ThighMasters

[dancinghorse]

Ow.

It would just figure that as soon as I discover a new aid, Joni decides to up the ante on the torture.  Yesterday was Torture Day.  We had rain the night before, but not enough to ruin the footing (for a wonder);  it was actually OK for keed to do more lateral work--he's learning travers--and for me to pull out Pook and do some video shooting.  We couldn't turn him loose to run, it was too slippery for that, but Joni was able to longe him and get some decent bits. Then I hopped on for a short lesson.  It was just in walk, working on keeping him honestly in front of the leg, engaged, raising his back, and lifting his forehand.  Rock-bottom basics of balance, engagement, and baby-green collection.

Ow.

He sure does appreciate the support, but I found muscles I didn't know I had.  Then today I  rode Capria, who was in llama mode, and did it all over again--not too well, but adequately, and in all three gaits.  Followed by saddling Camilla and lying over her back--not wise to try to sit on her with no one around,  though the hay guy was delivering a load and had his eye on  me, so I did the lying over back thing.  Camilla was happy.   She wore the  Saddle!  She got  Worked!

Keed was very helpful with her, shooed the others away when I needed to move her here and there, and made sure she didn't stick when I led her into the grooming area.  My able assistant.  Of cuss he got a little too  helpful at the end and she nearly ripped the flap off the saddle, but there was no damage done.  He got impatient when she got sticky.  I can relate.

Working on book--the logjam broke finally on the scene, though it's still very tentative and feeling its way.  Spot is recovering nicely from her surgery, almost all healed up at 10 days, and whupping Kaz's butt to prove it.  He's a third again  her size (Beeg Cardi boy), but she can slug him and roll him.  She's lightning fast and very determined.  Nobody messes with Spot.

I've realized she's strikingly similar to my first dog, a beagle mix who resembled her surprisingly closely, and had a very similar personality.  Freckles was the best dog, and so is  Spot.  She's settled in very nicely, and I hear from her breeder that her tricolor son from the last litter is exceptional--breeder thinks he'll be a Special--and the red girl, whom they've kept, is turning out just like her.  So she's passed herself on.

The rest of the week is supposed to be Wet, but today is very pleasant.  Everybody's been getting in hay--I ordered last week after seeing a weather  report, so I feel virtuous.  I still need to cover it in case we get storms tonight.

Lots of excitement, as you can see.   Boring is good--I need life to settle down to horses and books, at least through June.    Then it can get Hectic again for a bit.

Comments

[dancinghorse.livejournal.com]

Hectic just makes me mad. I like Quiet. Horses, books. Friends at intervals, and daily online.

[raithen.livejournal.com]

and you are probably a much saner person than I. I sometimes think I just take refuge in hectic because I am so extroverted.... And then I go mad and need to hibernate and recharge the batteries and get my life in order.