Q: Our clinic series keep being postponed or cancelled due to weather, so why not just do my own boot camp?
A: My motivation is lacking, lol
OK, for real though, while boot camp might not be the best descriptor for my...ummm...lackadaisical schedule, "I did a week of pony training in 8 weeks of west coast winter dark and rain" doesn't have much of a ring to it either.
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| The state of things at 4:30pm in an 'atmospheric river'. I promise there are two welsh cobs in this photo ;) |
This winter in general is bookmarked for doing a bit of riding prep with the boys, and pony manners with everyone. Sophie is an absolute menace if left to her own devices. I know I used to be all about mares, but at this point in life I am very much appreciating the geldings who are content to trust me to run the show, even with an inconsistent schedule. Both boys have plenty of thoughts and questions, and are very open to finding trouble where they can, but appear to lack any agendas for world domination. They aren't in any rush to full in for any apparent weakness or potential vacancies in my schedule - unlike pretty much every mare I've owned.
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| Mares testing for weakness also the main reason for the arguably overbuilt new paddock fence with multiple electric wires. I have a hedge planted on the 'house' side of the fence that should get fairly tall, so hopefully in future years we'll have a more definite visual division between backyard, garden, and horse spaces. |
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| It makes the paddock fences look bad and not matchy so now we play the game of how long my brain can handle that ;) I have some longer term barn and footing replacement plans in the works so things might look a little patchwork for a bit while I ponder a new layout. |
Anyway, the boys. They're both absolutely fine with an inconsistent schedule. In fact, I think it suits them at this point in life - those people that leave them alone in the field until two or three might be on to something. At 2.5 years old they're both still a bit mentally immature and so short sessions with minimal plan or agenda keeps everyone happy. They both pick things up quickly and retain everything forever, so from a learning perspective there's not much point in repetition, let alone drilling. Once they know the age appropriate thing I'd like them to know, they know it.
Step 1 is learning the new thing, step 2 is doing the thing reliably, finally step 3 is where it's confirmed - they are reliably offering the thing anywhere, in less than perfect conditions. Little cob sponges don't seem to need much of step 2 or 3 currently. Once they understand they are solid, and they are OK to sit with it for a bit until the next time I get ambitious. Of course, the flip side to them learning everything so easily is that they really do retain everything, good or bad, and I know that's going to catch up with me eventually.
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| Top notch media for you this week. I'm pleased to have paddock lights this winter, would recommend if you would otherwise have to pick poo in the dark. |
Currently, everyone is good for all things grooming, vet, farrier, leading, trailer loading. Both are happy to wear some tack in the form of a surcingle and pad, plus some long reins attached to a cavesson. Reggie is fine to ground drive in my ring space, although I keep it to walk and trot with the odd ground pole. Buck is a little behind, but he's getting there. He's still a little more immature and inconsistent mentally so I pick and choose tasks for him based on energy level. It's not fair to expect much when he's just REALLY REALLY EXCITED to do things. (Honestly, half the time I'm there to grab Reggie but it's not unheard of for Buck to to try to herd his 'brother' out of the way and stick his head in the halter instead lol) I'm still dropping the ball as far as getting them out more (my trailer is currently full of hay I pretend is waiting for a dry day to unload so it's not even like I have a plan) but we'll get there eventually.
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| There's only one yard pony most days. Reggie isn't weather averse but he'd rather stay in front of the hay bag in their paddock no matter what this time of year. Buck IS a baby when it comes to weather, so he only wants to stay in the pony cottage if it's raining. Sophie is very active but has been disappointed no one wants to play so she just does a few laps and if the boys don't seem interested she goes back to her house/paddock. I'd LOVE more/bigger turnout but it's kind of amusing to me the horses don't seem like they actually want it right now - some days judging by the poop and hoofprints they barely leave their houses. I show up and feel like the parent insisting the kids go outside and play. |
On the human front, I've been doing OK. Again, the weather and darkness puts a bit of a limit on some of the things I like to do. A desk job/sitting still is a challenge for me at the best of times but winter is where I really struggle. I'm OK when I can still get out and be active for a few hours, but this time of year limits that. There isn't a lot on offer as far as organized activity and the running track/playing fields don't have lights. So lately I'm just out walking with a headlamp after dinner, or doing at home fitness classes. Not overly exciting but so far I am doing alright. I think I'll feel a little less lost once I can put riding (and an indoor arena membership) back into my schedule.
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| Back to the drama: The face of a mare who touched the newly repowered electric with a stronger charge (bear proof apparently?). "Ha!" I thought, "that will stop her constantly testing the fences." Not pictured is that she went back and tested the same spot again because she couldn't believe the fence would treat her so. Getting zapped again was followed by angry mare squeals and fence post kicking (of course targeting that newly replaced one on the left of the picture). She's easy to have around 99% of the time, but ugh, she has her moments. |