enjoying the fluff

We finally got some fluffy snow! Not a lot, but enough for some type's of snow play. Our local snowmobile trails have yet to open. There isn't much you can do with hard icy uneven snow, but deal with it.

Stepping in your old tracks makes walking easier. I think. It makes me look like I am drunk walking, as I try to match my left's & rights. Many times I end up with whoops, that imprint is going the other direction. I often wonder why my previous strides are either far apart or too close. Once in a while, the steps are just right.

icy bare uneven spooky tree trail

I haven't hauled my heavy camera on the trail, or gotten into Winter photography this season. My hands are full just staying warm, managing the terrain, keeping track of the dogs and sometimes even Leo.

Speaking of keeping track, Cierra thinks Tank is her very own little blond cow. I've been trying to catch her playing with him on video. She always stops whatever she is doing and tries to herd Tank. Every single time we walk near the pasture, which is most days.

Cierra came running up to Tank

He is completely obsessed with popping snow up! The lower pasture still has some decent snow. 

Cierra, Harmony and Nemo

Nemo wants to be the only one near us and gets everyone worked up. Well, except for Koda. He just watches and waits for us to round the corner, and walk over by him. 

snowshoe fun!

Remember leg warmers? Well, I saved one favorite pair for cross country skiing. I don't ski anymore, but still use them once in a while. They are oldies, from the 80's!

Nemo giving Tank "the eye"

Cierra and Nemo are both unsure of horse eating snowshoes. I think it's the crunchy swooshing sound they make, or perhaps the poles. Who knows. Both of them get high headed, start prancing and keep a safe distance from me. Sometimes Nemo also snorts, or blows out a loud warning that can be heard across the valley. Not the other two. They do this:

Harmony checking in with Koda

"Nothing to get excited about, right?"

Harmony & Koda chillin'

The horses watch us at a distance, as weave along all the paths and head over to the pines. The afternoon light is very different in the woods.

Tankee waiting to enjoy the beautiful snow covered woods

a softer side

My boy is a sweet horse. The only horse I've ever owned. To this day, there is no other horse I would rather ride or call mine. I really don't want to own another horse. Ever. 

Even with our three mishaps.

If you are a newer reader, you can read about the saddle snafuu here, the asshat in the van here and the worst accident part 1 and part 2. One can only hope I am done with hitting the ground. Not realistic, I know. But one can hope.

Even when his youthful type antics show up.

Koda is a trusty solid mount. However he doesn't just hand you everything, and continues making me a better horsewoman.

I can honestly say, I will never be bored. 

He is smart, and will do everything for you (if you let him). Especially if it means he gets back to filling his tummy sooner. Koda is food obsessed motivated, one of his less desirable qualities.

My boy has ruined loping any other horse for me. His lope is what most can only dream of, and feels like what it must feel like floating on a cloud.

At times I make Koda sound really naughty, but know he is just being a typical horse. I am whimpy. It doesn't take much for me to feel challenged.

There is a softer side to him.

He really enjoys being groomed and adores any kind of body work/care.

I love his big doe eyes, Fabio locks, and more importantly his interesting personality! I wouldn't trade him for the world.

Koda

knowing when

We enjoyed a couple days of arena time with our horses earlier this week.

The first day, Brad hopped on Nemo right away and rode. Meanwhile my chunky monkey decided to act like a four year old feeling his oats. Crow hopping and spinning me dizzy as he twirled around and around, and around. Literally. Eventually, he decided to slow his roll.

Our daughter walked into the arena. She was surprised at what she saw and asked "is that normal for Koda"? I was busy being a spinning top, so Brad responded. "It's just Koda being Koda". He always says that about Koda's antics.

Koda is 14 going on 4 and full of Appytude. He may not have spots, but he is all Appaloosa. Apparently he is never going to change. In my opinion, age has little to do with behavior. Most will disagree with me. I am glad I decided to lunge Koda and see where his mind was at. At this stage of my life, I won't ride him when he acts like that. Brad has no problem with it, so he rode Koda first. Koda was the well behaved boy he can be. I enjoyed my riding time next, at a walk. I ended with doing two almost perfect turns on the forehands.

The following day, Koda was visibly stiff. I can't help he decided to act like a kite on a string. Timing is everything. Trust me, I stopped lunging when the time was right. I dislike lunging, but it can serve a purpose. I look forward to the day I can once again just get on and ride. With him, that requires consistently being worked with. He does come around quickly.

The following day, Brad worked with Koda a little to loosen him up, before riding Cierra. My shoulders were sore from twirling, saddling and even grooming. Now that I am older, I feel every "new" activity. I am thankful for Brad's help. 

my boy shadow dancing

WI has been in an extended cold single digit pattern, dipping negative. We've been waiting to let the horses out until the sun comes up. It amazes me our arena has been staying above freezing. I feel very fortunate and still can't believe we have a giant sandbox to play in.

Hopefully we can all find our groove and 2022 will become a riding year!!

look up

Sunrise clouds

Full of hopes and dreams

They are there, or so it seems

Look up to see, what might be
 

south eastern (7:24am) sunrise

1/18/22

my old self

The changing of the year was nothing like I hoped for. I looked forward to the quiet closing of an emotional year, and a soft beginning to a new chapter. I got neither.

Holidays have always felt odd, for different reasons. This year was no exception. Add to that, after Christmas I got sick. No happy start to a new year for me. It felt like more of the same 2021. It took two long weeks before I began to feel semi normal again. Whatever that is.

I miss the woods. The Labs missed our walks. I miss riding and spending time with our horses. I missed interacting on Blogger, and pretty much everything else. Most of all, I missed being me. I had zero energy. Brad was my superhero! He helped out in every way he could, and was understanding. I had little to nothing to give, altho I tried and did what I could. It was a good reminder, that health is everything.

Happy to say I am more or less back to my old self and feeling a bit like Tank:

our snow dog catching snowflakes

  

sunday stills ~ bundled

 

me bundled up & back in our woods
(Jan 11, 2022)

see more bundled Sunday Stills