Just enough spice

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Its been a rough go these last few weeks between a significant increase in work, brutal cold snaps, icy trails and skating rink parking lots. Ive only ridden a handful of times on those rare occasions where the universe converged.

This has made for a spicy pony and while it makes me more prudent on how I engage in speed when the brakes are fairly absent, it also makes me super appreciative that this spicy horse does keep his excitement under wraps most of the time. Clearly Q is fit and feeling good, and his daily turnout with bestie Chester is absolutely insufficient in expending energy. Especially since these two lazybouts just stand in a corner watching the world go by. 

We went out today after a little snow fell to cover our thick ice. Footing was good, and it was our first outing in over 10 days. The strategy is always the same: long steady trots for 5-10 mins until Q starts relaxing and blowing through his nose in loud bursts. During the first stretch we kept on trotting through a short decline, and he took the opportunity to start a bolt with some sort of front kick out. He didn’t squeal but he might of, had I given him the chance. While I was riding on the buckle with a fluffy flower hackamore probably no better than a halter, I was still able to shut down the bolt within the same stride. And we kept on trotting.

It was a good ride. Mostly trotting. And I was so happy and appreciative of this lovely horse who clearly is capable of more, but also just accepts that what we do is mosey on the trail 3-4 times a week without a care for anyone else, without any preparation. Just tack up, and go.

Now weather, please cooperate.







Comments

  1. TeresaAFebruary 19, 2023 at 6:31 AM

    You two are such a great team.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nat DFebruary 19, 2023 at 8:32 AM

      I love the lines of invisible communication!

      Delete
  2. DomFebruary 28, 2023 at 2:34 PM

    Do you do anything special as far as boots/shoes for this type of footing? Snow over top of ice scares me, but it sounds like you guys take it right in stride!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nat DFebruary 28, 2023 at 2:40 PM

      Such a good question! I think it's something like the analogy of 50 words for snow in the arctic north. Snow comes in so many different levels of humidity and crystallization, depending in part on the temperature at time of snowfall, and the temperature at time of measurement.

      All that to say, that if we get a measly few inches of "sticky snow" on top of thick hard ice ... then we are good to go! But if it's that fluffy snow that blows away, that's dangerous. The horses are out almost every day (except blizzards) so they know the footing. If you pay attention to them, they will tell you when it's not safe.

      It's much worse in the transition from winter to spring (coming up next month) when the ice get glazed with water. Then it's a definite no-go. Not even for turnout.

      Delete

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