AFTER DAYS OF RAIN AND WIND AND MOWING......

I was able to ride today!! I mowed the large arena, and created a small arena next to the house, but with all the rain, we decided not to use it, and go straight to the large one. With large farm equipment rolling by, wide loads and flapping tarps, we managed to have a wonderful ride.

Harry was so supple and almost too quiet at the walk, but found the necessary energy to march on up around the logs in the back field and back down to the mowed area. Joan's treatment was amazing. She adjusted the air in the saddle and then gave him a great treatment which gave him more freedom in his shoulders, and he was nice and through with his mini flat tire of the right hind. He felt amazing! He trotted around so nicely and when we were finished, the 40 min. went flying by, he gave me a PERFECT HALT!

We have our first lesson with Valerie Knight this Sunday, and hopefully I'll get a short video or some photos to share. What a fabulous day.

I can't let the opportunity go by to give kudos to Joan A. and her amazing insight into what horses need. Please do a favor for yourself and your horse and visit her website and blog for some great information and articles.

http://www.bestsaddlesolutions.com

We made it home without incident, and after cleaning out the Winter from our barn, I turned Harry out for a while. He was so happy, trotting and cantering around his paddocks, investigating all the new grass and dandelions. Here he is standing under one of his four fans just glad to be home.

On the way home, we stopped in MD to have Joan A. adjust our saddle and give Harry a much needed treatment. We stayed at Sunset Hill Farm, and it was fantastic. Here is the entrance:

We were only there for two days, but it was so much fun. Joan came and adjusted the saddle while I was riding Harry. He was so happy and full of himself, we all were laughing at his antics. When we finished up in the ring, Joan gave him a great treatment. The horses in Kate's barn loved the music and were sleeping by the time she finished. Here are photos of Harry and Joan discussing his treatment:

Proj. 4 Clip of Lesson

THE WINTER THAN NEVER SEEMED TO END

After waiting for 10 days to leave, we finally left on the 11th of January. It was a fairly smooth ride, despite the roads, and when we crossed the mts. in PA, and started down on the flats of Rt. 15 with the Susquehanna River to our East, I knew we would be fine.

I won't bore you with the details of the Winter, just suffice it to say that I learned some new things..........

1. Find as much as you can about the person(s) you will be working for. You can never investigate too much. Take nothing at first interview. Actions speak louder than words.

2. Make sure the barn where you are keeping your horse has warm water, and a toilet available. Having to drive 7 miles to find a toilet and having to buy something to use it is NOT an OPTION.

3. Make sure that where you are staying is NO MORE than 15 miles, at the most.

4. Make sure the footing is safe and the fences are sturdy for the horse.

5. Make sure that your pet (my dog Tutti) does not have to stay:

a. in a pen all day

b. tied up all day

c. sitting in a car all day

6. INVESTIGATE, ASK MORE QUESTIONS, GET IT IN WRITING

OK, now that's out of the way, I can tell you that by the fourth month of

a. putting more than 100 miles a day on my truck and working 60+ hours a week

b. sleeping on the floor

c. not being able to just ride out in good footing, being able to relax, and even teaching some great people, and being able to actually use your jewelry tools and equipment, and your sewing machine to repair blankets.

I was able to find a great barn right across the street from where I was staying for my horse that was safe, clean and happy. I was able to spend the last month in a place where I could sleep on a futon, cook my meals instead of having to buy breakfast sandwiches and tomato sandwiches for supper from the local gas station.

Fast forward through to May 2010.............

I was able to take two fabulous lessons from Lani Tigchlaar, clear up Harry's balance issues, his legs and feet, and have a great start when we got home.