still winter, still cold and still riding :)

On Tuesday, Zoe and I were joined on our outing by OYY Ivan's new owner - Jennifer (she is a new RAC'er now !). Jen has not ridden in years.. but she's back in the saddle now. This is her first foray out of the indoor.. so we're not going too far. It's cold and Jen still lacks the muscle to trot far.. :) That is usually a phrase I use to describe a horse.

It's great when you can sell a horse to someone you come to like .. and Jen is excited to be a horse owner again after so many years.

I am going to miss Ivan when he leaves to his new home.

I am sure Jen will get the hang of posting soon - and she will continue to report all good news :)

I am proud to say now - with the addition of handsome Ivan and Jen - I have 6 horses registered in the RAC that were born here, several that came from here indirectly (grand-children and changing owners). Not counting Keri and Zoe's mounts ! Pretty neat.

Yesterday, Zoe and I wanted a good brisk trot so we decided to take Keri and Elektra out for the 12 mile loop. That's the route that inclues the mile long hill which is perfect for a good canter (or gallop if you are so inclined). Elektra is going to be out and about on the road to build her hiney up for her summer shows. Keri has come to really like Elektra as a riding partner.

I know I mentioned this once before in a past post - Keri's donkey ears compared to Elektra's way of traveling... )

We trot past the turkeys - who are out pecking at pinecones it looks like.

It gets colder the further we go - so lucky the roads are such that we can move out.

It starts to flurry - the scenery is pretty, but what happened to that warm front everyone was talking about ?

I have asked several people lately -- is it colder this year or am I just not the tough old gal I used to be ?

Here's a great stretch for a rider.. as a Jack Benny-ite, I am a bit more stiff than Zoe.. but along with those neck bends for your horse, this is one that will help keep some flexion in your body too. Mainly - we do it just to pet the horse while we are in stroll mode :)

Both of us commented, the two cold winter riding target areas remain our cheeks and our toes. Those cozy toes (that's what the stirrup covers are called ) that I posted a few days ago - to answer a question do have room for toe warmers... so I do need to get those on order. Hope they are as perfect as advertised.

After my trotting video - I wanted to do a canter one... it's kind of weird holding the camera up to your eye and cantering... you can see I faltered a bit - but this time - a slow canter.. next goal.. fast canter and gallop :)

Enjoy ~