Tuesday's have become our riding day. We scramble home early from work and head north to see our boys. When the rides are good, they are really good. It helps being in the outdoor arena, weather permitting. Both hubby and I continue working on loping, side-passing, turns, ground poles, along with some work on open/closing gates etc. I am slowly getting back to where I was, working well with Koda. We haven't gone on any trail rides, which of course is the real test. I really wish my saddle time wasn't so limited...some day's I wonder if it's all worth it?
I think the biggest improvement I've noticed lately is Nemo's lope. He has slowed down and is using his top line more.
A few weeks back our trainer had the largest multi-layer ground pole setup I've ever seen/ridden through (think multiple fallen trees, with branches crossing over each other) for the horses to pick through. It was cool to watch Nemo hang his head low, and lift his feet high, as he carefully picked through them. A natural talent Trainer Patty said horses are either born with, or without. Which category does your horse fall in? Mine is in the latter, without.
Yesterday's ride wasn't one of the better ones, for me. While Brad was enjoying his ride with Nemo, I was back to trying saddles - something that has become far from fun. I think I switched saddles no less then five times. Poor Koda. He was a good boy through the fashion show that was full of tacking up/down, starts, stops, restarts, and plain 'ol frustration. Communication can be such a struggle. It didn't help we were stuck inside due to the flooded outdoor arena. One of the saddle's I tried was a rough-out trainer, that made me laugh out loud! I stuck like glue. Interestingly it felt like it fit Koda the best, but had other things that weren't right (aside from the look).
They (Trainer & Saddle Fitter) think in the end they figured out what I am feeling, in the best of the bunch, among other things - the lack of a double rig. Needless to say, I am back to waiting. This whole process pretty much sucks. However, I am hopeful it will be worth it in the end.
Looking forward to getting back around the blogsphere, and catching up on how everyone's been doing lately. I've squeaked a few reads in, but overall it's been a while. Hope everyone is enjoying a horse-filled summer!!
