Colours in my life

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What a trip!

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One of those kind of trips where you don't actually go anywhere, but your mindset shifts and you feel the whole planet twist under your feet. A puppy. What a trip! Puppy is about to turn 5 months, and has been in our lives for almost 3 months now. We have mostly conquered potty training, crate training and the basics of obedience. Puppy has also conquered us, as she has transformed our cold icy hearts into piles of mush at the slightest whimper. We had a brief medical emergency this week when we discovered blood in her stools. Off to the vet to find out that there is a big difference in bright red (goodish, ie intestinal inflammation) and dark red (scary, ie internal bleeding) blood in the stools. We did a quick diet correction and within 24 hours we had a great reversal in her condition. We have been exploring lots of different training avenues on top of basic obedience, including agility for puppies, tricks, and soon scent training. I have big plans to have her certified as a the...
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Emotional connection

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Im still working on my listening skills, and my horse is still trying to teach me to do better. Yesterday we went out solo and while we jogged and trotted down the trail, I felt such a strong emotional resonance. I use his metronome rhythm to create silly jingles and then laugh and cry while patting his neck. It’s such a weird emotional space between appreciation, love, sadness while we enjoy the moment. Q, unphased. Meanwhile, Ive been struggling with the right lead canter these last few weeks. No problem in the arena, but on trail, it takes quite a few tries to get it. Heading home with one last chance to try, I got the message to better time with his legs. I decided to do it from the walk, and counted 1-2-1-2 with the right fore, I then cued when the right fore hit the ground (so left impulsion was coming next) and BOOM perfect right lead canter. It was light, smooth, and I screamed in delight and hugged my horse. Q, unphased. A little ear twitch saying « no big deal girl, just ask ...
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Twas Beautiful

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Up at 430 am to watch the foggy Geiranger fjord at sunrise. It was worth it. Climbed the mountain to see the full extent of one of the deepest fjords in the world. It was worth it. Saw trolls, glacier lakes, beautiful waterfalls. My travel hunger is satiated for today. Norway is beautiful! 😍 
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Water always finds its level

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Today was an ice day. The parking lot was a skating rink and news from the trails was not good. It was going to be an indoor arena day but there were patches of frozen ground there too. I decided on doing some groundwork instead and pulled out the rope halter. Although the arena was crowded with riders, we sauntered down to the scary door. Q had other plans. He loves to roll, but won’t do it in the snowy paddocks (too hard) nor in his stall (too small). He has gotten into the habit of rolling in the soft arena sand when I let him loose. But this time there was a crowd, other horses trotting around, and he was tied to me via rope. He kept looking at the sand forlornly and would stop mid-step wondering if it was safe to roll. I could hear the gears clicking. I was hoping he would do it, as I want to teach him to lie down on command without the leg-tying western tricks. He paused, thinking. And then a horse would trot by 5 feet away and he would lose his nerve. Eventually, his ...
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My muse

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Riding is down ⬇️ Dog training is ⬆️. Our little bichon puppy is now 10 months old and is a confirmed lap dog, but also a certified trick dog, and novice in scent tracking, agility (no jumping), and has started swimming lessons. We have definitely double downed on lessons and training at home. As a result, its been harder to fit in the riding and the worsened commute to the barn (now 2.5/3hrs round trip) as a result of road construction. But when I show up, Q is happy to provide kisses and look for carrots. He has been a good egg in my 1-2x a week habit. Big changes have happened at the barn where resident trainer was kicked out and we went to a coop style management, with double the turnout. Everyone seems happier. What hasn’t changed is how Q continues to be my greatest muse. He makes me giggle and happy cry almost every ride (when solo). There is just an incredible emotional resonance with this horse. Such joy. The gross hot weather of the summer now seems to be over, and Im hopeful...
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