Ride Recap; Banana Edition

Example of past banana-ing....

Officially back in the saddle and things are getting back to normal. No recent schizo flare ups which is a major plus. It is still damp and freezing, how the two can travel together I have no idea!

I have bravely ventured out to the barn these past two days in a row and going back tonight despite the continuing -20*c weather. A+ for dedication if I do say so myself.

Paloma definitely seems to have appreciated her week off, she has been much more forward and less tense. I, however, feel floppy and some how slightly sore, odd!


Tuesday recap: Paloma was slightly energetic in the cross ties, pawing and swaying back and forth.
I noticed she had some serious 'love' chew marks all over her neck, mentioning it, Mark, BO, commented that Paloma seems to be in the 'lust stage' with the new boarder Monty. I haven't seen him yet but I hear he is a seriously handsome big boy.
My goal for the day was to get Paloma moving out and loose since Saturday she felt a bit stiff from all her standing about.
We worked on transitions, small bits of lateral work but nothing too demanding, and pretty well kept the entire ride focused on true long, low and forward. I decided to throw in a request for a canter-walk transition and wouldn't you know it, we got it! Paloma must have done her homework while standing in that field! We tried it again to make sure it was not a fluke and it wasn't. Very happy pony mama here. I truly cannot say enough good things about the leg yielding into transitions exercise it has been revolutionary for our canter-walk woes. I even shared what I learned with Mish-mosh, we are now seeing a drastic improvement in Thunder's transitions as well. Woot!
On another note, tracking right the fluidity and looseness in Pal's gaits and bending seemed to catch a hitch. Banana-ing was our new style!
We did our best to work through it but I didn't press the issue. I figured it was related to being off for a whole week. Some improvement was all I was looking for.


Wednesday recap: Paloma was much more behaved in the ties today. Finally, getting the jollies worked out. Again more love chews all... down her mane. Slightly irritating since her mane now looks like it had a bad pull job. Good news though, the barn is for the most part vacant in the winter months so no one to see our poor style.
Today was an extension of yesterday's work but with more lateral work to get left side loosened up.
We have been working on our half pass and shoulder in's in small doses these past couple months and the work is really starting to show up now. Paloma is much more sensitive off my leg and bending is becoming so easy it feels natural. I am also seeing the work reaping benefits in her softness. So much so that my posting has even changed! I am now being pushed through my thighs into my post, most of the time, rather than me doing all the work.
Tracking right was easier today but still not perfect. I think I have been working so much on tracking left which used to be our problem area that I have forgotten right.
Worked on another new favourite exercise. Coming into the corners, asking for a little shoulder in, cutting the corner a bit and leg yielding through and deeper into the corner. Such a great feeling when this goes nicely, I think it will translate well into easier deep corners on course.


Tonight is supposed to be SLIGHTLY warmer, so hopefully I get some company at the barn so we can have a jump night. It has been two weeks since I jumped a fence. Withdrawals!

FMNM Blog Hop; Fear

What has been the most fearful moment you have ever experienced with a horse?

 

 

 

I have been wondering when this moment would come that I would have to re-live the most fearful moment of my equine life and I sincerely hope never to experience this ever again!

 

 

The most fearful moment I have had in my equine life was when my husband and I were trailering Paloma back from a great lesson at a nearby barn. I had just purchased a new-to-me trailer which had been completely rebuilt and this was our first time trailering a horse in it.

Every time we trailer we always test the lights, tires, brakes, check the floor, divider, lock pins, everything, we are paranoid and this just made us down right terrified to ever trailer again!

 

 

After the lesson we loaded Paloma up like a boss, did our re-checks and headed out.

About fifteen minutes down the road we heard and felt Paloma moving around, which is normal for her since she has a hard time finding her balance after start/stops and needs something to lean on.

We continued but kept a close eye. Five minutes later we felt something what mirrored a flat tire.

I immediately thought, "oh no, not this again..." 

(Back in my kiddy pony days our coach was trailering a four horse trailer, we were following behind and a tire blew on the 401 freeway, talk about scary. Luckily every one was fine, equine and human).

