Ryan, my brother, and I went to play and gorge ourselves in Chicago for 5 days. Neither of the boys had been to Chicago before, and they both loved it. We ate, and ate, and ate. And then went to see:
Wait.. Wait.. Don't Tell Me! Very exciting. (Yeah, so I'm a dork. But you knew that!) I've listened to this show for years, and have gotten Ryan addicted as well. The show was even better live.
Anyway. The point of this post was actually to write about Miss Adventure. I'd been struggling to get out to see her regularly, and worried about both her crappy feet and her weight. Being an air plant, she doesn't need much food.. yet she's out on grass 24/7. She looks like a tick about to pop. I figured I could keep her weight under control by exercise, but that hasn't been happening much, because of her crappy feet. So I haven't been going out.
However, I think I've finally found a farrier in this area that I'm comfortable with. Addy's feet look better already, and the farrier suggested that I purchase some boots so that Addy can more comfortably deal with the rocky trails. I hate to do just ring work, especially with an out of shape horse.
Yesterday we ventured partway down the least rocky of the trails, scouting for fairly level, open areas for trot work. We found several that work immediately, and a few more that will work once Adventure has her boots. Even better, some are hilly, forcing Addy to rock back on her haunches and balance herself for the downhills, and use that big ol' butt to power up the uphills.
So now my plan is to get us both back into shape. My goal is to ride 4 times per week, starting mainly with loose, open trot work. Bareback a few days (mostly to help me get balanced again), in the pastures, on the trails.. and then slowly begin introducing ring work, with lots of transitions, circles, and lateral work. At some point, I'd like to get an instructor out, as well.
We'll get to 2nd level someday!
4 comments:
I'm sorry you haven't been able to ride your pony very much. I know when I get really busy and stressed I avoid riding and then, when I finally just get on, I realize that the not riding is why I'm so stressed. :)
I hope your girl's feet get better soon. Does she not wear shoes? If so, you're a lucky girl...
You hit it exactly. :) My mare is totally my therapist/stress relief.
Addy's been barefoot her entire life. She got the bad combo of Cob x TB feet - thin splitty walls, but big feet. They spread and crack and flatten if not done just so.
I hope your boy gets a better combo for his feet! :)
Oh, poor feet huh? Moon has poor feet yet her full brother has superb feet. She is the more Welsh side of the cross and he is more TB. Luckily my Forester has lovely feet and hasn't needed shoes - yet ;-)
Glad to see you are riding again and hoping that you get to do even more very soon. I can relate with the stress therapy - my horses keep me sane!
You look great. Keep up the great work! Riding is my therapy!
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