Snow Day

 We had our first snow of the year and luckily it was just enough to cover the ground but not be too overwhelming. The drive was a bit hairy on one road that was not plowed. The ponies acted like they were starving, but we knew that Larry had given then breakfast. 

The weather was going to rain and cause ice in the afternoon so we had to leave early. I was determined to ride. Snow rides are the best. I even convinced Mom to bring Comrade for a ride too. 

Roscoe and Karrigan at our Jan. lesson

Roscoe is a serious footing snob. It takes a bit to get him to figure out he can actually work no matter the footing. He really feels insulted he has to make the effort. Today we were able to W/T/C. At the canter I dropped the contact and made him carry himself. Mom said she could see him step better behind. He is starting to figure out how to be a mature dressage pony. This was inventory month, but Roscoe and I had 14 work sessions. That would be .... 13 more than last year. 

Comrade was a willing participant, but kept it very conservative. I was just glad my Mom chose to ride.

Ember and I had a ride yesterday when I used a couple hours of leave. Mom lunged him for me since I have not riden him in over a week. He was tentative due the arena beginning to become crunchy. When I got on he was much improved right from the first step. As in he walked forward from the mounting block. Ember has been a bit of a teenager and gets stuck, so forward has been a work in progress. We have been doing lots of transitions and teaching him how to be a riding pony. Today he just did some lunging in the snow. We worked on traveling straighter. He is so smart and did it well after me showing him on one side.

Just a little round when he lifts

And finally the corgis had a blast in the snow. Deliah wore herself out chasing Griffyn. Four inches of snow was just enough for short corgi legs.

Digging Out

Well, that was one hell of a snow storm. My work had to reschedule a couple inventories and the base closed for three and half days. I was snowed in at the barn until Monday when my Mom drove our truck up and took me home.
I did not manage to ride again, since the snow blocked the gate. By time I get a chance I think it will have melted. So here is the picture story:
Friday snow started about noon

Sonny watching the snow fall

Roscoe says "I'm wet and not happy about it"

"Treats???"

Cute is easy for Comrade

He wears his snow well

Rosemary heard the camera

DaVinci eating

Snow capped Dottie

Winston, no worries :)

Only the beginning

Snow ride

Saturday, Frozen came to visit

Exhibit A, about 18" of snow I had to dig out to access the Red Boys and water

Exhibit B, Favorite picture of snow in the neighborhood

Rosemary and DaVinci followed me into the deep

Sunday, Sun and Snow

Even the old man ventured out into the deep snow

Dottie found a shallow spot

Pony paths

Helpful Roscoe

Super Cob Manure Mover

Loves her job

Peggy gets a ride back

Roscoe annoys Comrade

"Look, a tractor"

"Yep your right"

"Breakfast, please"

Wild ponies

Play time

"What deep snow?"

Roscoe photo bomb

The view out the front of the barn, Rosemary's path slightly melted

Love snow on trees

Larry's plow work

Monday, final fun day

My view from my temporary room

Heated buckets had a 4" clear area around them in the snow

Not sure if the videos will play, they loaded funny. Rosemary decided to race around taking Sonny with her.
Overall the storm was not too bad, but it was a work out. Now I just need to get through the next few days and finish this month of inventories. Then I can get back to riding and a more normal schedule.

Snow Day = Snow Ride



We have had enough snow to keep things interesting without being overwhelming. What it has done is make driving difficult resulting in closures. One of those days was my day off, so no benefit to me. Then the other day Mom and I left to go to the barn before work, which was on a delay at the time. As we left our neighborhood, the radio announced that our work had gone Code Red. Snow DAY!!!



Super cute pony head against awesome scenery

Well we still needed to continue to the barn, but at least there was no rush. As we arrived the snow stopped and the sun came out. The day was actually quite nice. I told Peggy that we needed to go for a ride. First we did most of the chores, then we had lunch while watching the horses enjoy the sun. Finally we decided to ride before finishing the last chores.
The Cobs were chosen since they basically volunteered. I took Roscoe's blanket off and saw a sign of Spring...lots of loose hair. I could pull hand fulls off just rubbing him. Roscoe enjoyed the resulting massage. Then once his saddle on he rushed me to put his bridle on. He is always so ready to work. This ride was his first in the snow. He did not even care about the snow in the arena. Once I got his focus off of Rosemary and what Sonny was doing, he went right to work. Rosemary also was really happy to work. Her Cob was showing as she trotted around. The snow made them work almost as if they were doing poles. After we played around in the ring, we made Peggy happy by going for a trail ride. Walking to the trail head, Roscoe looked closely at the snow banks wondering where they came from. On the trail he was nosy too at the beginning. Then I felt him develop his huge flat footed walk and we were off. We stayed on the flatter portions of the trail to be safe, but still had a fulfilling ride. Comrade acted like he was the 3 yr old, jigging around behind Roscoe. It got to the point Roscoe started wondering if he was suppose to be doing something. He listened to me when I told him to just ignore Comrade. They all were so good on the snow ride.



3 Cobs after a Snow Ride



Considering how horrible the morning weather was, this ride was the exact opposite. As much fun as riding in the snow is, I could do without anymore. Unfortunately, there is more in the forecast for tomorrow.

Night Snow Ride with Rosemary a few days earlier



Winter Workout

Well we finally got hit with some bigger amounts of snow.At home we got about a foot. The barn amounts are a little harder to tell with the drifting. Mom and I had to clear four wheelbarrow loads of snow out of the aisle. That much blew in. All the horses handled the snow great and enjoyed the choice of staying in a run in or wandering about.

Dogs exploring the deck at home

Girls walking in from the Big Run In

Leg Lifts

Boys got less snow in their area

The worst part was that the plow broke, so the barn owners did not clear the parking area. Talk about chaos when all of us boarders showed up with no where to park. Mom and I ended up shoveling snow Saturday so that we had parking, which meant we could stop driving the big truck. Gas is too expensive to drive that truck on a regular basis. Two hours with a wheelbarrow, muck fork and a shovel and we had the area cleared. What kills us is that they own a snow blower, but only did a path to each barn and the driveway hill. Great workout though.
Walking through the snow makes me and my short ponies work too. Gradually I started putting their hay further and further out into the snow. Might as well take advantage of exercise provided by Mother Nature. We make it a little easier on us, by using a sleigh to bring hay out. Pop a bale on and drag it out. Works like a charm.

Sleigh and Deliah trying to follow in my foot steps

Deliah and Bailey on the sleigh with Griffyn on the side

Today I was determined to ride. I LOVE to ride in the snow, especially if there is any kind of depth. I put the bareback pad on Rosemary and headed out. She has been asking to work for a few days now, so I gave it to her. Being the shortest, she worked just walking in the arena's untouched snow. I did do some trot circles, and she handled the work super well. Bareback I had no issues sitting on her. Love that pony :) Then I decided to go back to walk and work her mind with some lateral work. This is still new to her, but today I felt the cross over in the leg yields. Thank you deep snow. It slowed her down enough to be truer in the lateral movement. I was really impressed with her. And to top it off, the deep snow let Deliah be able to jump up and put her paws on  Rosemary's belly. Pony girl just stood there, not worried at all.

Short pony plus a snow drift equals hard work

Happy girl, both of us

Griffyn support

Deliah following closely

Super day overall. Now if only I can kick this chest cold, things would really improve.