 

Back to the story... we pulled the truck and trailer over to the side of the highway amidst tractor trailer's and cars blowing by, never thinking of slowing of course.

I raced back to check on Pal, opened the door and saw that she somehow she had popped the pins out of the center divider and had fallen on top of it!

I don't know how I stayed calm but I raced over, grabbed a lead rope and got her back up. My husband reacted just as quickly and calmly. We didn't have an emergency plan but we both knew our duties.

 

It appeared that Paloma had leaned so much on the center divider that she had bent the pins which broke the safety lock causing the divider to fall down flat. I am guessing this is a safety precaution to ensure horses do not get hung up...

In her flailing to try to right herself Paloma had kicked the ramp so hard that the pins to secure the gate had also bent making it nearly impossible to open it.

 

We had no choice we had to get Paloma off the trailer in order to repair it to get her home.

Luckily, we were only about 1km from an allies barn, we were not the best of friends but I knew she would understand being a fellow horsewoman.

 

 

Apparently everything does happen for a reason and we remembered that we had just purchased a sledge hammer to repair the fencing around our vacant lot, (at the time).  

We got Paloma off the trailer, surprisingly she was keeping herself collected and trusted me enough to listen while hubby worked quickly to repair the trailer.

We walked as far over to the side of the road as possible, cars still blazing by. Anyone who saw us probably thought we were nut cases. 'Just out for walkies with my pet horse!'

We got about half a kilometer down the road, it was maybe only five minutes but it felt like eternity, when my husband pulled up on the other side of the road with the trailer, luckily he had repaired it enough to get us home.

I never thought we would get Pal back on the trailer after that but when he opened the door and I gave her a reassuring pat and said "let's go home", she walked right back on. I laughed nervously, I could just hear her saying, "Get me the **** out of here!"

 

The next fifteen minutes to get home were the longest fifteen minutes of my life but we made it safely. I checked Paloma over throughly, she had one, half inch scratch, where only the hair was rubbed off but she was otherwise fine. Thank god!

 

 

We had the trailer repaired and sold it as a storage trailer, now we flat out refuse to trailer in anything that hasn't gotten a 1001 point inspection and is brand new!

 



Cloudy with a Chance of Schizo

 "Make the wrong thing difficult, and the right thing easy." - Ray Hunt

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday I headed to the barn, finally! It has been years since I have been absent from equine activities that long. Pretty horrendous if you ask me...

 

 

Apparently, three other people had the same equine itch at noon and we all showed up within fifteen minutes of each other which made for one crowed arena. But I didn't care if I just had to stand in the middle and watch, I had to sit on a horse like my life depended on it.

 

I had expected Paloma to be energetic but what I didn't expect was to get a crash course on schizo-equine's.

 

 

Walking up to the pasture with the wind blown snow whipping my face my heart was warmed when Paloma nickered a greeting, grabbed a final, massive, bite of hay, (you know because she is starving *rolls eyes*), and walked in a pace, more brisk than usual, up to the gate. I should have taken the clue then.

 

When does Paloma ever nicker to me?

When does Paloma ever walk up to the gate? 

AND finally when does she ever even walk anywhere quickly?

 

 

Walking from the gate down the drive I took advantage of the brisk pace to get myself out of the nasty snow-wind more quickly. Arriving at the parking lot I noticed Paloma pick up the pace and attempt to pull ahead of me. Nuh-uh, that 'ain't happening!

She got a couple bops on the lead when she ignored me and then I proceeded to wrap the cotton lead rope over her nose to simulate a chain. This is a fail safe, and it worked. Mostly. Track TB shivers here we come. (Honestly, this reminds me of my chihuahua who seriously shivers non stop so at least I got a giggle).

 

Getting into the barn was a shuffle of horses. Three out of four horses are the boss mares of their paddocks. Thus, it is best not to have any horses behind them and our cross ties don't leave much room between each other if you have larger horses.

Luckily, even though Paloma is always boss even in the company of other boss', she turns studdy and gets cresty when she meets other horses she has not seen in awhile. Ie; Less risk of a kick-ish attitude presenting.

