planBE

Riding is down ⬇️ Dog training is ⬆️. Our little bichon puppy is now 10 months old and is a confirmed lap dog, but also a certified trick dog, and novice in scent tracking, agility (no jumping), and has started swimming lessons. We have definitely double downed on lessons and training at home. As a result, its been harder to fit in the riding and the worsened commute to the barn (now 2.5/3hrs round trip) as a result of road construction. But when I show up, Q is happy to provide kisses and look for carrots. He has been a good egg in my 1-2x a week habit. Big changes have happened at the barn where resident trainer was kicked out and we went to a coop style management, with double the turnout. Everyone seems happier. What hasn’t changed is how Q continues to be my greatest muse. He makes me giggle and happy cry almost every ride (when solo). There is just an incredible emotional resonance with this horse. Such joy. The gross hot weather of the summer now seems to be over, and Im hopeful...

Well the terrible winter is on its way out, and spring is here, along with Qs 11th bday. We got some good saddle time this week finally! And while the trails are still recovering it has been a blessing to get out. Puppy is doing well and 6 months old! Potty training is done, and she is a magnificent walker. We graduated our second obedience class and puppy agility. She just rocks those tunnels!

Surprise! Surprise!  A bit early this year, but perhaps a sign that we might have a Green Christmas … because irony. Horse was way too spicy than he should have been, so we kept it to a long distance trot in mostly sandy tracks. Twas a good one. Such a good egg.

Im still working on my listening skills, and my horse is still trying to teach me to do better. Yesterday we went out solo and while we jogged and trotted down the trail, I felt such a strong emotional resonance. I use his metronome rhythm to create silly jingles and then laugh and cry while patting his neck. It’s such a weird emotional space between appreciation, love, sadness while we enjoy the moment. Q, unphased. Meanwhile, Ive been struggling with the right lead canter these last few weeks. No problem in the arena, but on trail, it takes quite a few tries to get it. Heading home with one last chance to try, I got the message to better time with his legs. I decided to do it from the walk, and counted 1-2-1-2 with the right fore, I then cued when the right fore hit the ground (so left impulsion was coming next) and BOOM perfect right lead canter. It was light, smooth, and I screamed in delight and hugged my horse. Q, unphased. A little ear twitch saying « no big deal girl, just ask ...

I pause this hiatus from blogging to say Ive been too busy riding and working this summer. But I got in some good miles these last few weeks in between air quality issues, tornado warnings, neverending rainstorms, and excess heat advisories. Its not been the best of summers. But we rode. And did a fun photoshoot with some local kids for some marketing material. My Q was happy to oblige and kissed and licked everyone he could. Next up, a trip, sans cheval, to the fjords of Iceland and Norway. Happy summer!

It’s been a long time since my last blog. Life has been like galloping through a field of gopher holes ... a nice wink to my 2022 expedition in Alberta. Lots of moving pieces, an excessive workload, and a few incidents that left me perplexed and bruised. The increase in workload was directly correlated to my decrease in riding time. I was quite pleased that I could still show up at the barn 1-2 times a week and enjoy a ride. Sometimes it was more exciting than I wanted, and sometimes it was just sheer bliss. On one of my more blissful rides, Q was feeling soft, and shall I say, a little bit lazy. We were loping along the sandy trails when, BANG, he trips, falls on his face, and I go flying over his head to land in a shoulder roll in some very soft cushy sand. My thigh was grabbed by the pommel on the way down which left me bruised for about a week. But Q's face as he stood over me, his bridle askew, wondering what just happened. Priceless. Then there was the day where he had a swol...

Wow! The last month was a doozy. Excessive work, sleeping only with the help of medication, the hamster constantly churning … Im not quite sure how I didnt get sick through it all. Today was my first day off in weeks and I was committed to spending time with my lovely Q.  I pulled up, and while he was slow to recognize my engine sounds, he perked up fast enough and strolled to the fence line with his usual “where have you been?” face. He did quick work of shoving his buddies aside from the gate so he could get out and eat his first of many treats of the day: a fresh banana! Yumm! We then went to the indoor arena for perhaps a roll and a run/buck session. He was feeling a little shy to roll in my presence and he probably sensed my intentions of work and pace. So we attempted to run around the arena that is still (!) half flooded and muddy. Boy the arena riding boarders must be pissed (been going on for a month now). Q seemed a little lazy so we tacked up and headed to the outdoor ri...