What's Up Wednesday

 

Phew, it's been a week! Lots of little inconveniences this week. I had the Gator picked up last Tuesday because it hasn't been starting reliably when it's below freezing. I figured it probably needed a battery, mechanic though maybe glow plugs. Turns out we were both right. But the reason this was inconvenient was that they picked it up Tuesday and then didn't even have time to look at it. We are pretty dependent on the Gator here to bring the manure buckets to the dumpster and also for dragging the ring. With the cold, days we can actually successfully drag the ring are rare so for it to not be here was a little annoying. Especially since it wasn't being worked on. I can use my truck to get the manure buckets to the bin, but my drag doesn't hook up to my truck. So yeah, that was inconvenient. Thankfully, the Gator came back on Monday evening though, so we're back in business there!

Cute photo of Rita to balance out the whining

My next annoyance came on Sunday evening. I was wrapping up a 12 hour day in the barn, blowing the aisle as one does. I got about half way done and the blower started squealing and then smelled a bit like it wanted to catch on fire. Now obviously, yes I can sweep the aisle. But with the rubber pavers, you really need the blower to get the shavings and what not out of the cracks. I ordered a new blower (I use a corded one, so no fumes) and chose to get it from Lowe's because they said they could get it here for Tuesday the 9th. But alas, when shipping info came, it won't be here until this coming Monday. I've been doing a LOT of sweeping. My helper doesn't have the psychosis that I do, so I also have to sweep up after him, not just my own mess. Hopefully I'm going to have super toned arms for vacation! Sweeping the rubber floor is actually a solid workout. My apple watch always asks me if I'm running when I do it. 

Sunday stats

Oh and the biggest annoyance of the week? We had a really cold day last week, I think it was Friday? I wound up giving the horses the day off because the ground never really thawed and I had a very long to do list that was stressing me out. So I did my PT exercises in the morning, and then a little house cleaning before I took my shower. And it was cold. I had no hot water. I was not going down to my basement all damp and unclean, so turned the faucet as far as it would go on the hot side and managed a tepid shower. Then headed down to my creepy basement to see what the issue was. Fortunately it fired right up when I hit the restart button. But sheesh. Of all days to get a cold shower! It was in the teens outside! Brrr. 

Magic keep the ground unfrozen pellets

Inconveniences aside though, it really was a pretty nice week. The horses have been well behaved, and we're still riding regularly. I had put some mag down in the ring earlier last week, and it really does work to keep the ground unfrozen. Usually. It would work better if I could put it down and then drag the ring. But when I was able to get it down last week, I couldn't drag without the Gator. I should have put more down and dragged today, but I didn't have enough time. I had to be at a concert for one of my nieces this evening. And now it's raining and will hard freeze by the morning. Seriously, Mother Nature is being mad difficult this season! I'm happy to get rain rather than snow, but if it could just stay warm long enough after the rain for it to drain a little that would be really appreciated. 

I have to give Al some props as he's really been pretty consistent lately. We did have a couple days where he struggled a little last week, but I was always able to redirect him which a few months ago I couldn't. So I'm really happy with this new ability. And today he earned some big props. I wasn't able to do what I had HOPED to do today, but that's just how life goes sometimes. We had a warm day today in the 40's, so I was hoping to canter some of our little jumps with him. But alas. The wind was WHIPPING when I got on him, and The Red Hood next door was all banging and clanging and wandering around the entire ride. But you know what? Al was still really good today! We are starting to have more regular type rides versus having to do seventy five million transitions constantly. I didn't feel confident enough to try and canter the little jumps when we had two negative stimuli to deal with. But we did trot a bunch of them, and we got some quality work done at all three gaits on the flat. And he never once lost his shit. Did I lose his attention a few times? Yes. Did he need a few walk breaks to adjust his two brain cells? Sure did! But he also put in decent work, and was able to come back to me when he would get distracted. I really am seeing a change in him. And I hope I can do my part to keep this trajectory for us. 

Eros has decided he no longer appreciates rides under the lights. I mean, he'll do them, because he's Eros and he's a people pleaser. But he has feelings about it. The nice thing is, he goes very forward while he's having these feelings. The down side is that he wants to be hollow and wiggly... but still. It's FORWARD at least! One thing I've noticed while trying to figure out how to ride Al is that I'm much more cognizant of what my body is doing and which aids I'm applying when. And that's carrying over to my rides on Eros. Eros can be a heavy horse, and he wants you to do a lot of the work generally. I've been working on trying to get him softer and using my legs more than my hands to get his body doing what it should be. Some days go better than others since he's been a bit of a hand ride for a very long time... But today he really started to soften and bend his body both directions from my leg and seat while staying soft in my hand. I'm not sure if I'll be able to replicate that all the time, but it really felt like a breakthrough moment. Time will tell! 

Shiny is the same as always, which what more could you want? (I mean it would be nice if she would come out like a normal horse, but she is who she is.) I've been having to keep the rides a little short this week due to family obligations in the evenings, so by the time she's finally warmed up and willing to work, our ride is over. All good though. Today I let her pop around the little course and that seemed to make her happy. Made me happy too. Jumping is a little few and far between with cold weather and darkness. So it's nice when we can make it happen these days. 

That's about it from here. We're plugging away, doing our thing, and trying to stay warm! I really hope we keep our motivation through the winter. But if not, my house could really use some attention so it will be time well spent if I have to redirect.