Myself (and the local bears) seem to be emerging from hibernation at the same time. We've had a very mild winter, which means no snow or ice, but also means lots of dark, dreary rain soaked days. No matter how many winters I spend here, I don't ever seem to adapt fully. I might be intended for sunnier climates.
Lucky for all of us, sunshine and warmer weather has started appearing. I'm still working far too many hours, but it's starting to feel more established and the plan more secure. I've found a zone where I'm not feeling worried about finding time again for fun and self improvement. The horses have been getting more and more grazing time and are almost ready for full days out in their big borrowed field. With the climate here meaning sacrifice paddocks in winter, most of us have to monitor grass intake in the spring. They get grazing for at least an hour or two all year no matter what, but there's a difference between that and a big lush field that's rested all winter.
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| This about sums it up: Sophie just wants to visit, Reggie is happy to eat grass, and Buck needs zoom time |
I took some time and audited a few hours of a clinic last weekend. It was exactly what I needed to get some motivation back. That, and the fact the boys are going to be three in about a week! Three feels like I better get my butt in gear, the boys won't train themselves. (Although they are incredibly smart and observant so sometimes it very much feels like they do!) A couple of the clinic lessons I watched had baby horses much younger than my two who were exceptionally well behaved and started. I know there are many roads to Rome and all that, but it did serve as a bit of a wake up call!
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| OK, we need a plan for both of you |
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| Is itchy but feels the need to pretend grooming is highly inconvenient for him and has to sulk |
I've been back to playing with tack and gear, and the basics of ground driving. G's been walking with me this week as an emergency brake because Buck is feeling pretty wild and worried about his friends and Reggie forgot how to turn right. They've both been excellent considering how little I've done this winter and how naturally sensitive and overachieving they want to be - not a foot out of place despite a lot of prancing and snorting. It's a long weekend coming up, so I'll have some time and we'll aim to get back to ground driving without our helper. It's all very boring and slow. I love this part of babies - they're so keen to learn and the progress occurs so quickly.
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| Happier ears when we're going to go do things |
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| All dressed up |
As an example of very boring but exciting baby horse news, Buck was absolutely terrified of blanket and blanket like things as a weanling. So, I wore my raincoat often and it happened to brush along him now and then, then my arm ended up over his back. Then the rainsheet kept ending up in the strangest places - like on the fence or under his hay pile. Everyone else started wearing them too now and then this past winter. Then a saddle pad touched him one time. Then finally it went on his back. Then a surcingle. Then a saddle, And, just when I was secretly thinking blanketing this horse was never going to be comfortable thing for him, he almost suddenly decided it was completely fine last week.
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| Look! (That's G hiding ;) |
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| The back is very short, the pony is an actual potato :) |
