I have gotten good rides in on Hampton on both Friday AND Saturday. Yipeee!! It snowed again and so the big arena has not been plowed which has made the footing quite nice. Just deep enough snow for some traction. I was able to walk, trot, canter with no issues. Score! (Fellow boarders were actually barrel-racing on the footing ... brave souls!) Yes, my face did freeze off on Saturday. My toes got so cold that there were fire-engine red for a few hours after I got home. But I rode my horse dammit!
Friday night's ride was really quite nice. No wind. It was dark by the time I got on. And no one had yet walked, drove or ridden through the snow in that arena. It was just beautiful riding through the untouched snow. It was so quiet and peaceful. A couple of my friends ending up riding with me which I always enjoy. I have basically just been sticking to many transitions with Hampton and some little trot - big trot exercises. Sticking mostly to straight lines. Figured that was the best plan while working in the snow.
I am still amazed by this horse. He is the first horse I have ever owned that has not required lunging before I get on and ride. He is the same horse in the cold, hot, snow, wind, rain, if he hasn't been worked in a week or a month, alone, with other horses ... etc. On both days he was pleasantly forward and perky, but listened to my half halts. It just was so nice.
I'm thinking I might ride again today ... my toes are not happy about that idea, however.
Glad you got to ride. I should do the same. Haha.
ReplyDeleteRight now I have to lunge Nina before I get on and she is a bit of a maniac. But before the weather got bad I noticed that she was bored with it and a few days I just got on with no lunging. I think in the spring with more work I will be able to just ride. That would be a first for me too.
ReplyDeleteYou have an award waiting for you on my blog :)
ReplyDelete