I let Paloma loose in the arena while we shuffled ponies, I closed the door knowing a series of buck, farts and squeals were to follow. We still heard her commotion but the other horses didn't seem to care.

Tacking up I left an actual chain lead around her nose just as a reminder that I am serious, no more cow! I didn't have to use it but it was there just in case.
 

Paloma was good but on edge in the ties. I always admire her when she gets all puffed up and cresty. Just stunning.

When everyone else went in the arena and I went to warm up her bit, she had a little fit which got me a few looks from other boarders. Clearly thinking this horse is a loon. I thought about explaining that she just had a week off and probably hasn't moved from the hay bale all week but that would take too much energy.

 

Heading into the arena one of the boarder's foster dogs was running amok through the barn and ran through Paloma's legs mid-walk, Paloma stayed calm but almost did the splits in attempt to not step on the smaller animal. I couldn't help but be annoyed.

 

I mounted up expecting a squeal or trotting away... nothing. Apparently the clouds had cleared from Pal's brain and she was in the zone.

 

 

Between answering how-to questions and playing medic to the two riders who had accidental dismounts, one being dragged, I really didn't get much riding in which I think Pal was fine with, she really didn't want to move out since the arena footing was hard and uber dusty.

But HEY! I am back in the saddle y'all! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



The Owl's Approve; Blog Hop

I am officially going through 'Eau de Equine' perfume withdrawals. I have not been to the barn since last Saturday! That is nearly a week. With everything going on with house stuff and the bitterly cold -31* weather, I just cannot get there.
I am bent and determined to get there after work today, despite the instant nostril freezing temps. Tomorrow, I blog! Now for some content...

 

Another blog hop supplied by Owl's Approve!

*Every horse seems to have at least three names: the "real" one, the barn one, and that special one. What are some of your pony's names?*

 

For my dear Paloma... she has four names. Lucky right?


Real, registered, name: Pacific Paloma

Barn name: Pal (a lot of people think this is really cheesy and rather like calling her my 'pal' not short for Paloma, or maybe I am over thinking it as per usual)

For when she is being naughty but cute-naughty: Diva (you know, like when you are picking out their hooves and they turn around all sweetly, batting their eyelashes all cute and then BITE your typically cookie filled pockets, yeah I know, bad but so adorable.)

For when she is being truly naughty: Cow (I know, mean right? But these are those moments when she refuses to move and tries to whip her head around and bite your leg to get it to stop asking for more 'over')

SFTS Blog Hop; Three Words

I am seconding, thirding or fourthing every one's posts that little riding has been occurring in this -30*c weather. (My max being -12*c). So I am also participating in as many blog hops as possible to keep my content streaming this week until the cold breaks this weekend *fingers crossed*.

 

This hop has been started by Jenn at SFTS and it is called Three Words.

Let's be real, we love our horses (and ponies). They make us smile, they make us laugh, and (most of the time), they try their hearts out for us. They're our partners, they're the reason why we ride, and we couldn't imagine our lives without them.

But I want to know: what three words would you use to describe your horse? They can be any words, but you're limited to three words and three words only.

 

 

 

For Paloma I didn't even have to think about this one; Diva, stubborn, loyal.

 

 

We all know why Diva is in there.

 

Stubborn... well she is a mare, she is half warmblood and half appy. Probably the worst combination if you are looking for un-stubborn-ness.

 

Loyal... That one is a bit more complicated. Despite her stubborn nature and endless diva producing moments Paloma is loyal as they come. 

It took awhile but once we bonded there really wasn't much this mare wouldn't do for me. Mind you, it may take some prompting but if you ask and mean it, you will likely receive. Not because she wants to do it however, but because she knows it will make you happy. (Or make you stop nagging...but let's go with happy).

 

 

Finding Balance.

The Polar Vortex producing -25*c weather this week has, for the more part, kept me away from the barn. So what does one do when they cannot equine?
You overindulge in thoughts...I truly hope this ends soon. I am getting a bit too quacky for my liking.



Let me start off by saying life is truly a box of chocolates...
Each day you never really know what you are going to get and you never know how that said thing could change the course of your plans, dreams or flatly your outlook on life.
I am slowly wising up to the idea of not dwelling on any one particular thing for too long, whether good or bad.

