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 »
strip
Alone Again
It felt like a long week, and when Friday afternoon rolled around both Robin and I were quite tired. As soon as I got home from work I dressed for the barn and started to go. I knew if I sat I wouldn’t make it out. Robin was tied up in computer stuff and not… Read more »
How Soft Can We Get?
Both rides this weekend I really focused on the same stuff I’ve been blogging about the last few times, and it all amounts to softness. Both Bear and I have gotten better about this. He responds quicker, and I’ve been able to continually ask for things with less pressure. Or with more patience. Or both. … Read more »
Winter Prep Project
Although this fall has so far been mild, I know the cold will set in any day. I want to do a better job riding through the winter this year. To that end, this weekend I finally sat down to make something I’ve been thinking about putting together for about two years. I gathered my… Read more »
Long Saturday Ride
We rode on the strip again today. It was windy and chilly and Steen was a bit restless during grooming, tacking, and even walking outside. I was initially afraid he was going to be spooky. I started out with a bit of groundwork as usual, and today he really wasn’t interested in moving off the… Read more »
Fabulous Lope
The weather has continued fair but Brian and I have been a tad sick. I don’t get sick often, and sometimes it seems like I get almost sick. That’s how I’ve been this week. I don’t have any overt symptoms, but then when I exert myself I bit I revert briefly to feeling awful. It… Read more »
On Learning
Last week we didn’t ride as much as we have been, mainly because we had the vet out to float teeth on Tuesday and we wanted to give the horses’ mouths a break after that. Then went to Chicago for the weekend. So I have three rides to cover today. We rode last Sunday, Tuesday… Read more »
Out of Step
We continue to have gorgeous weather this month, and yesterday was no exception. Robin and I even went to the barn earlier than we originally planned, and we were still very warm. As were the horses. I really think they are wondering what the deal is. Of course, I have seen numerous reports that it… Read more »
A Learning Experience
I know I haven’t blogged in almost two weeks, but I have a decent reason. I fell of Bear about 10 days ago. Leading up to the fall the ride was going to be very blogable, but I ended up landing on my wrist, and typing has not been the first thing I want to… 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 »