Balancing the Body: Head, Shoulders and Middle

Day 1

Balancing the Body: Head

As I continue to move boxes to reopen my tack store for 2 months, I am a little sore today. My neck is a little stiff and my shoulders hurt a little last night. As I laid in bed last night, trying to find a comfortable spot, I thought about how I could balance my body. Centered Riding exercises can help in all areas of your life, not just riding.I decided to lay on my back, so there was equal pressure on both shoulders, with my head straight on the pillow.

I balanced my head, tipping it back and forth a little, trying to find that balance spot where my neck wasn't as sore. and it worked. I found a comfortable spot and went to sleep. This morning, I'm constantly rebalancing my head to find that spot where my neck isn't sore.

So as you're sitting there, or go ahead and stand up, what body area feels a little off?

Can you rebalance it by tipping back and forth or putting more weight there,then go back and forth, from too much tipping or weight to too little, trying to find that neutral place? How does it feel after you rebalance?When you go back to continue to do whatever you were doing, does your rebalancing of your body make a difference? Play with this and let me know. Next time you ride, take the time to rebalance each body part and let me know how you feel. Start with your head, and it will make a difference! You will be looking up at least 2" higher. Even stop and do your head now. Look at a spot, remember that spot, then rebalance your head by tipping it back and forth, less and less, to find that neutral spot. Remember to go sideways also. I usually start sideways, then do the chin up and down last.

Let me know!

Day 2

Balancing the Body: Shoulders

hmmmm... does this sound hard? Think about how stiff our shoulders get? If I'm tense, my shoulders are always tense. When I'm tense, I may roll my shoulders back to loosen them, but I have never balanced them. Until now. Once again,with moving tack store boxes, my joints are letting me know that I'm not as young as I used to be, and I keep doing the things I always used to do - bymyself. So after the 3rd day of loading boxes by myself, and having a little bit of help unloading, my knees and shoulders are letting me know that I'm older. Thank you very much!

So today, I balanced my shoulders. I move them forward and backward, finding that neutral spot. I lift them up and down, finding that neutral spot. I roll them backward and forward, finding that neutral spot. Moving those shoulders help to loosen them up. Moving them into the neutral position keeps them from being stiff. When I go to bed, I'll be moving my shoulders, finding both that neutral spot, and that comfortable spot! What area of your body stiffens up when you ride, and what do you do to loosen that area?

Day 3

Balancing the Body: Middle

Head, shoulders, now our middle. Acutally, it's the whole body! Where is our upper body when we ride. Forward? and over the horse's shoulders? Making the shoulders sore? Backwards? and over the horse's loins? Making the back sore?

Or in the middle? Over the horse's center of gravity?

To balance the middle, lean forward and then leaned backward. Lean a little less each time, until you settle into neutral. You are balanced. Relax. No really, relax your whole body. Sink down into the saddle, into the stirrups or irons. Relax your head, your shoulders, your middle, your thighs, your legs, your feet, your arms, your hands. Enjoy the feeling of being totally balanced with your body.

Embrace this feeling.

Embrace the feel!

Then enjoy the ride!

Kanopolis CTR

October 22-24, 2010

Last week, I was preparing for the Kanopolis CTR. Located near Marquette, Kansas, just north of Salina, the park is a beautiful place to ride. The pictures don’t do it justice. With a mixture of canyons, river views, and prairie, it is a breathtaking place to ride.

We had fantastic weather and a fantastic ride! It looked like it could have rained at times on Friday, but it went around us, and we stayed dry all weekend.


Both Saturday and Sunday started out a little chilly, but you only needed a light jacket if you had other layers on. By the end of the ride, we were down to short sleeves. The ride is beautiful, but I didn't take as many pics as I wanted to. I rode with Shari, and as always, she is awesome to ride with. Wiley was a calming influence for Savannah, and we had a near perfect ride by Sunday. The stony hills are a challenge, and this is a great place to ride if you are thinking of going to the mountains. This is a tough ride, as I think 5 horses were pulled due to lameness on Sat, and another 2 on Sunday.I was very pleased with Savannah. I didn't think I would have a good ride, because she was very uptight on Friday afternoon. Even after an hour pre-ride, she was ready to go! I was ready to sell her or give her away.We ended up placing really well. Savannah was 3rd and I was 2nd out of 7 riders in my division. Now, I may just keep her!

