Work and warm weather, the breakfast server wears PJs - and great food for thought

Remy's 'training life' resumed last Wednesday, starting on day 1 with a long-lining session, day 2 and 3 dressage lessons, and then off on the trails we went. Quite the difference in his attitude. Between the warm weather (Michigan seems to go from 0 to 100 in 3 seconds) and the more structured work made Remy a happier camper. I was ready for some 'opinions' during our lessons, after all, he's had two months off. But Remy took to it like he hadn't had a break at all. Whew!

In Florida we noticed that Remy was a bit unsteady in the contact, so we swapped his NS Turtle Tactio loose ring bit with a NS TranzLozenge Eggbutt. He definitely takes a steadier contact in this one, so.. sold! Now it's on to the double bridle (currently equipped with HS bits), we've got the NS bradoon, but all those choices for the Weymouth: Slimma, Thoroughbred, Transform...?? Always on the hunt for the 'holy grail' it seems.

Tomorrow we take both boys to Brandt's for a play date. It's been a while since we've been there, and Brandt has added many more obstacles and fun things so it will be interesting to see how the boys react. It is supposed to be hot, so going into the pond is definitely part of the program.

I am warming up like a lizard in the sun and am finally brave enough to move my polar fleece to the back of the closet and bring my summer clothes out. The boys' breakfast server this morning was wearing PJs - it's nice to make a run to the barn without having to bundle up!

I've been following Vincent Flores' FB postings for a while now. No, I'm not stalking another handsome French guy! (I do have my hands full with the one I have, thank you very much). This is purely professional :-) Vincent Flores Dressage. Vincent's posts really hit the nail on the head. I do have clients that are fretting that shows are canceled/postponed, and how to get their scores and medals. And yes, I sometimes also feel a bit 'left behind' because we haven't shown much and therefore perhaps not "demonstrated our worth"?

So here is an excerpt from Vincent's latest post:

"..It doesn't matter what external circumstances happen to us. Who we are is not determined by anything external. We are not defined by the medals we are earning or by the frequency and number of shows we are participating in. The same is true for our horses.
Similarly I am not determined by how much clients I have, how much money I make or don't make, and what people say about me or don't say about me. Who I am is determined by the decisions I make, by my motivation to keep progressing in the sport and developing my horses and clients' skills.
Your identity is how you see yourself. Not defined by how many shows you may have won if this pandemic hadn't happened. So if you're having trouble imagining your future self in these trouble times, I assume it is because you are defining yourself by circumstances determined by our external world..." 
Vincent Flores Dressage LLC (http://vfdressage.webs.com/)

Amen to that!

Run over by a pony - and back to work

Teddy, our old pony, is getting blind. So when Chambord startled him last Friday his instinctive reaction was to run - and run over any obstacles (he couldn't see) in his way. In this case - the obstacle was yours truly. I was knocked down and heard a cracking noise in my hip, but luckily nothing was broken. Just pretty banged up and bruised, but nothing that Motrin, and Epsom Salt baths couldn't alleviate. One of my clients told me that eating Pineapple helps with bruising, so pass the Ananas, please.

With the torrential rains we had lately our "play date" at Brandt's for the boys and us had to be postponed to next week. No use galloping through mud and soggy grounds only to have shoes (or worse, tendons) pulled.

Roz is back in action and we've decided to give last year's place another try. It seems the footing in the arena is going to be improved, which is a sine quo non for me. Either that, or not riding on it. Remy has been sound the entire eight years I've had him, and now that he is working on upper level movements it's more important than ever to keep it that way.

So tomorrow afternoon he'll move into his former digs (box stall), staying a whopping (in his mind) three days. Then it's home for the Memorial Day weekend, playing at Brandt's on Tuesday, and another three days of work. Not a bad gig, if you ask me! Remy says he begs to differ (no surprise here).

Speaking of work, I have been surprised and VERY happy how well Horse and Sense LLC is taking off again after the hiatus. And all of the new clients are coming through recommendations from regular clients, the best advertising there is! I know I am very fortunate, and I do appreciate it immensely. We all are still adhering to a strict Covid 19 protocol, and I do admire the owners of large training barns on how they manage their busy schedules to account for social distancing.

I am more mindful about buying local, and I am making the conscious decision to support local businesses as much as possible even if it's a bit more expensive. Case in point: I could easily have my work shirts ordered online and shipped from a global supplier. Instead, I opted for the business of a fellow horse person (The Embroidered Horse). Sue does beautiful work, and also bakes the most delicious horse cookies (ClintRMints). No wonder the boys urge me to only go to Sue!

Buy local: Logo lovingly designed by JP, 

Shirt and embroidery from The Embroidered Horse, Michigan

"OMG, what are these??" - and it's all in the eye of the beholder

Luckily yesterday's funk didn't last that long. How could one be grumpy when seeing this face in the morning?

"What, it's already time to get up??"

After breakfast it was time for Ziggy's first 'constitutional*'. On our way to the trail we came across friends that had wintered in Colorado. It was nice to catch up - raised voices and all (keeping the distance). At least as long as Ziggy's patience lasted ("let's hit the road, lady!").  

