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!!

the perfect gift

Koda earned himself a break after two days in a row of arena work and trail adventure. If you missed my recent early November posts, here are links to day one and day two. 

You may recall I mentioned Brad had a goal, better said a gift, and suspected it was to get Koda ready enough that I would feel comfortable riding him during my birthday week. I didn't bug him ask for it, this time it was his idea. It was a very sweet surprise, as I had pretty much given up on riding this year. He was not only determined to find time, but patient and supportive with my never-ending hesitation.

I decided to cancel b-day dinner reservations on my day, because virus spread continues high in our area. Instead we stayed home, enjoyed rare November weather in the 70's and had a wonderful day in my favorite place = home. Brad surprised me, took the day off work and made breakfast. Yep, I am spoiled!! The plan was to work with the horses again. I told him I was ready to ride, but he wanted me to ride Cierra first. I did, while he lunged Koda. Brad briefly rode Koda first, before I got on. Riding Cierra felt awkward. I have ridden her before, but not much. Cierra was looky. She is used to getting to work, not lollygagging with a rider who isn't completely sure she even wants to be riding. I tried not to be nervous, walked around a bit but didn't stay on long. I felt like a duck out of water.

Cierra

We traded horses, and I rode Koda...my own horse for the first time in what feels like forever. 2 years and 4-ish months to not be exact. That is a long time! I really thought I would be so excited, happily emotional and love it - but, I wasn't any of those things. That was unexpected. Being in the saddle didn't feel like my happy place anymore :(

Koda

Oddly enough, riding Koda felt awkward too. I think I forgot how to ride!! Oh yea, heels down, sit back on your pockets, don't be tense, look where you want to go etc...good grief I think I need basic riding lessons again!!  Koda didn't do a single thing wrong, and yet once again I felt like a duck out of water. Maybe I wasn't meant to ride? Maybe those days are over for me?? Where did "that feeling" go? I didn't ride long, but I did it and survived to tell about it.

Brad decided to try ponying Koda just for fun. It has been many moons since my boy was ponied. At first Koda was like "you want me to do what?!" It was short and sweet, but Brad had a bit of fun and they all did good.    

 

Two days later we tried again. I was looking forward to riding Koda, and in a much better state of mind. This time Brad lunged Koda for a bit, then I asked to step in and lunge him. Know we do light lunging, and I look forward to the day we can once again skip this part. I hate lunging (even free lunging) and it didn't feel good on my injured shoulder. Meanwhile, Cierra waited by the rail. Much to Brad's surprise, I rode Koda first. I felt a lot better in the saddle, and we had a nice ride. Mostly walking with a little trot mixed in. My least favorite Koda gait. His trot is choppy, but he has the smoothest lope. Someday, I will float on my Koda cloud again...baby steps. He is totally ready to go at a lope, but I am not. 

 

Brad & Cierra in-between Koda ears

I am keeping our arena rides short on purpose. Not only do I not want to get sore, I want to keep it sweet. Brad wanted to ride Koda after I was done, so we switched and he um rode Koda out the gate! I hopped on Cierra and walked her around in the arena areas she got looky with me last time. We watched Brad and Koda ride the field like they've done it a hundred times, and then much to my surprise they went down a fresh bordering untrimmed trail Brad blazed a day ago!!

Brad & Koda in the trees, between Cierra ears

Koda was a rockstar, and it made my heart sooo happy to see Brad riding out on the trail!! 

our new tree line trail
Between the arena (on left) and the barn

I declined taking a turn on the new trail & field ride. Koda and I sat around for a bit watching Cierra & Brad explore the general area.

Koda & Aurora-sponge square pants
(sitting on the mounting block)

Koda: "are we done yet"

Brad and Cierra riding to the back of the barn

Later on the same day, I got what I asked for my birthday: to clean the junk up at the bottom of our property left by previous owners. You can't see it from our house, but I see it every time I hike the trails - which is often.

we loaded the tractor tires full of crap

Old mowers, shutters, metal you name it, tv etc. All this, and Brad had removed a refrigerator plus other large items the previous year. There is still some clean up left, but the major eye sore junk is cleaned up and about to be gone! 

a rare sight, Koda alone sleeping in the shelter
I think my boy was still tired from previous days activities!

OKay, so maybe they were all tired,
soaking up the sunshine before the rain

(Koda, Harmony, Nemo and Cierra standing watch)

We took advantage of the last day of warm beautiful weather, and rode a third time. Three times must be the charm, because I had fun and forgot to take photos. This time I did it all myself, lunged then rode Koda. He is being a sweet well-behaved boy. Brad snuck some poles into the arena. Love going over poles! I sang a silly song as I trotted around them, walked and side passed over the poles. It was a nice ride.

