Happy New Year! 2014 Goals!

Happy happy New Year everyone!

I hope you all enjoyed New Year's Eve and had as much fun as possible in the last few hours of 2013. I know I did, we went to my cousin's birthday and played How to Host a Murder. I ended up being the murderer and I knew it even before we played! 

Now it is that time of year again where we make goals and resolutions for ourselves. 

Goals for 2014

• Buy a horse trailer by the end of spring- already have the money just need to hunker down and find one.
• After we get a trailer I want to do a lot of showing and/or trail riding throughout the summer. It has always been a dream to bring Ava to my house.
• Buy a biothane bridle and breast collar.
• Work on hobbling with Ava.
• Ride at least three days a week.
• Perfect our showmanship turn and trot.
• Learn more about horse nutrition.
• Learn more on about training for long distances.
• Work on some simple dressage.
• Take better photography for blog
• Post more often on here, I only made 68 last year...
• Make a new layout and banner for my blog.
• This is my third year having this blog and by the time I reach either 100 followers or 200 posts I will host a giveaway!

Of course I have more goals but these are the main ones. There is no stopping in learning!

Oh yeah, make a new one of these

Ava Dear! Ready for Long Distances?

Today and this past week I have been doing my best to take Ava out on a mini trail ride every time I visit. The weather this time of year has been amazing, we barely have any snow! So I am trying to take advantage of that. It is quite obvious when we go out on a ride that Ava gets a little nervous, holds her head high, and will be quick as a Standardbred, but she barely spooks. She will keep up a quick trot but will rarely shy at anything. That I can deal with- quickness is okay but spooking is a big no-no. Especially at this time of year too she is usually somewhat of a basket case but this year she is much more together. This takes me to another related topic. I want to slowly condition Ava for long rides, maybe up to 25 miles! She loves to move (most of the time) and loves being in the great outdoors. So nothing would be better than to train her for long distances. It will be exciting to get it going.

It's hard to realize that 2014 aka Year of the Horse is literally right around the corner. I need to get a resolution post up quickly! 

She's a Trail Horse?

We've had our fun throughout the summer. The weather has turned and slowly the hints of winter are coming. Gross! Say goodbye to scalding hot days, shorts, horseback riding, and everything that is fun. Now say hello to boredom, the cold, and more boredom... Although we live in a major ski area it is way to expensive for me to keep it up.

I have tried to enjoy our non snow days as much as possible but still my schedule keeps me from riding much, if at all! Ava needs a lot more work but she still acts better than I could have hoped. So as long as I can keep that constant then we're good! I have also been looking into buying a horse trailer, yes, or as I like to call them "freedom!" Due to future events (still a secret!) I will need one fairly soon. So excited! When we finally acquire a trailer I will be going to shows left and right which is even more exciting. In the meantime I've decided only to focus on our showmanship and trail riding. Showmanship has looked really good and as for trail riding she does fine. My next project is to find as many scary things as possible, maybe even make an obstacle course!

Our shadow selves

Hello rumpy

The result of a hungry horse. Still not sure how she does it!

One of the walks

Hello!

Yawning after our lazy ride

Some enjoyment while being 21

Please Excuse...

My inability to stay consistent in posting. It is mainly due to my laziness.

One of my favorite boarder's horse standing like a boss.
They aren't here anymore..

Things have been pretty well. Ava and I have been trying to spend more time outside if the weather permits and are working on our western pleasure prettiness. She is becoming very soft in the mouth, almost to the point where I can barely touch the reins and she will give, it looks so lovely too! The only thing is is that she is becoming harder to catch. Like today I walked in and she and Poco start walking away from me (surprise surprise) so I moved them off. They started out slow but then for the next few minutes they were cantering and galloping all over their pasture (most of it was me but I didn't have to do much...) I'm not sure as to why she is being such a butt but hopefully we'll get through it.

One other thing that I want to make a note of is that she gets a little fidgety when I cinch up. Keep in mind that I don't go straight for ultimate tightness all at once, I gradually tighten it. Maybe the saddle is bothering her or possibly being in heat could make riding a little more agitating... I've also been wanting to get a pad that fits the saddle better, maybe that would help...

As for our moving plans we are still a little in between... I don't want to get into it because it could take me forever to explain but I will let you know our committed plan when we come to it.

After a nice bareback ride

Today it was freezing cold, only because of the darn wind! We rode inside and did a little with the cows, Ava gets excited when the cows are around. One tried to ram his head towards her too! Ava reared slightly but handled herself well. Finally when the cows were gone we worked on our western pleasure and transitions, she is getting really good! I also tried her in a new bit and although it has a shank I could tell that she liked it much more than her snaffle. After that we helped a novice rider by having her horse follow behind Ava as we cantered. Other than that we rode a little outside and finished up.

Ava sniffing Morris the barn cat

Sniff sniff, Morris is so sweet!

Hi there!

Today I also finished the book Horses Never Lie by Mark Rashid. Holy cow, it has been moved to my all time favorites list. Wow!! It was amazing. Really gave me a good look at horse training. I've started applying some of his teachings to Ava and it really helps the both of us.

Check it out!

Field Riding Fiends!

Yesterday Cappie and I went out on a field ride. It was beautiful, hot weather and Ava and I enjoyed every bit of it. Cappie was good company too and his horse and Ava got along great. Here are some pictures from the ride.

Ava and The Ranch

Me and The Ranch

Ava and Poco eating dinner

Cappie failing at picture taking, haha!