Rides of 2017 (thus far)

I've been riding in the new year, but despite my best intentions, I have no new media or other exciting stuff.

My first two rides of the new year were seriously dampened by full arenas causing problems. And then it was cold as all get out, and my horses, who probably weren't benefiting much from an iced-over paddock, were left inside intermittently for the last week and have been a minor level of psycho.

Also a Weatherbeeta Model, but mostly an energetic crazy thing

New Years day and the 3rd were both cut short by arenas being over full, so I basically got walk trot and canter in on my girls without really getting to work on much. Foxie has been super sore lately, which is crappy and I feel bad that since I can't be out much this week due to Hubby travelling, she doesn't get to wear her Back on Track sheet despite my resolutions to use my therapy items more.

Friday's ride included Bailey losing her mind and becoming a leaping, dancing porpoise instead of a horse. She was spooky, but also so stir crazy that I felt bad for her. She wanted to be good, but holding it together (especially as we switched to a much colder arena half way through our ride) was about as much as she could manage. Yesterday was more of the same - Bailey was steadier, but still had an epic spook/sideways bolting meltdown which she impressively recovered from, but never really felt settled or like she wanted to work. Foxie was again, super sore through her hind end and we spent our entire ride trying to get her canter to a 3-beat gait. She was super both rides, but  I feel bad that she's so sore and stiff through her body. It's not easy being 21!

21 years of cute, even when standing awkwardly.

Exciting things are in the future, though: hopefully more riding and less sharing the arena with idiots, and a new-to-me super exciting item that should be arriving tonight... and should inspire an entire Back On Track related post ;) 

Monday Catch Up

One day I'll get on the rockin year recap post train... Until then, here's what's been going on in #feralredhorse world.  It was really cold the last week, and it was so cold yesterday that the horses got left inside. I stepped away to see if I could find Foxie some more hay and heard a crash:

I walked back around the corner to find the above piglet, being a pig. Before it got way too cold to function, I also rode my horses (Wednesday). I lunged them before, because they just stand around outside and don't move, so we end up with shenanigans as they stretch and play. Bailey turned it up a notch, though:

My horse is such a special animal, guys.

On the holidays front, I appear to be drowning my bored winter sorrows in horse stuff. While I still need to pick up the faux Micklem I'm getting in trade from a friend, I've been making up for the lack of it by buying other stuff. I got a new bit (14 mm is really different from 16 mm, guys. Totally) and some FANTASTIC new breeches in the mail from Smartpak recently, thanks in part to Amanda from Bel Joeor since I won an amazing gift card from her clipping contest. I got the Smartpak Piper with Silicone full seat, and guys... I love them. Review to come once I've ridden in them, but I spent an evening prancing around in them because they fit like a glove and that's amazing in of itself.

Other than the bit and breeches, I also finally jumped on the #BLING train around Black Friday thanks to Amelia and Dark Jewel Designs. She's been amazingly patient as I tried to figure out what I want, and I can't WAIT to get my lovely browbands in the mail:

LOOK AT THESE BEAUTIFUL THINGS

I already have more plans in the works for a black/brown pearl strand to match my Visions, and will probably reprise a few of the other red/green designs, because I can't get enough of the Christmas colors. I know I'm getting some very special horsey gifts from my family, as well, and it makes me so very happy. I already have neglected to mention my birthday presents from my wonderful hubby, my beloved Ariat Braemar boots (I know, I need to review them...), OneK Skull Cap (reviewed!) and Centaur Fox boot bag. He clearly knows the way to my heart.

Tonight, because the world has made a climb back above 0, I plan to ride both mares. I might jump Bailey again, depending on how windy the walk to the upper barn is. Otherwise, I got my Vision Dressage back from the fitter friend who did a lot of flocking work, and I'm interested to see how much she could do with it. Warmer temps mean  that I might actually get some photos and video to break up my wall of text posts, too!