This is the current view from my kitchen window. Only 4 inches or so of snow but it is COLD, like highs in the teens cold, and expected to be awful for the foreseeable future. So, lots of groundwork in my plans and a couple of quick rides a week in my teeny tiny indoor. I just finished one of my “quick” rides on Cruise after a bit of groundwork. We are focusing on forward to a light contact and having the circle of energy. I got some great stretched over his back walk and trot, nice leg yields, and some quality turns on the forehand and turns on the haunches. Best of all he was very willing.
Christmas was lovely with just the two(three?) of us as the kids were off having their own awesome adventures. Full of good food, projects, planning for our next big trip(hint it involves The Cadre Noir), and a couple of fun day trips. I missed my kids but I am blessed with Mr. EDB even if he does beat me at Scrabble sometimes.
Jet Set is 22 this year. During the end of 2024, he had in quick succession an all clear from the chiropractor on his TMJ, Potomac Horse Fever when my vet was unavailable, and a massive accident involving getting his foot trapped in my ring roller. He is, amazingly, sound, though his legs are still a bit banged up. I tell you after finding him with his foot through the tongue of that thing(still can’t figure out how he got his foot through a 1.5” diamond hole) I thought he was done for. It was about 5 degrees, I had to spend 20 minutes underneath him with a wrench and needle nose players taking the whole thing apart, with him covered in blood, hoping he wouldn’t panic again. He was such a good boy. He was three legged and I thought for sure something was broken but after extensive X-rays and ultrasound nothing major showed up. With anti inflammatories, some wrapping with Furazone/DMSO, and time he is 100% sound with some scarring and hair loss on his legs. I’m still amazed and very grateful. He is my best boy.
So, new year, new me. After a little introspection and looking over my riding diary for 2024 I came to the inescapable conclusion that I am a rainbow chaser. In my quest to become better as a rider I’m flitting from one thing to the next trying to figure Cruise out and it’s not really working for us. I think I need to stick with one program and problem solve within that program for an extended period of time. I’ve been having great rides after returning to RS Riding and its emphasis on looseness, forward, and a light connection. Cruise loves it and settles immediately when I am insistent that he go forward in a rhythm ALL THE TIME as our baseline. I’m making a commitment to myself to use the RS Riding program as my home-base for 2025. We shall see how it all works out.
What are your winter plans?
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