dancing horses

dancing horses

Sunday, December 17, 2017

Winter Wonderland

I didn't ride Carmen at all last week. Between weather, work, my medical tests and her teeth appointment it just wasn't happening. I had hoped to ride with Cynthia on Saturday but we had bitter cold and snow so we went Christmas shopping and had lunch out instead. After she left the weather markedly improved but I was home all alone and I thought that given the bolt last week I probably should have someone around. 

I took the dogs for a walk and I realized that the snow was powdery and perfect footing for riding. I sent a text to Ashley inviting her to come on Sunday to play. She was game and brought along Julia. The sun was shining and it was a lovely winter day except that it -5 celcius, with the wind the windchill was much colder. I thought that we might be crazy but it was still too good a chance to pass up. I put on some layers and we got the horses ready. 

Both of them were full of piss and vinegar energy and enthusiasm. Carmen was definitely tight but I put my whole attention on keeping her attention on me. 


AS we were riding Shanea came by to visit (not teach but I'm hoping that she can soon). She gave some good advice for us which was essentially inside bend and ride forward. I was struggling to not ride defensively given last week but I wasn't horrible. 

At some point at this will be a passage, right now it's really just prancing. 
 But she didn't bolt. Or even give a big spook. I could feel a real difference with the contact since getting her teeth done. I do think that this added to the issues I was having because today felt more like our normal excitement.
 I love riding in the first snow- the tracks are so fresh and the horses really pick up their feet.
Today was not about schooling anything- it was just about playing in the snow and enjoying the time.

Look at Irish having a ball. I need to do a post on some positive things about him that have been happening.


Shanea drew a heart in the snow at one point. 
 Despite the cold I was toasty and warm.

The footing under the snow was nice and solid. I didn't mean in my last post to indicate in anyway that my missing Steele meant that Carmen was not my heart horse. In many ways we really suit each other.
she has helped me reconstruct my heart. 
After riding we went for a little hack in the woods. The horses were up but really well behaved. After  Ash, Julia and I warmed our hands and bodies with some hot chocolate. 

It was a cold but magical day and just what Carmen and I  needed. I hope it was good for Ashley and Irish too. 


28 comments:

  1. Many years ago, I lost my heart horse, Tika, to a terrible series of tragedies that I had no control over. A few years later, my mother died of colon cancer at the age of 45. I have been thinking about you and your dream because something very similar happened to me about ten years ago. I never, ever dream about Tika or my mother, but one night I did. I was riding Tika through the most wondrous woods and we met my mother. I slid off and we all walked together. Some of the details are hazy now, but I woke with the most profound sense of joy and peace, which is also something that has never happened before or since.

    I have often thought about that dream and it has been in my mind since you posted about yours. I don't know if that dream was me finally letting go of them or them finally letting go of me, but I treasure it and sometimes, all these years later, I can still reach out and feel just a bit of it.

    I hope you can hold onto your dream as I have held onto mine. it will bring you peace when you need it most.

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  2. Carmen's knee action is incredible!

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  3. I adore the cantering heart photo of you two! It's so perfect on so many levels.

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  4. aww i love the heart in the snow <3 Carmen also looks so fancy prancing around!! i kinda love riding in the snow too haha

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  5. You make riding in the snow look like so much fun!! 😁

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  6. Love you riding through the heart pic!

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  7. The heart horse picture is a keeper! I cannot imagine riding when it was that cold. But at least it was sunny!

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    1. The sun helps. If there had been no wind it would have been even better.

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  8. wow! Sure looks like a wonderland. Playing in the snow. Wish I could have been there!

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  9. That sounds like a super fun day!

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  10. What a beautiful day! I love riding in the snow, but I dislike what we have now--rain and snow! I think we're in for a big wet melt. I'm glad to hear she seemed to be happier with her teeth done. It looks like you guys are having fun together.

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    1. We are getting rain now but warmer temperatures so I'm conflicted. :)

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  11. that looks like so much fun!!! i love that you guys had a good ride after her bolting issues resurfaced a bit there. i am kinda digging carmen pictures in the snow - her coat compliments the weather quite well.

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  12. Wow. I wish we got something like this in SoCal (we’ll, not really because that would probably signal dooms day) just to be able to ride in snow.
    I know what you mean about Carmen not marginalizing Steele. My first mare, Hershey, will always be my favorite even if Aria is doing a wonderful job of filling those big shoes. Carmen will never be Steele but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t shine just as equally in a different way.

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    1. I like having 4 seasons- I just want to reduce the length of time winter lasts! :) Like December 1 to Jan 31! And she does shine.

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  13. The great thing about loving animals (horses in particular) is that we have the capacity to love them all. We don't love the equally or in the same way but they are all amazing and meaningful.

    The snow really makes you guys seem like you are riding in a fairy tale.

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    1. You are so right about loving.
      Snow is very pretty. After numerous storms and shovelling I get a little tired of it. :)

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