happy to be back

I think Koda is happy to be back to riding this year. He has behaved and responded perfectly, not once, not twice, but three times. A girl can't ask for more than that. I know his silly antics will show back up, but I am thoroughly enjoying my time with him. I for sure, am happy to be riding again!

Our first ride was short, sweet and rewarding. Good training gets you a horse that remembers cues and manners, even after 8 months off.

Two days later we attempted a second ride, as planned. We got some decent rain the day before, and it brought out the bugs that need moisture. It was hot and humid, flies were relentless. The friggin' little biters were all over Koda's legs and under his belly, even tho I sprayed him right before we rode. He is a hot box sweaty kinda boy that attracts insects.

Koda tried for me, but the flies were so distracting. They were making me mad. After a short 12 minutes, I got off. I just don't enjoy riding under those circumstances. More importantly, I don't think it is fair to ask Koda to pay attention and do XYZ, when he is getting bit over and over. Not to mention, the flies were biting me too. So much for the riding plans I was striving for that day. Sigh.

I turned my boy back out, while Brad and Cierra continued riding. The flies must not bother her as much as Koda, or she is just used to working through it. Heat, humidity and biting flies. No thank you. I realize flies are biting the horses out in the pasture too, but they have the option to get away.

We agreed to try riding again the next day, earlier. I am not a morning person. I get up early (around 6am) but early mornings don't work well for me to do challenging things. It takes me a while to really be awake. It is just how I am wired. Besides, everything is wet with copious amounts of dew. 

For our third ride last week, we tacked up late morning. It was already hot, but not as humid. I decided to skip lunging. I was glad I did. Koda doesn't need lunging. I do a little just to find out where his mind is, and he can get some blood flowing before he has to carry me around.

We had another great ride in the outdoor arena! Walking, stretching, trotting, forehand turns, side passing over L shaped poles, and even a short amount of loping. He framed up and got the correct lead right away, both directions. Good boy Koda!! I didn't ask him to lope far, because I am not a light load and prefer easing into riding. I had already added a lot to this ride. He did everything I asked the first time, but I wanted to ride longer...so, we headed out for a nice field ride :))

We rode across one field, over the concrete driveway, past the farm equipment, towards the big hay field. A section of it borders the neighbors backyard, as well as the road. Um, I wasn't so sure about riding over by the road. Brad mows a path around all our fields. We were a good safe distance from the road. A big ol' horse trailer drove past us. We wondered who they were, as we waved and continued along our path and onto other fields.

When we passed our pines, Koda wanted to head into the woods. Or maybe that was me. We have to do some serious tree branch trimming before that can happen. Soon, I hope. Really looking forward to riding among the pines again!!

Koda & Cierra
7.17.21

sunday stills ~ in your bag

see other sunday stills ~ in your bag

a summer project

If you've been reading my blog for a while, then you know I am a lover of water. Oceans, lakes, ponds, streams, rain, puddles, pools, showers ~ all of them. Every single drop. I love how water feels, sounds, ripples and reflects. Inside and out ('er on). Let's just say water brings me great joy. I am not partial to any one type of water, welllll except for maybe showers. Ha, ha!  I love my showers, they might be my number one. 

We have zero water to enjoy on our homestead, unless it rains. Our original plans included possibly building ourselves another ornamental pond. We tossed around the idea of another pool. There was talk about the possibility of a wildlife pond instead. Brad thought maybe even a walk in type pond, that we could ride the horses into. Doesn't that sounds cool?!! The indoor arena won over all of these ideas. We both agreed, an indoor is much more useful than any outdoor water feature would ever be. Zero regrets.

All the water possibilities got pushed back down the wish list. I still miss water tho. Specifically our koi pond. Falling asleep to the sound of water gently falling is soooo heavenly!! The waterfall stream was right outside our bedroom window. Our pond was my happy place, now it's our woods. I absolutely adore our woods!! However, I still miss the soothing qualities only water offers. I spent many hours contemplating life, listening to the waterfall, while gazing across our pond and reflecting towards the eastern sky. 

my fav pink water lillies

I also miss the free feeling of moving in water, in our above ground pool. After 13 years of pool fun & relaxation, Mother Nature brewed up a wicked windstorm and destroyed our pool. That sad day happened a few years before we moved here. So many pool memories were made throughout the years.

