Deep Freeze 🥶

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Annual Trail Rides: 22/200

We have had seven consecutive days of -20 to -30C and it’s been all about layers, heated boots, proper scarfs and mitts and managing ride time and speed. Ive found the trick for riding in this weather is to never walk longer than 10 minutes. Trotting is preferred to cantering (although I do cantalope a few times) as we can do longer distances and it keeps everyones blood pumping.




The trail footing has been stupendous. Really fast tracks on both the wide trails and narrow forest tracks. Most of the debris has been removed or cut down by our volunteer groomers and so nothing much gets in our way. A little spook at the occasional branch or twig remains particularly when cantering.

Q gave me some beautiful cantalopes on the buckle today which is a testament to his level of relaxation and general contentedness. He is also getting better at picking the right lead without contact so Im pretty happy about that. Ive also gotten bolder about where we trot and have started incorporating small down slopes in our trots. Today for the first time, as we proceeded down a slope at a trot I gave him the verbal command for “keep it slow” and before I even considered picking up the reins (I was on the buckle) I literally felt him shift his weight to his back legs and hold his pace. Awesome!

Even at -22C today, it didn’t feel cold. The first five minutes were hard, but once we got trotting it was a pleasure to enjoy the fast footing, the sunshine, the winter forest, and a lovely Q that is gaining in confidence on the buckle at all gaits.

Even with 40-70 minutes of mostly trotting, he is never sweaty when we get back to the barn. He is happy to go to his stall where his lunch hay awaits him, and a couple of big carrots. And tomorrow, he will be back at the gait pawing the ground and ready to do it all over again.

Blizzard warning over next couple of days might bring big snow and wind. The plan is to hunker down at home until the roads are safe. Fridge and freezer are full. Good thing Im ahead of schedule on my trail ride target.

HAPPY TIMES! ❤️ 

Comments

  1. AlainaJanuary 31, 2021 at 10:36 PM

    You're hard core girl! Glad you're getting lots of ride times in!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nat DFebruary 1, 2021 at 2:27 AM

      Yes this “alberta clipper” was no joke! Brrrr.

      Delete

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