In attempt to keep this post at a minimum for philosophical references, I am not religious per say, but I just have to say that I am a huge believer in that everything happens for a reason and those things that we endure seem to follow a path of our self-growth.
This outlook seems to be able to be applied to every aspect of my life whether it is equine related, financially related or personal life related.


Applying this to my equine life, looking back I realize that Paloma and I were destined, if you will, to find one another. When I had originally contacted her previous owner I was inquiring about Paloma's half sister who was also the same age but solid black.
Originally, my list of requirements for my horse search was, budget friendly, green, good warmblood breeding and a solid 'normal' colour.
Normal colour demand stemming from an old coach when I was young. She had more or less snubbed me because I had purchased a very colourful paint gelding over her expensive sale horses and being a kid you always struggle to 'fit in'. This more or less scared me away from oddly coloured horses.
Upon finding out from Paloma's previous owner that the black filly had just sold, she mentioned a rather striking, but correct, coloured filly that she still had and that she was from similiar warmblood breeding. She then sent me a photo of the filly.
I was... stumped to say the least but I couldn't help but stare at her. Which is what most people do upon meeting her. Next to the giraffe comments ... though I like to say she is less giraffe-like in her mannerisms nowadays.
Skipping the middle content since we all know she came home with me, the middle years were, let us say rocky.
Paloma was a bossy handful as a youngster, mind you she seemed born broke and safe but day to day handling, she was pushy and needed a firm handler.
It took a solid two years for us to bond. We more or less are the same, personality wise, stubborn, cunning, witty and with the addition of serious boss-mare syndrome. Not a good match.

Slowly, while she grew more accepting of me, I grew more understanding and less hard towards the world. Safe to say we both matured because of each other.

What I learned from Paloma grew to be my greatest life lesson, thus far. Patience, acceptance, greater perception and lastly, compassion.

I often find myself relating my experiences with Paloma to my personal or financial life aspects, despite my husband's eye rolling that I love the horse more than him, haha. Funny boy.


These past couple months my husband and I have been trying to find balance between maintaining our sanity, doing what is best for our current life situation/relationship and attempting to make the best financial decisions to reach our goals.
So far we have decided that Paloma will go on outdoor board from indoor. This saves us some bucks and she loves being outside. Keeping her in was more for my mental comfort.
Not to mention, I am kinda sick of scrubbing poo/pee stains off a cream coloured coat.

Now, we are attempting to figure out our housing situation. We just built our home in 2013 but DH wants a more suburban life over the sticks. Sadly, this means I may no longer be within walking distance to the barn, not that I often walk anyways, so I am not sure that is a valid point.

So the decision is, do we add more stress and build another home, (being OCD we contract most of the work ourselves to make sure it is done 110% right), have one built for us, (potential OCD issues), or buy? One decision makes more financial sense but we both don't want the stress so soon...

Horses I can do but this stuff... it just isn't my niche. How do you balance sanity, finances and 'wants'?

Moving On Up.

Pal napping in the sun.
"Finally, a break, take as many photos as you must, wake me up when it's time to go."

This afternoon I was perusing my blog feeds for updates on the blogs I like to follow, each one seems to appeal to me in different ways. Together though the authors of said blogs seem to compile together to make something that I associate with how I am about my own equine life along with other aspects of my life.

One particular post popped out at me over at The Gift Horse and inspired my thoughts for this post.
Her post titled 'The How? or When?; On Moving Up', really got me thinking. I mean we all have goals and dreams, whether achievable tomorrow or achievable in the years to come but when and how do we decide to move up?

I think the reason this post in particular 'spoke' to me was because I am at a bit of a cross roads and I am not 100% sure whether I have hit where I want to be, where I should be or where I need to be for right now.


Originally, I wanted to do 3'3/3'6 hunters with Paloma but I am just not sure that is in the cards. While she is scopey over 3' fences/courses I think the reason her form over fences has drastically gone from not-so-lovely over itty-bitties to quite nice over 3' or more is because she is reaching her maximum scope. I mean we have done grids up to 3'6 but it took a lot of effort from her part to stay clean over it.
Whether or not I am evaluating her fitness at that point in time or if we are reaching the extent of her scope, I don't know.


