We are still alive!

The first week of school is kicking my butt.  I haven't ridden since Sunday, however, tomorrow is the day. So look for an update then.

I have had 3 GREAT rides this week, but I feel like I am cheating a little.  I have been riding in his hackamore.  I always call it easy mode when we don't have a bit in his mouth.

Even with no weight on the reins he fusses.

Our first ride was in the grass dressage arena.  It tends to be the softest on his feet.  I started by just walking and trotting a few laps in both directions to check soundness.  After we got all our coughs out and he proved to be sound we went to work at a walk.  I insisted that we move forward with purpose.  WITHOUT jigging or curling up.  I wanted him to reach forward.  After about 10 minutes we had a beautiful adjustable swinging walk no matter what I asked: shoulder-in, check; Leg-yielding, check; turn-on-the-hind, check.  Our work went forward from there - his trot was supply and easy to sit.  He bent himself around my leg and was really 'stretchy.'  We even did shallow counter canter loops.  PERFECT.

Our next rides were much the same.  It seems that waiting until we have the perfect walk is the key to relaxation.  Even today when the canter work made him spazz out and get tense; going back to calm lateral movements at the walk made him settle.

We are bringing this sexy walk back!!  I know you are jealous!

The only bummer - I tried to jump.  Pony was awesome: my knee was awful.

All that aside, I cannot think of a better note to leave town on.
That's right Chicago here I come!

Trailer Repair

Although a new truck and trailer would be the stuff of dreams, I believe I am stuck with what I have for at least the next two years.  This being so I am going to start working on repairing the buts and pieces of my trailer my self.

This is going to be a complete and on going list of the repairs and upgrades that are needed as they happen in real time.  If anyone out there is reading this I would LOVE any advice, tips, or improvement ideas.  I have created two lists describing the necessity of each thing and rough time line where jobs are put into phases.  My goal is to do a phase per month and have the whole thing done before November when time and weather will make it harder to complete.

Need:

- New tires

- Repair damaged fiberglass

- Repaint Exterior

- Fix Lock on 2nd window

Want:

- Repaint Interior

- Gut Dressing Room

- Repaint Dressing Room

- New Ramp Locks

Luxury:

- Move Rear Tack Pieces into Dressing Room.

- Stud wall divider
- Walk Through Tack Door

Phase One:

1) Strip all internal pieces out of trailer - dividers, tack, ect.

2) Power Wash interior and exterior

3) Repair all damaged fiber glass

4) Repaint

Phase Two:

1) Fix Window

2) Repaint Metal Interior Pieces

3) Replace Door Hardware

Phase Three:

1) Gut Dressing Room

2) Paint

3) Redecorate
4) Walk through Door

I will post images and up date this as I go.

On the horse front - shoes are back on and he is SOUND!!  I had a GREAT ride and lunged him 2x and he has been a super star!