Who flipped my switch? - and "he doesn't have eyes in his hind end!"

JP and I have been using our time off to focus on our riding, and taking lessons as often as Judy's busy schedule allowed. The regular work sure made a big difference in Saumur, he is soft and supple again. Both Chambord and Remy are also doing really well, and yes, of course, JP, too! It's fun to see JP and Chambord cantering like they'll never stop. And then there is my "ray of sunshine": Remy. Just looking at him makes me smile. Today he started right away on the bit, nice and round. Exactly where we left off yesterday. Now, all I have to do is fix my position and keep my b..tt in the saddle and we'll be all set.

Yesterday a 'long lost friend' visited us at the barn. I've met Stephanie a long time ago when we were both showing at what was then called Willow Ridge, and then we lost touch over the years. Thanks to Facebook we recently connected again, which is great. Long story short, Steph came to watch my lesson on Saumur. In addition to her there were a few more people huddled on Judy's heated (!) bench. Instead of getting rattled like I used to about being watched - and being paranoid about not riding well enough (in my mind) - I enjoyed showing off Saumur. And, old couple that we are, he tuned into it and we had a great ride, including clean changes!

Today I had another two good lessons. While cantering with Remy down the longside at a quite 'lively' speed I called out: "This is so much fun!". It made me wonder afterwards: Who flipped my switch?? All of a sudden  the confidence that got buried along the way this year is resurfacing. Yeah, let's keep that switch on the "ON" position!

Good advise, wrapped up in a funny way: While I cooled out Remy today the next lesson was taking place and the horse spooked a bit at the snow under the door (must have had a talk with Saumur). So here comes: "Move his hind end towards the spooky object, his hind end doesn't have eyes". So true... I'll remember that one!

Time off does not always work that well - and keep the legs on

The time off during the arena work at Judy's did not do any favors to Saumur. He felt stiff as a board the first time I got on after his mini-vacation playing in our pastures. It's the old adage: "Motion is Lotion!". Even though Saumur had enough motion, it wasn't exactly the kind of gymnastics that his body needed. Running, kicking, and playing hard is good for his mind, but while his mind certainly was refreshed, his aging body thought otherwise. Judy and JP told me not to worry, but I (of course!) was (almost) jokingly saying maybe Saumur needs to retire with JP... Not a good idea! Judy had me work him through the stiffness, and by the end of the lesson he was much improved. And the following day Saumur felt like his old self again. We also started him on Adequan, which my "needle phobic" is tolerating well... so far. Judy was wondering how he would be by shot number 7? She's the one poking him, while I am feeding him treats. As soon as he feels the sting Saumur bites into his Granola bar with a vengeance. Something has to pay!

Mr. Charming (Remy) has no such qualms. He spent his time off playing very hard with Chambord, and came back to work unscathed. With him the challenge is keeping his focus and not let him get bored. In that case he seeks entertainment on his own. Remy's canter is getting so much better, it is a ton of fun. My problem is that I still have the tendency to get into a two point, without Judy's constant reminders of "let yourself sit in the saddle" I think we'd gallop off into the sunset... Another 'aha-moment' was when Remy started to hump up in the trot and I backed off, wondering if he would buck. Not the right thing to do: "KEEP YOUR LEG ON!" came from the bench. Remy wasn't forward enough, and therefore he threw his "up-movement" in. As soon as I had him from the inside leg to the outside rein all was well again.

So, even if time off didn't work that well for Saumur - I can honestly say it's the opposite for me. I could get used to this!

Pure Luxury - and smiling through my lesson

This morning I woke up at 7 am with the wonderful feeling that I did spend two hours more than usual slumbering, and that JP already had fed the boys. Ah, in my mind, pure luxury: 11 days without having to get up not just at the crack of dawn, no - I get up way before dawn during the week. Our offices are closed until January 2,  so for the first time this year I have this much time off. (Yes, to you Europeans reading this: It's nuts!).

I am so looking forward to riding every day, going to yoga classes, catching up with old friends, eating great food... it sure will be tough to get back into the swing of things in January. Or, perhaps I will be happy to get back on the 'treadmill' - who knows?? (I do have some doubts...)

