Hauling Horses & New Bits

For those of my fellow barrel racers, you can likely empathize with feeling of hauling your horses to ride for the first time each Spring. It's the best feeling. Loading the trailer, getting horses brushed up and ready, and getting on the road. 

I am currently house sitting for a very good friend of mine, who I of course met through horses... because you always meet the best people through horses. My mare, Fury is currently boarded at her house. So, I get to house sit and hangout with my girl!! She was kind enough to let me use her truck and trailer while they are gone. So, I took Fury and her pasture friend to an arena down the road yesterday. 

My plan was to do minimal stressful riding. Just focusing on having a good time and letting Fury find her feet in the arena again. In years past, I wasn't how aware of just how important it is to correctly get a horse back in shape. I live in the Midwest, so we have some pretty treacherous winters. I somehow always falsely convince myself that I will keep Fury in shape all winter... that has yet to happen lol. So, I did a deep dive on researching the best ways to get a horse back into shape after being out of work for months. 

I came across an article on Barrel Horse News that talked about how important it is to start with slow, low impact work. Walking and trotting are your best friend when it comes to the first few weeks back. I took that info with me and kept in mind that we are not looking for perfection. We are trying to have fun, get the fresh off, and let the horses have a good time. I actually told both myself and the horses, "Our goal is to have fun today!" It worked, I let the stress that I tend to put on myself in effort to be perfect sit to the side, and I just rode my horse. (I have a story about this that I will have to share one day.) All in all, it was a great day doing what I love the most. I have truly struggled throughout the winter months with minimal riding and barn time. Which makes this time of the year easy to be grateful for. 

I am beyond grateful for the life that I lead. 

"Someone wishes for their best day to look like your normal ones." I try to always remember that. 

-LD