Clocking In

School has officially started for my entire crew of 5. It was surreal reaching a milestone like that after 9 years of at least one child with me 24/7. All at once I wanted all the time I'd had with them back, it was a tough morning.

The horses must have known that I'd be seeking comfort from them and needed to stay busy, they obliged my need by coming up the first day completely covered in wet mud. Mother nature had not been as considerate of me dumping inches of rain the day before school and likely continuing for at the next 10.

Since riding is out in these conditions, groundwork after grooming was all that was left. We had to do something. 

Groundwork stinks. It's the tedious work that builds great foundation blah blah blah. It's good stuff for your horse and your training, it's dull as tarnish for a girl who prefers to have the wind in her face, and more repulsive when there is sticky boot-sucking mud coupled with humidity so high your clothes are stuck to you before 9 am. But it's needed for a bratty pony and two big boys who need reminding that I'm important in new areas on the ground away from the herd.

Earlier this week I had a great chiropractor from Alabama come out and he spent quite a while working Czech's hip, when Czech would pop he'd stretch his neck out and sigh a groan of approval. Two days later I saw him in the pasture canter on his usual left lead, then choose to pick up his right without cross cantering. Fingers crossed that helped.

This groundwork stuff I know we should be doing diligently all along, but let's face it, most of us on limited time just get on and go with just a little longe first. Now that my time is open for the horses during the day, maybe some October shows would be a good goal. Working the horses out alone is also tremendously good for their minds and their respect/bond to me. Having the time consistently to do the work facing some of these problems is exciting.

I still miss her all the time. I find myself cleaning her stall sign and wishing her head was nudging me while I did it. The skills she taught me I use today and the courage I found with her pushes me to see what heights I can go with the boys.