Rebound

 Man March is a difficult month. After some early lovely weather a switch was flipped and we've had rain and wind and cold. One day we had all the weather: wind, snow, rain, sleet and sun.  It rotated every 10 minutes. I don't why I'm surprised, it's like that every year. But I am always optimistic that the weather will be warm and sunny. 

brought them in early out of torrential rain, 
but they were convinced it was supper time and
I was being unnecessarily cruel

All this means that there is no way to be consistent in schooling, instead I take advantage of the rare breaks in the weather. 

My rides on Carmen are going well. Way back in February I tried to get a lesson at Stephanie's but that couldn't happen for various (usually weather) reasons. I had a lesson booked last week but it was cancelled. I had one booked this Saturday but with the forecast I was not optimistic. However, the stars aligned and I was able to have it.  I was so sure that it was going to rain and prevent the lesson that I did not set up the Pivo. So you'll have to believe me when I tell you it was awesome. 

Compared to this time last year, we are so much further ahead. Definitely having her at an indoor was a big help. Jane commented that she could see how my improved fitness had improved my riding. Which is what I was also feeling, so it was great to have validation. 

breaking up the wall of text with a 
photo of the prettiest Pussy Willow

Once we got her hind leg activated Carmen was amazing.  I'm excited to see where we go this year. 

I've been doing ground work with Quaid and he's bene doing well.  I did a whole spa day where I took out the braids that Nikki had put in.  His mane is out of control. 

see what I mean

My preferred plan would be to work with him and ride when I have someone with me but honestly that is going to make things positively glacial. So Saturday morning I decided to take him up to the ring and see how far we could get. I did a quick running braid in that mane. He was a bit distracted at first and then was asking me a lot of questions about who got to decide the pace. I realised that this was an important question that I'd better have the answer to otherwise it would bite me in the ass in the saddle.  I worked on being really clear and consistent. This worked out well so then I tacked him up and worked him with the tack on. Finally I decided to get on. I sent Ed a quick text (he was in the house) 'I'm getting on Quaid. If you don't hear from me in 20 minutes come check on me'. 

Spoiler alert, he did not need to come check on me. But I didn't do much either. I got on, walked him a few times in both directions and hopped off.  Call me chicken, but I'll call that a win.  I would rather take baby steps and build on our confidence then try too much. The trick is to do a little more each time.  At least that's the plan. 

In other news, his ulcer meds are done and he's eating everything in sight.  His coat is shedding but underneath there's a little shine that comes out when I groom. He's back to his friendly, sociable self. When I go out to call him in the field he comes right over and is happy to go to work.  He's also happy to go back to his paddock too. 

post roll celebration