I thoroughly enjoy vast bodies of water, they are larger than life. To be respected and enjoyed with great care. I probably wouldn't feel so water-deprived, if I ventured out and enjoyed WI many beautiful rivers & lakes. However, for me that requires someone to enjoy them with. Brad isn't a water or boat guy. He grew up on a dairy farm, there wasn't time to leisurely appreciate water like I did. What is a poor water lovin' girl to do?

I would be happy with the sound of a bubbling ornamental zen type fountain thingee at home. Any water feature works for me. Instead, we took on a small Summer project ~ a Cowgirl Pool! I am sure you've heard of them. They were all the rage a few years back. I rationalized future potential use of a stock tank purchase, should an adult sized kiddie pool turn out to be a bust. 

We could always use the tank for what it was intended, a livestock watering tank. Or it could be used for a garden bed or even sunk in the ground for a pond. 

I just want to cool off, float and watch the sunset. Without having to drive somewhere or worry about what I look like in a swimsuit. An oval tank would work just fine for me. I even figured out a place where we didn't have to tear anything up and landscape. Brad was onboard but asked, what if I want to get in the pool? I replied: An oval stock tank seats two. Brad came back with: I would be facing the wrong way. Ohhh, gee. Yah. I guess Brad would be facing the house wall. That doesn't sound like fun. He asked if I would be okay with an 8' round stock tank, and the rest is history!

me and my floating shadow

Our Cowgirl Pool sits under the deck. Nothing fancy, like these. I decided to keep things simple (I can do that, once in a while!) and not paint our stock tank. It is partially shaded, except later in the day. I don't want to bake in the sun, that defeats the purpose.

We added noodles around the edge, to soften them. Then hung Edison lights for ambiance. I still want to add a bit of fun-ctional decor, but can't find anything that fits the vision in my head. I was thinking an old coat rack, or sturdy wooden divider to hang a hat & towel etc. I dunno. I will get it when I see it, or not. For now, our Cowgirl Pool is as done as it is going to get ~ and I LOVE it!!

can't swim laps, but flutter kicks and floaty fun work for me

Wanna know the best part?? The pump Brad installed circulates enough water, that it turns our Cowgirl Pool into a lazy river ~ wheeeeee!! 

The water was a little too cool earlier this Summer (our solar cover ordered online, never arrived...) but it is perfect now. I've been leaving the hose out in the sun, and adding heated water that way. It works!! Brad still hasn't enjoyed the pool, but you can bet I have! Our son said I have to stop calling it a Cowgirl Pool if I want him to get in it. He can call it whatever he wants. I call it my water fix.

my water fix

   

making new habits

We thought about it, talked about it, wanted to do it, and just didn't make it happen. Until today. It was hot and dusty, but we planned on it - so we rode anyway. It felt good, to just do it. We are going to **try** to make it a habit to ride at least two days a week at home. 

What a difference from last years restart!! I did everything with Koda myself, and way more than I planned on. Even tho I had my doubts. When Koda is good, he is golden. I was amazed with my boy tonight!! After eight-ish months of not being asked to do much of anything but lead to/from the barn, he did every single thing I asked. Without testing or complaining.

I fumbled around tacking Koda up, and he just waited. We were the first one out to the arena, and walked up one side and down the shaded half of the outdoor in hand first. Then moved onto a super short lunge session. We did a little over two circles each direction. Walked one circle, trot a little, lope a little, back to a trot, walk and whoa for the second-ish circle. Switch sides and repeat.

Koda did all the transitions the second I asked. It has been eight months, who is this horse? and where did sassy pants go? I was pleasantly surprised.

Somewhere along the way, Brad & Cierra had joined us in the outdoor. I watched them long enough to snap one pic and think to myself, it was really nice to see them riding together again. Cierra looked good.

Of course I decided to ride Koda. We kept that part short too. I didn't even go around the whole arena. We worked smaller circles around the mounting block at a walk (both ways) backed once, and tried circling at a trot. That felt all kinds of odd. Koda's trot is choppy to begin with, but I stopped trotting shortly after we started. He did nothing wrong, I just didn't like how stiff he felt. We bent side-to-side loosening up a little, and decided to head out of the arena. 

My plan was to ride around the exterior of the arena, and then dismount. He was being so good I could have easily taken him for a trail ride, but wanted to keep today's interaction short and sweet. Koda side passed over to the gate latch like he did it every day. We rode outside the arena, ducked under a tree branch that need trimming, and dismounted. I love my horse!!
 

 

good boy Koda