The decisions on when and how to move up prior to this always came so naturally.
Paloma and I were comfortable, we schooled 6" higher than showing, so once she was consistent and relaxed at shows with the lesser height, I moved up another 3" at home and shows. Pretty straight forward in my opinion. It is the same formula that I have used in all aspects of my training; Explain new concept, ask for new concept, (accepting any form of 'trying' to get it right), rinse, repeat and continue asking for higher degrees of correctness bit by bit, then incorporate into regular schooling, (never drilling), then once comfortable and relaxed ask for more.
But somehow as I continue asking for more advanced exercises on the flat and within gymnastics, I have yet to really think we need to go beyond 3'.
Is this my new found inner self preservation talking?
Is it an innate sense that one gets as a trainer that pony-kins and/or rider are not ready for more?
Or lastly, am I truly comfortable at 3' and I just haven't woken up to my newly assessed goals?


So I have to agree with my fellow blogger, this moving on up subject is a hard one to crack.

Blog Hop; The Owl's Approve- Quirks

What personality quirks does your pony have? What makes him or her special?

 

 

 

 

 

Many thanks once again to Owl's Approve for the blog hops, without her I would seriously lack content on this blog.

 

 

 

As for Paloma's personality, I think I can sum her up in one word, divalicious! But I will fill you in on a few of her quirks in case that doesn't paint a picture for you.

 

Everything this horse does is straight out of Diva 101, if there were such a thing.

 

Paloma must be the first horse to greet you at the gate, must be the first horse going out for turnout and coming in for dinner, you must spray her blanket with static guard, god forbid static attack, she must receive a cookie when rider mounts prior to moving a single hoof and most of all, she must be able to see the door into the barn from her stall. 

 

Let me explain.

 

If Paloma is swapped to a stall without front rows seats to view the incoming traffic, she raises heck and makes every attempt to be able to see over the stall dividers, even if this means rearing up and standing, yes, standing on her hind legs while she maneuvers her head and neck in mysterious ways to get a better view. Once she knows she has your attention she bodaciously bats her eyeliner lined eyes until you coo to her and attempt to touch her face. At that time she may allow one pet or two pets prior to flipping her head and looking at you with repulsion.

 

"How dare you think you can pet me like a dog! Do you not know who I am...UCK"

 

The cookie while mounting, is, embarrassingly, my fault or actually it is Terri's fault for giving me the idea, yeah Terri!

Often reaching to adjust the girth or stirrup ques cookie dispensor response and the record producing head whip for a straight on collision course with rider head/helmet. Not fun.

I started this little habit when Paloma refused to stand while mounting as a youngster. If she waited patiently, she got a cookie. Now, it is one of my bad habits that I think is crazy cute.

It causes no harm, other than the occasional head ache on my part....

 

 

I am pretty sure I could go on forever about her Diva moments but I will spare you the details and let your imagination do the rest for me.

 

I am really not sure how all this started since I am likely the strictest, other than Mish-mosh, horse mom in the barn. Actually, most people in the barn look at me like I am a drill sergeant.

What can I say I like order....?

 

Initially, when I first heard people calling Paloma 'Diva', I rolled my eyes in distaste but after time went by, I began to notice no one actually called her Pal or Paloma anymore, it is just Diva.

 

Majority rules. It must be true. *Sigh*

 

 

'Good human... you have finally realized your place beneath me.
Now you MAY take my photo for you blogging pleasure'

 



It Must Be Monday...

"Every day above ground is a good day"

 

 

 

 

Read quotation, rinse, repeat until it sinks in... We may be here awhile folks....

 

I know it must be Monday when my car is caked in an inch of ice, my car tires refuse to roll in the normal round fashion and instead feel like the primitive circle with four corners and upon arrival to work I am blessed with no heat and five degree Celsius temps indoors because the furnace called it quits and the parts will not be here until Wednesday. Happy Monday y'all!

