100th Post!!

Someone LOVES the snow!

So... It's my 100th post. I feel like I'm way behind the ball when I look at everyone else who has been posting forever. But hey! I'm still a beginner right? Or does this make me intermediate... All I know is that my brain has completely turned a 180 since I got back on my horse. I feel a bit more focused in what we're doing and I'm ready to talk goals here, for me and for him.

January 2014:

   Brantley

      1. Soft lateral flexion

      2. Staying on the rail

      3. Start back in the bit

      4. At least 1 trail ride

***GET MORE PICTURES AND VIDEOS***

  Madeline

      1. Clean my room

      2. Keep it clean until at least February

      3. Lose 5lbs

      4. Master Chevy's simple commands

Okay, boring, simple. You'd think easy? HA! Just kidding, I feel like I should reach low before trying to reach too high. Reasoning: If I am successful for the first 2 months of these monthly goals, I'll probably be able to keep doing it.

Anyway! Chevy and I had a little outing in the snow before it melted. Unfortunately, Brantley and I did not because it had been maybe 2-3 weeks (or longer) since I got to actually ride vs. just sitting on him with a halter and a lead watching everyone else run around. (Not that I don't loooove doing that.) Hopefully next snow fall I'll get to go out on my first snow ride with him... There may be tears.

Can I run now?!

Another goal of mine for 2014 is to get as much riding time as possible on as many horses I can. Even if I have to start taking lessons. I don't know where the money will come from but we'll get there. Luckily this week I went to CC and got to hop on my kids there. Rode Kid around bareback with a rope halter chasing Deb around the ring. Realized how much of my seat I have lost when he ducked to catch her and I grabbed his mane to catch my balance. AAAHHH!!! I tacked up and got to ride, go through some poles, lead changes. CB is doing an awesome job with him. I wish I could've kept him :( Gigi is doing really well also. Bonnie asked me to hop on her to warm her up and I always forget out different she is. Kid... Western pleasure trail horse. Gigi... WEEEEE!!!!! But I feel safe on both of them. There's a versatility competition I want to go check out this weekend and Bonnie asked if I wanted to ride Gigi. That'd be a blast but I really want go watch this time (go figure).

My favorite place to be.

Later on I got to get on my own horse. Day 2... Maybe I should start my 100 day ride now. Maaaaybe. I rode while A worked with Lucy (they're looking great). She got on with a halter and lead because she forgot her headstall. Lucy took it well (but she usually does). They had a nice little riding session and then called it a night. B and I hung out to watch Randi (future Olympic medalist) jump her lease horse Mickey. Need to get some pictures up of her. She's the most mature 15-year old I have ever met. She's going places and I hope I get free tickets. Anyway! I was so impressed with my pony just standing there watching this horse take massive jumps (okay, maybe not massive to you guys). I told her I'd help her with ground stuff if she helped me with the jumping. We talked about training and different methods and different horses. She's very open-minded and willing to learn new things and work with different horses. Yes... She will be getting on Brantley in the Spring, no arguments.

After R and Mickey left, Nat showed up with Comic, so we stuck around a bit longer and watched they're work out. They're really coming far and he's enjoying the work. Definite pleasure to ride. He threw a couple little tail flicks and hind kicks but she just kept pushing him forward and it came to a stop which was great. He's definitely a worker. Sharon and her pony Diamond came in to finish the night and I put B back but hung out to watch her ride. Can you say a-DOR-able? In the words of KT "Capital D-O-R". Quick little thing but she takes such good care of this woman it's unbelievable. You can see they have a really nice bond even though Diamond can really push her around. I got to play with her a bit before Sharon got on and man does she have some sass. S asked me to help her in the future and I'm very excited to do so.

I love our little crew. It's become such a nice place, I don't know why I always contemplate leaving. Maybe because it's time to get out of Rhode Island and explore. I think Brantley and I need to take New England by storm this year and maybe move on next year. I'm still young, and so is he.

Day 3: Was called crazy because it was -5* in this pic. He loved it.

So the bitter cold did not stop me tonight. Rest of the barn mates were not into riding in the cold but I wasn't going to let it stop me. So it was like 5* out... And my nose was running. But Brantley had no problem walking out of his stall, getting tacked up, or even walking over to the ring. I walked him around the ring to warm him up a bit and decided psh... I'm just going to get on. We're back to working on the mounting block and he's doing great. We had a nice ride, trotting around the ring, some circles, serpentines, and a lope in each direction. Called it a night at that!

How does everyone feel about the cold? Working at the feed store I was taught by many people and the old cowboys that it can be too hot for a horse, but they can stand cold that a snowman would love. Obviously this depends on the horse and heartiness of their body. I'm not saying every horse you could throw out naked in a snowstorm, but when it comes to getting on? I don't have a problem with taking a nice slow ride through the trails or in the ring when it's below freezing. Obviously, if it's too cold for me? I'm not going to ride. And I'm also not going to be working my horse into a sweat and jumping around like an idiot making him suck in deep breaths of cold air, but quiet lateral work or ground work? No issues.

So new goal each week (I forgot to mention above). My days off are now sworn to mornings with D at CC with my friends (maybe a lesson here or there with CB) and then my afternoon setting up a little trail course/work out for my pony friends at the barn. Already planning for next week! Hope everyone can take use of it, and has fun. *twiddles thumbs*

Half day tomorrow? Day 4!!!

Oh! Also check out this blog entry about lightness vs. softness. Love how it's explained.

http://threerivershorsetraining.blogspot.com/2014/01/being-soft-together.html