Easy Training Day

What a beautiful day! Finally the weather is sort of starting to cooperate with my plans. Worked Reflexion today. It's beautiful and sunny, so we decided to road hack it. It's a little cold and a lot windy, but what am I gonna do? I can't wait around. There will be race days that I may not want to ride in, but I'll have to, right?

I've been worried that Reef has lost a lot of conditioning this winter (I turn into a hermit when it's cold), but turns out I was over reacting. He has lost condition, but we did a fast 7k today, and he was still good to go! It may have had something to do with the wind, but I'll take what I can get. We trotted most of the ride, with a few canter/gallop stretches in between to get a little of the buck out. Reef likes to buck when he feels good. Not to be a jerk, but just 'cause he's havin fun. I know I shouldn't encourage this - and I don't - but since he only does it with me I'll let it slide. He knows I can handle it. Maybe he likes the way I laugh when he does it?

Anyway, seeing as he still had some gas left in the tank at the end of the 7k, we did some jumping, and boy was he a star! I swear, since we started jumping, he's wanted to jump everything - including a few puddles I wasn't quite ready for today!

This is good news, considering our first race is the Queens Bush Training Ride May 9th (Sorry Mom, raincheck I promise!). We're just gonna do an easy 15 miles to get our feet wet for the season.

In the mean time, I have to try and get that horse out for a 15-20k ride at least once a week, with a fast 5-10k twice a week until then. Unless I do some more ring work, then maybe I can cut the miles down a bit. Then again, we probably won't. We love our job!

While doing all this, I need to get my lesson ponies ready for this season's lesson schedule (Sundays folks). They have had some time off and need to get back into shape just like the rest of us!

I've already started working Tequilla - my Paso Fino mare. I had planned to take it slow with her at first to ensure she has no discomfort in her feet, but she was having none of it. She blew my mind! Lunged like a pro, then I turned her out. I don't want to push my luck with her.

Now I just have to get going on Tuffy, Sierra, and Cool. I'm tired just thinking about it!

No rest for the wicked I guess........ ;)