My horse is an idiot and other fun tales.

Posted on November 8, 2015 by Sarah (threechestnuts)

After the windy and dreary day that was yesterday, it was nice to have a sunny, though chilly, day.

Batts other person was down from NY for the weekend so I decided that I was going to lunge Subi before she got here. For some reason, today I had it in my head that I needed to lunge him. I rode on Thursday and just hopped on him. Today, lunging was my mindset.

Thankfully I decided to follow my well thought out lunging plan and Sub was a complete and utter fool. Seriously, he was an idiot. Strangely, he was fine walking from the paddock to the round pen, but once in the round pen… For some odd reason, I decided I’d lunge first than groom/tack/ride. So, I put my muddy pony on the line and told him to stand. To that, he flew backwards. Once we mastered standing, I asked him to move forward and forward he exploded. Normally I need to encourage forward movement and we start at the walk and then trot and do lovely trot halt transitions and eventually canter. Today, Mr. Lunatic decided that bucking, rearing, lead changing, spinning antics were in order. He was a little too athletic and almost fell over (that usually phases him, not today) so I basically stood in the center of the round pen and occasionally encouraged him to continue moving forward and tried to prevent his attempts to rear and spin and change direction while the lunge line was wrapped around his head… He also considered cutting in and bucking/kicking out at me, but upon realizing that that trick no longer scares me (he’d never actually kick), he cut that from his repertoire. Seriously though, he was an idiot. He was just up and crazy. Not spooky either, just pretty much nuts. By the time were were done, he was soaked (it took me 30+ minutes to get him quiet enough to walk…) and hot and in need of a bath. In light of the 40-50* temps, we settled to for a sponge bath with warm water and pile of coolers. I elected not to ride (upon leaving the round pen, he started acting like a fool spooking/rearing when he saw my friend–who was standing exactly where she was when he got pats from her minutes before) and while I might have chickened out, sometimes staying in one piece is important. Plus, by that point, I’d had enough of his antics… At least he was tired (though evidently not tired enough to stop being an idiot.

Not overly thrilled about his november bath..

Since my friend wasn’t planning to ride, I ended up hopping on Batty and we had a lovely time. He was sound, really loosened up at the was both before and after we stretched his legs, and was just lovely and happy to be working. We started off with some trot and canter sets on the hill and then headed into to the woods to hack and do some pole work. Again, lovely. He was using his butt as we trotted around, had a big, gorgeous canter, and was happy to see some poles. At one point, he just sort of started doing his own thing and while I should have corrected him, he was moving SO well and was so happy and impressed with himself, I just didn’t have the heart to stop him. So we cantered around when he decided we were going to and ultimately cantered our 4 poles perfected. We ended with a baby cross rail (1, he’s out of shape and 2, all my standards are in the back yard and I only had 2 crates in the woods) which he had fun popping over (while NOT treating it like it was 3′). Called it a day at that point thought I’m sure we could have both done more. It’s just nice to have him when he’s HAPPY and willing and comfortable. He can be such a good boy.

Post ride sun

Not sure why the girth is half off but…

In other news, I managed to be runner up for most improved in Viva Carlos and Equestrian at Hart‘s 2pointober! Was not expected that. I started my attempt at No Stirrup November with a little trotting on Sub on Thursday and more trotting today with Batty. I have to say, it’s MUCH harder to post without stirrups while trotting up or down hill. My legs were burning pretty quickly.

Looking ahead to next year, if I can managed to get comfortable hauling, I definitely want to start talking Batty to some paper chases and such. That’s his type of thing and it’s something I think we can both have fun with.

As my husband coined this picture: Prisoners in the prison yard

Dreary day and random thoughts about blankets

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Sarah (threechestnuts)

It’s a really ugly, rainy, dark, depressing, dreary, disgusting Wednesday (I started with the Ds and just couldn’t stop). I should be doing something productive, like work, but instead, here I am.

The weather is strangely warm and will be warm tomorrow (high close to 70) which is really strange at the end of October. It’s going to cool off by the weekend, but looking at the long range forecast, we’re going to be back at 70 next Thursday? This fluctuation is driving me crazy. I had blankets on a couple weeks ago, we had frost as recently as yesterday (or was it Monday?), and now warm and rain (and 70s and sun tomorrow)? I don’t know what to wear to work anymore!

