Whoot!!

Okay- so I know it's been a long while since I've last posted... Nothing new to report, really...

Saddle arrived- but had to order a 28" girth to fit it & I went ahead and ordered a Specialized pad too. It finally arrived yesterday- right before all the storms...

So, today- wind & all... I saddled up. Whoot-whoot!! What a GREAT ride! I don't understand what IT IS about Bling- but she is dern special!! She didn't bug out about a thing!! Wind, new saddle & all!!

Rode nearly 8 miles today-

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/episode/view.do?episodePk.pkValue=7867377

... I just love her!!

demo saddle coming

Since I couldn't decide on what saddle to go with- I decided to go the 'demo' route. So here it is- a Specialized Trailmater- I'm sure those of you out there doing any kind of distance riding- would know about this saddle... Any information &/or advice would greatly be appreciated!

3/9

Riding is back on track- even without the best of weather... It was cold, damp & sloppy!! So, had to take it pretty easy...

...son wants the computer- more later???

Couple days off for Bling

I was getting ready to ride this afternoon- when I started checking Bling over for signs of swelling in her legs or sore muscles any where else- I check both before & after a ride.

Today she had some ever so slight sponginess just above her right hind fetlock- (not warm to the touch- at all). After continuing to check her all over- I noticed she had an odd reaction when checking her along the crest of her neck- she would pull her neck away from me & sometime shake her head.

I sent a text to Roxi, my endurance coach. She agreed that the swelling was probably from slipping around in the mud. Even though I took it as easy as I could, NOT trotting in the bad stuff- Bling still did some slipping around.

Roxi also agreed that the tenderness in her neck was probably from me pulling her back down- to keep her at a jog. Bling hasn't been pulling as much as starting out & has stopped flipping her head- She is starting to 'give' a lot better.

Roxi & I discussed the possibility of having an equine chiropractor look Bling over- she 'has' fallen down @ least two times since I've had her!

So- I'm left hosing her legs down (until I get those ice wraps...) a couple times a day & rest.

We have a 70% chance of rain & thunderstorms both Saturday into Sunday- I guess it'll be alright to give her those days off.

...Times like these, I'm so glad I have good ole, reliable TAZzy-wazzy...

Riding going well

Last night's ride on Bling went well- It was my 2nd solo ride... No hubby driving along behind me...

Neighbor stopped us- so we probably spent an hour standing there visiting.

Took things pretty easy, as the ground was pretty soggy- I didn't want to tear the ground up too bad, or the farmers won't let me ride out there anymore!

Got back onto the dirt road and came up on a farm with 3 dogs running loose. I knew they would charge right up to Bling- so I was 'ready'... Bling looked, but did not bolt. :)

We even got to see how she would handle the noise of a Harley! While I was in town I heard the bike... so I rode around in search of it!! The little bar in town is famous for having several 'biker regulars' so, I was hoping to get Bling familiar with the noise.

I asked the man to go ahead & start it up (that seems to be when they are the loudest!) He reaved the motor & I had Bling walk right up to him & she let him pet her!! What a GOOD GIRL!! :P

The ONE thing she was worried about while we were out riding was a small branch laying on the ground. She went spinning around to get a way from it- guess it looked like a big snake, stretched out sunning itself?

I am really enjoying Bling- I am amazed how well things are going with her!

Not to leave TAZ out- I'm still riding her... But, as far as spooking & being 'silly' I can almost say Bling is the 'calmer' of the two!

The not so 'Beauty Queen' gone ENDURANCE!!

This WAS me... MANY yeas ago! lol!!

Things looking up & feeling better!

Okay- the truck will live! It's in the shop and should be back on the road by Friday evening. I'm still giving hubby crap though... :P

Conditioning is going well- I haven't been crazy about the melt down we've been having, (shame on me to complain!) but I've decided I despise MUD more that I do the wind! At least wind will dry things up!!

It was awkward riding Bling this evening- With things half frozen, half slippery mud... She just couldn't decide what to do. I let her pick her own route- to see if she knew how to take care of herself, or to see if she would fall on her butt!!

She decided in some places to walk- almost like she has no idea what walking is like! Slipping and zig-zagging... We would come across some dryer spots- then we'd trot some...

I am so impress with Bling! She's not afraid of anything!! Rode up on somebody out in the woods shooting a 22 type rifle- I hollered, they quit til I could ride by... not a snort!

...Then a pheasant flew out of the brush- making whistle noises with it's wings- she looked, but didn't jump or bolt.

I saw my first ROBINS!! :) Spring!! whoot-whoot!!

Other than not getting my heart rate monitor up & running today- It was a MOST EXCELLENT day!