Saturday 7 February 2015

Fitness Fail, Riding Win?

G`s currently on vacation, and rather than go anywhere this year, we`ve opted to have a staycation and just hang out and enjoy the local area. (That sounds way better than admitting I spent all our 2015 vacation money on Bridget, right?) We`ve been having fun doing hikes and little mini backcountry adventures, but the rain has been a little crazy this week so there`s been a lot of couch time and Netflix. My fitness plan is suffering! Our little kitten came home a couple of days ago too. I would have always said I`m more of a dog person than a cat person, but I`m infatuated with the cuteness of baby kitty and am wasting too way much time attempting to teach him tricks. I haven`t done much riding this week, but we stop in at the barn almost every day and give the girls a treat and say hello.
Hi

Yesterday, I made it out to the barn with G and did get a ride in. No issues catching either mare this time, but the downpour started just about the instant we got to the barn. G was still in for going to the ring with me (so sweet, he tacks up and brings a horse for me so I can ride both without the hassle of grooming/tacking/leading a spare up the road myself) but I wasn't feeling too keen on getting all my tack soaked again and making him wait in the rain ringside with a miserable soaking wet pony. G had wanted to go for a hike after my ride, so I suggested instead just going on a hike from the barn. I could just bring one of the horses and ride along while he walked. I still wasn't keen on getting my 'nice' saddle soaked, so I opted to ride bareback and figured I'd walk half and ride half and get a bit of a workout and a ride all in one outing.
Not joking when I say it was pouring, and my budget doesn't extend to a new phone quite yet. Therefore you get another photo of damp horses taken from the safety of the barn :)

Long story short, we ended up out for about 2.5 hours and I rode Midge the entire way because my bum was warm and dry and I was lazy. G's a pretty fast walker, so we did quite a bit of slow trotting, and even some short canters when we fell a bit behind. Bridget was a star! While this was definitely a failure for my fitness, it was a total win riding wise. Also, no tack was harmed. I would have never believed it if I was told a year ago I'd be confident riding a green baby horse bareback all over the roads and trails W/T/C. The only moment of worry I felt is when she was in a giant knee deep puddle and tried to trot out and generally flailed. I had visions of going for a mid winter swim but we made it out unscathed :) I'm definitely investing in a proper bareback pad and making bareback trail rides a thing. Right now, I can post her trot most of the time, but my legs got tired and I had to sit the majority by the end. Still, she was feeling really good and had a ton of gas left in the tank, so I'll venture to say she's strong and fit enough to handle that.

Tomorrow, it`s back to lessons. I`m looking forward to it!

No name puffy  kitty. Hate to admit it, but we're not sure if 'he' is actually a 'she', so naming will wait until the vet makes the call.

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11 comments

  1. Oh man, that would be hilarious! Sadly, his/her bum is very fluffy, and is a bit matted and yucky in the area we want to check. (not such a cute kitty anymore, right?lol) I'm saying he's a boy since a girl would probably be cleaner ha ha. I'm grooming it out bit by bit, so maybe we'll be able to see what's there before his vet appt!

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  2. that kitten is soooo cute!!!!! sounds like a great ride too. and bareback riding totally counts toward fitness goals - it's a good core workout, right ;)

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  3. what a cute little kitten!!! And you are so brave to do all that bareback! Glad you stayed on and didn't slide off into the puddle..I know I would have!

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    1. It's funny, the first couple of minutes I'm always like "OMG I'm going to fall, this is stupid, what am I doing, I'm just going to walk" but then by the end of a ride I feel pretty solid and up for almost anything. I think it's really a mind over matter thing!

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  4. G sounds like an awesome groom! :) Your kitten is ADORABLE! Please post a million kitten pics and videos immediately :)

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    1. G actually stands for Groom. Lol, just kidding. I've been trying to get pics of the kitty, but either he's a crazy blur or he's fast asleep watching the sports channel with G. You can bet I'm planning to spam the blog with itty bitty kitty pics though!

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  5. Awesome way to spend a wet day & your kitty is too cute!! Girl it boy it is adorable!!!!
    When I move into my flat properly and settle in paying bills etc i really want to get a dog and maybe a cat so that neither gets lonely for the morning/afternoons when I'm at work. I'll go home at lunchtime and take the pooch with me to turn the ponies out at lunchtime. Shall be following your kitty adventures closely ☺

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  6. I hate the rain! Ruins all kinds of riding plans!

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  7. i love kittens!! and totally get you when you want to teach him tricks. mine do quite a few :D

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  8. OMG that is the cutest kitten I've ever seen!!

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