The Last Two Months

It has really been crazy the last two months and I just haven’t found the time or my voice to post.  A lot of things are changing for me regarding Liam and I just don’t have a current direction (well sort of).

To recap:

The second week of the Princeton Horse Show (July 4^th week) went really well for Liam and I.  We got ribbons in all our classes.  He was much more relaxed in the barn area then week 1 and I couldn’t be more proud of him.  My plan after the 2 week horse show was to give Liam 1 week off, then 1 week of light hacks, then back to regular work.  To say the least, that just didn’t happen, is an understatement.

One thing led to another and before I knew it Liam had a month off between twisting a shoe, a camping vacation, my husband’s birthday, and weather.  I started riding Liam consistently again the first week in August.

First ride back after having a month off. I couldn’t be more thrilled to be in the saddle again and Liam was quiet and happy to be ridden.

After having a month off from riding I really started to have a different opinion.  It is really hard to put into words and this is probably why I have waited this long to post.  To put it simple, I enjoyed not riding.  (what?)  It was a really weird feeling.  I had more time to do the little things that I never get to do.  Like time to see friends, clean my house, get a pedicure, see family, etc…  Don’t get me wrong, it is not like I went a month without seeing Liam.  I saw him about 2-3 times a week compared to 5-6 times when he is in full work.    I love Liam and he will never be for sale, but I don’t think I want to continue down the path I was going with him, at least for now.  Liam is a ton of work to get ready for the show ring and right now thinking about taking a lesson makes me want to vomit.  Then I started to realize it wasn't the not riding part I enjoyed (I actually missed riding), but it was the no pressure part I enjoyed of not riding.  No pressure to get to a lesson, no pressure to do my homework from my lesson, no pressure to practice, just no pressure... 

So what did I find to enjoy over the last several weeks regarding riding?  It is trail riding and activities outside of the ring.   I do not want any part of riding in the ring right now.  I have been going down to the hay field and riding the perimeter of the field.  I was able to trailer over to Christy Hoffman’s park once with my friend and her pony.  I have been having a blast doing these sort of activites.  Liam is getting better about trail riding, but still not super good.  He is a bit nervous, but I figure if we keep going, he will get better and better.  Also, I have only been riding 4 days a week.  I think this is a good compromise.  A friend has been helping me out and riding Liam 1 day a week for me (my late night at work), so Liam is getting ridden 5 days a week still.    

My plan for now is to continue to do more and more trail riding.  Get down to the hay field and trailer out somewhere at least once a week (hopefully).  I wish my barn had more access to trails.  I only really have the hay field to ride in, but it is a nice big field and if I go around it 3 times it is 4 miles (tracked by my runtastic app on my phone).  I have plans to go to Christie Hoffman’s again, a wildlife preserve, trail access from a friends barn, and round valley park over the next several weeks.   Let’s see how many we can get to before the weather gets bad.  I also have plans to do as many hunter paces as I can make over the fall months.  Thank goodness my friend with her pony is on board and I am hoping this can be a new adventure for Liam and I…  I won't say I will never go back to lessons and horse showing because I am sure the itch will come back, but for right now I am enjoying the relaxed pace we are on now...