Colours in my life

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Breakthrough

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The funniest thing has happened these last few weeks. I have been reluctant to canter. At first it was the footing (ice), then it was Qs bounciness (spring sillies), then it was the footing (mud), then it was my goal to focus on long distance walking to build my endurance for long rides without taxing my horse. I finally cracked the barrier this week, but not without some serious eye rolling from Q. As we regained our broader trail network (cross country ski trails revert to all purpose trails on April 15th), Q would bounce to attention every time we would start a section we almost always canter.  I would hold him back and he would toss his head at me. Its like he was saying “omg, woman, stop worrying, Ill take care of you”.  Staying in context, I was loping long stretches on the buckle 5 weeks ago. What happened? I commiserated with a fellow boarder yesterday (similar age, similar riding pace/style) and she said we have gotten wiser. Our horses are very energetic these days a...
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What a view!

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Annual Trail Rides: 192/200 (Bareback 26/40) While the colours are not as vibrant this year, we are in that magic spot between summer and winter where we get many pretty views. As I rewind my blog posts of 2021, I realize there is another view I have created ... that of my many horseback experiences with Q on the trails. There is no doubt that mileage (or "wet saddle blankets") have made a tremendous difference in our combined confidence and comfort on the trail. The lope on the buckle is almost perfect, and I can almost guarantee he will pick up the right one 90% of the time. It was quite surprising for me to read some of my posts in the spring and early summer and recall what happened. It felt like a lifetime ago, but it was only 4-6 months. Wow, how we have improved. We have also gone on lots of solo explorations ... and often that is when I have my best rides. This horse has me giggling on every single ride. Those who ride with us often chuckle at my expression "don...
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Water always finds its level

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Boy does it make a difference to ride a few days in a row! Q was an absolute delight today, trotting and cantering on the buckle until ... until I would ask for a walk. He gave me a forward rocking canter and was hoof perfect in some of the less-than-perfect footing. I continue to be amazed at how steady he is with uneven footing. If I were ready to devote more hours I would consider doing some short distance competitive trail rides because his endurance is outstanding. Instead I will just enjoy him for myself. Today was the day before the Noreaster blows in with a “wintery mix” which means we might lose our powdery fluff to treacherous ice. As I have no plans of putting winter shoes, that means we will likely be condemned to the indoor arena for ... maybe a week or two? Fingers crossed that the weather pattern skips right over us. So we had to make the most of today, and that we did. Two hours of mostly trotting and cantering with our buddy B and his awesome TB gelding. The patt...
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Is this good enough?

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Yesterday, I was listening to famous podcaster Ira Glass of This American Life justify his obsessive, micro-management behaviour in his quest for perfection. He spoke of the need to do something great. That good enough was not enough. That if it couldn’t be great, then why bother? Wow.  I haven’t achieved greatness or world acclaim in anything. My need for new conquests and adventures always trumps my need for excellence. I’ve never stuck with a single discipline (riding, professional, or educational) for very long, and I often tout the benefits of lateral and agnostic thinking. The need for greatness is sometime rooted in a competitive desire to be loved, admired or appreciated. Greatness can become a symbol or achievement that confirms our value and worth. It sometimes has an external validation (award, prize, achievement) or can be the personal satisfaction of a job well done. And yet the path for greatness is also about never being satisfied. Continuously striv...
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The Incident and the Hunting

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I should have lunged first. But the arena was busy and I decided to take my chances on the trail. Some recent snow made the footing better so we trotted out for a nice solo ride. I was feeling pretty chill on the first afternoon of my holiday break and enjoying the warm weather that had the snow on the treetops melting into raindrops. It was nice. I head down the ravine and take a picture of the lovely scene before we head up the hill. In that blind turn ahead a walker appears. A nice older gentleman I have seen before. We share smiles and pleasantries and cross paths. Ten feet later as I start heading up the steep hill on the left at the apex of the blind turn, a loose dog pops out. I didn’t see much as everything else happened in a flash. It seemed like a medium size tan dog. Q did a 180 and galloped down the ravine, across the bridge and up the ravine. I lost my stirrup in the process and was pulling on reins and screaming whoa. Somewhere by the bridge I realized he wasnt going to s...
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