After Margaret and I had such a fun time at the fall hunter pace, we opted to go again this spring! This time, while I rode Rejoice again, Margaret rode her horse Jester and had a friend ride Ladyhawke. All Kennebec Morgans!! Jester and Rejoice have the same dam and Jester and Lady share the same sire. Unfortunately instead of a lovely late spring day, we had one of the first intensely hot and humid days of the year. It was definitely a bummer, but the ride was mostly in the shade of the woods and we had a great time! most of the fences were 3' coops but we found a small log and this hay to jump haha Until we didn't. 😑 We brought along a third friend who rode Margaret's older mare, Ladyhawke. She's a good rider but hasn't known Ladyhawke for very long and didn't realize how much of a cranky boss mare she could be at times. She kicked Jester right in the front leg just about halfway through the ride, and while the cut itself ended up not being a big deal in the
Spring conditioning is coming along quite well. Dreamy had a "spring tune up" over the last week and a half....first set of shoes for the year (she has been barefoot since late October 2009), a chiropractic visit, a new Mattes pad, and today was spring shots for all the mares! I love having two highly qualified veterinarians to work on my horses...Dr. Jefferson does the chiropractic work and Dr. Judd does my spring shots, fall floating, and is my "regular" vet. They are both excellent and complement each other well.
It is crazy how warm and nice it has been outdoors. I have been working in both the field (my "ring"....sigh) and trying to get out on the trails at least once a week. The footing is great in both! Dreamy has been going well, especially after her chiro visit. She had no real issues this time, just some minor things with her pelvis, hocks, and withers. Her stifles were in good shape but her gaskins were weak...but when I told Dr. J she had only been in work for about a month, he quickly said, "Oh, those will be fine then. Just remember to do your hillwork and trotting poles." Of course! :) He is used to seeing horses who spend the winter being worked in indoors, I would imagine. He even did a flex test on her hocks, after watching her move on the line.....she was sound!!! Ahhhh....nice for a 19 yo to be so sound. :D
We have had no issues with our right lead canter lately. I would say she is getting stronger behind, but I also think the chiro work helps. Overall, she looks good and I am pleased with how she is progressing. We are already signed up for our first two horse shows of the year! Yay! :)
Reva is going well too! As you can see from the previous post, she is looking good under saddle. It is hard to know what she looks like when I am on her....LOL! I am still amazed at how easily she accepts the bit and relaxes into the connection. I am not forcing her into a frame in any way...she is naturally just there! After a few rides of just solid walk/trot, with excellent transitions, I allowed her to canter the other day. She seems to like the canter, as in she would rather just canter when I ask for anything faster than a walk....LOL! So I am not planning to canter her every ride...she is too smart. Plus, at four, there is no need to rush. I am not planning to do anything that strenuous with her this year. So I allowed her to canter on Sunday...and she would NOT pick up the right lead. Ah ha! I knew we would have a training issue eventually! LOL! She picked it up easily the first few times back in the beginning of the spring, but she wouldn't at all during our last ride. So something to work on! She is smart enough that I am not too worried.
Sparky is looking good and shedding well. She wintered so well I think she looks a little chubby. LOL! :)
I have two clinics this spring too....Reva is going to a Chris Lombard clinic in June and I just heard back from my local dressage club that Dreamy and I got into an upcoming Heather Blitz clinic! YAY! So I get to ride with her for two days at a gorgeous local farm. I am very excited!
So things are good...the mares are happy and healthy, which makes me happy too! :)
It is crazy how warm and nice it has been outdoors. I have been working in both the field (my "ring"....sigh) and trying to get out on the trails at least once a week. The footing is great in both! Dreamy has been going well, especially after her chiro visit. She had no real issues this time, just some minor things with her pelvis, hocks, and withers. Her stifles were in good shape but her gaskins were weak...but when I told Dr. J she had only been in work for about a month, he quickly said, "Oh, those will be fine then. Just remember to do your hillwork and trotting poles." Of course! :) He is used to seeing horses who spend the winter being worked in indoors, I would imagine. He even did a flex test on her hocks, after watching her move on the line.....she was sound!!! Ahhhh....nice for a 19 yo to be so sound. :D
We have had no issues with our right lead canter lately. I would say she is getting stronger behind, but I also think the chiro work helps. Overall, she looks good and I am pleased with how she is progressing. We are already signed up for our first two horse shows of the year! Yay! :)
Reva is going well too! As you can see from the previous post, she is looking good under saddle. It is hard to know what she looks like when I am on her....LOL! I am still amazed at how easily she accepts the bit and relaxes into the connection. I am not forcing her into a frame in any way...she is naturally just there! After a few rides of just solid walk/trot, with excellent transitions, I allowed her to canter the other day. She seems to like the canter, as in she would rather just canter when I ask for anything faster than a walk....LOL! So I am not planning to canter her every ride...she is too smart. Plus, at four, there is no need to rush. I am not planning to do anything that strenuous with her this year. So I allowed her to canter on Sunday...and she would NOT pick up the right lead. Ah ha! I knew we would have a training issue eventually! LOL! She picked it up easily the first few times back in the beginning of the spring, but she wouldn't at all during our last ride. So something to work on! She is smart enough that I am not too worried.
Sparky is looking good and shedding well. She wintered so well I think she looks a little chubby. LOL! :)
I have two clinics this spring too....Reva is going to a Chris Lombard clinic in June and I just heard back from my local dressage club that Dreamy and I got into an upcoming Heather Blitz clinic! YAY! So I get to ride with her for two days at a gorgeous local farm. I am very excited!
So things are good...the mares are happy and healthy, which makes me happy too! :)
Sounds like a great start to the year! Johnny and I have been enjoying the warm weather too although we don't have much up at school in the way of trails for conditioning. Although I will miss my real riding arena greatly, I can't wait to get home and go condition for real!
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