Monday, February 20, 2012

Winter Can Stay....

The last couple of weeks have been crazy busy. My mother hosted a luncheon/reception for over 100 people for my father (he did not want a funeral, he wanted a party) the beginning of the month, which I coordinated for her. Funny stories, lots of food and an open bar - a good combination! Our yearly audit at work started February 6th and finished on the 17th. On Saturday, Jean and I went to get Stu! Whew.

Stu's arrival was pretty much uneventful. For a horse that has been living the life of Riley for the last year out in the fields, he loaded like a dream, was in the trailer for 1.5 hours without incident, and came off the trailer easily! There was quite a welcoming committee to greet Stu when he came off the trailer. It's quite a novelty to have a Clyde at a Quarter Horse barn. :-) Jean walked him around the immediate property and actually through the old barn. Gem had just been brought in and Stu and Gem had an opportunity to touch noses and sniff each other. It was cool to compare them side by side. Gem is no longer the largest horse in the barn, but in reality Stu is not that much taller than Gem. Gem's head looks quite refined compared to Stu's and of course Stu's feet are twice the size of Gem's.

Stu's feet will need a bit of work. He's got great frogs, but has hoof cracks. Jean is keeping him barefoot and it will take a few trims, coupled with regular maintenance, to improve his foot health and get rid of the cracks. Timing is actually great, because Jean won't be riding him for a few months so it will give Stu's feet a chance to get into tip top shape.

The weather here has been pretty mild and I have been able to get a couple of trail rides in and a lesson. After lesson last week, I am happy to report that LA is pleased with my confidence level and how I am responding quicker to correcting Gem when he starts giving me the business. I appreciated her comment as I was actually feeling a bit "behind" in lesson compared to my other classmates, due to the fact that I was not in lesson very often over the last few months. I believe this subtle change in my attitude and confidence is directly linked to the fact that I have been trail riding. I am getting more and more comfortable being out in the open and my heart isn't in my throat for the whole ride any more. :-)

These pictures were taken two weeks ago. On this particular day, it was -20C so it was too cold to ride but it was gloriously sunny. After grooming my beautiful boy, I ventured down a couple of the trails.

I was greeted by this mare as I started out. She was making her way to the watering tub. She is expecting and due in March. She stays out 24/7. Of course, LA checks on her (and the herd) a couple of times a day.

The snow is deep, so our rides are pretty much confined to the perimeter of the fields. We actually follow the paths made by the herd,

Here's some of the herd chowing down. The forest provides shelter for the herd. There are great trails in the forested area and it's one of my favourite places when we go out.

See...it can be quite cozy in there....


Being out on the trails this time of year is beautiful. The crunch of snow under horses' hooves coupled with conversation is wonderful. I feel so relaxed and satisfied afterwards. With the recent mild weather, there is now a crispy layer of ice on top of soft snow. The odd time I deviated from the path to come up beside DH's mom, Gem sank up to his knees. For the time being, we have to ride single file. I did have a couple of heart-in-my-throat instances yesterday when I went out. The milder weather has caused pools of water on some of the paths, which freezes overnight. To me they look like size of skating rinks but in reality they are just large puddles. DH's mom just told me to sit square to maintain balance, loosen my reins and let Gem navigate where he wanted to go. He put his head down to sniff and see where he was going. There were a couple of times that he slipped every so slightly, but we did it. Another confidence booster!! My horse is amazing.

Spring is in the air. Yesterday it was -5C and sunny. I actually started to undo some of my clothing because I was too warm! I rode without gloves. Strangely, in a way I hope the snow stays a little longer! Yikes! Did I just say that??? Once we have a big melt, everything will turn to mud and we won't be able to ride out on the trails. Arena riding just doesn't have the same appeal to me any longer.....did I just say that??!! :-)


Life Lesson: Always have cab fare tucked in your wallet. To this day, I always have a $20 bill folded away in my wallet…probably won’t get me far by today’s standards, but it does provide a certain amount of comfort knowing that it’s there.



21 comments:

  1. Yay! Arena riding has its place but it will never replace a good trail, at least not for me- and now you :)

    Can't wait to read about how Stu gets on.

