I live in the always changing,never predictable,always-keeps-us-on-our-toes state of Michigan. Where all four seasons can and will be experienced in one hour, fifteen minutes per season. If you're from Michigan than you're one tough person who can withstand it all. If you're from Michigan and you ride a horse in the winter, than you're SuperMan(Wonder Woman for us girls),riding the superest(is that even a word?!?!) horse out there. For you and your horse, fifty in March is paradise,even if it is only for one week. 

Today, my dialogue with the stable owner and manager consisted of the following: SO:"Hello, how are you and Cody? "

Me:" very good, thanks, how about you? "

SO:" I'm good! "

SM:" isn't this weather just beautiful! I woke up today and said, 30 degrees, so Warm! "

Me:" ohh,I know, and just think, next week will be in the fifties! Perfect for riding. "

SM:" I know!  I'm sooo excited and definitely not complaining! "

There's something to be said when one wakes up and considers thirty degrees warm and salivates over fifty. I'm not complaining. I'd ride(and did ride) in negatives with wind bringing it lower still. My fingers were cracked and cut up like ribbons and bleeding from the dryness of the air and the cold temperatures. I don't how many times I lost feeling in my feet and had to stop riding early.  At one point in time I rode outside,(it was sunny with a light breeze and record positive twenty degrees starting out),the sky went from clear to cloudy,the breeze became a strong wind;it began to snow then hail and the temperature went from twenty to, I believe, negative twenty degrees. Being a stubborn girl, I rode the entire back and front pasture and regretted it. Poor Cody gave me dirty looks and wouldn't share his blanket. I considered using the hot chocolate maker, but it occured to me I've never used one, didn't know how, and I didn't want to burn the stable down. So I sat in front of the heated while Cody ate fresh hay in his stall. I brought in Duchess, Jac and Rosie girl because I FELT it was TOO cold for them to be outside, horses or not. At that point I didn't think spring would arrive in Michigan. 

But now the horses are shedding,like nuts. Rose has covered me in enough hair to make two thick coats and then some. Cody isn't shedding as badly, but the occasional hair still goes in my mouth. The first sign of spring? Shedding horses, a happy weather man and green grass. Now I'm looking for robins and cardinals,springs Hello to us all. 

Today I played tag with Cody. I did, honestly I played tag with a horse. It was the cutest thing. We then played chase and then I rode him. He did very good for me. He was shy about cantering, after a stern talk he finally gave me my almost perfect canter. I setup an obstacle course for us. We had to trot over poles in a circle without tapping them or moving them, easier said than done. After that we had to do a figure eight and weave around barrels back over the poles in the opposite direction. When we accomplished that much we backed over the poles, between the barrels and sidestepped through them too. Cody rocked it, giving me no problems. He's been being so good for me. When we finished I gave him free time without the saddle or reins on. He ran and cantered around me in a circle and when he was tired he'd come in and nuzzle my cheek. We rode bareback after that, I tried trotting but Cody decided he wished to go faster than I'm(at least I feel) ready for. He turned right and my body turned left, I nearly flipped off his back but managed to straighten out before toppling to the ground. After that I put the saddle on and we did more work under saddle. When we finished he received his apple and had his mane braided and his coat brushed. I brought in my favorite girl, Rosa, and brushed her down. She loved it all. Nuzzling and nickering when I finished. 

There is nothing better than having the horse you ride and the horse you favor nicker everytime they see you, and not for treats. It makes one feel good inside. 

That's my ride, hopefully yours was just as great if not better! 

Have a happy ride~