Truly the perfect gift.

 

the very next day

After Monday's arena time and walk-a-bout, Koda wasn't first to the gate. Impatiently waiting for his staff to come get him. He wasn't pushy and trying to do everything himself. Koda's mind was quiet. Soaking in all the sights and experiences of the day. It is a wonderful thing!!

The very next day, back to the arena he went. The look on his face was something like "me? again??" meanwhile our other horses are jealous. Cierra and Nemo would gladly take Koda's place, and poor Harmony waits by the gate. Wishing it was her turn. Just once.

They all get loved on the way to gather my boy, and some day it will be their turn. But right now, it is still Koda's. As valuable as sporadic lessons throughout the past year have been, it is a consistent string that will connect the dots. The twirling sessions are getting shorter and shorter, the easier Koda listens to transitions.

I thought to myself, maybe today would be the day I hop on Koda? It should be me getting on him first. I was gearing myself up, but then saw him hunch up and get bucky while twirling on the rope. Yea, not today. Brad had gotten after Koda for being a slacker and he didn't care for that. The fresh was still there. It didn't take long for me to talk myself out of it. I never said anything out loud, but once again felt defeated. Story of my horsemanship life.

I was surprised when Brad asked for his halter. You are going to ride him?! Brad said he has a goal, and for the first time in 2 years and 4-ish months, Koda had a passenger!!

I love watching Koda under saddle, he is such a beautiful horse!! I know I frequently make him sound like a naughty unruly boy, but he really isn't when there is understanding. 

They had a nice sunset ride, walking and some trotting. Koda would frame up, and get ready...no lope. Lol. "What, slow down?! Walk, trot, lope, then I get to eat. That is how this arena stuff is suppose to go." Much to Brad's dismay, I coached just that from the side lines. He is used to working Cierra, and Koda hasn't been in training for many years.
 

Brad has become such a good rider, he has the confidence Koda needs to settle his mind. Horses know. I am not only glad he rode Koda first, I am thankful! All is well that ends well.

keeping up with the plan

It has been almost two weeks since we began using our new outdoor arena, and we are loving it!!! Brad & I are spending more time around the barn, and more importantly with our horses. 

On our second arena day, Nemo got worked. Lunging, listening and switching gaits. Similar to Koda, who headed to the arena after Nemo's debut. 

Nemo

 

Tank and our cat Leo (who thinks he is a dog)
at the new hangout

Tank has a habit of curling one paw

Leo is such a sweet guy

Nemo did good, a little lookie with excess energy at times. 

traveling Nemo

circling Koda

Koda is getting worked more often, for several reasons. He needs exercise, and more reminding. So he doesn't behave like this:

Koda can be more challenging. Most of the time he is easy going:

Last week we got another wave of high humid temps, and switched arena work to early mornings. It was a lot cooler with less bugs. Brad is a morning person, worked great for him. Me not so much with my morning fog, good thing I was only assisting.

We had a great weekend getting more things done in the barn, and with the horses. Imagine my surprise when I brought Koda out to the arena, and saw Brad already riding Nemo on his third time out! He was a rock star, and Brad did okay too lol. It won't be long before Koda also gets ridden.

It also makes my heart happy to see Cierra & Brad enjoying peaceful riding time. He has worked sooo hard for all of us to be together, and they are having great rides. It is wonderful having her home!!

We have yet to take Harmony to the arena. Waiting to see if her girl is going to come out and work with her, otherwise we will. Harmony really wants to see where everyone is going, and continues calling out when others disappear. Especially Nemo. 

Harmony and Nemo
(August 25)

first outdoor ride of the year

If you told me we would be riding outside in t-shirts on February 22 in 68F degree weather in Wisconsin, I would have laughed. I did, but in a different way. We have been hitting record high temps most of this week. Yesterday we rode outside, late afternoon in the outdoor arena, in beautiful unseasonably warm weather!!

What a difference being outside makes! Especially for Mr. Nemo. The problems Brad was having with him in the indoor disappeared. They had made progress, but it was back to the beginning the following week.

Koda watching Nemo

I always wonder what the first "spring" ride will bring...I did get some ears. So silly, considering the pasture our horses have been turned out in for years borders the arena. Apparently everything looks different when you are on the other side of the fence! 

I failed to bring my phone on my outdoor ride, so no pics :( instead enjoy a few pasture shots from a few days ago.

celebrate
day 49/365 ~ photo challenge

Cierra

pasture buddies
L-R Charlie (not our horse) Cierra & Koda

portrait 
day 51/365 ~ photo challenge

Our fling with spring is over for now, but it will return soon for all of us. Hope your weather finds you outside riding sooner then later!!

grain of salt

Twelve minutes, twelve minutes...why do I need twelve minutes of inaccurate data to tell me what I already know? Maybe it's seeing the information in a visual graphic, or the competitive side of me wanting to do better now that information is in my face, or just because. 