 

On the plus side my co-worker made the comment that you burn more calories when it is cold so I am technically working off the extra holiday calories and the extra glass of wine I drank this weekend whilst sitting at my desk drinking my once hot coffee and eating banana bread.

Invoke my second resolution for the year, think positive.

 

 

Now that I have gotten that out let's jump on a more interesting topic shall we? Our dear equine friends!

We had a pretty major snow/ice storm on Saturday and Sunday so despite my typically gigantic will power, I only rode one this weekend. Friday.

 

Friday's ride was one of those High/Low days. Paloma felt like a square freight train and even with my valiant efforts in lateral work, the body bend took a stay-cation and refused to make an appearance. Our half pass, leg yields and shoulder in, which are getting pretty decent nowadays, resulted in a dive sideways... that is new?!

Positively though... Mish-mosh and Thunder were feeling the same thing. Repeat, misery loves company.

 

On a better note though, I have discovered a trick for strengthening our canter-walk transitions. We even managed THREE clean ones! *happy dance*.

I read an article in one of my new books about using a little shoulder-in on a canter spiral circle and when you reach the volte size portion of the circle and feel like you no longer need to half halt every other stride and the horse can maintain the balance, ask for the walk, thinking halt. Reminding yourself to inhale, exhale on the reins to encourage self carriage and balance.

It works brilliantly but I didn't want to drill it since it is asking a lot of Pal's current strength.

 

 

Mish-mosh and I did set a little gym, something we have used before with success but ended up being a little wonky for whatever reason that day. Small X -one stride- 2'6 Gate vertical -one stride- small X.

Somehow both horses ended up making the 'out' portion a bounce and Thunder one up-ed Pal and I by making the entire thing a line of bounces.

I know what you are thinking... distance is off.... but it wasn't we both checked, several times.

It was a solid 18 foot distance and we trotted in.

 

Mish ended up jumping off and moved out the distance to 21 feet and this solved the problem.

My only reasoning was that both horses are getting stronger behind and have been getting used to the bounces we have been using lately.

All in all, this proves we have a little work to do in the coming weeks.

 

 

Happy Monday-ing!

 

 

 



Winter Blues; Puppy Style

I think it is safe to say that we all are getting hit by the winter blues once again this year.
Though, on a plus side for myself, I feel like it is has only just begun for me which is much later in the year than my normal early January winter hate on.
Even our poor pooch, Kameo, seems to have cause a case of puppy blues.


This is usually what she does all day, curls up in a ball and sleeps. 
Some days it is an endeavour to get her to eat her breakfast and that is so unlike her it is shocking.
Normally, I call this dog 'Hoover International'. She can eat her entire dish in thirty seconds flat, yes, we timed her, and no chewing despite our efforts to get her to slow down.

Let's not talk about how difficult it is to get her to go to the bathroom outside. She is so spoiled that she will walk out, look up at you while lifting a paw just demanding you to shovel her a path and a 'poop circle' so she doesn't have to grace the snow with her delicate paws.


Much like my equine life I often over think things. The other day I got thinking if this 'mood' Kameo is going through is a result of losing her bonded sister suddenly in October of 2013. At that time she went through about six months of separation anxiety but was able to overcome it after we enrolled her into doggy daycare so she was still able to interact with other canines.
Adopting another dog really isn't in the question right now since DH and I have such busy lives that one travel sized dog and a horse is plenty.

At the end of it all I keep thinking that canine seasonal depression might actually be a real thing? Hmm..

Where Art Thou Canter-Walk?

 

I am sure I have said this before but I feel the need to share once more.

Might I ask, where the heck is my canter to walk transition?
And trot- Why do you adore me so much that you must always sneak a step or two in?
Urg!

Most know that Paloma's transitions are for the most part bang on when I prepare her correctly but I have yet to conquer the canter to walk without at least one trot step.
I can get it when I don't really mean to but I cannot achieve it more than once on any given day when I do mean to.

We have tried pretty well everything possible. The only remedy seems to be spiraling while maintaining an active canter down to a volte. Then the walk is beautiful and clearly produced.
But I can't help but think this is very manufactured rather than a proper transition.

