The finished product:
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday, looking forward to 2014!
Friday, December 27, 2013
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Sunny and 75!
Kind of....
The last two days have been absolutely BEAUTIFUL here, temperature wise. Today was rainy and I had a lot of last minute things to tend to, so no riding.
Saturday on the other hand, I practically ran away to the barn. A little in and out Christmas shopping at the mall with William's sister, lunch and off I went.
I didn't go out there with very high expectation being that I haven't touched shadow other than feeding him treats in about two weeks, give or take. All the horses were feeling pretty good, galloping around like mad men. (we only have geldings!) I got Shadow together fairly quick and off we went, after I struggled to get my new chaps on for about 10 minutes.
This 30-45 minute ride really reminded me 1. how much I love my standardbred and 2. how much I miss riding in a short sleeve shirt. (hurry up spring)
After sitting for two weeks, it was like we never missed a beat. I skipped lunging because I was just so anxious to get on him (sorry Dom) His trot was absolutely wonderful after we got some of his stored energy out. Smooth and consistent, and he was responding to my leg fairly well. We practiced leg yields away from the fence and back onto the rail and a lot of inside bend, a little rusty but he figured out what I was asking for.
Normally after working on those things for a half hour or so and his trot is consistent I call it a day, but since I don't know when the weather is going to be nice enough for me to want to go out there again and get up, I decided to try cantering around a bit.
Shadow really surprised me. I asked him once for the transition. and he landed it, NO PACE. So we switched directions and did it again. I was so surprised and so excited I wanted to jump down and squeeze his face!
We just practiced picking up the canter with a smooth transition a few times each direction, and I let him carry it for a few strides and asked for the downward transition back to the trot before he had a chance to think about pacing. We trotted around a little bit more and I called it quits.
I was really so so excited, I needed that ride, it made me feel so much better. The winter months really take a toll on my personality. haha
I had hoped to get out there today, really, but the skies just didn't look promising. I'm hoping that maybe on Christmas morning after all the family events I can get out there and get on for a little bit, that would really make my day!
I know this weekend was nothing but a big tease and we are in for months more of cold and snow, it made me optimistic for the spring to start with a consistent riding schedule again and to get Dom back out for our lessons. I can't wait any longer. ugh!
The last two days have been absolutely BEAUTIFUL here, temperature wise. Today was rainy and I had a lot of last minute things to tend to, so no riding.
Saturday on the other hand, I practically ran away to the barn. A little in and out Christmas shopping at the mall with William's sister, lunch and off I went.
I didn't go out there with very high expectation being that I haven't touched shadow other than feeding him treats in about two weeks, give or take. All the horses were feeling pretty good, galloping around like mad men. (we only have geldings!) I got Shadow together fairly quick and off we went, after I struggled to get my new chaps on for about 10 minutes.
This 30-45 minute ride really reminded me 1. how much I love my standardbred and 2. how much I miss riding in a short sleeve shirt. (hurry up spring)
After sitting for two weeks, it was like we never missed a beat. I skipped lunging because I was just so anxious to get on him (sorry Dom) His trot was absolutely wonderful after we got some of his stored energy out. Smooth and consistent, and he was responding to my leg fairly well. We practiced leg yields away from the fence and back onto the rail and a lot of inside bend, a little rusty but he figured out what I was asking for.
Normally after working on those things for a half hour or so and his trot is consistent I call it a day, but since I don't know when the weather is going to be nice enough for me to want to go out there again and get up, I decided to try cantering around a bit.
Shadow really surprised me. I asked him once for the transition. and he landed it, NO PACE. So we switched directions and did it again. I was so surprised and so excited I wanted to jump down and squeeze his face!
We just practiced picking up the canter with a smooth transition a few times each direction, and I let him carry it for a few strides and asked for the downward transition back to the trot before he had a chance to think about pacing. We trotted around a little bit more and I called it quits.
I was really so so excited, I needed that ride, it made me feel so much better. The winter months really take a toll on my personality. haha
I had hoped to get out there today, really, but the skies just didn't look promising. I'm hoping that maybe on Christmas morning after all the family events I can get out there and get on for a little bit, that would really make my day!
I know this weekend was nothing but a big tease and we are in for months more of cold and snow, it made me optimistic for the spring to start with a consistent riding schedule again and to get Dom back out for our lessons. I can't wait any longer. ugh!
My Shiny, Handsome boy. <3
Cooling out, My favorite view!
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Goodbye 2013!
I don't normally do theses either, but I stole this from Dom because I am so incredibly bored at work!
1. What did you do
in 2013 that you'd never done before? Got a job as a secretary, something I have never done before. Exciting, I know.
2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions,
and will you make more for next year? I never make them, because I never follow them, and I'm not going to sit there and say I'm going to lose weight like the rest of the world. That will never happen either.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Jamie, Kristin, Marissa, and Michelle
Lilly, Jamie's Daughter
Madison, Kristin's daughter
Milania, Michelle's daughter.
