Back in town

Had a lovely non-riding week in Florida, but back home now.  Celebrated by taking Gracie and Pico over to Platinum to ride out of the wind.  

Gracie had nice trot work, icky canter work.  Pico ...  well, about the same.

Lesson - Fan exercise

This morning everyone had their feet trimmed which was probably not a genius idea before a lesson.   Gracie was a little foot sore.  Because of that and because she was stiff in general we started with cloverleaves at trot to remember that there is bend in this world, then moved on to the Fan exercise at the walk.  Shoulder-in right, straighten, shoulder-in left, straighten, shoulder-in right.  Ask for the jaw, then the poll, then the shoulder.  Keep my inside hip forward.  Go slowly.....  it is amazingly challenging.  

Once Gracie loosened up we moved to trot.  Same exercise.  Then moved to the 1/4 line for the same exercise and added half-pass.  That was easy when we were half-passing to the left.  Very difficult to the right.   She tosses me to the left...  if I can manage to sit over to the right and stay back (no tipping forward) then she goes to the left.  But it's a very small window to hit.

Came home and rode Pico around the loop with Lindsay and Demi. He's getting tired of the loop.

Around and around the loop we go

Rode both horses yesterday and again today, but only around the loop.  Pico was very well-behaved and Gracie pretty much plodded around.  I need the snow to melt and the ground to soften... now!

Volunteering at Edwards Animals.

Riding in the Snow

There was a brief moment of sunshine this morning and the temp was something like 34F, so I rode Gracie around the loop in the western saddle I have home on trial.  It's a Double C, custom.  Never heard of them before, but the leather seems nice, the stirrups are pre-twisted and hang straight down in a dressage seat.  Had it on Pico briefly -- it fits him pretty well, rides a little over his shoulders, but all saddles are going to try to do that I think.  It's a little wide on Gracie with one pad.  Lindsey rode in it on Demi with double pads and it fit nicely.  

By the time Lindsey was home it was snowing, but we rode anyway so she could try the saddle out.  She had a little trouble getting her feet in front of her where she wanted them (I like them more under my hips), but once she figured it out she was able to sit how she wanted without fighting the saddle.  

This one on Craig's list:  http://denver.craigslist.org/grd/2179826145.html

So I'm Saddle shopping

I'm still too big a woos to ride in this weather, so instead I am shopping for a second-hand western saddle.  Found a good option this afternoon, but it's in Lake George, so probably not happening.  A potential in Elizabeth is a little more realistic.  


It's still snowing by the way.

More Weather

And the high yesterday was -4.  Today we are already up to 12F!  Needless to say, I am not spending time riding.  Even walking out to the barn to make sure the water is open and that they have plenty of hay available is a chilly experience.