursday. On Monday we spent so much time with Steen we didn’t end up riding, but I got some nice rides on Bear the other days. Tuesday was a fun ride. We played cow again with Robin on Laredo. … Read more »
lope
Two Rides on Laredo
On Monday we went out thinking we might ride, but ended up mostly just hanging out with Steen. Cleaning his side and leg take a long time, and then he has to dry off a good deal before we can put the Thuja Zinc on again. Since he can’t be in the sun, that limits… Read more »
A Long Weekend Report
I took Friday off because my parents were in town. They have not visited for about a year, so it was fun for us to hang out and spend a lot of time at the barn. Friday was cold and windy. We woke up to a damp day and then it just got wetter. It… Read more »
Sunburns and Light Rides
I’ve never owned a Paint before, and when I was shopping for Steen I had no particular thought of getting a horse with color. In fact, when I went to look at Steen, I did so precisely because I didn’t think I would want him. I didn’t want a horse that was seven years old… Read more »
Taking Laredo Out
Just like our first lope, we probably could have gone exploring with Laredo a little earlier. But waiting a little bit longer certainly helped us get some things down, and I think it helped make the ride really great. Robin was the first one to ride him after we got him, and then she was… Read more »
On the Trail with the Kid
Today we wanted to take Laredo for his first trail ride. Hunting season isn’t all that far off, and we want to make sure we get him out soon enough that we have time to get a good number of rides in before we are limited to closer ground where we feel safe riding. And… Read more »
If It Is Important, Do It Every Ride
Today we were short on time. Work was busy and we also had an early evening social engagement. So I was the one to dash out to the barn in the late afternoon. Robin was at the barn yesterday getting all their feet trimmed, and Steen’s shoulder burns were looking a lot worse. I wanted… Read more »
Continuing the Softness
One of the great things about having Laredo is that he has changed the way Robin and I ride, and think about, our main horses. Though I would try very hard to approach every ride from a fresh perspective, I couldn’t always accomplish that, and I would fall back on old excuses for my old… Read more »
Return to the Trees
One of the peculiarities about where we board is that (other than the indoor arena) there is nowhere that’s guaranteed to be available to ride in any given day. There are plenty of places you can usually ride, but between moving herds, changing seasons, farm equipment, and various other factors, if you want to ride outside… Read more »
Steen the Accomplished
I was a little engrossed in my work today when Brian got home, and when I get engrossed it can be hard for me to switch gears. It was a beautiful day, and I worked for twelve hours straight yesterday. I knew I could benefit from a break. Still, it took a little bit of… Read more »