JaimeHope

For the record –

Friday, February 27, 2016 I know I swore not to complain about February. But the last think I want to do is ride in this crap one more day! Of course it’s the day we have to ride. So we ride.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016 This month has continued with less than ideal riding conditions. I am thankful for some of the mild temps earlier on and the mileage we’ve racked up toward our first ride which is coming up fast (Leatherwood, Saturday March 26). We are now less than one month out! Does it makeContinue reading “Big Ideas”

Deal or No Deal

Monday, February 15, 2015 I have been reading The Horse (Epic History of our noble companions) by Wendy Williams. A much more fascinating read than I anticipated, one chapter features a horseman that takes in last chance mustangs who haven’t done well in more than one adoptive home. He said (paraphrasing): you have to lookContinue reading “Deal or No Deal”

R&R

Friday, February 12, 2016 After racking up almost 50 miles last week on Khaleesi – we took advantage of mild weather and some available time that doesn’t always come so easily… This week is for some healing and recovery. It’s the perfect week for it because the weather has turned winter with a vengeance. ColdContinue reading “R&R”

Excellent Together

Sunday, February 7, 2016 I arrived at the barn hoping for two things. #1 that Khaleesi wasn’t lame or off from her kicking/slipping episode. #2 that she wouldn’t walk away from me to show she was looking for that ever elusive relationship ‘space’ when things aren’t going so well. When I pulled in the girlsContinue reading “Excellent Together”

Motivation

Saturday, February 6, 2016 I have spent much time and thought on the human-horse relationship lately. So much that I’ve even begun to question my own sanity and that point I’m pretty certain is well past the point others who know me have done the same. It becomes obsessive- like a struggling teenage relationship… WhatContinue reading “Motivation”

Don’t give up on me… I won’t give up on you.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016 Monday was cold and rainy. A good day to take a barn break- do some actual work – and let the horse have a non-human day to just be horses. Tuesday was overcast and damp. I dragged my feet getting things done in the house and found a million excuses notContinue reading “Don’t give up on me… I won’t give up on you.”

I’d like to get to know you

Sunday, January 31, 2016 I have been thinking about the human-horse relationship more and more lately. I used to think training was about getting the horse to do what you want/need, hopefully in a gentle way but the point was… Well… Obedience. It would be a bonus if that would also equal willingness. Kind ofContinue reading “I’d like to get to know you”

How a year changes things.

Sunday, January 23, 2016 Last winter I spent a lot of time riding Faygo and ponying Khaleesi along to help build her fitness. I used to nickname her ‘the anchor’ (not a great nickname for an endurance horse in training I suppose). Pictures from last year ponying Khaleesi: Today was the first time I rodeContinue reading “How a year changes things. “

Snow day gift

Friday, January 22, 2016 As I lingered under the covers Thursday morning I thought about how pretty and mild the day was forecasted to be. The one day of the week I was booked solid from 9am-7:30pm. I grabbed my phone to check morning emails without climbing out of the covers even for coffee toContinue reading “Snow day gift “