2016 solo boarding school

The only thing good about chores in that kind of weather is that they kind of help keep you warm.

That they do. There are some things that should not freeze to the ground though. Today looks the same as yesterday, but tomorrow (after the snow/rain) it's supposed to get warmer. Ready!

I know exactly what you mean.

I actually rode today. The wind calmed down and the sun in the arena was nice and warm. We only walked since Envoy's stifles felt sticky, but it was a ride and it counts.

You're right and I'm happy you caught a break in the weather.

And we're back to just barn chores today. It was 33 rainy degrees and neither one of us felt like doing much. I had to strip the liner from under Envoy's sheet since it's going to be 60 degrees tomorrow. He fell asleep in the cross ties. I figured that was a hint. Tomorrow is supposed to be warm (rainy?), so I think that's a better riding day.

Envoy actually fell asleep standing there? He must've been either really tired or really bored.

He was tired from the horrible weather. The switch from cold to warm gets to horses. Fortunately, he was just tired and not colicky.

That's a relief. Horses have a tendency to colic in this type of weather.

Thank heavens for that! I know the feeling, the change in the weather every day here has us all feeling extra tired, even Bij!

This hasn't been as cold a winter as last year, but it's been just too weird. Everyone is kind of ragged out by the wet -- especially the horses. I think they're sick of mud. I know I am!

With the exception of December it's been very mild and dry here.

Today was beautiful, but chilly. Envoy and I enjoyed our ride. He was happy to have his winter blanket for tonight's brr temperatures. This weekend is supposed to be in the 60s. We will definitely be out enjoying the weather. I might also hop on Cree bareback. (I don't feel like toting the saddle back and forth.)

It was a beautiful day for a ride. Envoy's stifles felt pretty good, so we worked a bit harder. He actually seemed to be enjoying himself when we started doing "snowman" exercises. We trot a big circle (counting strides for each quadrant) and then change directions and trot a small circle (counting strides for each half). We have work to do on our geometry and steadiness. But, I was just happy that he could relax and swing through the changes of direction and not lock up in his "knees."

Not such a beautiful day, but we rode anyway. I'm experimenting with things like sticking my arms out and seeing what Envoy does when I twist my upper body. If I do things right, he stays in a straight line. I also swing my arms around to loosen my shoulders, which I tend to keep way too tight. It's something fun to do on a chilly, damp day when both of us are stiff.

Wow! The weather... Yesterday, we had tornadoes like a midwest state. Today, it was so windy that my car blew all over the road. Needless to say, there was no riding and only minimal chores done. Tomorrow is supposed to be an improvement. PLEASE!

And now spring is trying to come in. Envoy enjoys the warm weather, and his stifles feel better for it. Somehow, he tore the hair off the inside of one of his back legs, but that doesn't seem to bother him. There was no blood, just hair gone. It's in a weird place and I have no clue how it happened. I'm just glad he didn't hurt himself.

It was chilly and cloudy today, but Envoy and I did a short ride. He even cantered a little bit. He was tense like he expected something to hurt, but cantered quietly. I hope if I can continue to do short canters where nothing hurts him, he will relax a little, which will help the whole problem. Good pony!

He is a good pony. Carrots with the tops are on me.

Envoy the Brave!

My friend has her truck backed into the empty area of the riding arena to keep a hay roll in the bed dry. As insurance, she was putting a tarp over the hay roll. She asked me if I wanted to get off in case Envoy got scared. I decided I'd see what would happen. He just stood and watched as the tarp went up and over the roll. He didn't even twitch a muscle. I had to get off and stuff him full of treats for being such a brave boy.

What a good boy. No skip good boy what an excellent boy.

Trying to beat the weather and haul some hay out to boarding school. At least it's only a truck bed of hay and not trailer loads of it.

Still back breaking.

Well... It didn't work out. I pulled the truck into the barn to load the hay, and heard raindrops on the roof. It wasn't a steady rain, but I figured if I loaded bales, we'd have a downpour. I'll do the hay later in the week when the weather is supposed to be nice. I need to remember to drive the truck after the rain stops so the bed dries out.

I don't know whether that's good or bad.