Mare Day

We had a nice mare day today. Dakota was being a doll while being saddled up, everything normal... Then I take her out of the pasture, hop on her, and while I am fixing my stirrups she dives for the grass (which she KNOWS is a big no no when we are about to ride)... So, I popped her enough to let her know, and I think that rubbed her the wrong way. For the rest of the ride she was Ms. Spooky, walking with her head a mile high, needing to look at everything. So needless to say she wasn't exactly focused. That in turn gave her a little attitude problem also I think.

Get her to the field by the fire house where I work her occasionally, put her to work a little.. Normally she has a very low headset, but today it was like she was on the defense, keeping her eyes wide open for something to jump out at her (and she is normally not spooky at all).. So we did nice big circles, just trotting. She threw in the occasional drift back towards the woods (the way home), overall just not paying attention. She can and knows how to stop on a dime, but it was like she was blowing me off a little today. She would stop, just not on a dime, it would take her a few steps.

So I decided it was OK to let her have a mare day, I made her work a little longer got her trotting semi-collected circles and called it quits, trail rode home a different way through the neighborhood.

I think I may have hurt her feelings when I got on her about the grass... Oh mares.

Two Days Off

Well, Dakota has had a nice two day break... It was super nice yesterday, a little chilly, but nice... Walk out to the barn, carry my saddle down, had my polos all wrapped back nicely and ready to be wrapped on Dakota...Walk out into the field to catch her, and low and behold her right eye was swollen. Take a closer look, she cut her lower lit ever so slightly, so her eyelids puffed up a little. Decided to give her the day off... We had a nice grooming session.. Shedding season is indeed upon us, I was covered in hair. Dakota got the special mane and feet treatment. I am happy to report that when I got home from work last night her eye was back to normal. Phew.

Really wanted to get home in time before dark to ride today as it was nice again...but darn lab ran late. Wednesdays are my long days at school, and of course they are always the nicest weather days for some reason. It's supposed to be even nicer tomorrow...hopefully all goes well and I can hop on.

Got some pics of the swollen eyeball...Naturally she liked to close her eye just as I was taking the picture...Silly mare

Draw Reins Day 2

Well, managed to ride today even though it was freezing AND windy! The windchill made it feel a lot colder than it actually was I think.. Brought out the draw reins again, although I didnt get as much accomplished as I had hoped. Aside from the fact Dakota all of the sudden thinks wind is something to get worked up over, she did well. She was spooking at every little plastic bag that flew by. When I say spooking, she never really spooks.. It's more of a look at it intensely, and then every now and then flinch. Thats the definition of a Dakota spook, but nevertheless, she becomes distracted. So we pranced around, with our head held high, and worked a little at the trot. She was actually very good considering the conditions, the wind was really whipping. She actually stayed more focused than I thought she would have, she trotted nice straight lines for me and was paying attention for the most part, stopping on a dime, etc. I was proud of her in that respect. But I think it was too chaotic with the wind to really get anything good accomplished, so we worked a little bit because I want to make her work in conditions that shes not necessarily comfortable in, so she becomes more sound-minded.. But I didnt want to push it so after 30 minutes of work, we went to the woods to trail ride a bit.

As of now, I dont care if its cold tomorrow.. I just want this wind to go away!! Hopefully I'll be able to ride tomorrow also..

Draw Reins Day 1

Dakota officially liked the set of draw reins I made much much more than she likes the german martingale... She worked GREAT in them. I couldn't believe how quick she got it. Rode her yesterday (saturday) for the first time in them, and she acted like she knew all about them. I've never felt her so collected or trotting such nice circles. I was so proud of her!! We just worked on straight line trotting for a good portion of the workout, then did some smaller circles (about 50 foot circles). I didnt want to put too much strain on that stifle yet until its worked back up. It made me really happy, I cant wait to work her again!

After the work session, we took a ride around the neighborhood. Dakota didnt like the little boy that was zooming around on a go-cart.. He would crank the engine right as he sped by her..I didnt like him either.

Did not get to ride today as it was really rainy and crappy out.. Hopefully I'll be able to hop on tomorrow.. I am hoping it stays dry enough.