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    1. I am really starting to enjoy the trail rides more and more!

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  2. Look at you and Gem! Out riding the trails and forging ahead with new adventures. Congratulations, you've got the confidence you knew you had deep down in your subconscious.
    Gem is a smart guy, best to leave the navigation of ice rinks to him, I would, I don't like ice either.

    Can't wait for more pictures and news of Stu, he sounds awesome.

    Life Lesson: Do the same thing. Must come from my teenage years of dating. My mother always made me pin money to my bra strap...just in case someone got fresh and I needed a ride home. Mothers!

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    1. Thanks, GHM!! My confidence is getting better, for sure. Re $20 - that's exactly what it was for! :-)

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  3. Those pics are so beautiful! Love how your dad wanted a party, it's a good way of looking at it, to celebrate the life he had.

    Sounds like you and Gem are forging right ahead! Excellent. And yes, nothing beats riding out, arena work has it's place, but given the choice..

    My daughter has just started going out. I always give her "emergency money" too

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    1. Dad always liked a good party. My parents had some great ones when I was growing up. I think he would have liked the one we had for him. :-)

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  4. You are so lucky to have trails like that! I cant wait to here how Stu fits in with everyone.

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    1. The trails are pretty good and the terrain is varied, so I am quite lucky!

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  5. Spring??? -5???? Not for me!
    Your pictures are beautiful. The winter white is spectacular.
    I always have 'mad money' tucked away... just in case. It really is a good idea, although these days with ATM's almost everywhere, it may not be as critical as it once was.

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  6. I've told my friends the very same thing. Remember me with a party! A barbecue would probably be fitting. Having read your post I think I'll suggest they make it pot luck...

    I find trail riding really fosters a sense of "partnership" with my horse. Sometimes she needs my help, and sometimes she needs me to get out of her way. That's as true in the arena as it is on the trail but the trail's a good place to learn that.

    Love the pictures. Very pretty.

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    1. There will be a party when I am gone too! :-) I agree about fostering a partnership when trail riding. I do feel that being out is not only good for him mentally, it has helped me understand him better.

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  7. Throw me a party when I go too, and don't stint on the adult beverages! ;)

    Gorgeous pictures of the winter wonderland. Looking forward to posting about trail rides on my end - good for you and Gem. His name is so appropriate. :)

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    1. It was a good time!! BTW, I saw your Shimmy Shack pictures - it's wonderful!

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  8. I think a party is a great way to remember someone.

    Personally I think trail riding is very good for building confidence. You aren't in a controlled environment like you would be in a paddock or arena, there needs to be a lot more trust. Plus it's really fun =)

    Love the pictures!

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    1. You are absolutely right about building confidence and trust. I am getting there and I think Gem is starting to trust me, too.

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  9. Its great to hear how you've built up your confidence. Doesn't give you a great feeling when you come back from a ride and realise that you didn't feel unsafe even once?!

    Go you! (and Gem!)

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    1. Hi Jooles - I am having more and more of those great feelings. :-)

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  10. I'm sure your dad loved the party. We did the same thing for my father-in-law and I will always remember the wonderful stories that people told. As for trail riding, I find it addictive. And I think that it builds such a good connection that when you go back in the arena, you'll find things go better there too. The snow looks beautiful, but I must admit that I'm glad it's in your pastures and not mine this winter!

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    1. Hi Victoria! I think having a party is much better than doom and gloom, in my opinion. I am finding trail riding addictive! However, I am finding that I am spending my time on the trails rather than practicing what I have learned in lesson!! :-)

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  11. Ah a proper wake - we did it for my brother-in-law. Much better than a funeral. Trails sound like fun, though I'd be terrified of slipping. We haven't an arena and we just amble along the farm road or out on the old court behind the house. At first, I missed not having an arena... and now I am okay with it - better than okay, I prefer it.:)

    PS: as a student I carried emergency money too, tucked into the card section of my wallet. Funny, I never spent it on bus/train/taxi fare... I always had to replace it, and it never went to the ends it was intended!

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