postponed again

Thanks for everyone's well wishes about the fix-a-test show! I planned to go right up until mid-morning when it was finally postponed again bc of the weather. Grrrr  

It made sense - our farm was a total wreck bc of the snow storm too - but the warm temps (45*!!!!) and strong sun meant that the roads and everything were pretty clear. Oh well - it's rescheduled for March 7, which as a lesson day isn't exactly ideal... but we'll figure it out. 

'caution - cute horses!'

Isabel didn't escape entirely, however, tho I didn't ride. It was tempting to gallop around in the field - but I ended up being too worried about getting into a fight with her in risky footing... So we went for a little lunge instead. 

Ms Princess had already frolicked around in the field a bit when she was turned out that morning - and it was SUPER cute bc she almost never plays (she's much too dignified, obvi). But it was also short lived, so I figured a little extra work wouldn't kill the mare. 

Cagey mare that she is tho, she walked away to the far fence line when I started calling her name and made me trudge all the way over... boo haha. I didn't even bother taking her into the barn for a grooming tho (but had a hoof pick in my pocket just in case she had big snow balls) and went straight up to the field. She was immediately pretty curious and interested in the change up. 

The sun was super warm and strong too and it was all very relaxing. Isabel was practically dozing on the line haha. 

She was good tho - and trotted around quite politely when I asked. Never mind that she hasn't worked in over a week. I guess this is what it means to be a sensible and broke 13 yr old horse? But who knows, maybe when I finally DO get back on she'll be a little more nuts haha. 

I just had her walk and trot around, changing directions somewhat frequently and not trotting for very long extents. The deep heavy snow combined with warm temps meant she was blowing pretty soon and I didn't want to wear her out - just keep her mind engaged. 

There's a distinct difference between tracking right and left tho. She can keep a pretty reasonable circle shape and stays at the end of the rope to the left. 

When going right, tho, she usually pulls toward home and comes in off the circle on the 'away' side. So I have to add more pressure to keep her at the end of the line, and her response to pressure isn't to move away from it (like I want her to) - it's to go faster and become further imbalanced. 

kinda love this pic - esp the shadow! - but wish her tail wasn't cut off

We have the same problems under saddle and I'm definitely trying to work on it... but it's frustrating to still face this same lateral imbalance after focusing on it for so long... Ugh. The biomechanics clinician comes back in March tho. I love riding with her but I think our first lesson will have *her* in the saddle to see if she can guide Isabel to straightness and balance so that it'll be easier for me to do afterward. 

All said, Isabel lunged for maybe 15 minutes. Then we hung out with some parents watching their kids' lesson and Isabel became bffs with one mother who had peppermints lol. 

Then it was back to her pasture - having never actually stepped into the barn. The horse was kinda shocked, I think, at how it all went. She stood at the gate kinda incredulous, like 'that's it? really? don't we normally hang out for hours?' and stood around up there like maybe she thought maybe I'd be coming back for her. 

It was actually really adorable to see her waiting there - and got the attention of quite a few other folks, who then gave her even more treats and were snapping pics of her lol. I don't mind that at all, haha - if it means she'll come to the gate instead of walk away, it's all good by me!