Saturday, September 19, 2015

There's Hope for our Humans

I heard Lucy say this to Pistol when they were back in their pasture after we rode this morning.

Both Brett and I had good rides.

I wasn't sure how Lucy would be -- since I haven't ridden her in two weeks due to all the smoke we had from the fires (500 homes lost in the Butte fire; I can't even get my head around that).  Plus, she was really pissy last night when I was mucking her pasture.  Demanding.  I carried a dressage whip this morning when I rode in case she was sluggish or resistant.  She turned her head after I got on, and sniffed it.  Then she marched into the arena without looking twice at the corner Brett had been working on.  It's the lower corner -- trolls don't live there -- but Brett had added a wood border with drainage holes for rain water to run off, without taking sand with it).  So there was new wook and some decomposed granite, raked nice and neat.  She didn't care at all.  I had one of those rides where your face hurts afterwards because you've been grinning the whole time.  I concentrated on my position and my timing -- and Lucy was relaxed, forward, prompt and accurate.

Lucy and I are going to be in horrible shape, from a fitness standpoint, next weekend at Sandy Savage's workshop -- but we will muddle through and we will have a good time.  And we will learn.  I can't believe how the few things Sandy corrected in me in my last lesson have made such a difference in Lucy.

Meanwhile, Brett and Pistol were having a good time up in the other end of the arena.  Pistol did give the new boards the stink eye when they first went into the arena, but that's it.  Last night, Brett and I were talking about the upcoming Mark Rashid clinic.  He was wondering what to work on with Pistol -- she's so awesome already.  At the end of their ride today, I said to Brett, "Let's see what happens if you engage your core while sitting her trot.  I wonder if she will round up."  Off they went.  Pistol did lift her back a bit and she starting reaching way under with her hind legs.  I said to Brett, "There you go; that's what you can work on with Mark: getting Pistol to work through her body by how you work through yours."

We're having friends over for dinner tonight.

We went over towards Apple Hill and got apples from our favorite orchard, Hooverville, outside of Placerville.  ...so I could make pie.  The first one of the season and I'm kinda proud of how it came out, with its sparkling sugar and cinnamon crust.


8 comments:

  1. I just loved everything about this post. I never get around to blogging anymore but I am always so glad to hear from you. That pie is amazing. I'm sure if I tried filling a pie like that it would explode in the oven. Good work all around.

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  2. Lucy is a beautiful horse amd I love the way you observe her and get into her feelings and her mind. You certainly have a good excuse for being out of your training routine, so just go and enjoy it all.

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  3. It sounds like a great day. I love your attitude about Lucy.

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  4. Boy, you two and the horses are doing well. You must really be looking forward to your clinics. Don't you just love having friends over for dinner? That pie is off the CHARTS!!!!

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  5. Long time reader (I mean it, a really long time), but I think this is the first time commenting. What made me do it? The apple pie! Looks smashing.

    As much as I love pie, I love horses more, and learn a lot from your blog. I've not done dressage, but am devouring all I can from blogs and youtube.

    My one and only horse was a morgan/quarter and is now long gone, but I enjoy keeping up.

    Karen
    southern California

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  6. Good things all around.

    The changes in us make such a difference to the horses - they must be smiling, too!

    Ah, pie. Looks just plain lovely . . .

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  7. Two things -
    Please smooch Pistol's cute nose for me, and PIE!!!!!!!!

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  8. Michaele and Inger said what I was thinking. Off to find a piece of pie somewhere:) Hug B

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Thanks so much for commenting!