An Odd Type of Spring Fever?

It has been sort of “odd” riding the past few weeks. The two horses I ride now, well they have been old reliable lesson horses who face new things with at most a flick of an ear. Now, however, everything is viewed with suspicion at first, and they require a few “meditation breaks” where we just stand while the horse views his/her realm, eventually sighing, moving…

Standing Still

I just got my lesson on Wednesday this week.

MJ looked all right when Debbie led him up to the wash stall. He was not completely settled down but he did not cause us any problems, even when I groomed his head while Debbie brushed elsewhere. Previously that had not been acceptable since there was just too much…

More Trotting

When I talked to Debbie Friday morning as we prepared MJ to ride she told me that MJ had been ridden by one of the girls in the college riding group. Apparently she had not only been super diligent about cleaning out MJ's right front hoof under the bar shoe, she had then cantered MJ a lot. MJ was not visibly lame when led in, but Debbie felt some hesitation when that hoof landed.…

An Aid From Long Ago

Over forty years ago I was bored, bored, bored riding my beloved first horse Hat Tricks. He had gotten really responsive to my rather rough aids and I was looking for a new challenge. It occurred to me that my aids could be MUCH lighter, both hand and leg, so I started working on that.

First I lightened…

No Spurs, No Sweat

During this week my right ankle was bothering me, to the point of random pains in muscles and tendons and my leg “threatening” to collapse under me. This may be a long term effect of the Covid-19 case I had early 2020, and it is very irritating to me. When I was getting ready to ride on Wednesday I decided that it would be better for my ankle if I did not put my spurs on,…

Free spirit and fearless explorer Isabella Lucy Bird’s (1831-1904) desire to travel and write about her adventures is not what her Evangelical parents had in mind for their daughter. A strong-willed woman with a keen intellect and curious mind drove her forward, but frail health prevented Isabella from leading the vibrant life she so desired. At the age of forty, she pushed all social convention aside, ignored failed remedies of the doctors and embarked on a world voyage in 1873 that changed…

Making the Sitting Trot Enjoyable

For both the horse and the rider.

I got to ride three times this week! On Wednesday I got my lesson, I was still sort of off from less riding so it was not a “perfect” lesson. MJ is ridden by other people in lessons, and as time goes on Debbie discovers his preferences and how his body ends…

Yet Another Turning Aid

MJ was a little bit less sensitive this week. I had learned my lesson and curried his back with my gentlest curry comb, the Zoom Groom Cat grooming tool, with soft and flexible inch long prongs that feel rubbery, this is the tool that I use on his head. He did not flinch at all when I used it on his back, but when I used my wooden massage roller on his back he flinched…

My Third Lesson in a Row

Yes, I lucked out again, and I got a riding lesson.

I got to the stable a little early on Wednesday, MJ was in the wash stall and Debbie was busy in the back of the barn so I started grooming him. Due to the pandemic I have not gotten to groom MJ much at all so I was not familiar with all his…

A Hope Now for Weekly Lessons

The good, great and wonderful news is that I got another lesson this week!

But, on the other hand I really need to ride more.

When I was young I would have been THRILLED to get a riding lesson a week. I think I had a grand…

With COVID times, I find that my best friend has become my horse. My appreciation to be a rider has soared and I am so thankful for my beautiful boy. I ride him 5 days a week and see him 7. If only I could have him on my property my life would be perfect. Just wanted to share how blessed I am :)…

My Second Lesson This Year

Over 5 weeks into this year, and all the riding I've gotten in has been 2 lessons.

It could have been worse, at least I did get some lessons!

Debbie was pretty pleased with my riding. I used the Fager Alexander Sweet Iron with…

Alas, My Hopes Were in Vain

This January I will have ridden only once, my lesson last week.

Last Sunday it was too cold and the ground was too frozen.

Debbie called me on Wednesday just as I was starting to get ready to ride. It had rained a lot the night…

by Bricole Reincke | Equestrian…

by Bricole Reincke | Equestrian, Horse…

by Bricole Reincke | Equestrian

Are you considering purchasing a horse?…

by Bricole Reincke | …

by Bricole Reincke | Equestrian,…

by Bricole Reincke | Equestrian,…

I Hope I am Back to Riding Again

I had not had a lesson for two whole months. I had not ridden for over 5 weeks. Such is my life in the times of winter and the Covid-19 super-spreader events and resulting surges of cases. The holiday period has passed, the insurrection at the US Capitol ended, we have a new President in the USA (YEAH!!!) and maybe, just maybe, effective action now will be taken…