We have been busy around the farm getting ready for the warmer weather and hopefully more riding. There have been a lot of projects to keep us busy. We had a line of new fencing installed down one side of the farm. This particular side of the farm is on a well-traveled road and we just feel better that the horses are safer with an extra fence to shield them from the traffic. In the past we have had people stop and feed them, which I don’t mind really, except I don’t want to have anyone get hurt. Having the extra fence also helps keep the garbage in one area. The slobs around here throw all kinds of cans and paper bags out their windows when they drive past the farm, which inevitably winds up in the pastures. Nice. Then we have to go out and pick it all up; it’s like being on a prison chain gang cleaning up the highways.
The
double-fence also provides a wide alleyway that will let us ride
without being harassed by the herd. It has happened in the past and
it’s not a lot of fun. The alleyway now leads to a gate into the trails
in the woods and another gate leads into the grass dressage arena under
the trees on the hill. By the time we walk up to the arena it’s has
the added benefit of being a good warm up for us. I like riding up
there in the summer, as it’s a lot cooler. We
haven’t had a chance to ride there yet. As soon as the fence was up, we
had a lot of rain and some hurricane force winds that knocked trees
down which blocked the alleyway and took out two sections of the new
fence…of course it did! Now we’re waiting for someone to actually show
up and fix the fence and cut the trees off of it.
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| New fencing and ,yes, I have to power wash the old fence! That's on the list... |
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| We replaced the split rail in this arena, seems there are a lot of resident beavers who like to snack on wood sometimes! They absolutely wrecked it. |
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| They've got a tough life |
As for the herd, during the month of May we started the horses back to work with a gradual training program. They had not worked basically for the entire winter, so we felt it wasn’t fair to them to drag them out and just hop on and expect them to be fit and ready to go. They’ve sort of been couch potatoes stuffing their faces with hay most of the winter. So, the plan was for all of them to have as many short longeing sessions as they needed before they were fit enough to ride. Then we planned to saddle up and see what they’re ready for.
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| " Blue" |
Blue celebrated his 23rd birthday March 26th with carrots and Stud Muffins. He’s now officially the oldest guy in the barn. Blue is still in very good condition and can benefit from some light work. Saturday, I longed him at the walk in one direction and then we reversed directions. He went around twice then took himself into a trot then down to the walk, stopped and came in to tell me, “that’s a wrap for today, lady.” You gotta love him. He probably thought I forgot to longe the trot in the first direction, so he’d have to do it for me. I think he figures I could use some advanced schooling and he’s just the guy to show me how!
I did take him for a walk around the arena and although he’s always good…well mostly good…he just didn’t seem to be into being ridden. He’s got a bit of a stubborn streak and he put it to full use in counter bending and no steering. I didn’t push it and we had a short ride. I think he doesn’t mind longeing for a few minutes and he likes being groomed but he seems to want to punch his retirement card in my opinion. We’ll have another discussion about it soon.
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| Blue & Rosie are inseparable, she's kind of a stalker, she won't leave his side |
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| 'Rosie" |
Rosie has been doing very well with her get in shape program. She’s been walking and trotting with energy and seems eager to get back to work. She even took herself into a short canter on the longe. So I decided to ride her at the walk a few times around the arena and she’s been a super star. I’m also trying to get myself back in riding shape so I’ve been positioning myself in a half-seat at the walk before we even think about trotting again. Rosie’s not the only one who could use a little conditioning after this winter!
I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy and we can all get back to not living in a bad “B” movie sooner than later.
Quote For Today
Life is short. Hug your horse.
