Snow photos!

We've gotten ~10inches of snow in the past couple days, so needless to say, no riding has been happening. Instead, I dragged the husband out to help me take some photos in the snow.

I started with Miss Elly--who I have sat on only twice before. Literally, I put a halter on her, ran a brush over her, put the bridle on, & asked for a leg up. She just stood there through all of it... such an easy-peasy girl. I tried annoying her a little bit with my legs to get her to walk on, but she just does not understand that yet. Luckily, though, she doesn't get nervous or antsy when confused, just stood there and looked back at my legs a couple times. She'll pick it up easily, I'm sure, once I have good weather & consistency.


Elly & Leah, Feb 14 2014

Elly, Braz & Leah, Meadow in the background, Feb 14 2014

Next, I jumped on Brazyska. Just put the rope halter on with the lead rope tied in a loop. She was not happy to leave her warm, dry stall and head out into the deep snow. It actually got the others kind of riled out too--seeing her out--so all of the pictures with her have the other girls in the background too. They just wanted to play, & she was having no part of it!

Braz - small but mighty!




Meadow & Leah, Feb 14 2014

Finally, as it started to get a little dark, I pulled Meadow out. Had to lock Elly in a stall, because I didn't want her causing trouble. She definitely dominates the submissive Meadow. Meadow is just so quiet and relaxed at home. I can't believe she's only 4 (almost 5)! AND a red-headed mare at that! I am so lucky to have THREE easy, great girls, each with their own personality & quirks!













Then, to top that off, I'm SO lucky to have a husband that puts up with my horse silly-craziness! :)

Elly & Erik, Feb 14 2014

 

The pursuit of balance...

The weather has cooperated enough in the last week to let me work Meadow 5 out of the last 7 days! Not too shabby. And then, when not riding, I dwell. dwell. dwell.

My two main items to work on with Meadow are the following:

• sensitivity to the leg
• balance at canter

Interestingly, I think they are quite related. So with those issues in mind, here are some notes on my last week's rides.

• Friday: First ride in 3 weeks. Was able to get canter depart both directions & trotted over a 1/2 crossrail. Canter fell apart after 3-4 strides. Was at friend's indoor arena so naturally had a bit more forward than at home.
• Saturday: Rode at home. Sucked back, but still able to get canter departs both directions. Again, fell apart within a couple strides. However, tried a set of 3 trot poles with a small ~18" verticle and had a lot of success with that.
• Sunday: Did a walk-only session at home to stretch her out but let her have a rest day. Again, very low energy & dull to leg. Finished quite frustrated with that lack of sensitivity.
• Monday: In-hand work concentrating on a working walk & snappy walk/canter transitions. High energy was the name-of-the-game. I was very pleased with how she responded to that.
• Tuesday & Wednesday: Off
• Thursday: Started with in-hand work, again concentrating on high-energy & sensitivity. Afterwards, I rode and was SO pleased with her forwardness. Got some great leg-yields at the both the walk & trot, but better yet, I got a FULL canter circle to the right for the first time ever. The left was not so lucky, but that is her tougher side anyways. Unfortunately, I may have pushed it a little bit, because I tried the small verticle set at the end, and she was just worn out. Didn't want to lift up her feet & kept knocking it down. Oh well. I'll take my sensitivity & balance success! The strength and stamina piece isn't going to get there until the weather clears up more & I can actually get her out on some hills & hacks.

Tomorrow, I take her to my friend's indoor again, & we'll see how it all builds. I really can't wait for Spring & consistent riding again! If we made this much progress in a week, I think a solid 30 days will make a world of difference!