Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Gail Morse on February 17, 2010 at 12:57pm

Hi Elaine! I live right down the road from you in Port Perry. The first half of the winter I hibernated. Now that the second half has arrived and with little snow, I have started today, to ready myself fitness wise for the coming good weather. Dusted off the treadmill to start with. I board one horse, with an arena and am lucky as my coach and a friend have been keeping the horse going. He is a Rocky with a dressage and trail riding bent. My goal this year is to be able to drive my own vehicle and trailer to the different parks near here. Like you said! Cheers! Spring is on the way.

Permalink Reply by Jenny Prahl on February 17, 2010 at 1:10pm

I know what you mean, my horses get a nice long lay-off over the winter. The last time I rode in January, I wound up with broken ribs and an almost broken leg! I'm happy taking care of them everyday and then watching them from my window while contendedly sipping my Mocha! :-D Boy do I need to get back in shape for spring though!
I had just gotten into showing lower level dressage but it was just too expensive for me! I still have the horses and tack but can't keep up with the training, traveling etc. etc. Wish I could have gone on. The direction I really wanted to go in was jumping but the instructor said to get a good base in dressage first. Now I just trail ride with my friends. I have a 17+hh Trakehner that I use for trails! We have a riot! We always end our rides with a picnic of goodies and wine back at the trailers or the barn. The horses munch and listen to us. It's a great time.

Permalink Reply by Rosemarie Colbourne on February 17, 2010 at 1:49pm

I agree with you Elaine, I smell spring as well. My mare has been shedding like crazy. Hopefully she doesn't give up too much before the warmer weather does arrive.
Good Luck with your showing season and keep us posted as to where you will be showing. I am in Newmarket and love nothing more on a sunny afternoon to sit in the sun and watch dressage tests.
Rosemarie

Permalink Reply by Jan Jollymour on February 17, 2010 at 2:04pm

Hey, Jenny:

It sounds like you have a really good time with your horse and your friends - what more can any of us ask for?

Our snow is melting like mad, which is incredible for mid-February, but I'm so glad to see dirt! I'll probably be sick of it by mid-May, when the temperatures are likely to be in the 90's, but right now it's great.

Permalink Reply by Beth McGaughey on February 18, 2010 at 6:46am

Hi Elaine, sounds like you have a good goal for yourself, but riding is just like riding your bike! I haven't ridden my mare for about 2 years now, because she was pregnant and then had a colt, but I am determined to start up again as soon as the weather allows! I have kept busy though, handling the colt and will begin with more training come spring, never enough time to do it all! I have the mare, colt, and an older pony who is "uncle Trigger". I have enjoyed hours of the boys playing in the snow, from my window-I can't wait until spring!! My pony, part Morgan/Shetland is shedding in clumps-a sure sign of spring! Good luck with your riding plans!

Permalink Reply by Kathy Newman on March 3, 2010 at 9:31pm

I sat on my horse bareback for all of a couple of minutes, just hopped on and went around the paddock. It was such a beautiful day, sun shine and warmish. It was enough to satisfy my urge to ride. It took me about 20 minutes to finally get on him as he moved about and couldn't get him close enough to a fence but that took alot of my energy. (Must be out of shape).
Must start a exercise routine to get thing rolling again, we have both been off all winter!
anyway, its a start and the W/E promises to be even nicer.
Get out the saddle and go for a real ride!
It is indeed starting to look like SPRING.
from Hawkestone, Otario

Permalink Reply by Elaine Flintoff on March 4, 2010 at 8:14am

It is, isn't it????!!! My husband and I actually sat out on the porch, sunning ourselves, after chores yesterday. Today we're off for a 4 day visit to our daughters, and with the nice weather I really hate to leave the horses - I just love this time of the year. Unfortunately Im not able to ride until the first week in April. I have been going through two vitreous detachments, so no percussion of any kind until then. I thought I was experiencing a detached retina for the first eye, what with all the "floaters" and the lightning in my eye. I was pretty scared, but turned out it was a normal occurrene for people my age, and it took several weeks for the process to occur. But, now I am going through the same thing with the other eye - the vitreous detachment happens to 2 out of 3 people....wouldn't you just know I'd be one of those !!! the process take several weeks, but if I were to ride, or jog, or anything of that nature, then the process would happen all at once and that causes either a tear in the retina or an actual detachment, which requires immediate surgery. Loss of sight would occur. Soooo, although Im itching to get on, common sense has prevailed. Im actually taking my mare over to my trainer's from mid-March to mid-April, where he will work with her 3 times/week, and then in April, if all is well, I will take over. Im excited about that. Enjoy the day !!!! Elaine.

Permalink Reply by Connie Breedveld on April 4, 2010 at 2:57pm

Hi Elaine....I am Connie and am in Ilderton...near London.With this glorious weather...riding is back in full swing{enjoy everyone!}
My friends & I retrain abused horses.we do have an in-door riding arena to do our training work in when the weather is nasty,but as soon as it is nice outside we go.I hardly ever ride in the arena,only it it is real icy ect.
best of luck at the shows.I am sure you'll do great,but most of all have fun :) Happy Riding!

Permalink Reply by Elaine Flintoff on April 7, 2010 at 4:45pm

The eyes are good now and I'm finally back riding. Where are you !!!!??? I often wonder where you settled with your horse after you let me know you were moving.....I had Big A at Hoekstra's for 2 weeks - he rode 3x/week and she is getting so great ! For the next 2 weeks he will ride her twice and then I am trailering my Welsh mare over for 2 sessions....I'm so busy right now, but loving it !!! Walter Zettl will be at his place the last week of April and he will be working with some Parelli riders, which I hope to watch. Then Walter is holding his own clinic May 1/2. Both are are Hoekstra's. My sand ring and round pen are dry and ready for riding and I've been able to get out and enjoy them. Can hardly wait till summer.....let me know what you are doing and so great to hear about your horse.....aren't they a wonderful passion ??? Elaine.

Permalink Reply by Elaine Flintoff on May 17, 2010 at 8:17am

Yup! You're my neighbour!!! Glad to hear you're getting in so much riding - me too! My Welsh is starting to come around.....finally getting her to start travelling straight...can't decide what to do with Big A....dressage ? or get back on to the Quarter Horse circuit, where I think she would do really well now that she's done so much dressage.....just happy to be riding and working with the horses......loving retirement! Keep in touch....(you should come to the farm one day.....about 20 minutes north of Bowmanville via Hwy 115)