Pony Updates

Both of us looking unimpressed.
I did actually get the mirrors cleaned though1

Finally!

Well first, there really isn't much to report right now. My rides weren't very good, as is understandable, for the first couple weeks back after our break. I think it was a combination of ulcer stuff, being overly full of energy, spring weather change stuff, and probably still expecting that her saddle was going to hurt. Of course on top of that she'd lost some muscle tone and probably just wanted to go back to her vacation.

First, I started her on Nexium, Tums before rides, and upped her maintenance supplement. I also lunged before I rode to let her work out any stiffness and warm up her back before I climbed on. Over the past month or so things got way better but I still haven't been able to be that consistent because of storms, work stuff, plans etc. As mentioned in my personal updates post I've recently opted out of plans for the next month or so and other than really important things I'm not making any weeknight plans and only very limited weekend plans which I'm hoping will help with consistency.

I also have my transportation figured out after having car troubles and our days of getting huge snow storms are numbered if the highs stay in the 40s that we've been getting for the past couple of weeks. All of those things as well as more evening daylight should help me get back to my regular riding routine.

I've obviously failed to set goals over the past couple of months but plan to get monthly goals set for April. I'm hopeful that I can get at least 5 rides in this last week in March and then start out April strong.

I'm going to be posting some other updates on what we have been doing over the past month or so but I have enough content on those things that I didn't want to lump them into this post and make it too long. Those should be up shortly though!

Weird Weekend

Another photo from last Monday's ride

Last week I was at the barn 5 times and worked Katai 4 times which isn't what I wanted but I still feel pretty good about. It would have been better but I volunteered to spend extra time at work on Friday evening for a project and did a regular shift and then went back from 5-9 so no riding that day.

I had a good but brief ride on Saturday but then on Sunday (you'd think I'd have learned from last weekend) I went later hoping that the exhaust would have cleared out by then but it hadn't so I ended up doing another spa day.

I also just haven't felt that motivated to do anything this weekend. I think it might partially be the crazy weather change we've been having with temp in the 50s when normally it would be in the teens. Or it was the fact that I worked so late on Friday making me feel like I didn't get a real weekend. At any rate I put off going to the barn until the evening both days and even then just didn't feel like my normal self.

Last photo before I started leaving Katai's blanket off.
Enjoy the whiteish pony while you can :)

My ride on Saturday was good but I kept it pretty short and sweet because pony was clearly tired from running around in the nice weather outside (no more ice means lots of pony running) and I figured I'd be riding 5 days in a row. Katai was really good though and we got some great work including lots of stretchy trot and a few really good halts :)

This week will be quiet again so I think I'll be back in the swing of things and I'm going for 6 times at the barn with at least 4 rides and one lunge this week!