Today Brian and I headed to the barn in the morning for a change. He was able to mush his work schedule around and I had a dentist appointment in the afternoon, and it was going to be hot, so we figured this was the only chance we would get to see our boys. We… Read more »
strip
A Duke Day Ride
Every six weeks or so our farrier, Duke, comes to the barn to give the guys a trim. And every six weeks or so we talk about riding since we have to be there anyways, but we’ve never done it. There is just always a lot of commotion or we get sucked into conversations or… Read more »
A Ride and a Trim
Today was Duke Day, and though we often end up not riding on days the farrier comes, the weather was so beautiful we didn’t want to miss the opportunity. Also, Brian thought Bear might have an easier time with his feet if he was nice and limber after a light ride, so we headed out… Read more »
Two Fast Rides
I’ve spent my last two rides in the new saddle. On Friday, we rode on the strip. Steen started out very relaxed and we had some good trots. The ground was nice and dry and he was feeling balanced and attentive, so before long I transitioned up to the lope. He was mostly good at… Read more »
Standing Around
I guess it was a long week for me, because I was tired again this afternoon. But it was a beautiful day, and I couldn’t not go to the barn. Bear was in good spirits and just generally happy to be hanging out with me. We actually did a lot of standing while we watched… Read more »
Another Try
Today Brian and I headed to the barn armed with yet another saddle: This is a Cashel trail saddle. It’s build on an axis tree that has a reputation for leaving a horse free at the shoulders and fitting a pretty wide variety of backs. Plus it’s just a pretty saddle. 🙂 It was a… Read more »
Just Walking Around
It was a cool afternoon, and while Robin was really excited to try her new saddle, I was a little tired. So after we saddled up and went to the strip, I just kind of walked Bear around. We started by going up and down most of the strip. He didn’t like this in the… Read more »
Bear Thinks He’s a Four Year Old
Today we went out to the barn in the afternoon. My plan was to start loping Bear early (particularly if it seemed like he felt good) and the lope and lope and lope. And then maybe lope some more. We started with some really light groundwork, then did a little warming up under saddle with… Read more »
Good Sweat
Although groundwork used to be a regular part of what I did with Steen, in the last six months or so as he has mellowed significantly and his ground manners have become excellent, I have been pretty much skipping groundwork so I can ride more. I’ve also gotten pretty lazy with suppling exercises while mounted… Read more »
Slick Grass
I had a bit of trouble motivating to go to the barn this afternoon, but Brian wanted to go with or without me, and when it came down to it I couldn’t resist heading out with him. I was glad I went. The weather was perfect and Steen was happy to see me. He almost… Read more »