Video Session

Did not get to ride as much as I thought I would this week...it got really cold again! Ended up riding Monday and Tuesday, and thats it. Actually had Kota trotting both days, she felt great. A little stiff necked, but overall it was a good two days. I actually brought my camera with me tuesday to the soccer field to see if I could place it somewhere where I could get some videos.. Ended up getting an OK video of Kota trotting circles. I edited it down so it wasnt 4 minutes of her trotting circles...

She did well that day. It was the second time I had the german martingale on her ever, and for the most part she responded well. Only a few times she acted confused, threw her nose a little..But after she realized what it was all about she seemed to do well with it. I am going to try some draw reins on her this coming week, finally made myself a set. She felt like she forgot how to back up....but she did have 6 months off..and she IS a baby still!



I really wanted to ride today, but it was so darn cold!! Plus the wind made it feel darn near freezing out... My fingers almost fell off while doing stalls. Maybe I'll be able to get on her tomorrow, hopefully it will be a little warmer.

First time trotting

Had Kota trotting again for the first time today in months, she did great and felt great. I warmed her up for a good long time with just walking, as I was talking on the phone with Natalie. Mostly straight line stuff, not much flexing. She really surprised me with how collected she felt trotting. She held herself together great, and felt like she was really using her hind end. She also kept a straight line with ease, none of the drunk trotting (as I like to call it). I could stay one handed on her, and she would still continue straight. I did some large circles, and she felt like she may have been dropping in a little bit..but overall I was very pleased. I did not want to over do it, so we did a few minutes to each side, and I am going to work her up from that.

Bugged my mom to come out of the house after our workout so she could take a few pics!

Windy Day

Did not get to ride yesterday as I had hoped because we had 50 mph winds here... I about blew away just doing barn chores. A little less windy today, so I saddled up and headed out on the trails, was hoping I could do a little trot work today also. Got Kota all warmed up, we walked and walked all over the place, working on bending and flexing. Naturally everything was a little scarier when its windy out.. The kids out on recess at the elementary school, the flying trash bag in the wind.. But she gave all of that nothing but a double look. And then she saw it. The dreaded bleacher that was clearly out to get her, all because it was in a different spot than what she remembered.

Her first walk by it she about gave me a heart attack. Just about jumped out of her skin, and I wasnt prepared for it at all..I was lollygagging along singing to my Ipod. Made me chuckle after the fact, she's seen those bleachers many many times before.. Just not in that spot or position. So ever since the bleacher incident she was on her toes for the rest of the ride. I let her trot a little bit, but felt that it could wait for another day that wasnt so windy. Gives her less to think about, and more brains to focus on me.

We finished up the ride with a walk all over the neighborhood, she was a good girl. She really feels good underneath me, like she's using her body correctly and whatnot. I am hoping good weather is on the way, so we can really get to work soon! I'd love nothing more than to have her atleast loping a decent exhibition come late april when all of the NBHA's start back up...

Getting Back in the Swing

I actually got to ride both today AND yesterday.. The weather has been exceptional. That's 3 days in a row!

Tuesday I got a real ride in... A nice long trail ride again, worked on some straight line/bending stuff at the soccer fields as it wasnt too muddy.. All at a walk still. Kota was a good girl. We ventured all through the woods, then all through the neighborhood on the blacktop. I am just trying to get her back into the swing of things easily. It amazes me at how sensitive she is to leg pressure after all of this time off...she really is paying attention to that. Had the o-ring on her today, and I really think she likes that bit better than the D-ring.

Today(wednesday) I never thought I'd be able to get home in time to get on her, and it killed me because it was a beautiful 60 degrees out today. But alas, my lab got done way early (4 PM), so I booked home in time to grab my bridle and hop on bareback for the remainder of daylight we had. As I was leisurely walking down the path, bareback on my 4 year old mare I realized what a good girl she actually is, and that I should never take that for granted. She has been sitting for the past 4 months atleast, and a ride here and there before that...and I completely trust her to just jump on her bareback after that much time off. Of course she was true to herself, did not bat an eye. Those kind of moments you just feel good on your horse. It's like you have an understanding that no one else can break. We only had time to walk around the neighborhood a bit...but nonetheless I got to get on my horse today. Boy does it feel good!

