Well would you look at that? I actually managed a ride last night!
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| Every time we stopped she'd swivel to stare at the goats haha. |
DH was running a bit late last night, so I got home and powered through chores. It was still about 40 degrees, and I checked the forecast for the rest of the week and it was only getting colder (it was 24 with a 'feels like 12' when I got up this morning) -- I have plans after work tonight and tomorrow, so I figured last night would be my best chance to ride before the weekend.
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| The sideeye was strong last night. |
Ruby seemed less than impressed when I pulled her out and tacked her up, but she perked up when we walked in the arena. She was remarkably steady throughout the ride, although she was hyperaware of the goats any time we were on that side of the arena. The last time I rode her (Nov. 30 for the last no stirrup November ride -- bareback) she was so incredibly spooky she almost dropped me in the dirt more than once, so I was braced for some of that, but she didn't spook once. She
did spend some time acting like she didn't know what a half halt was tracking right, and we had some canter zoomies. But she was basically perfect to the left, and gave me some nice lateral work pushing off and then back on to the rail, so it worked out.
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| Can you spot Cinna lurking? |
In particular our left lead canter was so effortless and adjustable that I grinned like a loon the entire time -- and then for the downward transition I just had to think 'trot' and she was there. Magical!
In an effort to discourage Cinna from lunging over the fence (because my leg was right about biting height haha), I carried a dressage whip -- our first lap of the arena she came charging over and a light tap on the end of her nose made her think twice about trying again. She did pace us up and down the fence a few times, but a sharp growl sent her back off to her hay pile. Her behavior was much improved over Monday so I think shortly she'll be ambivalent to what is going on in the arena.
DH wanted to try out a new (to us) restaurant for dinner, so I kept the ride short and sweet -- but it felt so nice to feel like I'm developing some tiny semblance of a routine with everybody at home again :) now I just need to start alternating Ruby and Cinna's workouts...
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| Spoiler alert: this is why he wanted to try the restaurant |
The high today is only 34 so I have no regrets about my evening plans keeping me out of the barn, haha. But the weekend forecast looks promising, so maybe I can actually get some riding media!
In an effort to discourage Cinna from lunging over the fence (because my leg was right about biting height haha), I carried a dressage whip -- our first lap of the arena she came charging over and a light tap on the end of her nose made her think twice about trying again. She did pace us up and down the fence a few times, but a sharp growl sent her back off to her hay pile. Her behavior was much improved over Monday so I think shortly she'll be ambivalent to what is going on in the arena.
DH wanted to try out a new (to us) restaurant for dinner, so I kept the ride short and sweet -- but it felt so nice to feel like I'm developing some tiny semblance of a routine with everybody at home again :) now I just need to start alternating Ruby and Cinna's workouts...
Ha ha - my husband would totally want to try that restaurant, too!
ReplyDeleteIt's close to my house, so I imagine we'll be eating there regularly if he has his way, haha.
Deleteawesome that Ruby was so good for the ride! i always worry about how horses will be under lights but.... actually most of them seem pretty fine!
ReplyDeletealso.... is it possible that Cinna might actually somehow be creepier than me???? lol..
Yeah, I think it's probably a little easier for mine as well since it's my private property and not a boarding barn -- so low likelihood of "scary" things going on outside of the lights. That's just my working theory right now haha. Although I got a good giggle out of the car that stopped on the road and watched me ride for a good 50 seconds!
DeleteShe could be the horse version of creepstar3000! 😂
Oh you lucky duck! We had a temperature drop right after rain so I think my arena footing is pretty much destined to be rock hard until like March. Hopefully the girls figure each other out soon - Cinna sounds like she's already a lot better! Outdoors under lights seems to be scarier for humans than it is for the horses, because I'm going through the same thing at my house. Our horses will be pros by the spring!
ReplyDeleteYeah considering how great Ruby was only her second time under the lights, I think they'll be old hat after a few more rides. She just needs to get used to the goats and that's hard because they're not close to her pen right now, haha. Cinna acclimated just by seeing them every day, but geography is making that hard for Ruby. She'll figure it out in sure, just more slowly 😆
Deleteuhm that Bloody looks amazing
ReplyDeleteI'm not a bloody Mary fan but that was like an appetizer and a drink all rolled into one!
Delete#nightridersunite!
ReplyDeleteGlad Ruby is settling in quickly. I know it's not ideal, but I kind of love how jealous Cinna is.
I know I shouldn't find it funny, but I definitely do. I didn't realize Cinna was quite so attached to me -- although knowing her it's in more of a "that's my human slave how dare you distract her attention from ME?" way as opposed to a "I love my human" way 😆
DeleteLet's focus on the important thing. What the heck is that drink? Is that an onion ring?
ReplyDeleteIt's the restaurant's signature bloody Mary -- rimmed with bacon salt, topped with an onion ring, wings, a pickle, cheese cubes and olives. Apparently they tried to keep bacon straws in stock to drink it through, but it got prohibitively expensive 😆
DeleteGood for you - I'm glad that you are riding and that Cinna is learning that she cant throw tantrums.
ReplyDeleteThanks! She's got some growing up to do but I think when she outgrows the tantrums she'll be a pretty fun horse 😊
DeletePoor little Cinna. So mistreated.
ReplyDeleteBeing a baby horse is rough.
DeleteMust be nice to have them all at home!
ReplyDeleteThere are definitely pros! ☺️
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