I normally don't ride in the evening but since getting divorced, it has been difficult to ride in the morning. I have to be home to see my son on the bus at 6:45 AM. I would get up earlier and be at the barn at 5:00 AM and home by the bus, but Jaliska and the other horses are still asleep and I just don't have the heart to wake them. Jaliska for one is still growing and needs a full nights rest.
I get to the barn and of course Jaliska is thrilled to see me. I swear, I have my own fan club in J. I am just as happy to see her, she has a fan club in me. I spend time patting her and blowing in her nose which she finds soothing for some reason.
The temperature is not that bad. Yesterday was brutal with below zero wind chills. Today it was still chilly but this evening it feels like a balmy 20 degrees. I groom Jaliska and put on her half sheet to keep her somewhat warm during our ride.
We head for the indoor. I walk her for fifteen minutes in each direction, letting her reins hang loose so she can stretch out her neck. Walking for a half hour prior to and after riding is really good for horses. I learned about this from reading Elmar's book Training the Modern Jumper.
When I start to trot her, I immediately feel a difference. Jaliska is so smooth. What a difference professional training makes.
She is a dream for the next forty minutes. I am so happy after our ride, that I spend the next thirty minutes cleaning all of our tack. Jaliska is happy too as she gets multiple hugs and praises, an apple and a horsey treat that I found in a container in the tack room.
I immediately make a plan to ride first thing in the morning since the kids will be at their fathers.
I head home reinvigorated.
Tip of the day:
If at all possible, set your horse up with training rides, that is if you are lucky enough to have a really good trainer where you keep your horse. It is well worth the investment.
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