The Winter season begins to settle in. It started yesterday with gloomy skies, chilled winds, and rain. Of course, it didn't stop me from going down to the barn and work Ava. I am going to try really hard to keep riding through the winter, may it be only a walk around the field or even just a walk around the snowy arena, I have to keep riding. We have no indoor as well as barn so it will be difficult to cool her down on chilly days but it doesn't sound too difficult. I plan on making a post on how to tell if your horse is cold and what to do after riding in cold climates, this could be super helpful in the future!
Ava worked for me well. I put on her bareback pad so she could still feel what it is like to have a saddle on and then gave her a nice workout. I didn't want to work her too hard but she kept telling me that she did, so, we worked and worked. She got a little spazzy but it is definitely an improvement since we first started. She used to buck, jump, and just be crazy, but now all she really does is lower and shake her head a bit. Which I still get after her for because I know that she is just lettin' loose but I want her as safe as possible and that means there is almost zero tolerance for weirdness when she is around me or children.
Since the weather has been settling in I am debating on blanketing and possibly getting studded shoes for Ava. Since I plan to work through the Winter I want to minimize the risks of falling and her getting too cold. She doesn't have a thick coat as it is but this year it seems shorter than usual. I should probably keep an eye on her, just in case. As for her feet, she has fallen a couple times in the past years, luckily when I'm not riding! But it is still really nerve racking to see a 1000 pound animal fall on the ground. So, I have been looking into studded shoes or even put studs on hoof boots. I don't really know where to go from there but we'll eventually find out.
The awesome holidays are coming up and I am literally going broke buying so many people gifts! In some ways I care but in many other ways I don't because I love buying presents for people. Of course I am going to get some things for Ava, especially now since it is Cyber Monday!! So excited! I hope all of you have great plans coming up.
Here are some working pictures from yesterday!!
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| Cantering in the cold |
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| We all have those angles we don't like |
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| A bad trot... |
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| Picked up trot |
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| Stretchy trot |
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| Nice trot! |
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| Coolin' off |
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| Whispers of sweet nothin' |
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| I really need to update this! |
That first photo is very cool!
ReplyDeleteThank you Allison!
DeleteLove the bright colored pad!
ReplyDeleteThat red looks striking on her!
ReplyDeleteThanks for leaving a comment on my blog! :) Ava is absoloutly beautiful, I need to go back track and read older posts and more of her story, but I can tell you've done wonders with her. :) My horse was a rescue of sorts, he was very underweight when I got him and bald from sweet itch, my aunt owned him and loved him to death but they couldn't afford feed anymore. If he hadn't been able to come to TN with me, I don't know where he would've gone. He's been in his fair share of homes, including a slaughter type auction, which is horrible because he has amazing bloodlines and was sold for quite a bit of money! Rescues are amazing, they have so, so much to give!
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