I also need to spend the time and go through blankets. Warm temps are not helping me find the motivation! Jiminy is all set (thankfully someone is!) but I need to figure out how Subi and Batt are doing. Subi should be good in terms of weighted blankets (though I really need to do some laundry as I never quite got there this summer… oops.), especially now that he has Hayley’s old (new) heavy weight that actually fits him nicely. He has his Horze Avalanche as well and that seems to be in good shape though I may need to re-waterproof that one just to be safe. He’s also got some various Rider’s blankets that fit (one in good shape, the other with misc. repairs) and a pair of old statelines (10 years old at this point) that work really well as backups. That said, his rainsheet isn’t great though I think it’s still waterproof? It should work if I can manage to reattach a back leg strap…

Batt, on the other hand, is king of hand me down blankets. His old rhino (originally Hayley’s) fits him really well, but the waterproofing is gone. His pink argyle smartpak blanket has seem much better days (again, a Hayley blanket) and doesn’t actually fit that well, but it’s a good spare. He also has a heavy Horze Avalanche (well, 2 if I repair Hayley’s old one) so he should be set. BUT, because he only has 1 that fits well that’s NOT a heavy and that blanket may never be really waterproof again, I’m debating getting him a new medium weight. Hopefully one that fits and then I can relegate the Rhino to be a spare (I’ve had it since 2009? and bought it used…). Thinking about getting him one of the SStack ones since I love Jiminy’s and while I’m at it, I could also get Subi a new sheet… http://www.sstack.com/horse-blankets-and-sheets_waterproof-turnout-blankets_euro-fit_traditional-fit/2015-dura-tech-1200d-viking-turnouts/

But, of course, do I really need MORE blankets? It’s really an unhealthy collection I have. But, if they’re not completely dead, I hate throwing them out. I also hate using the ones that don’t fit that well or are partially dead… While I do have a crazy amount of blankets, my guys live out 24/7 in ALL conditions. So, depending on the temps, Subi may wear either 2 heavy weights or a heavy and medium. He spent most of the winter in 2 blankets (usually heavy and medium) but ended up with more when needed. That said, he’s a wimp and shivers when he’s cold so it’s easy to figure him out. Batt wore either 2 mediums, a heavy, or a medium/heavy combo depending on the temps (and what blankets were drying out inside).

2 pointing through October and a nice (?) fall day?!

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Sarah (threechestnuts)

I hate the fall. Everyone who knows me knows how much I hate the fall. I hate the darkness, the angle of the sun, the shorter days, the crunchy fall leaves and dying plants, the darkness, and the angle of the sun (those both deserved a second mention). Good things have happened in the fall like all horse purchases but Jiminy, buying my house, and getting married, but I still dislike it. But every once in a while, fall issues a beautiful, unhated day. Today was one of those days!

I’m on the reference desk tonight (i.e. Now) and on Sunday so with comp time, I didn’t have to be at work until 5. Weather was perfect; temps in the mid 70s and sunny. So I took advantage of my day off to hang out with the boys (the little butterball definitely needs his muzzle back on when he’s out on grass…).

I haven’t ridden Subi in a few weeks so I tackled him first. Being home alone plus the lack of work he’s had, I played it safe and lunged first.

Really Mom? I have to leave my friends and work?

Thanks to the warm temps and living out, Subi was pretty quiet (almost dead) on the lunge line though he did have his idiot moments. Still, I’m glad I worked him pretty hard even though he was a sweaty mess.

After lunging I hopped on and we pretty much walked forever while he cooled off. I took advantage of this time to work on the evil known as 2 point. I’ve mostly been doing my 2 point on Batty because he’s pretty flat while Subi has the big old bouncy thoroughbred stride. That said, even with the bouncier stride and leg Subi requires, he’s so much easier than Batt in that he doesn’t get annoyed or bored as easily. So on we walked through multiple songs from wicked until I could 2 point no more. But we survived and by far had out best time yet.

After 2 pointing, on dead legs, we did some trotted over poles (during which I was surprised how strong my 2 point felt) until we were both bored. Playing it safe (after all, I was alone and didn’t bother to let my husband know that I was on…), I hopped off and hand walked him around in the woods before getting back on out there. As expected, he was perfect and really prefers our “woods” ring. I really need to clear it out more in the spring so there’s more useable space. We trotting a bit (with much more effort and energy) before calling it a day.