Shaine, Marissa's son, my baby nephew <3
4. Did anyone close to you die? No, thankfully
5. What countries did you visit? None, I'm lucky if I even stepped outside of NJ.
6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you
lacked in 2013? A savings account
7. What date from 2013 will remain etched upon
your memory, and why? July 17th, the day Shadow came home.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the
year? Paying off all of my credit card debt, go me!
9. What was your biggest failure? College. I'll give school another try in 2014.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? nothing serious. The stomach flu knocked me out of commission for a few days though. YUCK
11. What was the best thing you bought? Shadow
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My Father's. He made a big turn around, finally.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and
depressed? Certain members of my family, whom I will not name. I'll just never understand how you can betray family.
14. Where did most of your money go? Bills and Shadow
15. What did you get really, really, really
excited about? My nephew being born
16. What song will always remind you of 2013? Blurred Lines, ha!
17. Compared to this time last year, are you...happier or sadder? much much happier.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Spent time by the pool or at the beach.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Working
20. How will you spend Christmas? With my family and William's family
21. Did you fall in love in 2013? I've been inlove since 2009!
22. How many one night stands? That's big ZERO.
23. What was your favorite TV program? Sons of Anarchy, absolutely devistated that it's over and I have to wait for next year now. haha
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? I could list a few, but I'll be nice.
25. What was the best book you read? I don't read, ever.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery? I started listening to country music again. I forgot how much I liked it.
27. What did you want and get? a horse.
28. What did you want and not get? a horse trailer
29. What was your favorite film of this year? Despicable Me 2!
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 24 and I think I worked?
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Having Brookdale keep the ultrasound program so i could have continued my college career and been on my way to a promising future.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013? Lazy work clothes and barn clothes.
33. What kept you sane? William, always.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Carrie Underwood
35. What political issue stirred you the most? I don't pay any attention to that stuff.
36. Who did you miss? Gizmo, I miss him everyday.
37. Who was the best new person you met? Dom, thank goodness for her.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013. Always stay positive. No matter how bad things are, they can always get worse and there is no point in giving in and feeling bad for yourself. Everything will always work out in time.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. I don't think there was any, this year was pretty tough, I can't think of anything that really hits home. Thank god this year is coming to a close. Looking forward to a healthy new year for myself and my family as well as everyone else. <3
Monday, December 9, 2013
Holiday Photos
As the snow started to come down yesterday morning, Dom and Mike came out and took some beautiful Holiday photos of myself, Shadow, William and the pups.
I'll be sending Christmas cards out this year for the first time ever.
I think I'm officially getting old. :)
Here's a preview:
This one seems to be the favortie.
Christmas Card!
Shadow trying to get in on the kisses. lol
My Poor dogs were so miserable, they had no idea what shadow was, and gizmo bit him.
I love them so much and a big thanks to Dom for being awesome as usual!
Happy Holidays everybody.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Reunited!
Finally, a lesson, after almost a month!!
I have been barely riding, as I said in my last post. On Thanksgiving, I decided to go ride. Shadow had other plans.
The fact that that rain storm and Shadow was in his stall for 48 hours, and the wind, really didn't dawn on me. On top of those two things, Shadow was moved to a new field that morning as well. I ventured out to his new field to get him, and as usual my big gentleman walked back to his stall to get ready to work (or so I thought). I get him onto the cross ties, and he turned into a crazy man. He could not stand still, it took me probably about 40 minutes to tack him up and wrap his front legs because he would not stand. We spent most of the time arguing I'm sure.
I had no intentions of lunging him being that it was a holiday and I had things to do. Al I wanted to do was get up trot around work on some leg yields and go home. We finally walked out the stall and Shadow was so up, he was practically in my pocket. We took a walk around the barn and waited for him to calm a little before I got on. As I went to put my foot in my stirrup my oh so calm and lovely standardbred started running away from me and crow hopping like a crazy. Okay, we took another walk around and I tried again. Nope, not happening.
I proceeded to go to the barn and get my side reins and lunge line, a safer alternative them me falling. I get him on the lunge and he takes off like a maniac, pulling me around grunting and galloping, bucking, snorting. Wait, where is standardbred? He finally stopped and started pawing at the ground, and then off he went again. By that time I had a better handle on it and just stood there and let him get his energy out rather than being pulled around like a rag doll the way I was the first time. haha Once he calmed himself and gave me a nice collected trot both directions, I took him off the lunge and tried to get on. SUCCESS. I got on, walked two circles and got off. End on a good note, right? Atleast I got on.
Saturday, some lunging (like a normal horse) and about 30 minutes of trotting. Still a little up and a little spooky, but he was still adjusting to being in a new part of the farm, so I expected nothing less.
LESSON DAY!!!!
Finally got some Dom time back in my life, between the weather and me having to cancel and Dom having to cancel because poor mike had to get surgery on his hand, we have't been able to get ourselves together.
