I’ve been doing a lot of riding in the last week.  I had a 4-day weekend—just using up my sick days since I was quite healthy this year.  Usually the weather is crummy in Cleveland in December, but I was really lucky.  We had dry and sunny days.  I couldn’t cross the high river on Saturday and Sunday, but that was all right.  I got to ride with my sister in the arena and we rode on the hill to the river a few times, too.  Monday, I took Cole on a trail ride with my boyfriend and his horse, Starry.  Tuesday, I took Cole on a trail ride with my sister and her horse, Ranger.  The rides were chilly, but it was just so nice to get out instead of sit at a desk at work.

I kept Cruiser at the barn.  He has a healed bowed tendon, and to be safe, I don’t take him out on frozen and uneven ground.  I did it once some years back, and the result was an inflamed tendon and 3 months or so of controlled exercise.  It’s not worth the risk for me.  We worked in the arena.  Each day, he gets a little better, but we still have some ways to go.  Our circles and corners are getting rounder, our straight lines are getting straighter and he is becoming more consistent in all ways.  He still wants to play the high-headed Arabian, but once he settles down, he gets lower.  It is happening earlier in the rides.  Sometimes I get roundness, too. 

I rode Cole in the indoor arena last night, and he did well.  We can do the pretty trot for longer periods.  I am able to breathe better while doing it, so I don’t stop because I am out of breath as often as I was.  I then brought Cruiser out for a ride.  We didn’t last long because someone brought out the Percheron to lounge.  She wasn’t behaving, and Cruiser can’t handle other horses exploding—particularly a Percheron.  We ended up walking up and down the driveway while I practiced my seat.  It was a warm night, and I think we both enjoyed it more than if we would have stayed inside.

I have reached the Mary Wanless chapter on lightness.  I realized that I used to do this with my old horse, Mingo, and I lost it when I lost him.  He simply wouldn’t trot nicely without it.  He was a very, very lazy sort, and you had to ride him so well for him to cooperate.  How could I forget to do this now?  I think it might be very helpful with Cruiser and Cole.  Anything that helped Mingo has to be.  As I practiced, all the old familiar feelings came back.  I was trying it during Cole’s ride, but it was very difficult to coordinate with his big trot.  I think practicing with Cruise at a walk was just what I needed.  We’ll see how the rides go this weekend.  Stay tuned… 

Funny how Mingo is still teaching me lessons…

I’ve been doing a lot of riding in the last week.  I had a 4-day weekend—just using up my sick days since I was quite healthy this year.  Usually the weather is crummy in Cleveland in December, but I was really lucky.  We had dry and sunny days.  I couldn’t cross the high river on Saturday and Sunday, but that was all right.  I got to ride with my sister in the arena and we rode on the hill to the river a few times, too.  Monday, I took Cole on a trail ride with my boyfriend and his horse, Starry.  Tuesday, I took Cole on a trail ride with my sister and her horse, Ranger.  The rides were chilly, but it was just so nice to get out instead of sit at a desk at work.

I kept Cruiser at the barn.  He has a healed bowed tendon, and to be safe, I don’t take him out on frozen and uneven ground.  I did it once some years back, and the result was an inflamed tendon and 3 months or so of controlled exercise.  It’s not worth the risk for me.  We worked in the arena.  Each day, he gets a little better, but we still have some ways to go.  Our circles and corners are getting rounder, our straight lines are getting straighter and he is becoming more consistent in all ways.  He still wants to play the high-headed Arabian, but once he settles down, he gets lower.  It is happening earlier in the rides.  Sometimes I get roundness, too. 

I rode Cole in the indoor arena last night, and he did well.  We can do the pretty trot for longer periods.  I am able to breathe better while doing it, so I don’t stop because I am out of breath as often as I was.  I then brought Cruiser out for a ride.  We didn’t last long because someone brought out the Percheron to lounge.  She wasn’t behaving, and Cruiser can’t handle other horses exploding—particularly a Percheron.  We ended up walking up and down the driveway while I practiced my seat.  It was a warm night, and I think we both enjoyed it more than if we would have stayed inside.

I have reached the Mary Wanless chapter on lightness.  I realized that I used to do this with my old horse, Mingo, and I lost it when I lost him.  He simply wouldn’t trot nicely without it.  He was a very, very lazy sort, and you had to ride him so well for him to cooperate.  How could I forget to do this now?  I think it might be very helpful with Cruiser and Cole.  Anything that helped Mingo has to be.  As I practiced, all the old familiar feelings came back.  I was trying it during Cole’s ride, but it was very difficult to coordinate with his big trot.  I think practicing with Cruise at a walk was just what I needed.  We’ll see how the rides go this weekend.  Stay tuned… 

Funny how Mingo is still teaching me lessons…