Somehow I managed to ride Batt after Subi. I have very little to say about him other than neither of us were feeling it. He’s bored hacking and I really struggle to get him in front of my leg at the walk and trot. He really just wanted to canter and if he could canter, he sucked back and sulked. At least at the canter I could get him in front of my leg, but… He would have been thrilled to pop over some jumps but I try not to jump when I’m alone. Next ride I guess… He just gets in these moods where it’s his way or else… Usually boredom is involved. I could have hacked him out but I had the dogs out so I didn’t want to leave them. In the end we survived, but…

Catching up

Posted on September 27, 2015 by Sarah (threechestnuts)

I’m super behind here. Sometimes it’s easy to post, other times? Not so much. Work has been kicking my butt and I’ve just been exhausted. Add on to it that my mom went on vacation and left me with her 4 dogs so we had 6 dogs in the house. NOT fun at all. They’re lucky I love them!

5 of the 6 dogs napping…

Meanwhile, I’ve actually been riding the Batthorse! After months of unsoundness primarily due to never ending abscesses, he’s **knocks on wood** sound! We’ve had about 6 rides in the past 2-3 weeks which is amazing! We actually popped over our first jump in about a year last weekend and jumped a little more this weekend. Nothing high, but who cares. He’s been wearing his beat up cavallo boots and while they’re a mess and will eventually fall apart, they’re working for now. I ordered him a pair of renegades yesterday so hopefully we’ll have them for next weekend. Riding him again reminds me just how wonderful it is to ride a horse who has no spook or buck in him. I mean he tried to buck me off the other week, but he’s not actually athletic enough to buck. But, even though he picked his feet about 3 inches off the ground, he thought he was bucking. We worked on our track in the woods today after working on the hill and jumping some. But, I have a wooded area that has a loop that works for trotting/cantering that I haven’t used lately just because the ground had been a mess. Not riding in there for a year made a huge difference. If we ever have funds, I’d love to get it cleared and make it a real ring. Anyway, we trotting and cantered some and he had a ball. Nothing like a change of scenery to change things up.

Pictures because they’re always necessary…

I also rode Sub a couple times this week after not really riding him due to life/weather. I lunged last weekend and lunged and rode in the round pen on Friday (he was a nut), but got on without lunging today. We worked on the hill for a while though he was definitely alert/up. But, after a decent amount of walk work, we managed some trotting and a little cantering. He was really sticky about his left lead which is NOT him, but not feeling overly confident I didn’t fight too much with that. Another days problem. After our hill work I walked him around the woods for a while and once I was convinced he was quiet (the constant attempts to eat were the clue) I hopped on and we walked and trotting around for a while. He was much quieter back there and I was much more confident. Go figure. We cantered a couple strides on the left lead (he picked it up with energy) and did a little more on the right and called it a day. There are some tighter turns out there and we need a little more time before he’s balanced enough to canter those turns. But he tried hard and we were both exhausted after our successful ride.

Goof.

Not much to add on the Jiminy front other than I love that little pony. He’s still as adorable as ever and is changing color again. I love him.

Introducing James Tiberius Harper Horsie

Posted on August 28, 2015 by Sarah (threechestnuts)

Lots to post about. A wonderful Subi horse. Less fear. An incident of suspected choke. A lame horse. My hate of abscesses. But, instead…

I’d like to introduce the newest member of my herd!

At the end of July we purchased a mini horse for Subi. He needed a friend so that Batt could have a job and I was sick of being scared to death that Subi would hurt himself while Batt worked. So, my farrier suggested a mini. My vet suggested a mini. Friends suggested a mini.

Thanks to my ex-landlords minis, I did not want a mini. Those things were evil. But, logic (though probably not common sense) won out and I got a mini.

I spent a month or so searching and found lots of crazy and scary things. Horrific conformation, crazy people, people who stopped communicating, mares in foal, stallions, feral minis. But, then I founds our little man and fell head over heels in love with his picture.

And then I met him and fell deeper in love.

Then he came home and moved into my backyard. Then he called to me when I walked into the house. Love.

The Subi fell in love.

So, without further ado, please meet James Tiberius Harper Horsie aka Jiminy. He’s a 4 year old gelding and completely adorable.

Little brother, Big brother

Cutest pony in the world

Hello!

With his brothers

I’m being ignored?

Handsome little man

Squeal!

First day home

Anyway, Subi adores Jiminy, Batty tolerates Jiminy. But, I love my boys.

I’m a wimp.

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Sarah (threechestnuts)

When did I become such a wimp when it came to riding? I don’t even recognize myself right now. It’s pathetic.

