Neep your way to success

[dancinghorse]

Holiday Hysteria(tm) is fading fast, and reality doesn't bite too badly, all things considered. I did hate to take the tree down--it was still fresh--but despite the temptation to leave it up until Twelfth Night, I couldn't see adding any more Things To Do to the weekend before the big clinic.

So down it went. It's out in back of the paddock now, being bird habitat.

This week is all about work, horses, and more work. Capria insisted on a turn, and never mind those two interlopers with their big plans, so she's had some attention that she well deserves. I ponied ze keed out--he wanted his share, too--and discovered something quite nice: Capria didn't wobble going downhill. My seat is much straighter. It's almost a full year since TL first appeared; most gratifying to see such visible results.

Pook has had a breakthrough this week, or rather I have. Teacher came Monday and again today for lessons. She had me ride very very up in the torso, which had the effect of lightening my hands as well (they tend to brace), and really think in terms of lifting his forehand. This is classical collection--no cranking or pulling involved--and wow. It's amazingly light and floaty. Mr. Collectamatic loves it. Today we could have had a canter if we'd asked for it, but we were doing walk-trot-walk transitions and we concentrated on those.

We'll be asked for more forward and more gaits next week, but we can handle that. I'm finally feeling as if I've got a dance partner here. He only grabs the remote when I'm doing something stupid. If I'm riding correctly, he's right there. The seat thing and the balance thing and the hand thing are all starting to make sense.

Which is good, because next week he's hauling three hours to Cave Creek to a totally new place in front of a bunch of strangers, and we're going to see just how well we've learned all this.

Much to do before then. The weather gods look like being kind; it should be warm enough on Monday to do a modified horse wash--buckets of hot water, hot towels, and a lot of patience. Pook and Pandora will be at least somewhat clean for their big close-up.

White horses, you know. There's a reason for those hereditary grooms.

Comments

[raithen.livejournal.com]

YAY! weather gods. So which type of wardrobe do I pack in the end?

and thus is why I chose a black horse! (I have a grey and OIG!) Mind, she can sure show the dust, and occasionally masquerades as a grey mud horse in spring. But a bit of soap, a rinse, and she looks like a shining velvet beauty ;). (and no grass or manure stains need scrubbing!)

One time, at a show, a random know it all commented that Joy would be glad to get all the showsheen and wax off when she got home. I just LOOKED at him, agape. Her shine was All Natural. A bath before the show (with Desert Sky tea tree oil soap) and a good brush each morning was all the help she needed ;).

[dancinghorse.livejournal.com]

Tia is like that. She glows. Black bay, slowly turning grey.

The weather is going to be interesting. 70sF the first of the week, but the weekend could turn cold and rainy (40s and 50sF). I am holding out for the storm to slow down and not hit until after the clinic, in which case plan on 60-70F in the daytime and 30-40F at night. Layers are the way to go, and don't leave your winter things at home--you'll want them for Sedona and Bisbee, which are colder than Phoenix and Tucson.

[raithen.livejournal.com]

winter weight gloves and a hat, then?

*sigh*

[raithen.livejournal.com]

a toque, I should say. I'm definitely bringing my felt akubra, and was planning to pack my straw hat, too -- but do you think the straw will get any use?

*hopes answer is yes*

[dancinghorse.livejournal.com]

You never know. We may have Weather at the end of the clinic, but consider that right now it's 40F and drizzling, and by Monday it will be 70F and sunny.

[smoemeth.livejournal.com]

Awww. RIP, Best Tree Ever(tm). I would say "I can't believe it was still fresh", except yeah, I can totally believe that. :)

[raithen.livejournal.com]

I ALWAYS used to lobby for the tree being left to 12th night. I have never EVER won. But so far, it's still up... though I fear it won't be come tonight....

*sad*

[dancinghorse.livejournal.com]

Pretty! Is it still there?

[raithen.livejournal.com]

yup! ;).

[dancinghorse.livejournal.com]

I've put up trees that were drier than that one was when I hauled it out. It barely dropped any needles. Hated to toss it--maybe next year if the clinic is later in the month, I can keep the tree up (supposing we get another great one).

[galeni.livejournal.com]

Wishing you clean horses, great weather (however you define that), and rides where everything goes right during the clinic (the better to move further yet). Looking forward to hearing about it after!

And I know what you mean about the tree still being good. This year I bought a noble fir instead of our usual Douglas Fir, and it kept its needles as long as we kept it watered. Felt somewhat wrong to throw it off our deck onto the lawn below (the annual Tree Hurl) when it wasn't shedding needles all the way.

[dancinghorse.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

A noble fir was what we had--they keep their needles better than anything, and they're so pretty. I hated to haul mine out back, but now the birds get it.

[mizkit.livejournal.com]

Hereditary grooms? Really? That's kinda cool.