Today I turned 30, and just about the first thing I did was open a box from my husband containing this: For the curious, it’s a 16 plait rawhide bosal with 22′ mane hair mecate on a simple leather bosal hanger. This is what followers of the vaquero horesmanship tradition move their horses into after… Read more »
short serpentine
Two Rides in the Pasture
We had a weekend that was warm, but windy. We decided, nevertheless, to take advantage of the balmy temps and drier footing and head back out into the big pasture for a couple rides. Steen was good both days — better than he has been in our last forays out in this larger space. The… Read more »
Temporary Reprieve
Today we rode on the strip for the first time in ages. It was nice out – sunny and 60. It felt great after our last uncomfortable ride. Steen was awesome. He’s always his calmest when he’s slightly too warm, and although he was stiff on the slobber strap in the beginning he softened right… Read more »
Cold Snap
We had a few days of pretty chilly temps, but on Tuesday Brian and I decided to ride anyway. It wasn’t that cold, according to the thermometer, but the wind was just bitter. Both herds were riled up when we arrived, particularly the stall herd was just tearing around in their pasture. We tacked up indoors and… Read more »
A Rough Ride for Everyone
Today, things started out promising. The weather continues to be beyond perfect. We started out with some groundwork and working on detail stuff. I had excellent success with yielding Steen’s forequarters and hindquarters separately and softly under saddle. We headed out to the big pasture and meandered out way up to the hilltop. We worked… Read more »
Sunday Bliss
Today was sunny, breezy and in the high 70’s. After our excellent ride yesterday, we were keen to get out to the barn again. We returned to the big pasture after mounting, and walked all the way to the hilltop to work on backing half-circles. Steen was relaxed. I’m sure some part of it was… Read more »
Some Interesting Rides
It’s been quite a week at the barn. Saturday Our friend Jean came out to take some photos of us and the horses. She got some nice shots of us hanging around on the second strip. And our first ever “family photo.” Sunday The horses were in their winter lot with bales to munch on,… Read more »
Soft to the Touch
Yesterday was another great ride. Steen’s starting to put on his winter coat, so he’s turned nice and dark dappled brown and is way softer than usual. Yesterday he was also soft to the bit. We had more great groundwork before the ride. He was yielding to backwards pressure on the slobber strap before I… Read more »
The Inconsistent Path Forward
Sunday was Duke Day, and Steen was very much in need of a trim. It was raining when we got the barn, and we beat the farrier. We brought the boys indoors and they were wet and jittery, but we took our time grooming and gave them a little chopped hay, then rode indoors for… Read more »
Turning Towards Fall
We had a wet Friday so didn’t get our normal afternoon at the barn. Today it was cool and overcast when we pulled the boys from the pasture. They even got their first serving of chopped hay for the season, which they both seemed quite happy about. Steen was attentive from the start today. I… Read more »