I know the answer to that question. I more or less became a wimp after getting kicked in the head by Hayley a couple of years ago. It wasn’t a riding injury (I was untying a hay net from the run in shed), but it did result in a serious concussion that took way too long to truly heal (2 months before I stopped regularly losing words and a year before i felt mostly normal). I’m just way more timid since that incident. Not so much on the ground, but riding (It didn’t help that my doctor more or less told me not to get another concussion or else we would need to discuss lifestyle changes). At the end of the day, I’m afraid to get hurt.

It wasn’t as bad last year as I know I was riding more. I would still at times get nervous on Subi, but I did ride. I didn’t do a lot, but I’d get on and ride. Usually in the round pen, but I still rode. Then, the rest of the time, I rode Batt. He’s as bombproof as they come and not really talented enough to buck. He was my confidence builder and a good confidence builder he was (he also strengthened my leg).

Keeping the horses at home hasn’t help my lack of confidence/riding time, but I really wouldn’t change it for the world. I love having them outside and seeing them everyday. Having no good place to ride however… If we can solve our truck issue and I can find enough money for lessons AND find someone willing to work with me on an every other week basis (I know I can’t afford more than that), maybe thing will change. But, I have work to do first.

Meanwhile, I’ve been dealing with soundness issues with Batt and haven’t been able to really do anything with him. On top of that, Subi has become extremely herd bound without Hayley and pretty much has a suicidal panic attack when I take Batt out of the field to work. I can’t safely work Batt unless I keep in the yard next to the field where Subi can see him (I’m not willing to risk Subi actually killing himself which is a possibility after, when locked in the shed stall, he spent 10-15 minutes banging his head against a wall in panic). But it’s a bad place to work (not to mention lack of sound horse). We’re in the process of finding a mini which should help. Subi is fine leaving Batt when it’s his turn to work and Batt really doesn’t care (he calls occasionally, but that’s about it).

I know if I can start riding Batt more, I’ll be more confident on Subi. I know if I then ride Subi more, I’ll be better as well. I know if can throw some lessons in on Subi, that will really help. But, reality and finances and time and work still exist. At this point, I just want Batt sound enough to haul out and trail ride. He loves trails and we’d both have fun.

So, most of my riding comes on my thoroughbred. He can be a nut and he can buck (heals over head), but he’s more or less a good guy. He’s also 18 at this point and regardless of whether I ever get comfortable with him again, he’s with me till the end (I’ve had him 10 years at this point). Back when we were in a routine with a trainer, I was confidently schooling 2’9″/3′ but I’ve never been a brave rider over fences. I just think too much. I need 2-3 lessons a week to be confident over fences over 2′ and I’m OK with not getting back to that. But, I’ve always been good on the flat and love flat work. I’ve just lost it all! And it’s so frustrating.

I decided to ride tonight now that the horrible heat is gone. I haven’t ridden Subi in a couple of weeks (heat, rain/storms, vacation). I started longing in the round pen and he was dead. I got on a could barely keep him trotting he was dead. He was bored as well so after trotting around for a few minutes, I decided to try riding on the hill by the driveway. Batt loves it, but other than walks with Batt, I haven’t actually ridden Subi there. I wanted to and was scared to death (he also spooked at a bird right before we left the pen and I could tell just how loose I was). But we left the round pen and walked up to the driveway (this part was a struggle and did include some backing before we made it the 50 feet to the driveway). I made my husband walk with us (not leading, but just walking near) and we walked up and down and again, my wonderful horse what I asked, but I was a nervous wreck. I finally worked up the courage to trot up the hill a few times and again, we were fine, but again, crazy nerves. I trotted about 4-5 times and called it a day. He seemed to enjoy himself and never once did anything stupid. So why can’t I relax and trust my horse? He’s giving me no reason not to trust him and yet I don’t. He’s a good boy and likes having a job and I’m just a wimp. When did this happen?

2pointober

Posted on October 5, 2014 by Sarah (threechestnuts)

In an attempted to provide motivation, accountability, and strengthen my weakish legs, I decided to participate in 2pointober sponsored by Viva Carlos and Equestrian At Hart. My leg is weak and it just seemed like a good idea. I didn’t participate last October so this year it is. I’m not expected to do well, but I am curious to see how much I can improve by the end of the month. If I’m motivated, maybe I’ll keep going through winter too. It definitely can’t hurt.

Anyway, it was cold and windy (thank you 20* temperature drop overnight) and I decided to hop on Subi for the challenge. Now, I did lunge him to get the craziness out of him (I haven’t been on in 2 weeks, it was colder, and the ground was wet/slippery) and let him figure out the footing in the round pen. He had a couple stupid moments (first one he actually put effort into his buck/rear combo, second, not so much) but after 10-15 minutes of trotting, I got on. What can I say, I’m a wimp and some days my confidence needs lunging more than others. Right now, it’s better for me to do that and get on and have a good ride then not and either not ride or have a bad ride. I had too many of those bad rides over the past couple of years.

