“It sure felt good to be on a horse”

“It sure felt good to be on a horse”. That was my first thought, and the comment I texted my hubby, when I rode last week.  It’s been a long winter for me, and this was just my 2^nd ride of the year.  Compared to last year, I had many more rides in, with almost 100 miles recorded by now.  Not so this year, but the minute I rode off on Bonita, while ponying Allie, I couldn’t believe how great it felt!  I couldn’t believe I’ve waited so long to ride this winter/early spring.

 

Most winters, I’ve given the horses a rest Jan and Feb.  I start consistent riding from March on, as the days get warmer…. usually.  Last year, riding for the Horsetrailriders Distance Derby, I started riding in January and rode every day that I was home, and the weather cooperated.  This year, March is here, 1^st day of spring came and went, we’ve had some near 70 degree days, and I still didn’t get extra days of riding in.  But I did take the time to just be with the horses during chore time, moving among them, petting or rubbing on some of them, standing quietly by the ones that just want the closeness.

 

With my mom passing away last Oct, and hubby having some health issues this winter and recovering from a recent surgery, life with horses not only got slowed down, but got put on hold.  Tiredness doesn’t always have to be physical.  I think mental strain/anguish/stress makes you so much more tired and drains what energy is left over from the day.  I didn’t have any problem sitting and doing nothing.  I guess it was my body’s way of telling me that I’m not ready to be as busy as I was last year.  I felt the need to take the time to rejuvenate.  I knew I not only had to build up my energy, but also my desire to want to do more with the horses.

 

A mid-winter vacation is always welcomed.  Sun and warmth does wonders for the mind and body.  So does spring sun and warmth!  I love to hear the birds singing.   I love to see green grass.  I’m ready to see the trees bud up and leaves start to come out.  I’ve had my winter rest.  I’m really ready for the tans and browns and grey tones of winter to change into the greens and yellows and reds and oranges and blues of spring grass and flowers.  I love flowers and taking photos of them, especially roses.  Maybe I’ll plant more perennials this year.  I’m starting to feel the growth of spring in my body and mind and soul.  I’m starting to see the true colors of spring again.

 

Spring is here.  Hubby and I just had our 33^rd Anniversary.  We have 2 small grandsons that are spending the night tonight and next weekend, we’ll see our 2 young granddaughters.  Then I’ll be ready to start riding, and working young horses, and petting on yearlings, and watching the broodmares.  I’m starting to get excited about seeing this year’s foal crop come this summer!

 

Just writing this makes me want spring even more.  I’m ready to get back into the saddle.  Watch out… the ride is on. Hope you are able to get back on the trails too.  And as always, “Embrace the Journey!”

Happy New Year’s Trails

“As 2013 comes to an end, so does the old paths.  2014 will bring new paths, new choices, and a new way of life.  What will you chose for 2014?  Will you stay on the old path? Maybe with new direction? Or will you take a totally new path?  Will your priorities stay the same or change?  Will you focus on the same issues or decide to focus on something that is more important now, due to where you are in your life now?  I know I will.

As we ponder the New Year, we can let go of the old year.  It doesn’t matter what we didn’t accomplish, what we could have done, what we did but shouldn’t have.  But then, maybe these things do matter.  It’s all in the context of what you did or didn’t do, the meaning of your thoughts, and the reasoning behind what you did or didn’t do.  Yes, I’m sure I would undo some of the things that I did.  I would try now to do some things differently or with a different mindset.  But, regardless, it is what it is.  And we can take what we know now, learn from it, and move on.  Change for the better.  Maybe some areas of our life don’t need to change, and that is great also!

That was my point in my New Year’s Eve Blog about new paths and new choices.  I wasn’t so much asking the questions for myself, because I knew some of my answers.  I was asking them for you to ponder about also.  We all have choices and sometimes we follow different paths, for different reasons.  That’s ok to go off the original path and follow other paths/distractions/goals.  Our lives change constantly and we need to change our paths to best suit where we are at the moment.  I try to do that. I try to change when I need to, but sometimes I’m slower than I need to be.  Sometimes, I want to change faster than the situation needs.  Sometimes I change, but not in the way I should have changed. The point is, be open to change when the time comes.

