So. The health saga goes on (and on ... and on ...) but I am determinedly focusing on a solution, not the problems, so I'll gloss over that. Suffice to say that even if I don't feel 100%, I'm busting my ass to do all my normal stuff. Including ride, do barn chores, work on improving the place, all that good stuff.
I'm working on developing Apollo's hind engagement - one of those things covered in "chop wood, carry water" - and he's doing well! Lots of transitions between and within gaits, making sure that I don't school shit. Today's plan, if it's not raining, is trot sets. Tomorrow's plan, if it's not raining, is hack, then Sunday, if all goes as planned, up to NT's place for a dressage lesson in between barn chore shifts.
That barn chore shifts thing is something I'm really excited about. Hang out with excellent people and learn from them by osmosis; get exercise doing something I enjoy; and work off lessons. How could this be bad? :D The only drawback is the drive up there, but ... it's workable. Especially if I'm working off lessons. So some number of Sundays during the month, I'll get to hang out with the team.
Plus, things are shaping up at the home barn. SO exciting there too. BO and I went to Tractor Supply last night, and it's amazing how much difference a good manure cart makes in keeping things tidy. It was downright fun to clean the stall. (The refill of PDZ helped too.) The push broom makes me happy, and I'm bringing a leaf style rake from home. We also picked up some 3/4 inch matting for the trailer floor. I think this, plus changing the way I buckle Apollo in, will make a huge difference in Apollo's willingness to trailer. The mats will need trimming and Tetris-ing to fit precisely, but that will happen Saturday. That way they'll be ready to go for Sunday early.
Next, a few loads of gravel to level out the stall Apollo's in, then I'll get actual stall mats for his stall, and bed it appropriately, and things will be MUCH better come winter. And now, but yknow. Winter is a big deal. Just need to figure out how we'll schedule letting him out in the mornings. A bridge to cross when we get there, really. Just things doing better and better.
Oh, and - I had decided to skip the River Glen Horse Trials in July/August, thinking we weren't ready ... nah. If we can get onto the course a couple of times and work hard in the meantime, we can at the VERY least do Starter, if not BN as planned. Excelsior!
Today: Trot
Sat: Hack
Sun: Dressage
Mon: Off
Tues: Longe in side reins
Weds: Dressage
Thurs: Dressage
Fri: Off
Sat: Jump
Sun: Jump? Dressage?
barn chores are also my preferred method for working off costs for exactly the reasons you wrote. what's not to love?
ReplyDeleteSounds like things are improving vastly. Yay!! :-)
ReplyDeleteConsidering your NT barn is my OT barn, it cracks me up that you look forward to chores haha. Just kidding, besides the fact that my life is crazy busy and it was difficult some weekends to take three hours out of my other responsibilities to do chores, it still was REALLY FUN. Because all the people are fun and awesome. That is true. And what I miss most about OT and her place. :( Although I am sort of enjoying not doing chores, I'm also kind of missing it.
ReplyDeleteGranted, NT and all her peeps seem to be really cool too, but transitions are always difficult, but we have to do what is best for us and our horses I suppose. That being said- uh, you and Apollo can totally do BN at RG haha. But I'll cheer you on for starter as well ;D I'm planning to make RG my first event back as well, looking forward to seeing you and your very super cute boy on the place! I'll try not to be tempted to steal him.