I'm hoping to make it 4 days in a row tomorrow...maybe add some trotting into the mix?? Although they may be calling for rain.. I hope this weather holds up, atleast until I have to go into work.

Back in the Saddle

I am happy to report I GOT TO RIDE MY HORSE TODAY!! For the first time in months... So I now am proclaiming that Dakota is officially back into work. The sun was shining, it was still a little muddy..but we just took a nice trail ride and worked on some flexing at the soccer fields. I could tell Kota was a little rusty as far as the flexing goes, but overall she did great. I was really suprised at how sensitive to my leg cues she was being, even after all that time off. I had the D-ring on her with split reins. I was so happy to be back on my horse after such a long time off.

I am hoping between school and work I can get on her atleast 3 times per week, hopefully more. The swimming pool that is closeby is heated and has "dry stalls", so I can start swimming her soon also. Cant wait to see how thats going to be with Ms. Mare who likes to step around puddles because she doesnt want her feet wet.

Cant wait until the mud dries up so I can add a little bit of trotting into the mix...

Salon O' Tails Day

Well...it was 50 degrees today!! So, all of that snow is melting which is a good thing...although it leaves our whole property a muddy mess. Had quite the itch to ride today, but I didnt want to risk Kota slipping in the mud.. So we had tail washing day!! Kota's tail likes to develop dread-lock type pieces...so its always a good time getting those out.

Snow and more Snow

As soon as the snow started melting, it decided to go and dump another 5 inches on us!! So needless to say I have yet to swing a leg over my horse.. I will not risk her slipping and re-injuring herself, no thank-you. So Dakota's been lazy, as have I, just sitting out in the paddock munching on hay, getting the occasional groom, etc. Must be the life, huh?? I am really hoping the weather gets better soon.. I want to ride in the worst way! I've been debating finding an indoor somewhere to haul to...its just the finding one part that has been putting a damper on those plans. Hopefully soon! I'd also like it to get warmer out so I can take Dakota swimming...

Alas I am sitting here on a friday night with nothing to do... Thinking about heading to wal-mart to pick up some fabric to try and make a tail wrap for Dakota. I guess we'll have to wait and see how that turns out.

Off Goes the Shoes

Pulled all of Dakota's shoes today. It's just not worth the fight with her to get them nailed on, she absolutely hates the banging to drive the nails in..yet stands there like an angel for everything else. My blacksmith has never even clipped her either, so I dont know where it comes from. I'm thinking maybe the fact that I only started shoeing her when it is cold, and she is getting that "cold shock" when he drives the nails in?

Who knows, but I think I might try and keep her barefoot for a good long time, see how she does with that. Not only is it easier, but its also cheaper. If worse comes to worse I can always re-shoe her in the summer, but she always did well barefoot so I am hoping that she can hold up. She has tough feet, so I've been debating just leaving her barefoot forever, as my blacksmith is big into the natural balance trimming. We'll see, we'll see.

Hopefully I can ride soon! I think it will still be too muddy to ride tomorrow, the pasture is pretty much a river. But maybe thursday.

Kota's Pre-Comeback Photoshoot

It was actually nice out today! Maybe I will get to ride soon after all.. A brisk 45 degrees, but all of the ice that fills my pasture and paddock is now melting. Of course making the pasture a complete swamp, but I'll take that over the ice.

Kota got a good grooming session while switching blankets, and I took the opportunity to take some pics.
Thought it would be good to see some before and after shots down the road after she's back in full work.. What a hairy monster! I think it will be about shedding time soon though. Oh, I also started Dakota on MareMagic this morning, to see if that would make her less of a mare towards other horses. She has great ground manners and respect towards people, however, at shows...she becomes marey with new horses. She never strikes out or anything, but does alot of warning (pinning her ears, etc.) I'm hoping that once she gets out more and settles down at the shows that stops, but I figured trying something like MareMagic couldnt hurt. We'll see.

I am hoping to be able to ride by tuesday. Tomorrows pretty booked, I have class and then Dakota is getting her shoes pulled. If she isnt ouchy from that, then maybe I will actually get to hop on her a little tuesday before work. Hopefully!