planBE

Last week I got my horse back. I was able to maintain a long distance lope and cadence with the reins on his neck and my hands waving in the air. But its been touch and go since. We had days so cold (-35C) that the horses were kept inside. Even during “warmer” turnout the horses didn’t move too much, huddling together and bracing against the wind. So when I finally show up with a saddle, my Q starts prancing in the aisle. We headed out on Sunday for a solo jaunt, and he bolted and spooked on me 3-4 times. Everything was contained within a stride or two, but it was a bit unusual. Today we went out again, in a now “balmy” -13C (-20C with windchill), and while he didn’t literally bolt, did try to set his own pace especially on the way home. With the extreme cold weather Ive cut my rides to 4x a week, but with our recent snow the footing has been amazing so its been good rides for the most part. I havent seen the inside of our indoor arena in many months and hopefully this trend will conti

I have zero ambition for goals this year and Im definitely not going to track every ride. I was done with that objective by August of last year. So tedious, so boring. It did force me to ride out more. And more riding did wonders for Q and I in confidence and trailability. So it wasn’t all dumb. By the fall of last year we were getting very good at loping on the buckle so I could start filming with my iphone and it got me my first shot of flying mane on trail. And thats now my new addiction. So I think this year Im going to capture as many flying mane shots on as many trail sections as possible. A totally silly goal.  This one was taken at -20C which is terrible weather (and windchill) conditions for removing your gloves to capture the shots. It takes me 5 shots to get one good one. I then missed the turn, which forced a halt and rollback with a single hand and lots of leg. Neck rein is improving! Taken in Sector 2 - Trail 21 (private land)

Its super stupid cold today at -30C, so its a “stay home and make soup” day. Italian wedding soup to be exact, and its coming together deliciously. Had some good rides this week, and after a good old fashioned free lunge and buck around session Q was an absolute mellow angel and we got back to loping all over the trail network. Big snowstorm is coming on Monday which might, hopefully, dump a foot of fresh snow. So Ill look forward to cracking open some new trails this week.

It was one of those days, where roads were treacherous, cars were in the ditches, snowplows were out, and you needed 2 bottles of windshield washer fluid to cover 50 km. As I watched my husband make me breakfast before I headed to the barn, I prided myself of managing a return to riding Q this last week without a single lunge or free lunge session. We rode, we conquered. And then, the universe laughed. After a few days off (I was SO sore), I returned in the worst weather to tackle up my horse in the balmy -1 degree temperatures and score another ride on the good footing (while it lasts). Well, Q was having none of my silly walking business and he blew past my 10 minute trot phase like he was on fire. We were going so fast, the sideways snow was stinging my eyes. I was blinded by the snow. Q then proceeded to bolt a few times down the path (where we often canter) and so instead of getting all directive on him, I decided we just needed to walk it home. Which we did. But clearly either Q

Well I had some good rides lately. The last two I amped up the speed a bit (although my horse had definite opinions of what a slowpoke party pooper I was) and just let Q trot his little heart out without much intervention from me. I find that 10 minutes seems to do the trick, on a loose dropped rein. He starts out all tense and tight like a sewing machine, and then at the 10 minute mark he starts to drop his head, relax his back, swing into his gaits and then he starts to blow through his nose. Im still enjoying the Warwick Schiller podcasts and one of the recent ones with Ben Atkinson spoke of the importance of being your horse's emotional anchor. It echoed with how Ive been riding Q lately, where I let him look at whatever is bothering him but I just stay steadfast focused on the path/pace ahead and our goal. And this week, with his heightened sensitivity, energy and concern, it really became quite apparent. We are trotting down the path. Q throws his head up and looks with conce

A new year. Paradise gone, now its curfew, confinement and constraints in the land of cold and dark. Death notices of friends are rolling in. Not covid related, but massive heart attacks way too young. Another reminder to embrace every moment. Carpe Diem. The trip home was eventful with flight cancellations and a sense of feeling stranded in a sea of panic. But it all turned out ok, with my husband the ever flexible planner in emergencies. He found us a red eye flight on an empty plane which allowed me to stretch out across three seats and literally take a nap on the way home.  Today I made it to the barn, with a blanket of fresh snow. When my Q got over his surprise at seeing me after 5 weeks, all he wanted was a proper ear scratch. The one place on his body he wont let anyone else touch. He was groomed and lunged while I was gone, but was happy to get some love. I dont usually ride my first day out after a long absence as Q usually needs some bonding and connection time to regain the