Because we have done nothing. After three straight weeks of highs in the single digits (Fahrenheit), we got snow dumped on us, which then melted. Then massive amounts of rain on top of the melted snow, all of which froze solid and we got another snow on top.
At that point, I said, "Snow on top of ice=TRACTION!!! Let's go for a ride. So we did.
It only worked because Cuna is officially the Best Horse Ever. He always takes care of Cuna first and he never loses his mind or does silly things. At one point, I nearly had heart failure because I realized we were literally in the middle of a huge sheet of ice with a couple inches of snow on top with no actual grit or dirt to help him.
He just calmly walked along.
Love him.
We did have one day post massive snow pre-torrential rains where the arena was quite nice. I braided Cuna's mane to get it respectable again and we had a lovely dressage ride.I even got to work on my sitting trot a little, since he was so lovely and connected. :)
After the ride, I checked and he had slobbers! So huge for us. Given that he doesn't like dressage and I have no ambition to change that, we don't push to had here usually.Except as it benefits our jumping, or course. The more we jump, the more concentrated our flatwork is.
We haven't been jumping. Not really a safe "on a sheet of ice" activity.
When it was really and truly unride-able, even for Cuna, we played dress up. I snagged another client's five point breastplate and tried it on Cuna. I think he looks pretty great. We didn't actually ride in it due to the aforementioned sheet of ice.
Now, due to the temperatures interacting with the water and all, we've been having some pretty intense fog. The fog keeps the sun from shinning enough to melt all the ice and let the arena drain. Cuna and I have been merrily riding in our foggy slush lake in the afternoons. We don't trot much, but it is SO GOOD to be back in the saddle.
This winter can go die in a hole. Seiously. 2nd coldest January ever here. Hope February is better.
I can't be the only one without an indoor. Anyone else still trying to ride through this sort of crap?
Ahhh glad someone got to ride in the post icy snowfall! I wanted to go for a ride in it but it didn't work out. Also the fog was insane during the temperature changes. I'm lucky enough to have an indoor but even then, we haven't been riding in the extreme cold (under 25) for the sake of everyone's lungs.
ReplyDelete5 point?? since when? love the tan. NOt so much for no riding. boo.
ReplyDelete5 point was borrowed. It is good looking though. :)
DeleteI know what you mean. Was going to hop on Koda yesterday (it was a balmy -17!) but when he stepped off the trampled paths in the pasture, he sunk to his knee.
ReplyDeleteGood on you for still riding through that slop! I'd take the fridig cold over the snow+rain+sleet you've got.
I HAVE and indoor and I'm still sick of the weather. If it's going to snow, fine. But is the ice and rain and fog and ice and rain and more ice really neccessary?!
ReplyDeleteNo fun. We have an indoor and there have still been days where it freezes which is nuts. Hope that the weather is better for you guys this month :)
ReplyDeleteYou know I am. I didn't do much during the freezing cold either ... lesson this morning, yay!
ReplyDeleteNo indoor here. And I HATE seeing friends post on FB about how "tired" they are of riding in an indoor.....blah, blah, blah. Give me a break! :-(
ReplyDeleteShould not even comment....as we have an indoor. But I can join the complaining of driving in the crap winter weather - 30 minute drive each way. And trying to trailer to a lesson in single digit temps. Spring can not arrive too soon!
ReplyDeleteI don't have an arena either- but luckily my mom and BFF live only 10 mins away and they both do. I usually trailer out to my friends on Thursdays and then take them to my moms Friday night for the weekend.
ReplyDeleteIt's SOOOO hard to get motivated in this weather. Ugh
Get warm already!!!