After 10 minutes of catching up like we haven't seen each other in years, it was off to work. Lack of riding really showed a little in the beginning for my poor boy and to top it off his feet are over due and have become his worst enemy yet again.
His canter is getting more consistent and his trot is pretty well where we want it, on and off the lunge.
Dom started working him in small circles at the canter and he was getting pretty upset, between the ground being soft and slippery, his feet defeating him, and the small circle he didn't know what to do with himself.
Dom rode him, and couldn't believe how up he was for her either. I had forewarned her before she got on him that he has been a little crazy compared to his normal. lol He is doing lovely with his trot as I said, we have also discovered he is afraid of the dressage whip, which we will be working with, as well as some more ground work with picking up his shoulders and turning. She worked on leg yields for bending instead of using her hands, which is something I need to do from the ground as well as on his back. It's amazing to see the improvements he has made, but I get so impatient. Winter is really slowing me down, and I'll probably complain about this until spring is finally here again.
Dom cantered him, which seemed really really nice and consistent going to the right with a nice transition in both directions, but the left is still not there yet.
We have alot of work ahead of us, and I am trying to learn to be patient ever step of the way, I mean, we have already conquered the trot. Almost there, right?
It was getting kind of dark, so I didnt get much video/pictures, but I did get a quick video of him cantering on the lunge. He is a mess, which is why we started the small circles, he is pretty much rushing around and not bending all that well, but we'll get there, I swear. I'm very confident in Dom, and thankful to have her in my corner.
I have been barely riding, as I said in my last post. On Thanksgiving, I decided to go ride. Shadow had other plans.
The fact that that rain storm and Shadow was in his stall for 48 hours, and the wind, really didn't dawn on me. On top of those two things, Shadow was moved to a new field that morning as well. I ventured out to his new field to get him, and as usual my big gentleman walked back to his stall to get ready to work (or so I thought). I get him onto the cross ties, and he turned into a crazy man. He could not stand still, it took me probably about 40 minutes to tack him up and wrap his front legs because he would not stand. We spent most of the time arguing I'm sure.
I had no intentions of lunging him being that it was a holiday and I had things to do. Al I wanted to do was get up trot around work on some leg yields and go home. We finally walked out the stall and Shadow was so up, he was practically in my pocket. We took a walk around the barn and waited for him to calm a little before I got on. As I went to put my foot in my stirrup my oh so calm and lovely standardbred started running away from me and crow hopping like a crazy. Okay, we took another walk around and I tried again. Nope, not happening.
I proceeded to go to the barn and get my side reins and lunge line, a safer alternative them me falling. I get him on the lunge and he takes off like a maniac, pulling me around grunting and galloping, bucking, snorting. Wait, where is standardbred? He finally stopped and started pawing at the ground, and then off he went again. By that time I had a better handle on it and just stood there and let him get his energy out rather than being pulled around like a rag doll the way I was the first time. haha Once he calmed himself and gave me a nice collected trot both directions, I took him off the lunge and tried to get on. SUCCESS. I got on, walked two circles and got off. End on a good note, right? Atleast I got on.
Saturday, some lunging (like a normal horse) and about 30 minutes of trotting. Still a little up and a little spooky, but he was still adjusting to being in a new part of the farm, so I expected nothing less.
LESSON DAY!!!!
Finally got some Dom time back in my life, between the weather and me having to cancel and Dom having to cancel because poor mike had to get surgery on his hand, we have't been able to get ourselves together.
After 10 minutes of catching up like we haven't seen each other in years, it was off to work. Lack of riding really showed a little in the beginning for my poor boy and to top it off his feet are over due and have become his worst enemy yet again.
His canter is getting more consistent and his trot is pretty well where we want it, on and off the lunge.
Dom started working him in small circles at the canter and he was getting pretty upset, between the ground being soft and slippery, his feet defeating him, and the small circle he didn't know what to do with himself.
Dom rode him, and couldn't believe how up he was for her either. I had forewarned her before she got on him that he has been a little crazy compared to his normal. lol He is doing lovely with his trot as I said, we have also discovered he is afraid of the dressage whip, which we will be working with, as well as some more ground work with picking up his shoulders and turning. She worked on leg yields for bending instead of using her hands, which is something I need to do from the ground as well as on his back. It's amazing to see the improvements he has made, but I get so impatient. Winter is really slowing me down, and I'll probably complain about this until spring is finally here again.
Dom cantered him, which seemed really really nice and consistent going to the right with a nice transition in both directions, but the left is still not there yet.
We have alot of work ahead of us, and I am trying to learn to be patient ever step of the way, I mean, we have already conquered the trot. Almost there, right?
It was getting kind of dark, so I didnt get much video/pictures, but I did get a quick video of him cantering on the lunge. He is a mess, which is why we started the small circles, he is pretty much rushing around and not bending all that well, but we'll get there, I swear. I'm very confident in Dom, and thankful to have her in my corner.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)