Because of the ground and honestly? my confidence, we stuck to the trot for 2 point. Baseline is 5 minutes and 22 seconds. Way more longer than I thought. I felt OK at the time (though really sore at the end), but my thighs hurt more now. I’m suffering a bit from jello leg syndrome.

After our 2 pointing, I did a bit of trotting each way and called it a day. Subi was perfect and quiet, but since I was riding in the grass round pen and it was super mushy/wet, it wasn’t worth risking falls/injuries.

Anyway, that’s this week’s 2pointing. We’ll see where I am next week!

Time to start blogging!

Posted on October 5, 2014 by Sarah (threechestnuts)

It’s time I started blogging. I’d say again, but I never really go started to begin with. But, I need a way to stay accountable with my riding/horses as well as a good forum for me to vent about my horse related frustrations! Current plan it to blog to myself, but if anyone out there ever starts reading this, that’s OK too.

Who I am:

I am an (almost) 30-something (eek! how did THAT happen) rider who has been involved with horses for more than half of my life now. I started riding weekly a hunter/jumper lesson barn through high school. After high school, my mom stopped paying for my lessons and I started working off my lessons and riding 2-4 times a week. I also showed IHSA and learned a lot doing that. Somewhere along the way, junior year of college maybe? I started teaching up/downers in lessons/camp. I love teaching, but hate the drama surrounding it! Anyway, I’ve always been better on the ground then on a horse, but that’s OK with me. I stayed with the same barn for years, first buying my first horse, then through first “real” jobs and grad school. I eventually moved my guy to a self care barn, bought a second, then a third, then moved a few more times before finally settling in with my ponies in the backyard of the house I now share with my husband. I stopped teaching in 2010 because real life (aka real job quite a distance from barn where I taught with terrible hours) and recently started teaching again last year (at a new, less drama filled place) and am enjoying it again. I also lead trail rides in the warmer (non winter) months which can be enjoyable as well.

Outside the horse-world, I am a librarian.

What I do:

As I mentioned, I began riding hunter/jumpers. When did equitation through IHSA in college and showed hunters (minimally) when I got my horse. I’m not necessarily a competitive person and I never had the money to show as much as I needed to (both for me and my horse). I stopped working with a trainer years ago (terrible, but that’s life) and am learning here and there from many people. Right now, I just like riding my horses and having fun. I do a little bit of everything, but at this point, just consider myself a pleasure rider.

Who I ride:

I have 3 horses: Subi, Hayley, and Batts. They’re all chestnuts and are all in there teens.

Subliminal

Subi is my now 17 year old thoroughbred. My original. He’s the love of my life even though we’ve had some rocky years lately. I don’t do that much with him anymore beyond light rides and stuff, but hopefully, we’ll do more in the coming years.

Hayley was horse number 2. I love her to death though she does little more than eat. She’s about 14 now, but soundness is just not there (navicular plus some arthritis). She’s got major hind gut issues that no vets can figure out but right now she’s happy and comfortable so… I did hop on her for the first time in about 2 years last month and she was pretty sound. But, the next time I worked her, less comfortable. Hayley lives to eat and is the first to vocalize when breakfast should be served!

Hayley

Batts was the 3rd edition (and final edition while everyone else is still alive) to the crew. I wanted desperately for him to by horse number 2, but my trainer/boss at the time wasn’t willing to part with him at that point. Of course, 1 year later she was… Batt was formally known as Batman and is now formally known as Batiste, but in reality, he’s just Batts of the Batthorse. He does need a Batman saddle pad though… Anyway, he’s as quiet as can be and safe, safe, safe. I think everyone needs a safe, reliable horse. I love him to death though the other 2 are way more cuddly and affectionate. Batt just likes food, galloping up hills, and walking down random driveways when we ride around through developments. He like motorized equipment like tractors, lawnmowers, and snow plows, and generally doesn’t make sense. He’s a strange guy buy he’s Batts.

Batts

Goals/plans for the future:

With the horses at home and finances an issue, goals are limited. I recently bought a trailer and hopefully in the future (when I’m comfortable driving), I can start taking the guys out for trail rides and the occasional lesson, and maybe even a schooling show or 2. More than that? Not in the cards, but as long as I can continue to have fun and enjoy my kids, it’s all good.

