Winter is Coming

At least you can't see the mud under the snow

It's that time of year where I'm trying to squeeze rides in around work, early sunsets and rain. Still I have managed to get in three rides this week and a lunge session. 

racing the sunset and ignoring the cold wind

Friday was supposed to be rainy and windy so I figured I wouldn't be able to ride. But that morning it actually was nice out so I threw on my riding clothes and headed out to get Carmen. I was just about to tack her up when it started to rain hard. And sideways. With a shrug I decided to give her a good groom and then send her back outside. 

I went in to shower and then head to do errands. while I was out the sun came out, the wind died and it was lovely again. I hurried home and grabbed her again. At least this time I didn't need to groom. We were just heading out the door when it started to rain. 

Me: *looking at Carmen* are you doing this?

Carmen: oooh, look it's raining. That's too bad. I was so looking forward to our working together too. 

Me: *sigh* We're going up anyway. 

Carmen: But, but, it's RAINING. We can't work in the rain. Have you lost your mind? 

Me: It's okay. We can just lunge. That will be exercise. 

Carmen: Exercise for who, exactly? It seems to me that you just stand there while I run laps

Me: ...

Carmen: And your saddle. The rain will ruin it. 

Me: It will be fine. I can dry and condition it later

Carmen: I'm going to tell Rachael. She will not be pleased with you, ruining good leather like that. 

In the end we lunged, it was fine. No one melted. 

Saturday it was bitter cold in the morning and the ring was frozen solid. But the sun came out and the wind died and I was able to have a ride after all. There were a couple parts still a bit hard but we avoided them. This is what I love about my rubber/sand mix. 

3 hours earlier it was as hard as ice. Literally

As far as schooling goes, it's more exercise than any big leaps forward (except by Carmen of course). I'm trying to keep practicing what I learned in my lessons. I can feel how Carmen begins to look for an exit when the work gets a bit hard. For her, that means tension that leads to spooking. I put my legs on, take the outside rein and we work, with the ease coming from the trying not the evading. We're getting there.  I'd love to get at least one more lesson in before winter comes down hard. 

Carmen: I will never admit that I enjoy this too

In other news, Carmen's stitches came out and it looks amazing. I don't even think I'll be able to see a scar once the hair comes in. The vet was super impressed too. 

doesn't it look great?