Skip to main content

Evil Mind Tricks

In light of my recent post, I have found a glimmer of motivation to get my butt back in the saddle.  Sierra's adjusted to being barefoot, I've slowly chipped away at improving the footing at the barn, and her weight is back up (ahem, she's quite round now) and as such, it has improved my saddle fit so we will hopefully alleviate sore shoulders as a result.  In addition to all that, we have had a weirdly mild winter.. like, it's December and I considered taking off my over-sized sweater and stripping down to my spaghetti strap tank top while I rode last night and I took the hood off my clipped horse before I turned her out.... usually by now we would have experienced at least one -40C (-40F) snap and I think the coldest it's gotten has been -25 with the wind overnight.  Weird, but definitely not complaining!

It's Wednesday today and I've ridden twice in the past 4 days.  I had hoped to ride one more of those days, but with an unexpected Vet visit with my Cat he required being monitored for 24 hours afterwards once we returned home so that put a damper on things.  Regardless, it may seem like something to scoff at for those who ride regularly but looking back the last time I rode was 3 weeks prior, so it's been a while.  I'm so exhausted after work as well as various social engagements I have to attend, it makes me question how people manage to produce a quality horse on top of it all... it's something I've yet to master, clearly.

Our first ride back was on Saturday morning and I chose to keep it to a walk.  Cue scoff #2  There is honestly so much both Sierra and I can work on in the walk that I enjoy our walking rides, and I incorporated them quite regularly when I was riding frequently.  I have a sneaking suspicion our Canter will still be absolute garbage, but I like to believe that all this work in the Walk and Trot we're doing will improve the Canter as her overall strength and suppleness improves, so it's not a loss.

Image may contain: horse
She is a little round.. She did have a Chaser clip but her neck, despite being covered, is almost fully grown out
While most of the ride on Saturday was spent just moving her body around and stepping into the contact as well as working through the 'scary end' without developing tension in myself to better support her through the sticky moments where she looks to me for reassurance (which was a struggle bus, but I think I did ok). Her quarter sheet fell off her butt in the scariest spot of the arena and I didn't even notice until we circled back around because it didn't phase her, so I think a lot of it is just her trying to bluff me a little, but ultimately she is a Thoroughbred and they are great at getting themselves wound up over nothing, including situations that started out as trying to buffalo someone.  As a result, I've taken a fairly soft approach where I reassure her with my leg and voice through the scary end as like most TB's, muscling them through scary things often leads to an explosion.. and mama does not like explosions.

Tuesday I decided to push myself to ride again, even though Netflix and a blanket fort were calling my name.  A friend with a similar lack of motivation and I were chatting yesterday and we both agreed that getting ourselves to the barn is like pulling teeth, but once we're there we have a great time and yesterday was no exception.  Expecting a ride much like the previous one, Sierra was fan-fricken-tastic.  We didn't do anything exciting (Survived. We Survived. That's what we did), but she was just so lovely.  Once again, I rode like a Flag of Surrender blowing in the wind as my elusive floating-hands and stiff lower back have returned but she was so willing to be a good girl.  Don't get me wrong, there are still monsters lurking at the far end (which, by the way the arena is TINY so I don't know if it even classifies as a far end), but I'm so happy with her.  The first two circles of trot were absolutely atrocious where her fugly can't-go-forward-TB-jig took place, but after a growl and a boot she met me with a saucy head shake (because just agreeing isn't very mareish of her) and she was happy to go to work from there.

No automatic alt text available.
Impulsion comes from the scary corner, you know
We walked and trotted circles, laps, diagonals and some 2-loops and all the while she tried as best she could given her lack of fitness and sub-par pilot, and she did so willingly.  Granted in all reality, there are so many things that need vast improvement before considering leaving this teeny-tiny barn with a Population of 1 (me), but I just can't help but fall in love with this girl more and more every day.  It's rides like this and knowing I'm already half way to achieving my December Goals that have me hungry for more, which means my evil mind-tricks are working!

Image may contain: horse
The cutest, fuzziest of ears


Comments

  1. Sierra is just a wee bit chubby now, hehehe. That's a good thing tho!! Glad you are getting out and are riding during what is typically the non-riding season! It is helpful the weather is so mild - enjoy it while it lasts!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Baha right - she's a TB disguised as a QH, obviously....

      <3 Thanks for the support

      Delete
  2. She’s so pretty! Kudos to you for passing up the Netflix to go have a great ride.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Baha thank you! Even as an adult, sometimes I need to give myself a pat on the back for accomplishing a teeny, weeny task :P

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Blog Hop: 2020 Summary; Covid Edition

 While we all live in different towns, have different goals and different lives - but one thing that we all have in common is what a wild and wonky year 2020 was.  The reality is, it's all affected us in one way or another, and with 2020 coming to an end it's time to reflect and look hopeful towards an improved 2021. What's the best thing that happened to you in 2020? Personal: Hands down, the birth of my daughter .  After 4 years of fertility struggles, I'm beyond grateful and though some days feel like an eternity of struggle, confusion and pain, my heart has never been more full. Horsey: It's hard to choose. Despite hardly riding, I've had a lot of wonderful horsey-filled memories this year.  From the birth of Phascinating BRR , my second homebred to date, to the few rides I got to enjoy and making a major investment in my breeding business, there's been lots to be thankful for. What's the worst thing that happened to you in 2020? Personal: It's

Vet Trip #2 For The Big Lady

I don't talk about her a ton, but we were given Lass, a Clydesdale mare with a rough past who is well into her teens, last fall. Friends of ours who live on an acreage but really aren't 'horse people' 'acquired' her after seeing what kind of condition she was in. They had a vet out to address some concerns that included some sort of fungal issue on her legs and open sores housing fly larvae on her back.  The Vet said her teeth were fine, and they did their best to get some weight on her.  They attempted to sell her, but quickly realized it was in her best interest to just give her away to an experienced home. They're friends of ours, and they asked us if we would take her - My hubby has wanted a draft for some time, so he twisted my rubber arm and I agreed. Shortly after our friends acquired her When we went to look at her, it took 4 of us about 30 minutes to catch her.  She was extremely standoffish and made it clear she didn't want anything