dancing horses

dancing horses

Sunday, May 9, 2021

Solitary

 It was a good thing that I had those two lessons because now everything is closed again and we are to stay in our communities. It must be hard for an itinerant coach like Shanea but hopefully the numbers will start to trend the other way. 

We are allowed to bubble with one other person if we live in a household of 1-2 people. That person for me is Julia. I am not worried- we are both health professionals and we are only together outside and not within 6 feet. We've been riding, with the focus on 'fun first/school second'. We're hacking lots. 

I have to admit, it's a great place to isolate

I've been riding a lot in my spanish saddle.  I was also successful in getting a matching bridle and girth. I got them from Dark Horse saddlery in Alberta. I definitely would recommend using them. The owner was very patient as I tried to figure out what to order and if it would match. I did end up getting a bridle that was a little lighter but I couldn't justify the cost of the others. I think that the bridle will darken with time/use. The leather on the girth is amazing. The bridle is less so but that was expected with the price point. 


Anyway she looks pretty good in it. 

Carmen: I will tolerate this

I bought the saddle thinking that I would ride in it occasionally. But I find it very comfortable and find myself riding in it more and more. Carmen seems to move really well in it too. 

Carmen: I look good in everything. Also,
why are you backing up? I shall come closer. 

This spring things are different. Except for that ride where she flat out bolted on me, she's been very open to working with me. It struck me the other day how relaxed she is over all- in the field and stall. Not that she can't tense up but that's not her norm. I also realized today that I have no idea when she came into heat this spring. Usually I know because of her behaviour. I had suspicions but nothing too firm. Which is a good thing. 

Our canter work is really coming along. Today I was playing with simple changes on a figure 8. I can feel flying changes being right there. We had a couple of canter-walk 1 stride- canter. A few tries and then we ended it.  

Right now I'm watching my plans for the summer come into jeopardy. And that sucks. But at least I have Carmen home and we can keep playing. 

Carmen: you know what's fun? Snacks. 
Snacks are fun. 




24 comments:

  1. Sorry to hear things are shutting back down again 🥺 but at least you'll still be able to ride! The pandemic has definitely reaffirmed the "horses at home" lifestyle for me!
    PS. Carmen looks SMASHING in her Spanish attire! I'm so glad you're enjoying it!

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    1. She really does look good. :) And yes, this has definitely affirmed that keeping horses at home is the way to go. I wouldn't handle it if I couldn't get to a barn.

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  2. That saddle is beautiful, and she looks so pretty in it!

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  3. I guess we have to take what opportunities we can with the ever changing government restrictions. I'm hoping to be able to travel to Alberta this summer to see my colt Derby but with RCMP guarding the borders to allow only essential travel that may not happen. Going to see a cute colt is essential isn't it? ;0)
    If you oil that bridle with neatsfoot oil it will darken it a bit. It looks good on Carmen!

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    1. It's so hard. I am hoping that this is over soon. But it seems to never end. I've been thinking of oiling it to see what happens.

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  4. What an exciting feeling about the changes lurking just beneath the surface! I’m so frustrated for you about the situation with continued lock down measures bc some people can’t seem to understand their impact on a larger community… sigh. Fingers crossed the outbreak subsides just in time for wonderful weather!

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    1. The vaccine roll out is speeding up and that should make a huge difference. Once everyone has the option to be vaccinated I won't be worried about those who make a different choice.

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  5. I'm so sorry you guys are back under lockdown. How frustrating. I hope the vaccines get rolling out more quickly up there.
    I'm so glad things are going great with Carmen though! She's really matured in the past year.
    Love the new tack, she looks especially fancy in it!

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    1. She does look fancy. Of course she thinks she's pretty fancy all the time.

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  6. I’m sorry you’re still experiencing lockdowns. We seem to finally be moving forward due to vaccinations. Of course, we’ve always been able to travel state to state unimpeded. At times like this, it’s good you have a horse at home.

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    1. We've been on various levels of lockdowns for the past year. And it's been effective. The variants came in via travelers who did not follow the isolation rules. It's frustrating to see the numbers go up and to have people die.

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  7. That saddle looks really comfortable. Carmen looks engaged and relaxed in all the pictures. Hope things get better for you guys.

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    1. It is very comfortable! I love it. And Carmen seems to feel the same way.

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  8. I've had really good luck darkening orange leather with oil and then letting it bake in the sun.

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  9. That's too bad about restrictions. So hard but necessary some places. I love your new saddle and bridle though, and it's so cool that your and Carmen's relationship is getting stronger and stronger.

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    1. I've been trying to take the good with the bad. :)

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  10. The saddle looks comfy. I got a new bridle for Mother’s Day which is a little reddish. Been using Tanners oil on it to darken it. Carmen is looking good. Glad you’re getting to ride.

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    1. It is very comfortable. Good advice about the oil.

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  11. If I had a Spanish/Andalusia horse, it would be impossible for me to resist dressing him/her up in the native tack. Our local German tack catalog has a Spanish section, all in red and yellow.

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    1. Hmmm, I may need to get you to send me a saddle pad.......

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  12. I love that super pretty Spanish tack! I'm starting to consider looking for a Spanish stallion to put to my Nooitgedachter mare next season, and seeing Carmen in all her fancy things makes me want it even more...

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