When temps in the 30’s feel warm

Well temperatures appear to finally be rising here in Southeast Michigan. The boys have shed their 200 gram blankets in favor of 100 grams and sheets (for now). Stampede even got a little sweaty on his neck during our workout yesterday and I took off my coat. The high yesterday, 39 degrees.

After our ride yesterday. I swear he has a nice neck when he isn’t looking up. 🙂

Tuesday night I had a lesson on Stampede. He was very good on the flat for a lesson. He’s normally a bit angry in lessons about the other horses being in close proximity. Jumping wasn’t quite as amazing as last week, but certainly not bad. He was definitely forward to the jumps, so I had to work to wrangle in that big stride of his a bit. Can’t complain for just his second time back jumping!

Jessica did the flat part of the lesson on P as well. He was definitely up for her since he loves lessons, but he settled down pretty nicely at the end.

Wednesday I rode P and Jessica rode Bijou. P was good but his foot soreness seemed to be coming back. Just an odd off step here and there. He gets trimmed on Monday so that may help as well. Bijou was pretty crazy for Jessica, so she got a workout keeping him under control.

Mr P begging before our ride.

Thursday was lunge night for Stampede. He started out well, but the trainer’s sons have their boy scout meetings at the barn and the kids started running around in the attached clubhouse complete with screaming and he got very distracted. I should start by saying I’m not super big on kids anyways but unruly kids really get me. Kids running around screaming indoors to me is a no. I was never allowed to act like that and I don’t understand what’s up with people anymore. Anyways, off my soap box! So Stampede didn’t get to a point of using his back and relaxing down as much as he does normally because he kept getting distracted and nervous. I may need to move my lunging night, although this works best for me while I’m working so many hours.

Showing off his new Aramas bridle again. So handsome.

Yesterday I got out to the barn even later than usual since I worked most of the day. I ended up riding alone which was nice. Stampede is so much happier when the ring is empty. We worked on transitions a bit, as well as some shoulders in and haunches in at the walk. We cantered more than I planned to, but he was feeling fairly strong to the right so we kept doing circles until he settled in a bit more.

My handsome boy

I forgot to mention that I also bought some new to me Herm Sprenger stirrups. My legs were feeling it yesterday since I was putting a lot of emphasis on pushing my heels down.

Sprenger stirrups on the Butet

I had a pair of generic flex stirrups on before that just don’t have as much flex to them. I moved those to the Antares so no more traditional stirrups for me.

Off I go to ride Stampede again! Jessica will be riding the handsome Mr P today.