Spring arrived but it is still freezing!

So everyone is looking for that groundhog? I heard on the news this morning that he is "WANTED" for fraud. It is 18º degrees F out this morning. It should be 35º-40º normally. Hang in there, warmer weather is around the corner. Lol. If youremember, last year we had record high of 83º on March 20, 2012. For Michigan, that's hot! It is all that weather tempering they do up there.

We are getting Annie in shape (and myself if I might say). She gained weight this winter from eating more to stay warm, and she shows it well. She actually looked prego. And she would huff and puff after a half hour of work. She still does have more weight to loose, but it is coming off. She is also in conditioning and training to prepare for spring rides. We are doing a fundraiser breast cancer Fun Show on the 30th at Berwick Saddle Club. That will be fun. There will be indoor contests on horses, like balancing an egg on a spoon and travel a certain distance without dropping, pole races, barrels, along with a "wear pink" costume party.

In April, we will do an endurance ride. 15-20 mile run. I will try it for 15. It will be our first one. I am not rushing this one but will do my best. We will have to go on trail rides before that. Then Memorial weekend we go camping with the barn family. I always look forward to this. This time we are going back to Ionia. It is a great place and it is not too far.

In the meantime, Annie is being trained and I am taking lessons. Our canter is slower now (not a jog yet but slower). I also have better body position. The only thing is my leg tends to move forward still. I'll be ok at trot and walk, but at canter, not so much. I think it also has to do with the saddle maybe? I don't know. But I am working on it. Muscle memory is a difficult thing to learn. Annie is a sweetheart as always. We also put a Clinton Anderson snaffl bit on her and she tries to get on the bit more. I put my husband Bruce on her and had him walk her around to cool off. She would walk right back to me. She is such a mommy's girl. Bruce wants to learn. He understands that it takes a lot of concentration to maneuver and cue the horse. That is hard to do. Your left leg back, right rein on the bit, shoulders back, sit straight, look forward ... So many things to remember all at once. If I teach him, it could help me too in getting to know my stuff and seeing it done from the ground.

(sorry, i am not very good at video editing)

I am so much more happy - more confident - more knowledgeable. Keep on learning! Keep on riding!

Mo