I really should not complain... I know. The trot step I do get is balanced, soft and through but it is still a trot step.

I am sure the problem stems in my riding or aids so I sit here picking apart each component of the ride that did produced a nice transition without using the volte.
Those times are always when Paloma has finished a course or tricky gym and I allow her to stretch down with little to no contact and ask for 'whoa' with my thighs.
While I want to think that is THE light bulb moment, more seat, less hand... yeah I get it. But it really doesn't help when I do combine it with even the slightest contact.

Saying that, I am led to think Paloma is not really accepting the contact, there is tension somewhere... But that is eliminated when you watch/feel her come round during the transition.

Why is this so hard!! *Feet stomps like a little girl*


So all in all... I am left 'Le Miserable'!
I just love this cat, he paints a picture to my every mood.

Schizo Sunday.

Wow, I feel so MIA. I miss one day of work due to blizzarding Ontario and I feel like I have abandoned blogging. Terriby sorry all but the drifts of snow were covering my front door, literally!

Paloma-

Soo unimpressed that she is the only horse

that has to work today.

Not much has happened these past few days. Riding has been pretty much out due to this dirty cold and blizzard like conditions.
Lessons at the barn were cancelled due to the extreme cold snap but I decided to head out to the barn anyways, sporting my hideous snow pant breeches that I have owned for five years and have maybe seen the light of day twice. Whoever invented these things should receive a smack. Yes, they are somewhat warm, yes, they have full seat grippies but someone forgot interior leg anti-slip. My breeches sure stuck to saddle but my legs were having a serious slippage issues.

Anyways, I opted to ride in the once luscious grass arena, which is now the newly proclaimed snow arena.
I always love riding in the fresh fluffy powder. Paloma gets a great workout in a short time and I get to experience the hidden Nos Booster in her haunches. Talk about uphill!

I groomed and tacked quickly, noticing a slight glint to Paloma's eyes. I figured she was in a playful mood, no biggy. Playful for her usually ends up in a few squeaks after I have mounted and a little jiggity movement but the wild energy is quickly harnessed and we get down to some serious work with great results. I love this version of her!
Today's energy was quickly labeled... schizo Sunday.

The ride started off like a walk in the forest through deep snow. Pal was looking and stretching down to grab some snow every now and then. After a quick stretch out I picked up a trot to get her muscles warmed up. Her trot was brisk but very lofty. So lofty that I was constantly bounced up into my post rather than lifting myself. Ahh... So nice.
Noticing Paloma was a bit aloof to my aids, we settled down into some lateral work and transitions.
She was very prompt and sensitive to my aids, so I decided to work on some lengthening's which is my favourite exercise through the snow. Getting a little over excited she broke to canter, no biggy.
It did take a couple circles to bring her back but she obliged while the other horses watched with interest or pity, I am not sure which.

Near the end of our half hour ride, I decided to let Pal go for one last canter, this is where the schizo came in, it was a total 180 compared to the Paloma I know.
I sat up in a light half seat to allow her to stretch a bit, work in the snow is taxing, I know. Paloma saw this as an invitation to have a buck fest, which in turn got all the other horses bucking and tooting to their hearts content. Fueling the fire, so it continued.
I couldn't stop laughing let alone think so I sat up and let it happen. Bad pony momma.
Paloma never bucks under saddle and I mean NEVER ever since the day I backed her so I figure she was just playing.
And I should clarify, when I say 'buck' I don't mean the normal horse sized buck. Pal's 'buck' is more squeal and less buck, even when she plays in turnout. I really should call it a slight air of the haunches.
After a good show of Air's Above the Ground and a few questioning looks from my neighbour Pal settled right back down and worked even better than she had before. Naughty Palomis....


On another note, the Serial Ripper has thankfully been moved to a blanket-less paddock just next door so he can still see his buddies. He seems quite content and Paloma's new blanket is left unharmed. (No, I didn't jinx it. This is only typing not actual verbal content... I hope!)

Me in my icecube selfie.
I am seriously debating ski goggles next time.

I should have known she was plotting something...