Hello February

Hello February. 

You're looking a little drab this morning, but welcome. 

Your job is to get us one month closer to Spring. 

Gray Mare on a Gray Morning

January recap:

•  I prefer to ring in the New Year in my sleep, waking early and refreshed on January 1st, relieved to have the stress of the holidays behind me, and hopeful for a better year ahead. That's just what I did.
• My dressage instructor encourages us to have a positive mantra to say or think at the beginning of every ride.  It can be as simple as "I love my horse."  Any positive thought that connects us with our wonderful mount. Now, whenever I settle into the saddle, I take a deep breath, let it out slowly, give Misty a rub on her neck and say, "Go Team Misty."
• January was pretty cold and snowy, but Team Misty squeezed in a few productive dressage lessons. We are still taking it slow, literally.  We are in  "...walk detention..." while my injuries continue to heal and I get my balance, rhythm, and confidence back. I'm still in chronic pain, but I perceive my aches to be lessening ever so slightly.  I haven't used my cane much in the last few weeks and last time I saddled Misty, I was actually able to lift my western saddle onto her back in one motion, instead of getting it 3/4 of the way up her side and having to push it onto her back.
• It is difficult to ride in the winter.  I have not been on the trail since my July 2014 fall (broken left elbow, frozen left shoulder, badly injured right knee), but I hope to enjoy some short trail rides in April or May.  I have trail riding plans for the summer, but my priorities are western dressage first, trail riding second.  Therefore, I've increased my dressage lessons to twice a week, which means, if I'm lucky, I get to ride once a week when the weather and my work schedule cooperate.
• I attended a western dressage horseless clinic on the last day of January.  A lot of good information was shared.  I'm enthused.  We pretended to ride our horses in a tiny dressage arena inside the lecture hall. We were instructed to use our corners, ride with correct posture, turn properly with our shoulders and waist while we rode a mini circle.  Surprisingly, I could really feel it in my core.  My horse was a little lame.  I had to lie down and ice my knee when I got home.  But I like my local western dressage group; they are good peeps.  They are all about community, encouragement, and honoring the horse.  I look forward to associating with this organization.

Good things are happening.  The daylight is lengthening.  I'm looking forward to more ride time.  Oh, and the minis, Lyra and Lola, are still beloved members of our herd. They just didn't want to leave their breakfast in the barn for a photo op.

Spring Thing: Curry Comb

Spring is the time to dust off the curry comb and flex those grooming muscles that have been idle all winter.

Circles, circles, circles.
Feel the burn.

Each springtime grooming session reveals a little more of the beautiful horse hidden underneath all that winter hair.

Marley is really giving it up here.

Happy spring and happy shedding to all our equine friends and their devoted groomers.

Spring Thing: Puddles of Opportunity

Spring is a good time to take advantage of all those yucky puddles that form after spring showers and melting snow. If you are looking forward to trail riding, puddles at home offer great training opportunities.

When I purchased Marley I was forewarned of his great aversion to water.

He hated getting his toes wet.
He hated baths.
He hated any water touching his body.

I was even told of an incident during a cup-of-water relay game, when Marley threw a tantrum when a small amount of water spilled out of his handicapped rider's cup onto his shoulder.

Marley has challenged his trainers in ground training sessions involving water. I watched as he refused to walk across a water puddle and opted to run up a hillside, pulling his trainer with him. This was a forested hillside, so the trainer took quick advantage and wrapped the lead rope around a tree and brought Marley to a surprising halt. Marley can put up a pretty strong argument when presented with a task he doesn't like. But we've been working on his water issue every chance we get.

When I came home from work yesterday, I was pleased to see that the melting snow from last Saturday's blizzard had created puddles of opportunity for Marley.

Marley's opportunity to walk through a puddle:

Ok, Mom, I can do this.

When working through puddles on the ground, I like to do more than simply lead Marley through the puddle. We started out that way, but now we work in a circle on a long lead rope and I "send" him through the puddle, without being close to his side in a typical leading position. When I'm riding Marley on the trail and we encounter a puddle, I won't be by his side to lead him through it. I'll be on his back and he may feel he is facing that horse-eating puddle all alone, unless I've reinforced his confidence on the ground by sending him through these preparatory puddles.

Marley's opportunity to stand calmly in a puddle:

Look Mom! I'm calm and sweet and willing.

And finally, Marley's opportunity to stand patiently while the puddle muck is washed away:

I'm a good boy. Can I have dinner now?

Hiking with the Four Leggers

On the Memorial Day holiday, last Monday, my husband and I took a few of our family four-leggers on a hike. My husband walked our two 50 pounders while I walked our 1400 pounder. We all enjoyed the trail and got some much needed exercise. Misty was a good hiking companion. She matched her pace to mine and didn't spook at all. I was hoping to come upon some mountain bikers, but no such luck. We did, however, see a man and a woman riding a tandem bicycle along a nearby road. Misty gave them a look but didn't get disturbed by the odd 2 headed creature cruising by.

It was lovely to see the new wildflowers awakening from their winter sleep and arising from their dry pine needle beds.

Spring has finally sprung!