Wednesday, July 29, 2009

I feel sooooo empowered! I stood up for myself and my loved ones and it feels grrrrrreat!

I haven't physically felt this good since before my BC surgery. While I haven't lost much weight I have toned up a bit. I have more energy and have even been inclined to do housework which I detest. I do love the feeling of satisfaction you have with a clean home.

Busy weekend. Saturday riding and then get together at the neighbor's. Ate way too much. This coming weekend is filling up. Friday I pick up the Pixinator and Sunday is a JRT Fun Day. I can't wait. Hopefully I can be ambitious enough to ride in the morning and then head over to play. The pups and I haven't really hunted. I am trying to stay away from the field so there are more adult voles. The lawn guys end up doing a number on the nests which doesn't help our hunting situation.

Major Note - I am at 374 hours in the saddle for the AQHA Horseback Riding Program. I joined February of 2008. In the past few days I quickly racked up 6.5 hours. Now that Josie is a mature horse I can ride longer and harder.

We trail rode both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday Josie lead the way. We tried going through one area but it turned out to be too slippery so we decided to go reverse on the trail. That was fine and dandy until we got to the big downhill. Josie likes to hurry when what she needs to do is sit down. I used a big tree to slow us down. No, I didn't run us into it, we just headed toward it which gave her a mental barrier. We then made it down the second half of this steep downhill. Wyatt was a St. Patty's day green from crossing the creek twice. Josie's socks were also green.

I believe I neglected to mention one MAJOR highlight of my vacation. Josie and I did our first Trot Pole lesson on July 12. This is our prelude to jumping. We both did really well. I was a little worried as I had maybe five hours of sleep and had danced liked no one was watching at the dance after the rodeo.

About mid way through the lesson Josie actually jumped and I got left behind - BAD T! BAD T! I wasn't expecting it as she had trotted through everything else. H is having me ride her more up so she can see the jumps and doesn't trip. Thinking this way helps me keep my upper body up and setting a better tempo. Our next lesson is August 9. Must practice two point and exercise to get those legs doing their job!

My ride last night was very good. Josie and I are cantering fools these days. I can push her out if she is falling in. I can actually relax and enjoy the ride which I know she likes very much.

Lately Josie has decided grooming is a very good thing. She has been losing her summer coat and the heart shaped knobby brush feels the best to her. Her little lip starts working and she pushes whatever area I am working on into the brush. She ends up shining.

I spoke with the farrier last time he worked on her and he said the little cracks she has are not a big deal. Ahhhhh I can put that worry away now. Now if I could just get rid of all those other silly worries I like to agonize over.