Thursday, March 3, 2016

Challenge – Day 2

 

Blue being "goofy" in a picture from last March


Today Blue and I had our first ride in the indoor.  It’s been a while since he has had a rider on his back but true- to- Blue form he was a gentleman at the mounting block and stood like a rock. I'm not used to that after riding Dusty for so many years. She was always a challenge at the mounting block.  

We didn’t do much, mainly walked and worked on our circles and bending a bit.  He has the tendency to counter bend and be a tad stubborn in his attitude at times. Today he was a star.  Blue has also been known to forget how to steer after some time off, yet today he was perfect with that too.  We walked a course of figure eights over cavalletti and he surprised me by cooperating.  It was a relaxing slow and easy ride.  With Blue slow is the name of the game, he’s as slow as molasses rolling up hill most of the time and today was no exception.  That’s a habit of his we’ll have to work on.  I guess he needs motivation too.  All in all it was a good first outing for both of us.

I think he was actually happy to get out and do something after hanging around all winter foraging from the hay nets.  Another plus of the day…I found all those lost riding muscles I thought were lost.  Although I only walked I now know where each and everyone of them were hiding.

Quote for Today
No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle. 
~Winston Churchill~

20 comments:

  1. It's good to see you back in the saddle! Blue sounds like he wants to please you...maybe he's trying to step up and be there for you. I think horses are sensitive like that. I love that quote by Winston Churchill. It's absolutely true. I always picture myself in a nursing home as an old lady...if I'm lucky enough to live that long...I'll be thinking back to those hours in the saddle. :)

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    1. It was good to be back in the saddle! Once you mount up and ride you realize ho good it feels and how much you've missed riding.

      And you're no where near being on the way to a nursing home. You're still a young woman with plenty of riding time ahead of you. Me on the other hand...well I do think about that sometimes.

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  2. OK, you are making me very envious. I know what you mean when you realize just how good it feels to be back in the saddle...too bad I'm not motivated yet!

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    1. I think you'll be motivated when the weather changes. All your work at the gym should have you in great shape for riding!

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  3. Yay! Sounds like a lovely ride for you and for Blue. Can't wait to read more.

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    1. Thanks Billie. It was a nice ride. Unfortunately, I won't be doing anything today. It's snowing and I have shoveling to do. Ugh!

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  4. Aw yay Glad you had a wonderful ride.

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    1. Thanks Cathryn. It was nice. Hope to do more this weekend.

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  5. Wonderful! Blue was as happy to please, as you were happy to be riding. It never ceases to amaze me how the same muscles we use, feel so different after a change in activity. I've always loved the slightly sore feeling, not the painful kind, the I did something good for my body kind. I know, I'm weird. Looking forward to reading more about your riding partnership with Blue!

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    1. I agree with the whole sore muscle thinking. Just a little sore makes me feel like I did something good for myself and keeps reminding me "all day". So you're not weird, or maybe we're both a little off ;)

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  6. Sounds like a great first outing! Blue is adorable :)

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  7. 98 to go. *G*

    I still have to retrain my riding muscles after my hip surgery. Waiting for the weather to warm up so it will be easier for me to stretch. Other than that, I've run out of excuses.

    I admire your determination. I am rooting for you.

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    1. Thanks Jean, I need all the help I can get! Hope your muscles start feeling better soon. As excuses go, that's a pretty good one.;)

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  8. I'm really getting interested in the challenge. I'm glad you're doing it and that you shared... I could do it on FB and the blog.... need to decide because time is running out... You're doing great!

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    1. Just do it, you've got nothing to lose and all to gain. Even if you don't make the 100 days you've still put a lot of effort into interacting with your horse.

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    2. Good point! I just don't like to set a goal and not meet it, but I need to learn to go easier on myself so it can be a lesson in that as well if I don't manage to get all 100. Thank you for the encouragement! I'll get a post up tomorrow. :D

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    3. Good luck if you decide to go for it!

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  9. Sounds like both you and Blue had a good 'first' ride :)

    Snow??! But its March! Mind you, the weather today is pretty foul over here - very wet, very windy and cold! Liam was reluctant to leave the house this morning, knowing he was going to get soaked at the stables; he almost wailed, 'I don't want to go' *lol*

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    1. Poor Liam, it's no fun to work in the rain. That picture was from last year. We didn't have any snow this year to speak of, thank goodness,

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