Signs of the time

A fat and fuzzy mustang, crunchy leaves, green grass, woolly sheep, smoke coming from the chimney, saddle sans stirrups – yep, this scene says November!

I'm trying to coordinate a lesson with an instructor I used and loved for years. (Difficulty coordinating time and place was why I switched to Julie, who has moved to SC.) I would like to long-line Lance sometimes rather than lunge him, but don't feel proficient at the finer points; Suzan is a master at long-lining. She worked with me and Russell once on long-lining years ago, but Russell did not like it. Hence my lack of proficiency!

Just Do Did It!

Today's forecast was wet and windy. After doing morning chores, I started the steamer for supper hay. When the timer went off, it was just spitting rather than raining, so I pulled on my warm winter breeches and went to the barn. Once there, I waffled; the spit seemed to be getting heavier. I headed back to the house; it really wasn't that wet. I turned around and headed back towards the barn.... Wash, rinse, repeat a few times (hey, it fed the FitBit) before I told myself to Just Do It – and did!

And the whole day will feel the better for it. ;-)

We warmed up in the arena, then rode down to the mailboxes and back, doing a little lateral work, a bit of trot and even smaller bit of canter. Short; sweet. I think my mustang man is feeling better; hurray!

Now I'm back inside a warm house with a fire going in the woodstove; the wind has definitely picked up. No photos, but how about a list of things I'm thankful for – eight for the 8th of November.

• Warm winter breeches by Boink, a gift from my husband many years ago. I misplaced them for a couple years; so glad to have found them again!
• Warm winter gloves by Kerrits – their riding gloves, winter and summer versions both, are my favorites.
• My saddle – inexpensive (even more so because I got it used) and synthetic, it fits both of us well and is weatherproof.
• Our arena. As places to ride out from home become more restricted, it has become essential.
• My handy husband, who built our arena (after the dirt work was done), and my cavaletti, and the hay steamer, and much more.
• My professional husband, who has done so much mundane and advanced work to keep/get my horses healthy and sound over the years.
• Fun challenges like #NoStirrupNovember.
• Last but not least, my mustang man, Lancelot Dun Dino!

Still sans stirrups

I was wrestling with my teenage son the other day when he protested, "No, not the dressage thighs!" I gave an evil chuckle and said, "Just wait; they're going to be even stronger by the end of #NoStirrupNovember!"

I just realized I used stirrups the morning of November 1 before the farrier came – and before I knew about #NoStirrupNovember. As you can see, it was a gorgeous day on our hill. We haven't been out of the arena since; Lance is (and always has been) barefoot and I hate to ask him to walk on gravel right after a trim. Today I rode the warm-up, then lunged him to focus on "forward," and finished with a bit more mounted work to enjoy the results. Here's my autumn-colored mustang man today in fine flesh:

Apparently it's a thing

I follow US Equestrian on Instagram, and yesterday they posted this:

The day before (November 1) I had decided to lunge Lance just to do something different, and removed my stirrups. Today when I rode, I thought, “Why not?” and left them off.

We stayed in the arena and utilized the cavaletti in a new configuration.

Interestingly enough, Lance's trot felt better than usual, and cantering was awkward. It will be interesting to see how things develop this month!

Proof of life

Lance and I are still here, still getting saddle time. In fact, I try to ride nearly every day. Nothing too long or strenuous; while he's breathing easy in his stall now, he's quickly winded by exertion thanks to the changes in his lungs. I've received some good information via Kentucky Equine Research's e-newsletters; this article helped me understand Lance's current limitations (and yes, we're going to try to reverse some of the damage using that therapy).

We use our arena,

and we ride down the gravel lanes, enjoying the changing scenery.

We even competed in a show recently! The American Mustang and Burro Association's new Marketing and Event Director organized an "Internet Horse Show." Competitors submitted free entries, photos (for halter classes and the "Ride the Brand" class) and/or videos (for the pleasure riding and trail classes), which were judged and placed. I thought, "Why not try?", and solicited Brian's and my neighbor's (at the mailboxes) help in shooting video. Here are the videos of us negotiating all the requirements of the trail class:



I figured Lance could manage the 30 seconds of trot and 30 seconds of canter required for the pleasure riding class, but even that caused a coughing fit in the middle, poor guy. I fumbled my way through iMovie enough to edit that out, though; here is the video I submitted:

(Thankfully the arena is dust-free now, and Lance no longer coughs.)

Out of ten participants, Lance WON the Halter Gelding class, and came in second in both the riding classes! Since he doesn't have a BLM brand, being domestically bred, we couldn't compete in Ride the Brand class or have a chance at winning Grand Champion, but it was fun and I'm looking forward to the promised Spring internet show.