A few posts ago I was claiming that it will always be windy in the spring, be it cold or warm. Today, though, was a perfect 70 degrees with sun and only the lightest breeze out of the southwest. It could not have gotten any better. And both our guys were good, too. Bear just… Read more »
lope
Simple Lead Changes
We had such success with our work at the lope yesterday I was keen to get back to that exercise today. Steen was in a good mood from the start. I think he is more comfortable without his blanket on. It has warmed up here and I’ve been able to leave it off the last… Read more »
Continual Improvement
Things just keep getting better. Both with riding and with the weather. I know, it means we’re probably due for some backsliding pretty soon, but I’m not going to dwell on that. Today Robin and I waited just a little while before heading out to the barn so we could enjoy the peak heat of… Read more »
Refining the Lope
When I was a younger, more fearless rider, I loved loping in almost any circumstances. I didn’t care if the horse was borderline out of control. I didn’t mind if I knew I couldn’t do more than contribute nominally to where exactly we ended up running. Since getting Steen, my relationship with the lope has… Read more »
Shaping Up
As much as there is a part of me that likes to think I should be capable of riding all year without any lulls, I do sometimes think when the forced breaks come along, they yield benefits. Brian and I rode on Wednesday, and because it was super windy out we rode indoors. Steen started… Read more »
The Spring Skinnies
Yesterday was so windy and damp, and we’re so out of the habit of riding, we somehow let the day go by without ever making it to the barn. So today we were determined to go right after breakfast so we couldn’t talk ourselves out of it. It was cold and we had a light… Read more »
A Mellow Ride in the Sun
It’s been a sort of harrowing few weeks for me. It’s not that anything bad has happened. It’s just been busy. I should be (and am) grateful that my little business is booming to the point that it is keeping me really, really busy. I am glad we are close enough to our nephew that… Read more »
What I got for Valentine’s Day
The flowers are from Brian. The dog is a bit of a mystery. She appears to be a Border Collie, probably about a year old. I saw her through my office window slinking around our yard. Then she proceeded to head out front into the street, where she was weaving among the parked cars and… Read more »
Simple Lead Changes
This has been a cold and tiring week. Also Robin has been swamped at work. When she is busy it makes me feel busier, too. But I did manage to get out for a ride this afternoon even though I was still tired. It was great, as no one else was there. Also, the arena… Read more »
To Hackamore, or Not To Hackamore?
A few days ago Robin and I were watching a training video by Mike Bridges. It was not the most exciting of videos, but it did offer a lot of insightful commentary on bits and the variety of heads and mouths on horses. At one point he talked about how horses with thicker lips might… Read more »