Sharing

My good friend, Simat, sent me this video of her horse Gunner. She reminded me that he is Bling's half brother~ Gorgeous!

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=58206665

Enjoy!

Still riding~

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/episode/view.do?episodePk.pkValue=8336684

Hi all! No, I didn't drop off the earth! lol I've been riding & working outside a lot.

Had to change the way TAZ was being trimmed, which turned out to change the size of her Easyboots from 00 to 000. Teeny-tiny!! They fit her perfectly now. So, we're off!!

I am HOPING to do a CTR or LD endurance ride in the late Summer or Fall.

I would like to be in better fit condition myself before competing. I am 5' and weigh about 155lbs. By the end of the day my ankles/feet are hurting pretty badly. I'm hoping if I loose some weight & start walking/biking, I will loose the extra weight & gain fitness of which I understand is beneficial in long distance riding.

I NEED to start riding Bling more~ I'm still not absolutely confident riding her... Which is silly, because she's not made a single mistake yet! It's mainly about using a snaffle bit- I'm just not confident I can get her to "whoa" if I would ever would need her to in an emergency situation... She always 'has' stopped for me & we 'do' practice the one rein stop... I'm just used to a leverage bit (western/gaited style), to get my 'whoa'.

...I have considered changing over to a hackamore, any suggestions?

Warm & Windy!

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/episode/view.do?episodePk.pkValue=8268352

It was a great day over all~

Met up with Jonnie & Christy @ Pierce Creek, North of Shenandoah IA. These trails are NICE, as they keep them mowed & maintained. Mostly flat terrain, but lovely to ride near the lake.

Rode just shy of 9 1/2 miles~ with a few more trails to explore if we had more time.

I took TAZ again & was glad I did because of all the wind!

...Sorry no pics... I DO always remember to take my camera, but always end up leaving it in the truck.

Equine Heart Rate Monitor~

Finally have it up & running!! Now what?

I read to take a resting heart rate for 5 or so days, then average it out?

Then???

I've ridden some this past Winter & currently several times a week. Anywhere from 5-10 miles. I trot at the very least 5 of the miles with a lope here & there... Warming up & cooling down...

Where should the heart rates be & how long to 'pulse down'???

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Ch'ears'! Christine, TAZ & Bling

Bling doesn't disappoint!!

Yesterday Waubonsie Saddle Club put on a Trail Ride~ The weather was PERFECT for a day of riding, though I did get a little sunburned as I forgot the sun block... My bad!!

I decided to take Bling to see how she would handle the many challenges a trail ride has to offer~ I was nervous about my decision...

She handled everything just GREAT!! Up & down all those hills, turkey 'flying w/style' across the field, drunks galloping around like idiots!! She didn't disappoint me once!

...I must admit, I DID miss riding my TAZzy... Not a single Mule @ the ride. People often talk to me a bit more- they always complement her & ask questions...

But I DO love my BLING-Bling!! Thanks for a GREAT ride Bling, MUAH!!