No Mani Monday today...

That was short lived huh? I have a good excuse though! I got to ride MY PONIES this weekend! I also did a lot of running, but I'm thinking I'll split ponies and running into separate posts today.
Saturday was a relatively gorgeous day. It started out a bit cloudy, but eventually the sun came out and it warmed all the way up to 60! SPRING! I had an eye doctor appointment in the morning at which they dilated my pupils, so I had to hide in the house until about 1 when I could see again. But even then I was bit blinded by the sun (isn't that a lyric?). I really dislike the whole riding in sunnies look, but I had to do it.

Seriously, look at that sky! What a day!

Ok, enough about the sun. Let's talk horses. I know most of you readers probably aren't horse people. So let me fill you in a little on what my equine have been doing all winter. A whole lot of NOTHING. They go out, but with the ice and snow, they can't really run around or anything. As a result, they are WILD. Seriously, WILD. Caps lock wild. The older boys will go out on a lunge line and get their crazies out there before I get on. A lunge line is a long leash like rope. The horse (ideally) works around you on a circle, allowing you to control their antics somewhat. Here are some pics to explain (and show off my handsome steeds):

Ducky is a bit more of a challenge. He prefers not to lunge. I'm pretty convinced he knows how, as I have had a few moments of success with him, but he's really not good about it. He tries to come stand with me or will refuse to do anything other than walk on the circle. Very frustrating. Especially since he's definitely cuckoo in the brain from all the time off.

There are a few things that do not help when dealing with fresh ponies. Mostly noises, wild animals, and wind. So of course we were having gusts up to 30 mph. Why wouldn't we? But I put on my big girl pants and got to work. I decided for my own safety to give Ducky a little bit of a sedative so I could ride him without getting either of us injured. It takes about a half hour to forty minutes to take effect, so I started with Rio. He was a little frisky on the lunge line, but not at all out of control. I think he was excited to start working again too. Once I climbed on, he was pretty great! Just a few moments of excitement the first time we picked up the canter. Who can blame him with the wind?

My favorite view!

Ducky was ready for me by the time I was done with Rio. I decided not to push my luck with him. We worked on a small circle so I could keep his attention better. The wind had really picked up, and I didn't trust that he would keep his mind on me. Plus my neighbor was outside making all sorts of weird noises. We just did walk and trot for about 20 minutes, and he was really a good boy!

I saved the Jamposaur for last. I was a little apprehensive about lunging him at the end of the ring because he's quite certain that's where monsters breed. Also with the gale force winds, I was a little worried I was going to wind up with a horse in my lap. Thankfully he kept himself in check and lunged very nicely. I wasn't at all worried when I climbed aboard. He was actually a bit tired by the time I rode which was nice, but my poor legs had to work to keep him going! Quite a feat after not riding for 3 months. Ouch. I didn't get a photo from aboard Jampy but here's another of him looking handsome on the lunge line:

Alas, all good things must come to an end. So with sundown Saturday night came the return of winter. High on Sunday was about 39 degrees. Waaaaaahhhhhhhh. I couldn't ride early due to running obligations (more on that to follow!). By the time I was ready to ride it was getting really cold out. I told myself to stop whining and go work horses. I started with Rio and then did Ducky, similar routine as Saturday. While on Ducky though, the wind really picked up and it was getting colder by the minute. I thought I was being a baby, but checked the weather anyway. Low and behold:

Yeah. Feels like 30. No wonder I was freezing. I decided to let Jamp off easy with just a good grooming session in the barn. I think he was grateful. He had fun taking selfies too:

This week is looking very cold with the chance of a snowstorm on Tuesday, so the horses get to go back on vacation until things thaw out again. I'm hoping it's only a few days. I can't wait to get back in shape and get to some horse shows!

Weekend Recap and some news!

Ok, ok we can start with the news. It's nothing all that exciting, but I decided my little corner of the web needed it's own Facebook page. Click here and like Amateur at Large!

Now on to more important things... My weekend!
Saturday was actually a gorgeous spring day. Temps near 60 and the sun even came out! Amazing. Similarly amazing is how much more I can get done when it's nice out.
P had a vet appointment at 8:40 which fortunately was quick and painless. It was also a good little kick in the pants to get me moving early!

Once P was settled inside, I went out to see about working some ponies. My ring is still half covered in snow, but there was enough defrosted land to work them on the lunge line! WOOHOO!

Rio and Jamp were very well behaved. I think they're happy to get back to work! Ducky was a little naughty pants, but that's to be expected from him. Here are some photos!

Rio

Jampy

The Duck

I cannot wait to get back on!!!! Soon I hope.

After pony time, I took the shorter four leggeds out for a stroll. They were probably 85 times more excited that the horses were to be out in the sunshine! I didn't take a photo while we walked but this was the aftermath:

Those are some sleepy pugs! 

Once all the four leggeds were exhausted relaxing from all the fresh air, I headed out for a run. As it turns out, I missed the deadline for the lower price on the half marathon I was planning to run in April. I don't have an extra $70 right now, so I'm going to have to skip it. The good news though, is that I don't have to run long! Woohoo! Instead, I've decided to work on my strength and speed a little. I headed out planning to run some hills over 5 miles. However, after a few miles of hills, I wasn't feeling that distance. Instead I ran 3 miles of hills and then did some sprints. It was actually super fun, and I'm really sore today so that means it must have also been productive.

I took a ridiculously long shower after my run. It was glorious. And then went out to get dog food and something to cook for dinner. It's been awhile since a run has left me with the runger (def: extreme hunger induced by running) but this one REALLY did. I was starving! While I was preparing dinner I let myself have a little treat of low sodium chips and dip. Check out the dip I discovered:

It's actually relatively good for you, and it is DELICIOUS! I love anything dill so this was a major discovery for me. I was even semi behaved and only had a little bit before dinner. I made salmon marinated in lemon and dill, and half sweet/half idaho mashed potatoes. I was too lazy to make a veggie.

Yummy in my tummy. MMmmmmm

That was about it for the evening. TV watching and bed early! (I'm old!)

Sunday was winter again. High of 32 but felt like 22 with the windchill. Ugh. Which means I hid in my house all day and didn't do anything worth writing about really. I shall leave you with my favorite view.