Shari placed 5th in CP (Competitive Pleasure) and Wiley placed 2nd. And, they achieved a 1000 miles of NATRC Competitive Trail Riding with this ride. Congrats, Shari and Wiley.

My friend, Virginia, placed 3rd in both Horse and Horsemanship! YEA! I got to visit with Jonni from Trot on Hank, and she placed 2nd on Horse and 5th on Rider in her Open Division and with this ride, achieved the National Championship! I had a great time talking with her about her Tevis Ride this year!

Saturday obstacles started with a rocky decline with both judges watching. We had to open and move through a very heavy gate, that swung open away from the rider and downhill. As soon as you opened it, it swung open fast. I only had to open and go through, but even with watching other riders, the gate swung away from me fast and I left go of the gate. CP and open had to open and close the gate.

We had a judged mount after a P&R, and Savannah stood still. We had to lead the horse up to a mounting block and mount. After another P&R, we had to walk to the judges and back between 2 trees. Savannah did well at this, but wouldn’t come forward between the trees, which wasn’t part of the obstacle, so I just backed her a little more and walked around the trees. I don’t think I lost any points for doing that. CP and Open had to back between brush.


On Sunday, we had to take a detour off the trail to a rocky area. We had to walk down a steep rocky hill, while CP and Open had to step down from a large rocky area. At another obstacle, we had to continue walking down the path, and walk over a very large log. Savannah, with her long legs, had no problem. CP and Open had to side pass a smaller log, while stepping over a branch on the log at the same time.


After the last P&R, we came upon the last obstacle with the vet judge. We had to step up on a large rock, about 2’ high, with the horse's two front feet only, and settle. Savannah stepped up and stepped back down instantly. I asked her to do it the 2nd time, but she backed off again instantly. We’ll have to work on standing still longer. After we left this obstacle, the Horsemanship judge was hiding. As we walked up a hill, he was watching to see if we were riding heavy or off the cantle. I only saw him because there was a hiker at the top of the hill. As I looked back to tell Shari there was a hiker, I saw the judge up behind the rocky ledge, and waved at him! Lol


All of Savannah’s P&R’s were great. She made all of her metabolic points. When we checked in on Friday, she started loping and acted up a little, getting her a 4 for attitude. We were to check out on Sunday with the same attitude, and anything less would mean missing points. She actually started loping again on Sunday, but I don’t know if we lost points. I didn’t stay for awards, as the trip home was almost 4 hours. I was thinking of staying with Shari, and following her home, but decided to leave. The cards will show up in the mail soon.


My thighs were sore on Monday! I think I hold with my thighs going up hills, to help hold me off the horse. I think I better start keeping more weight in the stirrups, and hold less with my thighs. I better keep moving , as it hurts a little to sit down and stand up. By the end of the day, my legs were almost back to normal.


I was only able to ride 2 CTR’s this year, but I can’t wait for next year’s schedule! I’m ready to keep riding the trails and competing!

“Embrace the Journey!” Come along on the ride with me!

Makenzie is tough!

This is Makenzie, after she tangled with a table. 22 months old and quite a cowgirl! That's how you "Cowgirl Up" little girl. You didn't even cry! I'm sorry you are hurt. Wish I was there to give you kisses and hugs. You just keep up with those older kids!

Miss you, honey. and love you, bunches and bunches!
Grandma

DAY 2

Makenie says, "Mommy, purple eye". LOL

DAY 3

Makenzie is back to being silly!

The morning after. Makenzie is saying "purple eye".

A Wonderful Fall Day of Riding

Camp Moses is beautiful!

I rode with Tammy, from Horsetrailriders.com.

We had a perfect ride. I rode Shaggy and she rode Windy.

