Snowing!

SW WA got hit with snow in a major way Tuesday night and Wednesday morning!  We woke up to 8.5 inches and it kept falling until about noon Wed!   Needless to say, I did not get out to the barn to do any riding  yesterday. errg. This year has not started off well for consistent riding.

While temps are still below freezing, the roads improved somewhat, although still with layers of ice on the surface streets,  and  my dear sweet Russ said he would take me to the barn to ride this afternoon  and I that meant I could keep my jump lesson, with Anne, too!

Had a great lesson with Anne (as usual).  During our warm up after observing a few lazy canter transitions, Anne got after me for staying consistent with expectations from my horse and the rules of riding. (Meaning expect correctness all the time). She had me trot on a circle and leg yeild out and asking for a canter depart to get the hind end moving better.

We did course work starting with a 5 stride line that developed into a triple with 2 strides between and oxer as the middle fence. She made the oxer gradually wider to encourage Deuce to sit down and get balanced and push instead of gallop through to make the distances. To help him, I have to sit tall to the fences.

The course grew to include bending lines across the diagonals and the take home message is to have a a plan. Ride one element to the next with a clear plan. They all relate. Keep him light through the corners (up in front of my leg) and counter bend in right corners (since he like to pitch his shoulder and fall in).  If he gets "basey" to a fence, kick on - go forward!

Cold night walk in the snow with a full moon

The big spotted horse was still pretty sweaty after I got him untacked in the barn, so I threw on his cooler and took him for a walk in the snowy night. The full moon was brilliant in the clear sky. It was a crisp, and quiet night that only a snow covered landscape can create. The steam of Deuce swirled up to the stars as we strolled down the snow covered driveway in the full moon light. The snow glimmered and sparkled around us. It was a peaceful and slightly magical evening.

Its a good night for a warm soupy bran mash!