More blogs to come, 1 in honor of 2pointober!

Weather. Abscesses. Hay.

Posted on January 6, 2013 by Sarah (threechestnuts)

Went back to work on Wednesday. I wasn’t ready for vacation to end, but end it did. It hasn’t been terrible being back, but being at home is so much more fun than work. That said, I’ve had headaches every day since Tuesday so that hasn’t made things easier. In addition, I’ve felt really run down which hasn’t helped either. I’m afraid I’m fighting something. Just what I need. To get sick. I also need to get a flu shot which will definitely mean getting sick which is why I haven’t gotten it yet. This week. This week I’ll get the flu shot and likely get to take a sick day. Great. Being home will be nice, but not when I’m miserable from getting sick from the stupid flu shot…

The ground has been super frozen since who knows when. Prior to freezing, we had a crazy amount of rain which resulted in mud. Now I have ugly frozen mud. Not fun. Horses are miserable due to the frozen (and deep in some places) foot prints throughout the paddock/field. Just what I need. Right now I need spring so that the frozen ground can become unfrozen and the ground ultimately become normal again.

I’ve discovered why this riding thing is so hard. Being at home is a part of it, but mainly my issue is that it’s winter. I hate the winter. I hate the ground. I hate the season. I never like winter and over the past few years, I can’t say I ever have ridden consistently. So why should this year be any different? If I don’t like winter riding, why do more of it than I have to?

So I’m just going to continue to ride when I can and forget the rest. Expectations, etc. Sandra came out today and despite my hopes that the warmer weather would lead to softer ground, no such luck. It’s going to take several days in the 40+ degree temperatures so that the ground can start unfreezing. Anyway, we mostly walked. Batts wasn’t overly comfortable and lots of trotting isn’t yet in the plans for me and Subi. So we worked them both hard at the walk. Subi was awesome. He’s really starting to get it and our work on framing and carriage has come a long way. I do have to say at this point I’d love some dressage lessons… Anyway, back to the ride. I mostly walked with Subi, but we did through in some trotting and he was awesome. I could feel how hard he was thinking AND how much he was trying. Plus, he’s getting more and more muscled the more we work. Have I mention lately how much I love that horse? Even when he’s a jerk, I still love that horse.

Batts and Sandra worked on hind end work as well. Poor horse was so confused, but he seemed happy whenever everything clicked. And, like Subi, poor guy was exhausted. That said, hopefully if we get him going nicely at the walk, we’ll be ready to do the same at the trot when the ground improves.

Poor Hayley, likely as a result of the ground, appears to have an abscess. Just what that poor mare needs. Her feet have been doing great, but I’m assuming with the ground… Poor girl. I hate seeing her miserable.

Speaking of miserable… The horses are driving me nuts. They’ve been finicky about their hay. Sometimes not touching much of it, sometimes demolishing it, lately a combination of the two. Now, this is the same hay they’ve been eating and cleaning up in a few short hours until last week. Now? Who knows. I thought I had a bad bale or two, but if I put the hay out a second time, they have been finishing it and then not eating the new stuff… They’re also eating it on the ground and not always in the nets? Maybe they’re protesting the hay nets? Not that they haven’t had nets for the last year plus… I’m starting to think that maybe the ground where the nets are is bothering them and that more of the issue? I don’t have a clue but they’re driving me nuts.

How things go.

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Sarah (threechestnuts)

So I’ve been fighting weather and business and haven’t managed to ride much. Of course. I’m finally off from work and the weather has been miserable. Or, the weather is fine and I’m busy with family, holidays, etc.

So I’ve managed to ride twice in the last week. All things considered, that’s not actually terrible. Subi was fabulous on Friday. Lots of carriage work. We even managed to add in a little trotting while working on carriage. He was fabulous. That said, he was also completely exhausted from the effort and once the tripping and weakness started showing, we called it a day. We’ll get to do more soon.

We had some snow the other day and then crazy wind so it wasn’t until yesterday that I hopped on Batts. The ground was a little funky but we did the best we could, just a little trotting and cantering. The other day with Sandra he worked on trotting a log which he seemed to enjoy, but unfortunately, his log was covered with snow so we skipped that. But again, he was very good. That said, he’s still way out of shape and that played a role in the length of our ride. But, nonetheless, it was a success. Success is what I’ve been looking for lately. That and staying on.

More later when I have more motivation to write, but there’s a brief summary…

Three Chestnuts

The life and trials of the three red heads

Tag Archives: Subi