Once Ziggy had his fill it was Chambord's and Remy's turn. They marched right along, but not without trying to catch some snacks along the way. All that lush greenery is just sooo very tempting. They know the trail so well that any change is viewed with great interest - or in Chambord's case - with a dead stop. While Chambord is a super trail horse and very brave, his nemesis are rocks and boulders. When we first got him he would stop dead in his tracks, refusing to budge at the sight of a particularly large or light colored boulder. It has gotten way better over time, but today a new arrangement by the park had Chambord flustered "OMG, these things are new - what are those??"  Remy had to be the brave one and lead the way - all was well again. 

On the homestretch a garter snake slid right in front of the boys' across the road. You'd think they would be startled. Neither one even batted so much as an eye. Never mind, what's a snake compared to scary rocks?? I guess something could lure behind the rocks, while garter snakes are pretty and harmless (they are non-venomous). As they say: It's all in the eye of the beholder!

Michigan garter snake - harmless and pretty

*The New Oxford American Dictionary has for constitutional : noun (dated): a walk, typically one taken regularly to maintain or restore good health. Regarding etymology, constitution means “a person's physical state with regard to vitality, health, and strength”, so the constitutional comes from its supposed benefits to the health.

Still on hiatus - and once again "Quo Vadis?"

Remy is still on hiatus from dressage work - or actually, work. The weather has been typically for Michigan, sun one day, snow the next. Our arena is in dire need for leveling and new footing, but of course, everything is still more or less on hold. So, aside from longing, long reining, and trail rides not much going on. The boys don't mind it, of course, they are perfectly happy.

"How about a cookie or two??"

The next big issue is where to go for our lessons? Hence the "quo vadis?" It doesn't seem that the place where we were before Florida is working out. I stopped there today, and received quite the glacial welcome. That aside, though, the footing in the indoor arena is IMO not safe, it's hard and -like someone half-joked- "we call it the rollercoaster".

Michigan lacks a lot of things when it comes to riding, such as stables with great care, good footing, and ample turnout. There are only a handful of good dressage instructors, the same goes for saddle fitters, and other professionals. It's frustrating, to say the least.

And yes, I am VERY fortunate that we are healthy, and able the enjoy nature - but still... And now having to try and find -again- a place to train is not helping. I know, I'm complaining at a very high level, so pass another Pilsner Urquell, please (Taco and beer night at home), and I'll let it go - for now.

I think the current Covid-19 situation is catching up with me and I'm getting depressed. Sunday was Mothers Day, neither my flowers nor my card made it in time. It was also the one year anniversary of Emil's funeral. I do miss our weekly calls. While I'm not very busy right now, my mind sure is.

Luckily I have a lot of client appointments booked starting May 15 (when the stay-at-home order expires). Busy is good! I'll will take plenty of precautions, like taking my "Covid-19 Kit", and of course I only see clients that also adhere to a strict protocol, even if that means getting up at 6 a.m. Sunday morning to be at my first appointment at 8:00 a.m.: less people at the barn.

My constant companion to client appointments - my Covid-19 Kit

The photo studio came to him - and he's a natural

Last night I received the email from Joanna Jodko Photography with some of the photos from Florida. What can I say: Stunning :-)!

It was a fun session. And no, Remy didn't have to go to the studio - the studio came to him at White Fences. It was quite the production, with Roz patiently trying to get his attention. The props didn't impress Remy too much, but he clearly loved it when Joanna told him what a natural he was. Typical guy!

But it wasn't all fun and games, we had quite a few nail biting moments, too:

"Light on the forehand" - Remy seemed to be looking for jumps, too bad he was in a dressage arena

"We lived to tell the tale!" - Three happy campers (not sure who was more relieved, Remy, Roz, or I?)

Happy Birthday - and he's no horse for a Sonntagsreiter

Remy's birthday was on May 1st, also a holiday in Europe (May Day = Labor Day). Remy certainly 'celebrates' his birthday/labor day in fashion: With some well-timed airs above the ground. Note to my surprised self: "You do have a decent seat!"

Happy Birthday, Remy! 

Remy came back from our stint in Florida fit as a fiddle, which means fairly leisurely trail rides only go so far for him. What's a guy to do with all that energy?? He waits for an occasion to let off some steam. And help is never far: First it was a turkey vulture on a nearby tree, then the wind picked up and the trees along the trails sounded like they were moaning, and all this helped by rustling critters in the under-brush. The good news is that Remy's scoots and bucks are (or at least were) fairly easy to sit, and he doesn't say "I'm outta here" and bolt. But he's definitely not a horse for a "Sonntagsreiter*".

Now that our outdoor arena is finally drying out again we can add long reining to the program, and that definitely helps a lot with burning off excess energy, reminders that an outside rein DOES have a purpose, and in general being supple and bending is not a bad idea. Our back to work date will be the week of May 18, but we sweeten the deal with a playdate at Brandt's right before.

While not my birthday I received a gift, nevertheless: A Covid-19 care parcel from Stephanie. She just knows exactly what I need and what makes me happy -  currently disinfectant, Lindt Piemonte, and St-Georg. Disinfectant is still hard to come by in our stores, and the two other items are not available in the US. Now the question is "To share or not to share??" - No problem sharing the disinfectant with JP, but the decision about the chocolates is considerably tougher ;-)

"Wohl dem der solche Freunde hat!" (Sentenz - "Blessed is the one that has such friends") 

*Sonntagsreiter = lit. Sunday Rider (someone that only rides on Sunday, mostly going for a leisurely stroll)