7.29.2011

Chosen by a Horse ~ in review

While on vacation I had the pleasure of reading Chosen by a Horse by Susan Richards. It was a good summer read, that kept my interest and made me reflect not only on my own horse relationships, but on my life in general.

Altho the main character Susan had a less then ideal childhood, her adult life journey was full of healing through admirable equine and human friendships - reaffirming that it is better to have loved and lost, then to never have loved at all. Nothing too heavy or dramatic, I would classify it as light reading.

I must admit the book was a bit predictable, but enjoyable all the same. It left you with a true sense of the personal growth that can happen through equine (and human) friendships. My favorite aspect of the book was the detailed sweet bond Susan had with her beloved horse Lay Me Down, both fortunate to have found each other.

Chosen by a Horse

7.13.2011

tuesday rides

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!!

7.10.2011

Sunday Stills ~ The Letter F

This weeks challenge is anything that begins with the letter F, things or places. I took some shots late this afternoon of some of my favorite things, at some of my favorite place's at home.


fuchsia_gartenmeister
Fuchsia (Gartenmeister)

fern
Fern (Japanese Painted)

frog2
Frog
(gifted from my mother)

frog
Frog
(watches over our pond)

diamond
Fish (her name is Diamond)