The boys had some time off this week as Judy's arena got new footing. We took them home for playtime, and they sure made good use of it. I tried not to cringe and think "don't break your legs!!" looking out the window and seeing the running, kicking, bucking going on in full swing. Luckily, they are all very solid and not prone to injuries (knocking on my head, uh, wood).

We took Remy and Chambord to Judy's today. JP was riding Chambord while I had my lesson on Remy. It was one of those times where you can't help yourself but smile because everything feels so good. Even when Remy pitched a little fit when Chambord left the arena I didn't get rattled. Judy has a great way of keeping us going. Remy is getting more and more consistant, and ...here speaks the proud 'mother'... he does look stunning. I'm feeling a bit guilty, because it's almost like I'm unfaithful to Saumur. But really, I am now getting the feeling that we are working as one. I told Judy that he felt like he was completely even underneath me. She agreed: "Well, yes, you have him on the outside rein". OK, having him "balanced between my legs" sounds less sophisticated than "he's on the outside rein". And no double entendre on this one!

The glow and smile from the great lesson vanished a bit earlier this evening when I was trying to write the blog on my new IPad. The IPad came with my new car -  Yes, they give you an IPad so you can program your car... That part definitely went better than the typing.  Drove myself out of Detroit safely last night, which to me felt like a big accomplishment. BTW, the Faberge exhibit at the Detroit Institute of Arts and dinner with my friend Brenda made the nail biting experience of driving through "the zone" worth it - although I had my finger pointed steadily on the emergency call button in my car.

Tomorrow we have lessons with all three. Aiming for more smiles, or even a grin!

Finally - riding again - and bootcamp paid off

Two weeks without riding seems like an eternity. Yesterday I finally made it to the barn, and rode Saumur. I kept it easy, so we both could get back into the swing of things. Initially he felt rather tight, but then worked out of it. I guess it was the same for me.

Today I had lessons on both boys. Well, Remy's 'bootcamp with Judy' sure paid off! I got the "Yes, ma'am's" right away. Overall, he was much more consistent, balanced, and even. He felt like a trained horse (as opposed to the fussy youngster I left) - and as Judy frequently had to remind me: "Ride him like a trained horse!". It all felt so much easier. Judy suggested we might just skip Training Level.

My ride on Saumur was a bit tougher, I definitely felt the stiffness like yesterday. As canter work usually helps to loosen him up we did a lot of that. It is a fine line between 'diving down' and 'head up', in order to get him into self-carriage. Counter bend helped getting him off his favored right rein. Luckily we were able to finish well with much improved trot work. I did order Adequan, so hopefully it will help him (once we get through seven times of "ouch, a needle!").

Speaking of stiffness, though: I couldn't wait to get home and hop into my bathtub! The bath salts are aptly named "rider's reward". No hot baths for the boys, though, (would be hard to find an adequate bath tub) - their "horse's rewards" come in the form of extensive rolls in the mud. Each to his/her own!

Europe and back - missing the boys

Finally, home again! While I had a good business and personal trip to France and Germany, I really missed the boys (four- and two-legged). Judy and JP kept me posted, but it’s like withdrawal from my drug of choice.

Snow in the French Alps – instead of worrying on how to get  up the mountain in a rental car not equipped for snow covered roads I am imagining cantering through the powdery snow. Good thing I wasn’t driving!

In Germany I came closer to horses, my dad took me to Loesdau, my favorite tack shop. Well, actually, it’s more the Nordstrom version of a tack store. While my dad was patiently sitting in the “coffee corner” I was enjoying ‘horse junkies heaven’. The trip netted overflowing shopping bags, and the fleeting thought on how to get it all in my suitcase.

 

It’s amazing, on the way from the tack store back to my parents there are literally riding stables everywhere. Very well designed and modern stables, outfitted with the latest technologies (i.e. solariums). But even with all the bells and whistles offered (micro chips so the horses’ eating, sleeping, moving can be monitored)  – I prefer right where we are. A look out of my kitchen window provides similar information and is much more fun!