Tuesday, March 1, 2016

The 100-Day Horse Challenge

 

Blue waiting patiently for his after-workout treat

I’ve decided to join Linda at http://beautifulmustang.blogspot.com who is doing this 100- Day Horse Challenge on her blog with a local horse group in her area who are on Facebook.  Since I’m not on Facebook I’ll just do it on the blog.  The goal of the challenge is to improve your riding skills through riding or training horses, at least, 100 days out of the year.  With the late start I’m most likely not going to be able to log in 100 days but it’s worth a try. I’ve got 305 days left this year so I’ll see where it takes me. This might be just the sort of challenge to get me motivated!

(Plagiarized from Linda’s blog post)
“The goal is to improve your horse skills through riding and/or training horses, at least 100 days out of the year.  A day in the saddle always counts towards the challenge, but anything else has to demonstrate that you're working toward an objective, rather than just hanging out.”

Challenge – Day 1
Today Blue and I decided that it was time for us to take stock of ourselves and see where we are on the fitness scale.  I’m sorry to say that I failed miserably but Blue isn’t looking too bad for having the winter off.  Of course, he could use a little more exercise and so could I, so we’re going to work on that.

We went down to the indoor arena and I thought it might be a good idea to let him wander around off the lead and reacquaint himself with everything in there.  Blue thought it would be more fun to follow me around and look over my shoulder as I was filling in a few holes the foxes have been digging.  He really is a nosy horse. If he could I’m sure he would put his hands on his hips and direct my work habits.

After moving the mounting block and setting up some ground poles, while Blue followed me around and supervised, we did a few minutes of longeing.  After having a long time off I like to see how a horse is moving and if anything might be bothering them.  Blue worked mostly at the walk and trot for a few minutes in each direction.  So that’s about it for Day 1 of the Challenge.

Quote for Today
If you want a stable friendship, get a horse. 
~Author Unknown~

21 comments:

  1. Good for you! There is no way that I would be able to complete the 100 day challenge. I am such a slacker. Maybe spring will get me motivated.
    Keep it up....

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    1. Lori, I don't think you could ever be accused of being a slacker!

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  2. Ditto Lori - good for you! Will be excited to read your posts and I am thinking maybe they will inspire ME. :)

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    1. Hi Billie,
      I'm at the point where I needed some motivation. I always seem to get more accomplished when I have a plan. I may not make the 100 days but I've got something to works toward.

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  3. "He really is a nosy horse. If he could I’m sure he would put his hands on his hips and direct my work habits."

    Haha, I have known quite a few horses like that. They are often my favorites. :)

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    1. Blue is quite a character. He's the one horse that makes me laugh out loud the most.

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  4. Blue is officially a "snoopervisor." It is a talent reserved for only very special horses who like to "help" out.

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    1. Blue is absolutely one of the best "snoopervisors" we have on the farm. Coming in a close second is Nate, who has actually lifted tools out of back pockets in the effort to show us how to do it right.

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  5. Sounds like a fabulous plan! I've been following Linda's progress and she is doing amazingly well. No grand plans for me, but I am hoping to start riding soon if our mud dries up a bit. Have fun!!! Looking forward to your progress reports.

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    1. Linda is my inspiration for motivation. I hope I do as well as dye is. Hope your mud clears up soon and you can start riding.

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  6. Nice! Misery loves company..oops, I mean happiness loves company. ;) It's only misery when you look out and see rain, mud and cold...maybe a little fog thrown in for good measure. I'm so excited to have a 100 Day Challenge blogging buddy!!

    Blue sounds like my kind of horse. I love the nosey ones. I had some good chuckles reading about your day with him. :)

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    1. Misery does love company! I think my being accountable is a good thing and will keep me motivated. Thanks for blogging about this challenge.

      I know what you mean about the weather. Rained all night here and so it's a little muddy. I'm just so happy they all got a good roll in so the mud is stuck to them like cement. Half the challenge is grooming them.

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    2. I like the accountability and the fun of seeing those days build up. Keep track because you will start to lose count. :)

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    3. Thanks,I will. I plan on writing each one down so I get credit. I can't afford to waste any days with the late start ;)

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  7. I am always late to the party, or in this case the challenge. I would call it fashionable, but that is one thing I am not. I read the second challenge day first, and the first day second..and it left me wondering - what is the Challenge? Sounds like a great & attainable one. No doubt it will be a good motivator, regardless of the ending number of accounted days.

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    1. My motto has always been, "better late than never". I think the challenge might be doable but we will see how far I get.

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  8. Interesting challenge!! I wonder if I could do it... I need some sort of motivation... Keep up the great work!

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    1. If I can try it you can too!

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    2. We got our day one done and I got a post up! Thanks for the encouragement! :D

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  9. What a great idea! As I have no horse to do this with ;) I might tweak it to get my butt in gear with writing.

    I love Blue, he is such a character :) I like the image of him busybodying after you. Good luck with the challenge!

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    1. Blue can make me laugh almost every time I'm around him. I think you should do the challenge and switch it to your writing goals!

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