2018 So Far

Wow, I am really failing at this whole blogging thing lately. My apologies, everyone (if anyone out there still reads this, thanks for sticking with me!)

Winter is here

Where do I even start? Spring has been back in under saddle work now for about a month, and has been doing amazingly well - she feels like a completely different horse after her two month groundwork boot camp. She is better balanced, her hind end is stronger, and her overall demeanor is much calmer. The headshaking seems to be completely under control, which I think is due to a combination of factors including her overall fitness, my figuring out how to stay out of her face when riding her, and the Quiessence supplement ((I did an experiment where I took her off the supplement for a week to see if anything changed, and at 6 days without she was starting to exhibit some of her former behaviors, so she's back on it now)).

Spring has actually been doing so well that she's going to spend this week trying out the lesson pony life for CEC's more advanced riders, because it's been hard for me to get out and work her as much as I'd like (the cold weather isn't helping things, either). If she takes to it, I will be absolutely thrilled - she's such a neat mare that I would love to share her with everyone. Also, she'd be jumping 2-3 times a week rather than once a week, which I think would be good for her.

If you follow me on Instagram, this next bit of news won't be too surprising - LEO IS OFFICIALLY IN REHAB! Although I am limited by the weather and the hardness of the ground, I've started reintroducing him to the idea of work. He's less than thrilled about it, but he's maintaining his soundness and despite his occasional obnoxious temper tantrums, he looks fabulous.

And...chunky. 

His main issue is buddy sourness, and I'm employing a variety of methods to try and deal with that. The temperatures have plunged again, so the next few days are solely going to focus on his separation anxiety as the ground is too hard for me to feel comfortable lunging him. Tomorrow the plan is just to hand walk him away from Saja, with lots of treats stuffed into my pockets to reward him for his ((hopeful)) acceptance of the fact that he isn't going to die if he can no longer see her.

Turtle pose

I also rode Saja for the first time a few days ago! It was a very brief bareback walk that lasted ~3 minutes because the temperature literally plunged from 57° to 40° while I was on her back, but in those 3 minutes she was quite lovely. I am hoping to get a real ride in this week once everything has thawed out.

Leo eating an apple = best photo op

And that's my 2018 in a nutshell! Nigel's rehab is going well - Wednesday marks Week 7 and the addition of trotting, which is quite exciting. I am hopefully receiving some Very Exciting news this week involving the course of the next few years of my life, and I will try to post more regularly! I promise that even though I have barely been commenting, I have been keeping up with everyone's blogs!