So now, on New Year’s Day, we are on the 1^st day of our 2014 path.  And now, we can ask ourselves the question, “what path do we want to take this year?”  Is our path based on a new personal goal, a change in last year’s goal, a life changing decision to try something totally different?  Or will we continue on our same goal with some different choices, and by following different paths, will that lead to the same goal?

I think I will revise the goals that always seem to be part of my yearly decisions.  Family needs to be prioritized.  We are trying to go to church as often as we can in off season, as sometimes horse competitions and rides takes us away from church.  During those times, I think of God in the beautiful surroundings around me as I ride. God’s country is beautiful!  Sunrises, sunsets, trees, hills, mountains, and in all the lovely scenery!

I am thinking of where I want to go with the horses this year. I will be breeding more Rushcreek bred endurance Arabians and I will have more foals this year.  I need to handle last year’s foals and start my coming 3 year old and a coming 5 year old.  I need to start 2, 3 year old QH’s as well as ride 2, 6 year olds.

I need to decide what my riding goals will be.  The last 2 years, I have pushed for miles on the Horsetrailriders Distance Derby, but this year, I don’t want to push for the miles.  Instead, I need to spend more quality time with the horses that I haven’t done so with this year.  I need to spend quality time with my riding horses also.  A plan may be riding one day, ponying the next day, then doing some arena and slow work the 3^rd day.  I do need to keep 2 horses in competition mode though, and do some fast, longer miles.  Maybe I’ll work on interval training with longer, faster distances then slower work.

Wherever life leads me this year, wherever my horses take me this year, whatever happens in my family life, I know that I can turn to God for answers and to help me through any choices.  But one area in my life is constantly changing, and that is to be the best person and horse person that I can be.  My horses are my life, my soul and my being, and I will always do what I can to protect the horses in my care and to learn as much as I can  about thinking like horses.

“Embrace the Journey”!

1000 Miles!

I've ridden 1000 miles this year on my horses!  A group of us belong to the Distance Derby, where we are keeping track of our miles and hours.

Either in the fields or in the arena or down some trails, I've ridden quite a few different horses this year, but my main mounts were Shaggy and Savannah, starting in Jan.  I added Duke and a few rides on Starlet.  Then the Arabs, Allie and Bonita, joined the herd, and I put some time on them in May and June.  Savannah was sold in June, then by mid-July, it got too hot to ride, even during early mornings.  I started riding again last week, and added Sox, an Arab gelding, to the mix.

Today, I knew I was going to cross the 1000 mark.  I made sure I was riding Shaggy!  He has been my main mount these last 3 years.

I'm going to miss him when I sell him later in Sept.  I need time for the Arabs. 

But for now, I'll enjoy the cooler fall days, that are yet to come, and enjoy my rides on Shag in the fields and at the Centered Riding Clinic.

I just can't wait to ride the fields!

The Great Horsetrailriders Distance Derby



Friday's temps at 30 wasn't as cold as Thursday's 20 degrees!  I rode both days.  I had 5 layers on Thursday and was almost too warm.  Friday, I didn't layer as heavily, with only a sweatshirt, hoodie and winter coat on, and I was warm.  Even Shaggy was sweaty.

I'm riding more due to The Great Horsetrailriders Distance Derby.  Tammy of Horsetrailriders, with a friend Christine, has started this fun competition.  We are to GPS our rides and record our distances.  There is no big prize, just the satisfaction of riding your horse as ofter as you can and recording the miles you ride your horse.

I rode Thursday when it was 20 degrees, mostly due to my Hubby.  He called me a weenie, and to put on those winter clothes I have, and saddle up. So I did. I was almost 2 warm, as I had many layers on.  Fleece line jeans, winter boots, 2 sock, 2 gloves, 3 sweatshirts, 2 jackets, orange fleece head band and a beanie.  My helmet wouldn't fit.  This was the first time in almost 5 years that I didn't wear my helmet when I rode.  I had a lot of fleece layers on, but next time, I'll make sure my helmet will go on too.

Friday was warmer.  I didn't wear as many layers and I was still overdressed.  Tha's good, as I don't like being cold.