Time to ride
It is six o’clock in the evening and I am psyched; I’m off to ride my horse, Jaliska.
I normally don’t ride in the evening, but since getting divorced it has been difficult to ride in the morning. I have to be home to see my son on the bus at 6:45 AM. I would get up earlier and be at the barn at 5:00 AM and home by the bus, but Jaliska and the other horses are still asleep and I just don’t have the heart to wake them. Jaliska, like my son, is still growing and needs a full nights rest.
I get to the barn and, of course, Jaliska is thrilled to see me. I swear, I have my own fan club in J. I am just as happy to see her; she has a fan club in me. I spend time patting her and blowing in her nose (which she finds soothing for some reason).
The temperature is not too bad. Yesterday was brutal with below zero wind chills. Today, it was still chilly but this evening it feels balmy at 20 degrees. I groom Jaliska and put on her half sheet to keep her somewhat warm during our ride.
We head for the indoor. I walk her for fifteen minutes in each direction, letting her reins hang loose so she can stretch out her neck. Walking for a half hour prior to and after riding is really good for horses. I learned about this from reading Elmar’s book, Training the Modern Jumper.
When I start to trot her, I immediately feel something new. Jaliska is so smooth. What a difference professional training can make. She is a dream to ride for the next forty minutes. I am so happy after that I spend the next thirty minutes cleaning all of our tack. Jaliska is happy too as she gets multiple hugs and praises, an apple, and a horsey treat that I found in a container in the tack room.
I immediately make a plan to ride first thing in the morning since the kids will be at their father’s house. I head home reinvigorated by my evening ride, ready to take on tomorrow with a smile.
Tip of the day:
If at all possible, set your horse up with training rides if you are lucky enough to have a good trainer nearby. It is well worth the investment.
