Colours in my life

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Bucket Lists

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Annual Trail Rides : 148/200 (Bareback 10/12) Ive been wanting to do this for a long time. Ive been amping up my speed on trail quite intentionally, being more consistent with canter departs, lead changes, and transitions. Ive also been working on much longer canter stretches, pushing my endurance and managing my breath.  The result is that Q has now defaulted to a lovely cadenced canter on trail for long consistent stretches, while I have dropped all contact and sit on the buckle. Which helped introduce two bucket list items: 1) cantering downhill (Im so fearful of tripping hazards since my last horse was a daisy-cutter) 2) I managed to film a long sequence with my phone while cantering on the buckle Talk about trust! The small clip is below. Ive also been spending consistent time with my horse loose grazing under the power lines after a ride and bath. He loves it because his turnout is in a dry paddock! And recently he has been coming to graze next to me, while I sit in the grass...
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Two + Two = Joy

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Two days of glorious spring weather, two trails of glorious footing, two surefooted steeds happy to trot forever, and two friends gabbing and giggling along the way. It does not get any better. This was probably the last rideable day for my barefoot pony as we begin the period of ice and thaw. At least for a few weeks. I just hope I can ride on trail again before our big European trip. It was also Q’s 6th birthday. We celebrated with apples, carrots and peppermints. 
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Big skies and deerflies

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Annual Trail Rides: 129/200 (Bareback 6/12) It is the first day of my 6 week vacation and I celebrated by having a massive 3 hour trail ride with my best buddy B in the gorgeous sector 3 of my network. While I love sector 3 for the big skies (and deer flies), we need to cross a busy road with very fast traffic (90-100 km/h) and a blind curve. I really do not like to cross busy roads alone just in case I get separated from my horse and he decides to hightail it back to the barn on his own. Horses have been killed, and have killed, in our area for this very reason. Anyways, it was happy times, with a hint of thunderstorm in the forecast. But these days, weather forecasts are about as unpredictable as government confinement rules, so I decided to not trust the weather app and just proceed. I started with my usual backup routine, which includes the now very unusual pre-mounting leg stretch. I don't think anyone does this anymore ... and Ive even seen research that if done incorrectly c...
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Extend the shadow of our decisions

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I lost my trail buddy this weekend. It’s not clear how much was determined by the ongoing barn drama. He packed his stuff and moved to another barn within 24 hours. So, I am sad. No doubt that having an activity buddy helps keep us motivated, and gets our butts in the saddle more often than not. Now, I feel alone. That our horses and our riding styles were so in sync makes the transition much more difficult. How will I find another trail buddy that is so compatible? This probably marks the beginning of a new chapter of riding solo. I do love riding my horse solo and not having to negotiate pace, direction, detours with anyone. Big bonus is that my Q is just as good alone. Add caption I might need some external motivation like one of those wearable gadgets that track pace, elevation, etc. Something that would push me to go further, ride harder, discover new trails. This week we have our exciting clinic to “despook, the mounted police way”. And soon after that Ill be off fo...
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Wizard of Oz

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Q and I have been relishing the winter trails this week. The footing is firm and crunchy making for easy strolls on the wide groomed trails. The narrow trails are more challenging if we meet someone as the super deep snow forces us to do 180’s on a dime until the next intersection. I often joke that he moves with so much purpose on the trails, and have gotten into the habit of singing “We’re off to see the wizard” as we canter down the pine lined trails. He doesnt blink an eye at skiers, sleighs, rocks, dogs, or atv’s. This picture was snagged today as we passed a two horse sleigh. As you can see, he is totally chillax. Our trust is mutual and we have so much fun on the trails. Gotta hurry back out there before the weather turns.
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