I decided to take Shaggy because I have missed riding a trotting horse. I knew Tammy would want to trot, and trot fast, and lope. And Shaggy would give me that type of ride. Thanks, tv, for the wonderful 3 hour ride. I told Tom you were risky to ride with though, as I came back with 1 bruise and 2 long scratches! LOL

Shaggy did absolutely beautiful for his first trail ride. Even though he is 7, he sat on the back burner, and remained a quiet, confident gelding. Nothing seems to bother him, and I am enjoying the ride that he is giving me. I gave him today off.



I did get a ride in the fields today. Over 6 miles on Savannah. I rode her up and down the terraces about a dozen times. Here in eastern Nebraska, that's my version of preparing for riding hills. Then we hit the harvested corn and bean fields.



I took the time to stop and enjoy the scenery. Trees are just starting to change. Today was a warm, 74 degree day. The Nebraska wind was blowing though.

Then I did something that I have been wanting to do for a while. I haven't ridden my stud, Duke, in a long time. He stood wonderfully while I groomed, saddled and bridled him. I lunged him in the round pen for a few minutes, and was surprise that he had a few bucks in him. Granted, it's been awhile, but he has never bucked, and it was good to see that they were only half-hearted bucks. I took him to the outside arena, and lunged him for about 15 more minutes, waiting until he was going around quiet.



Tom had to work, and I called him to see when he was coming home and told him I was going to work Duke. I thought it would be a good idea for someone to know! :-)))



Duke stood quiet at the mounting block, and it was like we were back in show mode. Oh my goodness, now I remember why I have always loved riding him and now I remember why I want to keep riding him. His lope is awesome. Powerful and deep, and a joy to ride. He stops on a dime. He moves wonderfully off my legs. I just love riding a horse I trained. It seems that no matter how long it has been, we, the horse and I, always remember. I can't wait to ride Duke tomorrow. He makes me want to go out to ride! It has been awhile since I have been this excited, and Duke makes me excited to ride him. That is a good feeling. I guess today has been my best ride this year.



I thought Tom would get home before I was done, and I rode for an hour, but he got home after I was unsaddled. I'm hoping to ride tomorrow, and I want him to take pics!



I know... things happen for a reason. I have been wanting to ride Duke for a long time. 3 years ago, I was going to geld him and ride him. But I decided to breed and have babies. Then this year I thought about riding him, but decided to breed again. But now, I really want to geld him, and ride him. He is an absolute joy to ride. I understand him. I know what makes him tick. He can get mad when he is pushed the wrong way, and I understand that. I don’t want him to be mad, I want him to enjoy the ride. As much or as more as I did. Maybe now is the time.



My camera takes video, and I hope to get that on the blog tomorrow. And I will take pics. He is a handsome guy!

Parents 65th Wedding Anniversary

My parents were married October 15, 1945. 65 years ago today.

Last weekend, Tom and I flew to PA for a surprised Anniversary Party. Dad knew about the party but didn’t want to tell mom (pronounced mum. Remember, I’m from western PA).

Mom is going through some dementia, and we are sure she is in early stages of Alzheimer’s. She will not be tested, as she thinks they will tell her that she isn’t right in her head. I understand. She knows that she doesn’t remember everything that she does during the day, and she is fine with that. I’m glad, even though I don’t understand how she isn’t upset that she doesn’t remember. But I’m very glad that she isn’t upset and she seems fine with how she is. She also has Scleroderma, which has arthritic symptoms, giving her poor circulation, which affects her hands and feet and makes them very cold.



Dad has some health issues, even though he is still very healthy. Like all older men, he has had his share of Prostrate issues, and is on medicine for that. Like a lot of older people, he has cataracts. He had one removed about 2 weeks ago, and had a bad side effect that has caused him to have no vision in that eye. The prostrate medicine can cause side effects during cataract surgery. Dad’s eye went through a lot of movement towards the end of the surgery, causing the eye to fill with blood. The blood was drained a few days later, but there is still no vision. We are hoping that within a month or 2, the vision returns. Dad needs the cataract on the other eye removed. He is understandably very nervous to have that surgery!

Many couples don’t see this Anniversary milestone. We are glad that our parents have stayed fairly well and are happily married.


Enjoy the family pics!

Happy 65th Anniversary, Mom and Dad. We love you.