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We have had some touch and go conditions on trail which have reduced us to a walk and sometimes trot. This does not pair up well to the warmer temperatures and spring sillies. Q kept it in check over the weekend until a young great dane growled and lunged at him on trail, tossing his owner to the ground. Nothing happened, but my usually steady eddie (when it comes to dogs) was unnerved. On Monday we had a true thawing, and I was able to get out on trail properly for the first time in weeks and we did a long stretch into the other sector, crossing babbling brooks and all. Q was hot, but we very safely did some nice WTC stretches on some delightful footing. When we walked, Q gave me those vibes that had me tossing my feet out of the stirrups and breathing in sync with him, relaxing my lower body and my shoulders. Ive never had a horse that gave me so much feedback on my own tension and encouraged me to relax and go with the flow. This horse gives me goosebumps. As I drove back home, I wa...

Sneaking in between endless days of meetings, I got a chance to go see Q and check out the trails. Given the rain, ice, and increasing presence of spring, the trails have been dubious at best and most boarders have stayed within the confines of the indoor arena. But this day was warm, bright sun, blue skies, and the parking lot ice was looking like crumbly crusty snow. So we dared to consider a little trail ride. Q was hot to trot and I was doubting my sanity a few times. But he kept it in check, and despite a few tricky icy spots we had a lovely 30 minute meander in the woods for the first time in two weeks and it made me happy happy. So Q is now 10 years old and doing just fine. 

Life lessons from my horse: Hold on señorita, Ill protect you! Its been a rough few weeks work wise. More work than I can handle, conflict and temper tantrums from graduate students, and an emergency bathroom renovation, along with preparations for the revival (after a 3 year pandemic hiatus) of the biggest St Patricks Day house party … well Im teetering somewhere between high anxiety and anger with a heavy dose of insomnia. Not good. Ive been trying to ride a few times a week but certainly not as often as usual, and my trips are short and abrupt. 45 mins, WTC, mostly solo. Grooming, thats for sissies. 😉 Yesterday, my horse was a tool. He tried to attack my friends horse as she passed me (albeit a bit too close), he tried to bolt when a cross country skier was crossing behind, he reared when the sleigh crossed our path with the double team, and he was just crabby and ears pinned whenever anything came nearby. Today before I left for the barn my husband warned me to stay safe, and lung...

 -1C with soft squishy snow and lots of cantering and trotting on spongy footing. Q was brilliant, in part because I lunged him for 10 minutes before my ride and got the silly spooks and bucks out. By the end of the fast 50 minute ride, Q was tired. We havent had that fast a ride in months and it was a true delight. Work is rough these days with too much piled on, plus a surprise emergency bathroom renovation and a massive social calendar. Which is why it was even sweeter to have a great quick ride with Q. If I wasnt so embarassed, I would make a stupid video of me inventing words to imaginary songs in cadence with his loping stride as we navigate our wide trails while Q flicks his ears back at me. The songs have silly lyrics like “my Q is so sweet/riding is such a treat” 🤪 Its such freedom to be silly with my horse in the woods. Like a kid all over again.