Earlier this week I tried running the Equitrack app more diligently, twice. Once with my ride on Koda, where I carefully paused and restarted, whenever we paused and restarted, and once with my ride on Nemo, where I decided pausing was a hassle. Running the app the entire time during Nemo's ride would be a good comparison anyways. I got the same inaccurate results using the app both ways. Below is the hybrid map of Nemo's ride. It didn't record any part of our indoor ride. I'm not going to bother sharing the inaccurate tracking graphics, and Koda's ride map looks similar:

It's really not the app's fault, it's the lack of cell reception. I started both boys in the outdoor arena, which is still too wet for faster gaits, and then moved indoors to finish our rides. I spent more time indoors then out. Imagine my disappointment when I checked the app out of curiosity to see where we were with ride time, and noticed it had not changed since I last checked it outside. Clearly the app does not record data without GPS. Time to - step away from the app - and take all the inaccurate data with a grain of salt. 

I had both arena's all to myself this day, and spent the morning riding alone. Well, I was with the horses of course. I rode Koda first, he moved out better then our previous ride. Nemo was good too, except for his lope. I loped him enough to know to stop. I do think we could have put it together better had I kept going, but Nemo's lope has a very different feel then what I am used to. It's kinda like a rocking horse, but this time it felt like it was on the rockers ends, with not enough forward movement. Waaay forward, then waaay back. It didn't help he was preoccupied with looking at the light peeking under the service door. I decided to leave loping alone for now, until I get to know him better under saddle. Nemo has a fantastic jog, so we just enjoyed more of that!

After I got done riding both horses, I turned the wild child Cierra out to burn off some stalled energy. She had been calling us off/on through the morning. The girl had many bucks, crow hops, rears and squeals to get out of her system. As usual she ran faster then the wind! I watched her stunning beauty from afar. Koda & Nemo didn't flinch the entire time. One would think they are a couple of old men, but they are only seven. What a difference three years makes, that and daily turn out to just be a horse...wish I had gotten my camera earlier.

Nemo & Koda enjoying a buffet,
while Cierra goes cray-cray

Before I headed home I had to visit the resident baby horse Cash, who is growing fast. Such a sweet guy! I would take him in a heartbeat, if he was for sale and we had our own place. He is in a bit of a fugly stage, but still so darn cute. I'll share some updated pics of him soon. 

Hope you all take time to get outside and enjoy horse-time this weekend, before the snow flies!

the next best thing

They replaced the indoor arena flooring at our barn last summer, and put new sand in. Unfortunately the service door recently broke, and dragging the arena has been problematic. With all the traffic it gets, it doesn't take long for holes and sand dunes to appear in the deep arena sand. 

Before we rode my hubby rigged a ratchet type pulley on the door, so he could test out a new arena drag they are considering buying. It happens to be the exact same one we look at every year at Horse Fair. We dream of the day we have a reason to buy one of our own! 

I helped briefly hold the chain, and then went to check out Koda & Nemo's new (to them) turnout pasture. It is further away from the barn, but has access to automatic water. I think they'll like spending their days out there?

Why is she not bringing us in?

Between the work, play happens with this little guy running around...

5 months of happiness

I helped our trainer shovel the sand away that builds up on the corner walls. It's much harder then it sounds. Brad got things adjusted on the drag, so it could go round and round with ease. We had to stay on our toes to get out of his way!  She mentioned it looked like he was having fun running the drag, trust me - he was. My hubby was so happy, it's the next best thing to owning your own...

What a huge difference! Nemo & Koda noticed it right away. I set up some poles & cones, and we ended the afternoon with a nice ride on freshly raked sand!!

outdoor arena

Last night while we waited for the farrier to arrive, Brad and the boy who doesn't like horses worked on the outdoor arena. Because we don't own the property, we are putting up a structure that we can take with us and fixing up the little that already exists. Brad and the boy made good progress taking down posts, replacing rotting wood, putting up new board panels and realigning the metal panels from the round pen. I supervised (read as asked a lot of questions) and took photos. Not a bad job.

 




We are almost done. We have to buy a few more panels, and then haul in sand (hopefully a non-issue). The arena won't be as long as I had hoped, but should be a nice area to work the horses.























Koda loves being by the boy who doesn't like horses, and tried to help.The boy wasn't amused. Koda didn't care, as long as he gets to be by him. The boy should be so lucky. I took advantage of the koda(k) moment and got my favorite picture from last night, see below.