We were about 10 minutes into yesterday’s ride and I was wondering if I had been doing too much lately. It was only about a week and a half ago that I started riding quite consistently again. Those rides were on the easy and short side, and Bear seemed to respond well to them. Then… Read more »
strip
Lotsa Lope
We had another beautiful day today. It feels so good to go out and spend some time in the sun. The boys were ultra relaxed during grooming, and the footing on the strip was much better. I started out with loping figure-eights pretty early and my first session of this was fantastic. Almost every loop… Read more »
I Guess I Was Wrong
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 »
Harder Than it Had to Be
A few days ago I was reading an article about a trainer at a dude ranch, and he mentioned pushing horses in a pen or pasture just enough so they respect you as the one in charge. This is nothing new to me, but it did give me another perspective about trying to get Bear… Read more »
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 »
I’m So Hot!!
Today got up into the 70s. It felt nice to have less clothes on going to the barn. And I really enjoyed the sun on my forearms. Bear didn’t seem as thrilled as I was. He was hot, tired, and probably a little hungry. We also rode outside, and that seemed to lead to some… Read more »
Hot and Bothered
With the lull we’ve had in our riding, I’m trying to maintain a pretty relaxed attitude as both Steen and I get back into the swing of things. Today it was in the 70’s, and the ground was mushy and the wind was blowing. I wanted to ride my horse but I didn’t want to… 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 »